[pic]King of Dreams, Owner of None
by Bunniko
AN: Yipes! I've had this sitting on disk, but forgot all about it! Again, my beta reader is MIA, so if someone is interested in filling in, feel free to beta Ch's 12 and 13 for me. Please, please review, so I know someone is reading this still. Reviews do help encourage me to keep writing this. *hopeful grin* Another chapter with oblique references to me and my friends. So yet again, there's some stuff I own. I own: Trixie/Jeannie, Melinda, Deborah, Rikki, Solei, Kiori and other things as they appear. I do not own: Texas (bummer), England (yay!), the Labyrinth (sniffle), Jareth, Sarah, etc. To my real life friends: See if you can find yourself. Did I write you in? lol
AN: Keiko-sama's back! This is the beta-ed version! YAY!!! On to Chapter 14 for me!! (thanks for all the reviews, I LOVE THEM!!!!)
Please Note: The story is set 5 years after the movie.
Chapter Thirteen - Unlucky Dreamer
Kiori's hurried consultation with the Will following Jareth's sudden departure left her with a cat-like smile stretching her features. When Kiori smiled, even in such a predatory way, her whole face changed. The sullen look dropped away and her unusual beauty would take the breath away of even the most jaded man. But Kiori was uninterested in any man but her King and she cared nothing for her appearance, with the single exception of her wings. Which at the moment were expanded behind her in a decidedly vulture-like pose. She waited now for Sarah to return from upstairs.
Footsteps echoed clearly throughout the old house and through them Kiori tracked Sarah's progress. The girl had thundered up the stairs as if chased by the hounds of hell. But upon reaching the attic, her footsteps had slowed to almost a reverent, hesitant walk. She was walking toward the vanity as if she were approaching a powerful ruler. Kiori knew the moment Sarah touched the book. It was as if the entire Labyrinth released a breath it had been holding for years. A sense of eager welcoming that reached out hungrily for its rightful Queen. She resisted the pull to show herself and reveal to Sarah the truth, but barely. The sounds of Sarah's slow return to the living room, footsteps of a dreamy girl murmuring forgotten lines, set Kiori's pulse racing with excitement.
Kiori had been waiting for this moment for almost five years. Having defected from Jareth's camp shortly after being sent to this dismal Earth, she had been eagerly awaiting the rebellion promised her. But the Will had been cautious, slowly expanding its sphere of influence subtly, so as not to disturb the petulant, pouting King in his white castle. Kiori knew this was wise, but still she had chafed at the delay.
But now, she was free to act. She could drop her guise as Jareth's loyal servant and rebel in full glory. How she hungered for the battles that would come, the violence, the treachery, the ultimate defeat of her once- proud lover. And as for Sarah? Simple, bitter Sarah had been given five years to discover what she should have known the second she had defeated the foolish King. She had turned her back on her responsibilities and now, without her consent, she would return. She would overthrow the has-been King and establish a new leadership. The Labyrinth would be ruled by one of its own! Her kitty grin became a smirk as her mind's eye conjured up an image of Jareth, staring in horror at his beloved as she rose up in rebellion against him, with the entire Labyrinth behind her.
As Kiori daydreamed of the rebellion's glorious uprising, she completely missed Sarah's entrance. Only the sound of Sarah locking the door Jareth had dramatically exited brought the fairy around. Still ensconced in her hiding place between couch and wall, she glanced sharply at the girl.
Sarah was standing still in front of the door, her thoughts on Jareth and his words. "Read the damn book!" he'd said. She glanced down at the worn red book in her hands. But she had read the book. Read it so many times it should be tattered. She frowned as she studied it. The book should be tattered, her mind screamed. But it clearly wasn't. The binding was un- cracked, the pages a pristine white. Another memory rolled back over her. Jeannie had told her that the book had changed. She hadn't told Sarah how. She frowned further. She'd known Jareth had really given the books to them. That made them magic, then. A dim light bulb seemed to flash in her mind. The book was a link to Jareth!
She turned to sit down, a voice in her head insisting she throw the book in the fireplace and be done with. She didn't realize she spoke out loud. "I played your game and I won. Why can't you leave me alone? I did what I was supposed to!"
She didn't expect an answer. "No, Sarah, you left much undone." Sarah whirled as Kiori detached herself from the shadows of the couch and raised something above her head. Sarah stared in shock at the savage-looking creature that stepped into the light. She opened her mouth to scream as it threw something at her. A dense purple smoke burst about her, stopping the scream as the gas eagerly curled about her.
Instinctively, she turned as if to run, fear clutching at her throat as she noted the rapid way the earth had begun to spin. The noxious vapors curled higher about her, threatening to steal away her consciousness. Unsteadily, she staggered backwards, her hands reaching out futilely for something to catch a hold of, the book falling to the floor. And then the malicious gases made good on their threat and she slipped to the floor herself, unconscious before she hit the ground.
Kiori stood triumphantly over the body of the spoiled, childish Sarah Williams. Her lip curled derisively, mocking her defeated victim. She had savored every moment. The look of shock and fear on Sarah's face after she had spoken. The way she had tried to run, but the noxious fumes had circled her hungrily, searching for her vulnerable mouth and nose. The concoction had been effective, quick and ruthless. Sarah could put up no resistance now to the Will's plans, nor would she even be aware of its intentions until she was beyond help. With a wickedly impish smirk, Kiori summoned her mistress.
A flash of white-purple light flared out of the living room windows of her isolated house as Sarah's body was unconsentingly, yet unresistingly pulled out of her comfortable Human world to the land of magic. Kiori went as well, still in her official position to keep watch over Sarah.
Five pairs of eyes watched, one pair expectantly, four pairs in horror and defeat, as Sarah's body appeared on the floor. Kiori turned Sarah's body over, arms and legs flung wide. The Will hovered over her, a vague spirit. Ludo howled, Sir Didymus shook his chains and protested mightily, Ambrosius cowered and Hoggle cursed. But nothing, not even the ominous rumble of the rocks overhead, deterred the Will. It seemed to form a funnel cloud and lowered itself towards Sarah's head. As easy as you please, the funnel was inhaled by Sarah's breath.
The five spectators were silent. All eyes were riveted to the form of the young woman spread-eagled on the floor. Her face grew pale as snow; her hair seemed hinted with purple highlights. Her body was rigid, still as death. Then she arched, eyes flying open, one purple, one brown. Hoggle looked directly into that eye as it slowly changed to purple. He was certain that he had seen Sarah herself within its depths, reaching for him before her form was swallowed up by the purple. Her body relaxed slowly, her heartbeat calming, her lungs beginning to work properly again.
Hoggle, brave soul, fainted dead away in his chains. A tear slid from Ludo's eye. "Sarah?" he whimpered. Still cowering, Ambrosius added his whimpers to the sad monster's.
Didymus was undaunted. He shook his tiny fist, his chains rattling imperiously. "How dare thee, thou vile creature! Release the Lady Sarah at once!" He proceeded to further challenge the "villainous coward" until a wave of Sarah's right hand silenced him most effectively. His mouth disappeared. Kiori giggled in delight.
Sarah now sat on the dirt floor. Her eyes were distant, making sure her distraction was still at work. Kiori waited as patiently as she could. Slowly, those startling eyes refocused and the being that had once been Sarah rose with surprising grace.
"Mistress, are you pleased?" Kiori questioned eagerly.
She smiled eerily. "Well pleased, my loyal servant." A yawn caught the powerful creature by surprise. "Take me somewhere I can rest." she instructed firmly. "And get some rest yourself, Kiori. Tomorrow, the Revolution faces the King to inform him his pathetic rule is over. Queen Sarah is here to take her rightful place." She smiled wickedly, "With a few improvements, of course."
Kiori led her mistress off to bedchamber, and then found her own bed, with dreams of Jareth's reactions to keep her company.
***
Jareth was nerve-racked. His castle was in an uproar. The screams wouldn't stop! He was pulling his hair out in frustration. How could such a small being issue such heart-breaking, ear-piercing sounds? And why wouldn't they stop?
The screams had started only moments after his return. His patience was shot after that discussion with Sarah, and this was only shattering his nerves further. He hadn't slept well since the girl had called him and he knew he would have little peace this night, either. The most horrible part of this was that he was helpless. He couldn't shake sense into Sarah, he couldn't save Jeannie, and he couldn't even stop the screams.
Jeannie was in hell. The toddy had quickly put her to sleep and Bitsy had slipped from the room, relieved that her charge was safe and resting. But then the nightmares had started. They'd been bad at first, during the time Jareth was away, but after his return, they had escalated in anguishing torment. The pain of the dreams grew steadily, as she relived the worst moments of her life and then as the key players in those moments stepped out of those memories and proceeded to vilify, hurt and insult her anew. She felt their hate, anger and cruelty lash at her. Her body bled as words took shape and sliced into her tender skin. Her skin burned as hate became an inferno she couldn't escape. Every unkind word or action was transformed into a physical wound, a very painful blow. She fought desperately to awaken, but could not, the well-meant toddy keeping her asleep. She could only scream incoherently and endure their taunts and lemon-juice laughter. She wanted to die, to stop, to escape this horror, but there wasn't even that mercy to be found.
An hour had passed. Jareth was fully focused on his young charge, all thoughts of everything, even his beloved, willful Sarah, were pushed aside. If only he could understand . . . he leaned closer, hoping for a clue. A faint warning bell rang within him. Time and space seemed wrong. His attention to Jeannie began to waver, when an understandable word was finally allowed to cross Jeannie's dry, cracked lips. The plaintive words re-captured his attention until the strange feeling passed.
"Daddy," she whimpered, her voice a child's version, "why?" As if those words were somehow a key, the screaming and thrashing stopped, a trickle of tears escaping her eyes. Bitsy came forward to press a cool cloth to Jeannie's forehead, her own eyes red-rimmed by fretful tears. Now, tears of relief stood in her eyes. Jareth, however, was not relieved. He glanced at Bitsy, a silent command to watch over her, to alert him to any changes. At her nod, he rose and stalked from the room.
The girl was too much of a problem, he harangued himself. First her injuries, then her accident in the Labyrinth, and now these nightmares. Not to mention her issues, her pride and her stories of a threat to his power. She distracted him too much. Another part of his mind questioned that. Distracts you from what? Moping over Sarah? He slumped into his chair and stared at all the books he had pulled from their shelves for Jeannie's sake. Yes, he sighed, she distracted him from his moping. She listened to him talk and she filled the long silences of his days with laughter and chatter. Hell, she forced him to live! He hadn't had time to be morbidly depressed in weeks!
And yet, what was he to do with her? He truly enjoyed talking to her, sharing his days in discussions of the history of his world. She was unafraid of his creatures, not disgusted by his goblins or repelled by their antics. He knew she adored children and was interested in seeing the lands that lay beyond the Labyrinth. If she weren't a dratted Human, she would make for a very fine friend. She was sympathetic and concerned and damn it all, she cared about everyone she met! She was too good to be true, his cynical nature mocked.
But his mind was not about to be shut out. She may be sympathetic and sweet and all the rest, but locked in her soul was a darkness he was very familiar with. Most of the Humans wished to him and many of the Humans that wished them away had these dark spots on their souls. In the children, some had been so tainted by that darkness, he'd had to alter their minds. But that always rendered them into goblins. He couldn't do that to Jeannie, see her lose her loving, sweet nature just to be rid of the shadows on her inner light. It was that pain, that unacknowledged anger that made her real. It gave him something in common with her.
He rested his head on the back of his chair. There was a deep darkness on his soul, too. He too had parental issues. He could be cruel when he chose. Could Jeannie? He wondered. Sarah's cruelty matched his. She was his soul mate. He could feel it. Could it be that they were both drawn to the same person, a woman-child who would love them both dearly and supportively? Could Jeannie be the same defensive, loyal friend to him that she was to Sarah? Would the Underground accept her? But the Labyrinth had sensed her as an intruder, had attacked her. The Labyrinth defended him. Was it warning him that the girl must go? Was she a danger to him? An obstacle between him and his destiny?
He rubbed his aching head. Jeannie was important to him. She had been since she was 10 years old. Those stunning green eyes that told you everything she was thinking, that precocious mouth that was rarely silent, even the unruliness of her hair was kept stored in his mind. An image that always popped up when he thought of her. There were times he stared at her and tried to find that girl. He knew that when she was younger, the nightmare hadn't yet scarred her. Back then, secure and happy with her Honey, she'd been confident and carefree. And he wanted her to be innocent Trixie again, bounding over green hills with that overgrown pup of Sarah's, giggling over some silly movie with Sarah or chattering on and on about how cool she thought some silly hobbit was.
His thoughts turned to his Sarah. When he thought of her, he remembered the ballroom. He thought of how happy he'd been, dancing with her, forgetting all about her quest or her defiance. He saw her in her white gown, her upswept black hair tumbling down so sweetly. Her innocent eyes. Or of her in his Labyrinth, the defiant air she held tightly about her, her simple outfit that fit her so well. How she'd befriended his own people! He respected her. His chest tightened when he thought of their final encounter of that adventure. He'd given her so much and then, knowing she'd reject him, he still couldn't resist a final plea for her to see how he felt about her. He'd known she had to rescue Toby, but he needed to know if she could make the noble choice, and choose her brother, her half- brother, over love. She had, breaking his heart and earning his respect.
But instead of showing her that, he lamented again, he lost his temper and lost her. Her scathing insults were hardly painful, but the look in her eyes . . . ah, that was like a sword to the heart, every time. He'd thought that she would be grateful to him for saving Jeannie's life, once she got over the initial anger of him re-entering her life. He'd never expected her to abandon her friend. Apparently he had miscalculated the damage he had done to her.
Jareth's self-loathing rose a notch. He would tell Jeannie of his latest encounter with Sarah in the morning. She would no doubt blame him as well. Sarah was abandoning her because of him. And surely, Jeannie would see it the same way. He would tell her the truth about her situation her, make it clear to her that, despite her pride, she didn't have to option of refusing his hospitality. Doubtless, she would grow to hate him as well. He was beginning to believe it was what he deserved.
He rose from his chair and gazed out the window at his Labyrinth. He was so used to wallowing in self-pity that he often ended up in this depressive funk without even trying. He gazed up, seeking out the stars. "I ask for so little." he practically whined. "Just my soul mate's love and a loyal friend." The stars above continued casting their weak light down upon him. He'd been down for so long, he couldn't find up anymore. He appreciated none of what he had, so desperately did he long for what he thought he was being denied.
Eventually, his thoughts brought him back to the girl. That she'd been clearly victimized in the past was blatantly obvious. But, as he had learned with Kiori, he was not the man to help. She needed a counselor, someone who could show her how to heal. Hell, they both did. He dwelt on Kiori for a moment, and then naturally proceeded to contemplate his Sarah. The ache for her was so strong, a crystal materialized in his hand without even thinking about it. He lifted it up, watching it shimmer in a promising manner. He warred within himself, then dropped it, letting it shatter. He was sick, so sick of watching and waiting. He didn't want to spy on her. He wanted her to summon him. He left his study, seeking out his bed. Dreams of Sarah summoning him, of Sarah missing him softened his slumber. But come the morn, he would wonder what would have happened if his conscience had given in and he'd spied upon her while the bond between Sarah and the Will was new and vulnerable.
by Bunniko
AN: Yipes! I've had this sitting on disk, but forgot all about it! Again, my beta reader is MIA, so if someone is interested in filling in, feel free to beta Ch's 12 and 13 for me. Please, please review, so I know someone is reading this still. Reviews do help encourage me to keep writing this. *hopeful grin* Another chapter with oblique references to me and my friends. So yet again, there's some stuff I own. I own: Trixie/Jeannie, Melinda, Deborah, Rikki, Solei, Kiori and other things as they appear. I do not own: Texas (bummer), England (yay!), the Labyrinth (sniffle), Jareth, Sarah, etc. To my real life friends: See if you can find yourself. Did I write you in? lol
AN: Keiko-sama's back! This is the beta-ed version! YAY!!! On to Chapter 14 for me!! (thanks for all the reviews, I LOVE THEM!!!!)
Please Note: The story is set 5 years after the movie.
Chapter Thirteen - Unlucky Dreamer
Kiori's hurried consultation with the Will following Jareth's sudden departure left her with a cat-like smile stretching her features. When Kiori smiled, even in such a predatory way, her whole face changed. The sullen look dropped away and her unusual beauty would take the breath away of even the most jaded man. But Kiori was uninterested in any man but her King and she cared nothing for her appearance, with the single exception of her wings. Which at the moment were expanded behind her in a decidedly vulture-like pose. She waited now for Sarah to return from upstairs.
Footsteps echoed clearly throughout the old house and through them Kiori tracked Sarah's progress. The girl had thundered up the stairs as if chased by the hounds of hell. But upon reaching the attic, her footsteps had slowed to almost a reverent, hesitant walk. She was walking toward the vanity as if she were approaching a powerful ruler. Kiori knew the moment Sarah touched the book. It was as if the entire Labyrinth released a breath it had been holding for years. A sense of eager welcoming that reached out hungrily for its rightful Queen. She resisted the pull to show herself and reveal to Sarah the truth, but barely. The sounds of Sarah's slow return to the living room, footsteps of a dreamy girl murmuring forgotten lines, set Kiori's pulse racing with excitement.
Kiori had been waiting for this moment for almost five years. Having defected from Jareth's camp shortly after being sent to this dismal Earth, she had been eagerly awaiting the rebellion promised her. But the Will had been cautious, slowly expanding its sphere of influence subtly, so as not to disturb the petulant, pouting King in his white castle. Kiori knew this was wise, but still she had chafed at the delay.
But now, she was free to act. She could drop her guise as Jareth's loyal servant and rebel in full glory. How she hungered for the battles that would come, the violence, the treachery, the ultimate defeat of her once- proud lover. And as for Sarah? Simple, bitter Sarah had been given five years to discover what she should have known the second she had defeated the foolish King. She had turned her back on her responsibilities and now, without her consent, she would return. She would overthrow the has-been King and establish a new leadership. The Labyrinth would be ruled by one of its own! Her kitty grin became a smirk as her mind's eye conjured up an image of Jareth, staring in horror at his beloved as she rose up in rebellion against him, with the entire Labyrinth behind her.
As Kiori daydreamed of the rebellion's glorious uprising, she completely missed Sarah's entrance. Only the sound of Sarah locking the door Jareth had dramatically exited brought the fairy around. Still ensconced in her hiding place between couch and wall, she glanced sharply at the girl.
Sarah was standing still in front of the door, her thoughts on Jareth and his words. "Read the damn book!" he'd said. She glanced down at the worn red book in her hands. But she had read the book. Read it so many times it should be tattered. She frowned as she studied it. The book should be tattered, her mind screamed. But it clearly wasn't. The binding was un- cracked, the pages a pristine white. Another memory rolled back over her. Jeannie had told her that the book had changed. She hadn't told Sarah how. She frowned further. She'd known Jareth had really given the books to them. That made them magic, then. A dim light bulb seemed to flash in her mind. The book was a link to Jareth!
She turned to sit down, a voice in her head insisting she throw the book in the fireplace and be done with. She didn't realize she spoke out loud. "I played your game and I won. Why can't you leave me alone? I did what I was supposed to!"
She didn't expect an answer. "No, Sarah, you left much undone." Sarah whirled as Kiori detached herself from the shadows of the couch and raised something above her head. Sarah stared in shock at the savage-looking creature that stepped into the light. She opened her mouth to scream as it threw something at her. A dense purple smoke burst about her, stopping the scream as the gas eagerly curled about her.
Instinctively, she turned as if to run, fear clutching at her throat as she noted the rapid way the earth had begun to spin. The noxious vapors curled higher about her, threatening to steal away her consciousness. Unsteadily, she staggered backwards, her hands reaching out futilely for something to catch a hold of, the book falling to the floor. And then the malicious gases made good on their threat and she slipped to the floor herself, unconscious before she hit the ground.
Kiori stood triumphantly over the body of the spoiled, childish Sarah Williams. Her lip curled derisively, mocking her defeated victim. She had savored every moment. The look of shock and fear on Sarah's face after she had spoken. The way she had tried to run, but the noxious fumes had circled her hungrily, searching for her vulnerable mouth and nose. The concoction had been effective, quick and ruthless. Sarah could put up no resistance now to the Will's plans, nor would she even be aware of its intentions until she was beyond help. With a wickedly impish smirk, Kiori summoned her mistress.
A flash of white-purple light flared out of the living room windows of her isolated house as Sarah's body was unconsentingly, yet unresistingly pulled out of her comfortable Human world to the land of magic. Kiori went as well, still in her official position to keep watch over Sarah.
Five pairs of eyes watched, one pair expectantly, four pairs in horror and defeat, as Sarah's body appeared on the floor. Kiori turned Sarah's body over, arms and legs flung wide. The Will hovered over her, a vague spirit. Ludo howled, Sir Didymus shook his chains and protested mightily, Ambrosius cowered and Hoggle cursed. But nothing, not even the ominous rumble of the rocks overhead, deterred the Will. It seemed to form a funnel cloud and lowered itself towards Sarah's head. As easy as you please, the funnel was inhaled by Sarah's breath.
The five spectators were silent. All eyes were riveted to the form of the young woman spread-eagled on the floor. Her face grew pale as snow; her hair seemed hinted with purple highlights. Her body was rigid, still as death. Then she arched, eyes flying open, one purple, one brown. Hoggle looked directly into that eye as it slowly changed to purple. He was certain that he had seen Sarah herself within its depths, reaching for him before her form was swallowed up by the purple. Her body relaxed slowly, her heartbeat calming, her lungs beginning to work properly again.
Hoggle, brave soul, fainted dead away in his chains. A tear slid from Ludo's eye. "Sarah?" he whimpered. Still cowering, Ambrosius added his whimpers to the sad monster's.
Didymus was undaunted. He shook his tiny fist, his chains rattling imperiously. "How dare thee, thou vile creature! Release the Lady Sarah at once!" He proceeded to further challenge the "villainous coward" until a wave of Sarah's right hand silenced him most effectively. His mouth disappeared. Kiori giggled in delight.
Sarah now sat on the dirt floor. Her eyes were distant, making sure her distraction was still at work. Kiori waited as patiently as she could. Slowly, those startling eyes refocused and the being that had once been Sarah rose with surprising grace.
"Mistress, are you pleased?" Kiori questioned eagerly.
She smiled eerily. "Well pleased, my loyal servant." A yawn caught the powerful creature by surprise. "Take me somewhere I can rest." she instructed firmly. "And get some rest yourself, Kiori. Tomorrow, the Revolution faces the King to inform him his pathetic rule is over. Queen Sarah is here to take her rightful place." She smiled wickedly, "With a few improvements, of course."
Kiori led her mistress off to bedchamber, and then found her own bed, with dreams of Jareth's reactions to keep her company.
***
Jareth was nerve-racked. His castle was in an uproar. The screams wouldn't stop! He was pulling his hair out in frustration. How could such a small being issue such heart-breaking, ear-piercing sounds? And why wouldn't they stop?
The screams had started only moments after his return. His patience was shot after that discussion with Sarah, and this was only shattering his nerves further. He hadn't slept well since the girl had called him and he knew he would have little peace this night, either. The most horrible part of this was that he was helpless. He couldn't shake sense into Sarah, he couldn't save Jeannie, and he couldn't even stop the screams.
Jeannie was in hell. The toddy had quickly put her to sleep and Bitsy had slipped from the room, relieved that her charge was safe and resting. But then the nightmares had started. They'd been bad at first, during the time Jareth was away, but after his return, they had escalated in anguishing torment. The pain of the dreams grew steadily, as she relived the worst moments of her life and then as the key players in those moments stepped out of those memories and proceeded to vilify, hurt and insult her anew. She felt their hate, anger and cruelty lash at her. Her body bled as words took shape and sliced into her tender skin. Her skin burned as hate became an inferno she couldn't escape. Every unkind word or action was transformed into a physical wound, a very painful blow. She fought desperately to awaken, but could not, the well-meant toddy keeping her asleep. She could only scream incoherently and endure their taunts and lemon-juice laughter. She wanted to die, to stop, to escape this horror, but there wasn't even that mercy to be found.
An hour had passed. Jareth was fully focused on his young charge, all thoughts of everything, even his beloved, willful Sarah, were pushed aside. If only he could understand . . . he leaned closer, hoping for a clue. A faint warning bell rang within him. Time and space seemed wrong. His attention to Jeannie began to waver, when an understandable word was finally allowed to cross Jeannie's dry, cracked lips. The plaintive words re-captured his attention until the strange feeling passed.
"Daddy," she whimpered, her voice a child's version, "why?" As if those words were somehow a key, the screaming and thrashing stopped, a trickle of tears escaping her eyes. Bitsy came forward to press a cool cloth to Jeannie's forehead, her own eyes red-rimmed by fretful tears. Now, tears of relief stood in her eyes. Jareth, however, was not relieved. He glanced at Bitsy, a silent command to watch over her, to alert him to any changes. At her nod, he rose and stalked from the room.
The girl was too much of a problem, he harangued himself. First her injuries, then her accident in the Labyrinth, and now these nightmares. Not to mention her issues, her pride and her stories of a threat to his power. She distracted him too much. Another part of his mind questioned that. Distracts you from what? Moping over Sarah? He slumped into his chair and stared at all the books he had pulled from their shelves for Jeannie's sake. Yes, he sighed, she distracted him from his moping. She listened to him talk and she filled the long silences of his days with laughter and chatter. Hell, she forced him to live! He hadn't had time to be morbidly depressed in weeks!
And yet, what was he to do with her? He truly enjoyed talking to her, sharing his days in discussions of the history of his world. She was unafraid of his creatures, not disgusted by his goblins or repelled by their antics. He knew she adored children and was interested in seeing the lands that lay beyond the Labyrinth. If she weren't a dratted Human, she would make for a very fine friend. She was sympathetic and concerned and damn it all, she cared about everyone she met! She was too good to be true, his cynical nature mocked.
But his mind was not about to be shut out. She may be sympathetic and sweet and all the rest, but locked in her soul was a darkness he was very familiar with. Most of the Humans wished to him and many of the Humans that wished them away had these dark spots on their souls. In the children, some had been so tainted by that darkness, he'd had to alter their minds. But that always rendered them into goblins. He couldn't do that to Jeannie, see her lose her loving, sweet nature just to be rid of the shadows on her inner light. It was that pain, that unacknowledged anger that made her real. It gave him something in common with her.
He rested his head on the back of his chair. There was a deep darkness on his soul, too. He too had parental issues. He could be cruel when he chose. Could Jeannie? He wondered. Sarah's cruelty matched his. She was his soul mate. He could feel it. Could it be that they were both drawn to the same person, a woman-child who would love them both dearly and supportively? Could Jeannie be the same defensive, loyal friend to him that she was to Sarah? Would the Underground accept her? But the Labyrinth had sensed her as an intruder, had attacked her. The Labyrinth defended him. Was it warning him that the girl must go? Was she a danger to him? An obstacle between him and his destiny?
He rubbed his aching head. Jeannie was important to him. She had been since she was 10 years old. Those stunning green eyes that told you everything she was thinking, that precocious mouth that was rarely silent, even the unruliness of her hair was kept stored in his mind. An image that always popped up when he thought of her. There were times he stared at her and tried to find that girl. He knew that when she was younger, the nightmare hadn't yet scarred her. Back then, secure and happy with her Honey, she'd been confident and carefree. And he wanted her to be innocent Trixie again, bounding over green hills with that overgrown pup of Sarah's, giggling over some silly movie with Sarah or chattering on and on about how cool she thought some silly hobbit was.
His thoughts turned to his Sarah. When he thought of her, he remembered the ballroom. He thought of how happy he'd been, dancing with her, forgetting all about her quest or her defiance. He saw her in her white gown, her upswept black hair tumbling down so sweetly. Her innocent eyes. Or of her in his Labyrinth, the defiant air she held tightly about her, her simple outfit that fit her so well. How she'd befriended his own people! He respected her. His chest tightened when he thought of their final encounter of that adventure. He'd given her so much and then, knowing she'd reject him, he still couldn't resist a final plea for her to see how he felt about her. He'd known she had to rescue Toby, but he needed to know if she could make the noble choice, and choose her brother, her half- brother, over love. She had, breaking his heart and earning his respect.
But instead of showing her that, he lamented again, he lost his temper and lost her. Her scathing insults were hardly painful, but the look in her eyes . . . ah, that was like a sword to the heart, every time. He'd thought that she would be grateful to him for saving Jeannie's life, once she got over the initial anger of him re-entering her life. He'd never expected her to abandon her friend. Apparently he had miscalculated the damage he had done to her.
Jareth's self-loathing rose a notch. He would tell Jeannie of his latest encounter with Sarah in the morning. She would no doubt blame him as well. Sarah was abandoning her because of him. And surely, Jeannie would see it the same way. He would tell her the truth about her situation her, make it clear to her that, despite her pride, she didn't have to option of refusing his hospitality. Doubtless, she would grow to hate him as well. He was beginning to believe it was what he deserved.
He rose from his chair and gazed out the window at his Labyrinth. He was so used to wallowing in self-pity that he often ended up in this depressive funk without even trying. He gazed up, seeking out the stars. "I ask for so little." he practically whined. "Just my soul mate's love and a loyal friend." The stars above continued casting their weak light down upon him. He'd been down for so long, he couldn't find up anymore. He appreciated none of what he had, so desperately did he long for what he thought he was being denied.
Eventually, his thoughts brought him back to the girl. That she'd been clearly victimized in the past was blatantly obvious. But, as he had learned with Kiori, he was not the man to help. She needed a counselor, someone who could show her how to heal. Hell, they both did. He dwelt on Kiori for a moment, and then naturally proceeded to contemplate his Sarah. The ache for her was so strong, a crystal materialized in his hand without even thinking about it. He lifted it up, watching it shimmer in a promising manner. He warred within himself, then dropped it, letting it shatter. He was sick, so sick of watching and waiting. He didn't want to spy on her. He wanted her to summon him. He left his study, seeking out his bed. Dreams of Sarah summoning him, of Sarah missing him softened his slumber. But come the morn, he would wonder what would have happened if his conscience had given in and he'd spied upon her while the bond between Sarah and the Will was new and vulnerable.