In Times of War: Part Two

Disclaimer: They ain't mine, so don't kill me. I actually have an audience that reads this stuff. Kill Them!! (Just Kidding.)

Summary: After hearing Sarah call his name, Jareth feels that he should go to her. But when he tries, problems arise and his life ends up in danger.

Hey all. Here's the next chapter for all of you. And thank you for all the feedback that you have given me so far. I have gotten a lot of reviews, (some praising my story, and some trashing it,) but I need more. I am starting to lose direction on where this story is going to go. I hope it doesn't show in this chapter or anything. So if you could do me a big favor and leave reviews, ideas, questions, or comments I will make it a point to get back to you and reply. Hope you enjoy.

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Jareth looked down at his wounds once again, looking to see how bad they were. The wound in his arm wasn't that bad, but the wound in his side was the one he was worried about.

He began to use his magic to help in the healing of his wounds when he heard Sarah's voice again. But it sounded different this time. It sounded like there was a mixture of different emotions in it. Like hope, and sadness, and even a little bit of fear. And it really scared him.

He then realized how far he was away from the battle and that he was truly all alone. He didn't think that he had run that far, but when he looked up to see were the fighting was, he saw that it was at least a few hundred yards away.

He figure that he could sneak away and go to Sarah's side. To comfort her and let her know that he was there. To be able to hold her, even if it was just for a few minutes, for he knew that he would have to return to battle.

He stood up and prepared to transport himself, when he felt a wave of dizziness sweep over him. It made him so nauseous that he had to sit down again. What was happening to him. A thought came instantly to his mind and he tried to call his father mentally.

When Josephus heard the calls coming from Jareth, he said mentally, "Where is God's name are you, Jareth. One minute you are right by my side, and the next minute, I am standing alone, trying to defend myself against ten or twenty warlock soldiers."

"Father," Jareth said, "I am not feeling to well, right now. I was stabbed twice when I heard Sarah call for me. And I began to run, because I couldn't think straight. But soon, I realized that I was all alone. I thought that maybe I could sneak away and see Sarah for a few minutes, but when I ......"

Josephus cut him off. "What did you say? You were stabbed? With what kind of object?"

"What does it matter?" Jareth said. " I was stabbed twice and now I can't even stand up straight."

"God Dammit, boy, answer my question. What were you stabbed with?" Josephus said to him.

Jareth paused and tried to remember. He saw the two small daggers when they plunged into his flesh, and saw the blood seep out when the daggers were removed.

"They were very small. I am almost positive that they were daggers." Jareth replied, as he felt a surge of pain Jolt through his body. "Why is it so important?" he asked.

When Jareth got no reply, he said it once more, "Why is so damn important what kind of knife I was stabbed with."

He was startled when he heard his father's voice behind him. "There is no time for questions like that. We have to get you back to your castle, for safety."

Jareth couldn't believe this. His father was keeping something from him, and it was really beginning to irritate Jareth. His father had reached for him to help him up when Jareth grasped his arm with all his might and asked, "Why is it so important?"

His father looked into his eyes and said, "The dagger that they were using have been coated with a magic potion that is designed to kill even the most immortal of all creatures. It is a very powerful potion, and nobody knows how the spells is broken."

"How long do I have before I die?" Jareth asked him, hoping that his father would have an answer he liked.

"It appears to be different with people, so I can't really tell you." His father replied. "But I will try my hardest to find some kind of way to slow it, or reverse it. So help me."

He paused, then said, "Let's get you back to your castle, away from all of this." as he pulled at his arms, slung him up over his shoulder, and vanished into thin air.

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Hoggle sat on the throne that Jareth usually sat in and looked around. For some strange reason, the glory of sitting in it didn't feel right to him. Maybe it was the fact that there wasn't anyone else in the room. Hoggle sighed.

He stood and moved over to a window and peered out to look at the Goblin Kingdom. Hoggle watched as the goblin women moved about, doing chores that the men would usually do. But they were off fighting, leaving their wives to do everything.

Hoggle heard a clamor behind him and turned to see Josephus holding a very weak and pale Jareth.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong with him?" Hoggle asked as he moved over to help Josephus.

"Not now, Hoggle. Help me move him to his bedroom. We need to get him to bed right away." Josephus said as he began walking with Jareth still in his arms. Hoggle grabbed hold of Jareth's other arm and the two of them walked to his bedroom, trying to keep Jareth awake.

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As soon as Jareth was lying on his bed sleeping, Josephus told Hoggle the entire story. When he had finished, Hoggle's face had turned pale. The thought of the Goblin Kingdom with no Goblin King was racing through his mind. And the thought made him sick to his stomach.

Not long after Sarah had gone through the Labyrinth, Jareth called upon Hoggle and asked for his help in the castle, to control a fairy infestation. Once Hoggle had cleared all of them out, he and Jareth formed a sort of friendship. It has lasted for ten years, and in that time, Jareth gave Hoggle many benefits, even giving him an honorary position in the Goblin Kingdom.

Now that Jareth's life was on the line, Hoggle felt desperate to find a cure. Jareth was the closest thing to a family that he had, and if he was gone, Hoggle wouldn't have anyone to hang around with.

A groan from the bed caught both of their attention. Jareth, his face pale and soaked with sweat, had opened his eyes for the first time since they had arrived back at the castle. He began to whisper something, over and over.

"Sarah....Sarah....Sarah..." were the only words that he was saying. Josephus said, "What about her, Jareth?"

Jareth closed his eyes again as he said, "She's.... calling.... me." He paused, then said, "I... have...to...go..."

Josephus wouldn't let her finish. "You most certainly will not, my son. You are in no condition to travel right now." He grabbed a goblet of water that was sitting next to the bed, and tried to get Jareth to drink.

Jareth took a small sip, swallowed, then said, "Have...to...I...love...her." And with that, he passed out again.

Josephus stood and crossed the room to look out the window. Jareth couldn't go and see Sarah, but maybe she could come and see him. It had been awhile since a human had been down in the Underground.

He turned and said to Hoggle, "Please watch over him. I have to go and take care of something."

Hoggle nodded, then said, "Please hurry, your Majesty. Please hurry back with her."

Josephus smiled, then vanished into thin air to find Sarah. The problem was, he didn't know how to get to her, because he didn't know where she was.

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And so another chapter draws to a close. I know it isn't one of my better chapters, and I apologize for it being so short compared to others, but I will try and get either a few chapters out over Christmas, or just combine them into one big chapter. But if you would be so kind as to leave a review on any ideas that you have, I would greatly appreciate it. And if I decide to use any ideas that you have, I will be sure that you get your credit for it. Thanks for dropping in.