Disclaimer: Sarah, Jareth and all other mainstream characters from the
Labyrinth do not belong to me.
Synopsis: Sarah & Jareth have to prove their love for one another. Sarah runs the gauntlet again, but what will Jareth do?
Everything I do
Chapter 4 - Deception
"Damn," Sarah exclaimed, as she found herself in yet another dead end. She turned back only to find that the opening she had used to enter the blocked path by was now closed. "Oh no," her heart sank; this meant only one thing . a riddle!
She pivoted on the spot and was welcomed by the odd playing card guard characters she had anticipated. "Hi," she said as easily as she could, although her insides were churning. 'How easy can I make this for myself,' she contemplated as she made her way to the two doors and their occupants.
Tim, Jim. Alph & Ralph all watched the woman as she walked towards them. "Hello, Sarah!" Alph said as she closed the distance.
"You remember me?"
"Of course," Tim said, "how could we ever forget the girl who against all the odds, made it to the castle in time to collect her baby brother."
"Oh, well I ."
"It's okay, we know why you're here this time." Jim injected.
"To save the King!" Ralph finished.
"Yes. So I guess I've got to ask you," she said, pointing to Alph, "a question, and then ascertain if you are telling the truth or not?"
"Yes, of course. Just because 143 years have passed since you were last here, doesn't mean that the rules have changed."
"No, silly me, of course they wouldn't," the sarcastic tone present in her voice as she spoke. "So, I can ask any question, absolutely anything and you will either answer truthfully or with a lie, right?"
"Yes."
"Okay," she put her head back to think about it for a moment and then looked Alph directly in the eye. "Is the colour of my shirt blue?" "Well, I don't know whether we're allowed ." he bent down behind the shield and conferred with his partner.
"You did say you could answer anything!"
"You did Alph, Sarah's right," Tim said as he and Jim began to chuckle.
Alph brought his head back up from behind the shield and looked at Sarah, perplexed. "Yes!" he finally said.
Sarah smiled, looking down at the blue shirt she wore, she pictured her younger self as she congratulated herself getting smarter, only to find herself on her way down to the oubliette she had dropped into, after the helping hands had let go of her. "Thanks, if you don't mind I'll choose this door this time around." Alph and Ralph stepped to the side and allowed her to push the door open, and she watched as the opening unfurled and the path sped out in front of her. She warily crossed the threshold looking for a sign that she had made a mistake again but found nothing untoward. She looked back and thanked the guards before she made her way up the path towards the third stage of the labyrinth.
The slight incline of the path made her loose her breath as she quickly made her way to the top. Reaching the summit she turned the corner and found a small bench, not easily picked out as it was constructed from the same sandy coloured stone as the rest of this part of the labyrinth. She needed to rest for a minute and this would be as good a place as any to stop. Looking at her watch she saw that she had been going for 3½ hours so far and from her position she could now see the castle in front of her, its foreboding presence now seeming as if it were calling to her, beckoning and welcoming her.
She let her body fall back and leant her full weight against the wall behind her; she could tell she wasn't 15 anymore, her aching joints and muscles thankful for the rest. She was quite fit for her age, especially considering the health of most people at 30 these days, but no amount of aerobics classes or gym sessions could ever prepare her for the long haul she was putting herself through now. Mind you, sheer guts and determination had kept her running on her last visit, as well as the welcome help of all of her friends. This time she was on her own.
Her demeanour changed suddenly, so where were her friends, why had she not encountered any of them yet, she had at least expected to see Hoggle by now and yet she had not even had a sight of them.
A dazzle of bright light caught her eye as she looked to the heavens, she returned her gaze and looked upon a crystal. What was this? Did every King spy on his prey as they tried to make their way through his labyrinth? "This isn't appreciated, Luther. If you want to see me and how I'm doing, then you could just come to me."
This crystal changed course floating down to her and it was then that she realised this wasn't one of Luther's crystals, it was one of Jareth's; there was no mistaking the shimmering clear quality of the orb he was able to produce with his magic. It descended at a rate of knots, so quickly that Sarah had a job to catch it. However, once caught she found that she couldn't let go, the intensity of feelings and emotions that flooded from the crystal as she held it, were overwhelming. Her head span with the sensations that overflowed out of the ball and her heart expanded with the knowledge of Jareth's love for her; she had never really believed it until now.
"How can you love me Jareth, when I excluded you? How could you stand by and watch as I destroyed what feelings you had for me? And everything you offered me I threw back in your face, how can you ever forgive me?"
"I forgave you a long time ago, Sarah." Jareth's voice answered, in her head, "and really there was nothing to forgive. You were only doing what you believed to be right and that only made me love and want you more. You had determination, strength, and conviction. Nothing would stop you from laying down your life for your half-brother, a very commendable act indeed. I only hoped that you would use these qualities of yours to help me one day."
"That is why I am here, Jareth. I couldn't let these people think they could get away with anything as unjust as locking someone up because they were in love, especially when I care, love and respect that someone very deeply. I will be there for you, soon, I promise."
"And I will be waiting."
The voice faded as the crystal began to slowly grow smaller and eventually disappear from Sarah's upturned palm. She looked at her empty hand for a few moments then got up from her seat. "Well, if that isn't enough incentive to beat this thing for a second time, then nothing will be!"
***
"Sire, Sarah seems to be doing rather well!"
"Yes, Luther, very well." Jareth said to his consort and friend, as he made his way from the window and sprawled himself over his throne. His left arm fell over the back and his left leg over the arm, as he made himself comfortable. He brought his right hand up in front of him as a crystal formed at his fingertips and gazed into its depths watching Sarah's continuing progress.
"Don't you think that she is having a bit of an easy time at the moment."
"Luther, I don't think that whether Sarah has an easy time traversing my labyrinth is really any concern of yours, is it?"
"No, Sire. It's just that the Seelie Court will not look upon this event with a kind eye, you know how they behaved the last time Sarah left here triumphant, and they have their suspicions about your interests in her as well."
"I'm fully aware of their suspicions, but you know why I had to get her to come here, to declare her feelings for me. I watched her grow from a teenager into that lovely woman she is now, waiting for her to realise her error; I allowed her to make mistakes in her life, saw how she went from man to man in order to find some kind of similarity between any of them and me, she even moved to England in order to find someone who seemed like me and spoke like me." He displayed his arrogance like a peacock showing his feathers.
"But sire ." Luther tried to reason.
"No, Luther. She has realised that she needs me, and that she loves me. Although her declaration on its own is enough, I would never have realised how she felt had I not watched her draw that picture of me the other night!" His eyes glazed as he remembered watching her erratically sketch his portrait, the night she had given up on another failing relationship.
"Sire, I'm sorry if you think I speak out of turn," he watched as the King raised his right brow in annoyance, "to a Fae it is enough for someone to show a realisation of what they want in order for the intended to decide whether or not they wish to accept them as a life long partner, but to a human it is an entirely different thing, they show love and affection with the express intention of having that reciprocated by the other person. Sarah will not take kindly to you if you are too proud to show her exactly how you feel. Telling her will not be enough on its own."
"For your information I have already told her how I feel."
"Face to face?" Luther asked, knowing full well what the answer would be before Jareth began to shake his head. "I thought not. You have to realise most human's are emotional and use this quality to attach themselves to others, if you really want to go through with this you will need to give her everything she needs and expects. Firstly, by making sure she never finds out this is all some elaborate ruse in order for you to gain her affection, because if she does she will never trust you ever again."
Comprehension swept through Jareth as he suddenly confronted his worst fear that Sarah may never give herself to him willingly. "So we shall have to make sure that she never finds out; and you are right, Luther, perhaps we should make this a little harder for her, otherwise she is never going to truly believe this isn't a set-up if she does know the truth." Getting up from his position on the throne he retraced his steps back to the window, allowing the balancing sphere on his fingertips to rest in his palm. "I'm sorry Sarah, please forgive me," and with that said he threw the crystal out into the labyrinth sending with it a spell that would give Sarah something to think about, finally.
A small dwarf like figure that had been lurking in the shadows on the other side of the doorway into the throne room, suddenly scurried off replacing the small red skullcap back onto his head as he went. He had to get to Sarah and quickly.
Synopsis: Sarah & Jareth have to prove their love for one another. Sarah runs the gauntlet again, but what will Jareth do?
Everything I do
Chapter 4 - Deception
"Damn," Sarah exclaimed, as she found herself in yet another dead end. She turned back only to find that the opening she had used to enter the blocked path by was now closed. "Oh no," her heart sank; this meant only one thing . a riddle!
She pivoted on the spot and was welcomed by the odd playing card guard characters she had anticipated. "Hi," she said as easily as she could, although her insides were churning. 'How easy can I make this for myself,' she contemplated as she made her way to the two doors and their occupants.
Tim, Jim. Alph & Ralph all watched the woman as she walked towards them. "Hello, Sarah!" Alph said as she closed the distance.
"You remember me?"
"Of course," Tim said, "how could we ever forget the girl who against all the odds, made it to the castle in time to collect her baby brother."
"Oh, well I ."
"It's okay, we know why you're here this time." Jim injected.
"To save the King!" Ralph finished.
"Yes. So I guess I've got to ask you," she said, pointing to Alph, "a question, and then ascertain if you are telling the truth or not?"
"Yes, of course. Just because 143 years have passed since you were last here, doesn't mean that the rules have changed."
"No, silly me, of course they wouldn't," the sarcastic tone present in her voice as she spoke. "So, I can ask any question, absolutely anything and you will either answer truthfully or with a lie, right?"
"Yes."
"Okay," she put her head back to think about it for a moment and then looked Alph directly in the eye. "Is the colour of my shirt blue?" "Well, I don't know whether we're allowed ." he bent down behind the shield and conferred with his partner.
"You did say you could answer anything!"
"You did Alph, Sarah's right," Tim said as he and Jim began to chuckle.
Alph brought his head back up from behind the shield and looked at Sarah, perplexed. "Yes!" he finally said.
Sarah smiled, looking down at the blue shirt she wore, she pictured her younger self as she congratulated herself getting smarter, only to find herself on her way down to the oubliette she had dropped into, after the helping hands had let go of her. "Thanks, if you don't mind I'll choose this door this time around." Alph and Ralph stepped to the side and allowed her to push the door open, and she watched as the opening unfurled and the path sped out in front of her. She warily crossed the threshold looking for a sign that she had made a mistake again but found nothing untoward. She looked back and thanked the guards before she made her way up the path towards the third stage of the labyrinth.
The slight incline of the path made her loose her breath as she quickly made her way to the top. Reaching the summit she turned the corner and found a small bench, not easily picked out as it was constructed from the same sandy coloured stone as the rest of this part of the labyrinth. She needed to rest for a minute and this would be as good a place as any to stop. Looking at her watch she saw that she had been going for 3½ hours so far and from her position she could now see the castle in front of her, its foreboding presence now seeming as if it were calling to her, beckoning and welcoming her.
She let her body fall back and leant her full weight against the wall behind her; she could tell she wasn't 15 anymore, her aching joints and muscles thankful for the rest. She was quite fit for her age, especially considering the health of most people at 30 these days, but no amount of aerobics classes or gym sessions could ever prepare her for the long haul she was putting herself through now. Mind you, sheer guts and determination had kept her running on her last visit, as well as the welcome help of all of her friends. This time she was on her own.
Her demeanour changed suddenly, so where were her friends, why had she not encountered any of them yet, she had at least expected to see Hoggle by now and yet she had not even had a sight of them.
A dazzle of bright light caught her eye as she looked to the heavens, she returned her gaze and looked upon a crystal. What was this? Did every King spy on his prey as they tried to make their way through his labyrinth? "This isn't appreciated, Luther. If you want to see me and how I'm doing, then you could just come to me."
This crystal changed course floating down to her and it was then that she realised this wasn't one of Luther's crystals, it was one of Jareth's; there was no mistaking the shimmering clear quality of the orb he was able to produce with his magic. It descended at a rate of knots, so quickly that Sarah had a job to catch it. However, once caught she found that she couldn't let go, the intensity of feelings and emotions that flooded from the crystal as she held it, were overwhelming. Her head span with the sensations that overflowed out of the ball and her heart expanded with the knowledge of Jareth's love for her; she had never really believed it until now.
"How can you love me Jareth, when I excluded you? How could you stand by and watch as I destroyed what feelings you had for me? And everything you offered me I threw back in your face, how can you ever forgive me?"
"I forgave you a long time ago, Sarah." Jareth's voice answered, in her head, "and really there was nothing to forgive. You were only doing what you believed to be right and that only made me love and want you more. You had determination, strength, and conviction. Nothing would stop you from laying down your life for your half-brother, a very commendable act indeed. I only hoped that you would use these qualities of yours to help me one day."
"That is why I am here, Jareth. I couldn't let these people think they could get away with anything as unjust as locking someone up because they were in love, especially when I care, love and respect that someone very deeply. I will be there for you, soon, I promise."
"And I will be waiting."
The voice faded as the crystal began to slowly grow smaller and eventually disappear from Sarah's upturned palm. She looked at her empty hand for a few moments then got up from her seat. "Well, if that isn't enough incentive to beat this thing for a second time, then nothing will be!"
***
"Sire, Sarah seems to be doing rather well!"
"Yes, Luther, very well." Jareth said to his consort and friend, as he made his way from the window and sprawled himself over his throne. His left arm fell over the back and his left leg over the arm, as he made himself comfortable. He brought his right hand up in front of him as a crystal formed at his fingertips and gazed into its depths watching Sarah's continuing progress.
"Don't you think that she is having a bit of an easy time at the moment."
"Luther, I don't think that whether Sarah has an easy time traversing my labyrinth is really any concern of yours, is it?"
"No, Sire. It's just that the Seelie Court will not look upon this event with a kind eye, you know how they behaved the last time Sarah left here triumphant, and they have their suspicions about your interests in her as well."
"I'm fully aware of their suspicions, but you know why I had to get her to come here, to declare her feelings for me. I watched her grow from a teenager into that lovely woman she is now, waiting for her to realise her error; I allowed her to make mistakes in her life, saw how she went from man to man in order to find some kind of similarity between any of them and me, she even moved to England in order to find someone who seemed like me and spoke like me." He displayed his arrogance like a peacock showing his feathers.
"But sire ." Luther tried to reason.
"No, Luther. She has realised that she needs me, and that she loves me. Although her declaration on its own is enough, I would never have realised how she felt had I not watched her draw that picture of me the other night!" His eyes glazed as he remembered watching her erratically sketch his portrait, the night she had given up on another failing relationship.
"Sire, I'm sorry if you think I speak out of turn," he watched as the King raised his right brow in annoyance, "to a Fae it is enough for someone to show a realisation of what they want in order for the intended to decide whether or not they wish to accept them as a life long partner, but to a human it is an entirely different thing, they show love and affection with the express intention of having that reciprocated by the other person. Sarah will not take kindly to you if you are too proud to show her exactly how you feel. Telling her will not be enough on its own."
"For your information I have already told her how I feel."
"Face to face?" Luther asked, knowing full well what the answer would be before Jareth began to shake his head. "I thought not. You have to realise most human's are emotional and use this quality to attach themselves to others, if you really want to go through with this you will need to give her everything she needs and expects. Firstly, by making sure she never finds out this is all some elaborate ruse in order for you to gain her affection, because if she does she will never trust you ever again."
Comprehension swept through Jareth as he suddenly confronted his worst fear that Sarah may never give herself to him willingly. "So we shall have to make sure that she never finds out; and you are right, Luther, perhaps we should make this a little harder for her, otherwise she is never going to truly believe this isn't a set-up if she does know the truth." Getting up from his position on the throne he retraced his steps back to the window, allowing the balancing sphere on his fingertips to rest in his palm. "I'm sorry Sarah, please forgive me," and with that said he threw the crystal out into the labyrinth sending with it a spell that would give Sarah something to think about, finally.
A small dwarf like figure that had been lurking in the shadows on the other side of the doorway into the throne room, suddenly scurried off replacing the small red skullcap back onto his head as he went. He had to get to Sarah and quickly.