Disclaimer: I own nothing from "Labyrinth". If anyone from "Labyrinth"
would like to sign him or herself over to my custody, he or she may
petition to do so as long as the applicant meets the following
requirements: tights, leather, mis-matched eyes.
Chapter 2
When she said his name, he reacted like a man who'd been shot. Standing stock-still, he let out a short gasp of breath, his eyes drinking in the image of her reflected in his crystal. Her sable hair was spread out across her pillow, her skin glowing like white rose petals and her lashes glistening with her tears. She was so beautiful it was painful to look at her. Finally, finally, finally. He had waited thirteen years for this chance and had no intention of letting her slip through his grasp. In fact, he would make certain that she would never leave him again.
For Jareth, Sarah bordered on being an obsession. Yes, he still attended the duties of his kingdom with all the care of the best of monarchs. But for the past thirteen years, he had spent every spare minute of his time watching Sarah in his crystals. He'd actually been filled with a wild, possessive pride to see her girlish beauty blossom into radiant womanhood. His pride in her only increased as he watched the spoiled young girl who'd traveled his labyrinth grow into a skilled and diplomatic leader among her peers. He had been forced to admit that he truly admired her work and respected her relentless pursuit of her dreams. Her tactful yet assertive nature had allowed her to work miracles with her actors. He suspected that same nature might also work miracles with his minions. He'd even thought of establishing the first theater ever in the Underground, but chose to wait until she could be there to run it.
He had been violently jealous when she had first started dating. He'd ached to be the first to kiss those soft, perfect lips and make her green eyes dance with pleasure. After he saw her reaction, or lack thereof to the many men who pursued her, his jealousy was replaced by wonder, and eventually, hope. Could she possibly be thinking of him? Was there even the smallest chance that these boys and young men couldn't measure up to.him? Sarah had seemed eager enough to date before she'd met him, even fighting with her parents on the topic; but after their meeting, she'd suddenly been reluctant to go out with the boys who asked her. Karen practically had to push her out the door to encourage her stepdaughter to do the "normal" things that others Sarah's age enjoyed. Jareth had simply watched and waited.
Waiting had been torture. While Sarah had fought her way through his labyrinth, Jareth had yearned to seduce her into staying with him. He had known that it was too soon and that she was too young. Later, he'd been forced to admit that he was a clumsy oaf who had gone about it all wrong. He was accustomed to the kind of woman who could be bought, and was simultaneously dismayed and delighted when he found that Sarah was no such woman. She cared as deeply about her responsibility to her brother as he did about his to his kingdom. It was hard to argue with that.
He had permitted her friends from the labyrinth to keep visiting her through the years - even encouraged it. He kept hoping her love for them would fuel her desire to return to the Underground, perhaps also fuel her desire to see him again when she could know that her friends were well and thriving, thanks to his efforts. He bitterly envied the warm hugs and kisses she bestowed upon all of them when they visited, but had decided to endure anything if it meant Sarah might be convinced to come back.
After the exchange between Sarah and Sir Didymus, he had been uncertain as to whether to raise Didymus's rank or send him into exile. Now that Sarah had finally called his name and he could at last take her back with him, he decided to make Didymus an Earl.
With the flick of a crystal, Jareth stood next to her, gazing down on her sleeping features. He felt like his heart was ready to thump through his chest. She was even more beautiful in person than she was when reflected in his crystals. He was glad that she couldn't see his hand tremble as he lightly smoothed an errant lock of hair from her face. He wasn't certain if he had a battle in front of him or not, but was determined to take her with him.
And this time, she would have to stay.
Chapter 2
When she said his name, he reacted like a man who'd been shot. Standing stock-still, he let out a short gasp of breath, his eyes drinking in the image of her reflected in his crystal. Her sable hair was spread out across her pillow, her skin glowing like white rose petals and her lashes glistening with her tears. She was so beautiful it was painful to look at her. Finally, finally, finally. He had waited thirteen years for this chance and had no intention of letting her slip through his grasp. In fact, he would make certain that she would never leave him again.
For Jareth, Sarah bordered on being an obsession. Yes, he still attended the duties of his kingdom with all the care of the best of monarchs. But for the past thirteen years, he had spent every spare minute of his time watching Sarah in his crystals. He'd actually been filled with a wild, possessive pride to see her girlish beauty blossom into radiant womanhood. His pride in her only increased as he watched the spoiled young girl who'd traveled his labyrinth grow into a skilled and diplomatic leader among her peers. He had been forced to admit that he truly admired her work and respected her relentless pursuit of her dreams. Her tactful yet assertive nature had allowed her to work miracles with her actors. He suspected that same nature might also work miracles with his minions. He'd even thought of establishing the first theater ever in the Underground, but chose to wait until she could be there to run it.
He had been violently jealous when she had first started dating. He'd ached to be the first to kiss those soft, perfect lips and make her green eyes dance with pleasure. After he saw her reaction, or lack thereof to the many men who pursued her, his jealousy was replaced by wonder, and eventually, hope. Could she possibly be thinking of him? Was there even the smallest chance that these boys and young men couldn't measure up to.him? Sarah had seemed eager enough to date before she'd met him, even fighting with her parents on the topic; but after their meeting, she'd suddenly been reluctant to go out with the boys who asked her. Karen practically had to push her out the door to encourage her stepdaughter to do the "normal" things that others Sarah's age enjoyed. Jareth had simply watched and waited.
Waiting had been torture. While Sarah had fought her way through his labyrinth, Jareth had yearned to seduce her into staying with him. He had known that it was too soon and that she was too young. Later, he'd been forced to admit that he was a clumsy oaf who had gone about it all wrong. He was accustomed to the kind of woman who could be bought, and was simultaneously dismayed and delighted when he found that Sarah was no such woman. She cared as deeply about her responsibility to her brother as he did about his to his kingdom. It was hard to argue with that.
He had permitted her friends from the labyrinth to keep visiting her through the years - even encouraged it. He kept hoping her love for them would fuel her desire to return to the Underground, perhaps also fuel her desire to see him again when she could know that her friends were well and thriving, thanks to his efforts. He bitterly envied the warm hugs and kisses she bestowed upon all of them when they visited, but had decided to endure anything if it meant Sarah might be convinced to come back.
After the exchange between Sarah and Sir Didymus, he had been uncertain as to whether to raise Didymus's rank or send him into exile. Now that Sarah had finally called his name and he could at last take her back with him, he decided to make Didymus an Earl.
With the flick of a crystal, Jareth stood next to her, gazing down on her sleeping features. He felt like his heart was ready to thump through his chest. She was even more beautiful in person than she was when reflected in his crystals. He was glad that she couldn't see his hand tremble as he lightly smoothed an errant lock of hair from her face. He wasn't certain if he had a battle in front of him or not, but was determined to take her with him.
And this time, she would have to stay.