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 5 - The truth will out . well nearly
Looking at the watch on her wrist, Sarah suddenly became aware that she had spent the last two hours wandering aimlessly around the privet hedges in the hot sunshine. Years before the heat would never have been a problem to her, but now she was withering fast. She had already removed her blue long sleeved blouse and tied it clumsily about her waist and was contemplating removing the baggy marl grey t-shirt exposing the white vest that she was also wearing. After all, it was cold at home being late September, the leaves had started to fall and the main flowering season was over. She reached into the pocket of her jeans and pulled out the scrunchie that always resided somewhere about her person. Brushing her fingertips through her hair she managed to get most of the layered shoulder length style that she now favoured into a ponytail. "Phew, that's better," she remarked.
"I hopes the lil' lady feels better for that," a familiar voice shot out.
Sarah turned suddenly, shocked from the intrusion but just as glad to see her old friend. "Hoggle," she screamed, "where the hell did you appear from?" Crossing to him in two steps and crouching, he was firmly placed in her embrace.
Pulling away from her slightly he said, "I's been watching you, and as I know all the passages there is to know in this place I could get to you's quickly."
"Quickly? Why would you need to get to me quickly? I'm not in any danger, Hoggle. The labyrinth is seemingly allowing me to just walk through without much hindrance, as if it likes me."
"Well, that's the point Sarah, it does like you; it likes you 'cause he likes you."
"As in Jareth likes me? I know, why do you think I'm back? To save him of course."
"Is that what he has you believin'?"
"Hoggle, I saw him in one of his own oubliette's. The 'new' Goblin King, Luther showed me and told me that he was in love with me, that the labyrinth was acting strangely because Jareth couldn't control his love for me. And I'm here because after all these years I've realised I love him too, and I need to get to the centre again in order to save him from spending the rest of his eternity in a hole and being forgotten." She eyed him suspiciously; he had had this look and demeanour about him before. "You don't believe me do you?"
"Oh, I's believes you, Sarah, I just don't believe that fiend, Jareth." "Hoggle, he loves me, I've felt it. He sent me one of his crystals; I knew it was his because it was so clear and incredibly beautiful, unlike Luther's. And when it touched my fingers his strong emotions and feelings spoke to my soul."
"Have you been readin' romance novels again or somethin'?"
"'Course not!" she spat out, angrily.
"So he sent you one of his crystals did he?" He watched as she nodded her head, "Sarah, how do you think he got it to you? You've been in one of them oubliette's, you knows the score, no way out, remember?"
Sarah got up from her crouching position next to Hoggle, turned full circle as realisation hit her, imaging Jareth sitting upon one of his windowsills surveying the land before him and sending his crystals out into the atmosphere, like he had done so before. There was no reason not to believe what she had seen; after all to see was to believe, wasn't it? But then it could all have been a nasty little ruse, Jareth taking his revenge on her after all these years, and if that was the case why was the labyrinth being so nice to her, if Jareth were hell bent on revenge then wouldn't the labyrinth want that too. She looked at Hoggle, questions in her eyes and once he acknowledged what she knew to be the truth, tears of hurt formed and rivulets flowed down over her cheeks. Anger welled deep within her and if it hadn't have been for her sudden thoughts of revenge she may well have exploded.
"That bastard," she said under her breath as she closed her eyes and shook her head, she still couldn't quite believe it, "How dare he? How dare he bloody well do this to me?"
"Sarah? . Sarah?" Hoggle pleaded pulling at her left hand, as it lay limp by her side. Turning her head slightly she focused on her friend. Her eyes were red and bloodshot and Haggle's heart went out to her. She smiled slightly and he could see the desperation and hurt painted across her face. She really did love Jareth.
He watched as she found her way over to a stone bench and sat heavily upon it. Her head hung and her body hunched forward. He moved over and sat beside her. "Sarah, what's do you want to do now?"
"I want to get out of this bloody labyrinth and go home, I can't save a man that doesn't need saving, especially when that man has tricked me into believing . well, for making my look like such a fool."
"Well, we's could turn the table's."
"How, exactly?" She turned to face him, intrigued by his comment.
"Well, you do know's that if you solve this labyrinth again you'll have even more power over Jareth, don't you's?"
"You mean that I could really banish him to a life of solitude in one of his oubliettes?"
"If that's what you wanted, you would have the power of the Seelie Court to help you too."
"Really?"
"Yeah, them's the rules. If you can solve it once then's they don't look too kindly on it, but if you's does it a second time they's respects you."
"And they can really help me to have my revenge with that . that, well you know?" she asked pointing in the general direction of the castle at the centre.
"Yep!"
"In that case then, Hoggle will you act as my companion through this labyrinth and help me solve it." She stretched out her hand to take his in a solemn shake. "And along the way can we pick up Ludo and Sir Didymus, for extra security when we get to the goblin city."
"I's be glad to help and I knows exactly where those two will be!" He responded. "Let's get going, we've only got six and a half hours left."
"I'm right behind you, lead on." And with that the two friends were on their way.
***
Watching his friend from his seated position at the window, Luther wondered whether he should tell the King what had transpired between Sarah and Hoggle. Jareth had given him the task of watching over Sarah as she traversed his labyrinth, with strict instructions that if anything 'unusual' happened he was to wake him and tell him immediately. But was this event 'unusual' enough or was what Luther overheard enough to trouble the King with, after all it was only fair that Sarah know the truth of what she had let herself in for. Even if it were only a half-truth. Yes, Jareth had lied to her to get her to come to him, but he did love her. It was just a shame that the dwarf couldn't quite see that. Maybe, just may be he may be able to .
"Luther, what are you thinking about?" Jareth asked, eyeing his friend lazily as sleep departed from him. He hurled his slouched body out of his throne and paced over to Luther, the black tendrils of the cloak he was wearing flowing out behind him as he moved. "Well? And how is Sarah doing?"
"Fine Sire, she now has a companion to help her, Hoggle, I believe his name is."
"Hogwart, hey? And has he spoken out of turn, told her lies to prevent her from coming here?"
"Nay, Jareth, my friend. Do not worry yourself. I said I would mention anything untoward to you and I will. So far the dwarf has said only his hellos and offered to help her here. I don't believe the Seelie Court can look unfavourably upon that?"
"You are right, Luther, I'm sorry. I worry because I need her so, but I trust your judgement and I know you would never lie to me. We have been friends too long." He stifled a yawn, his eyes lids heavy; this loving Sarah business was hard going on him, he wasn't used to the stresses and strains of needing and cherishing someone not to mention the sleepless nights he was encountering when they both appeared to dream about the same thing, each other. "I must go to bed," he managed, "And hopefully get a peaceful sleep."
"Aye, my lord. You do look weary, take rest I will call on you when they are near to the castle."
"Thank you, Luther, you are one true friend." Luther looked on as he watched his King turn and make his way up the stairs to his chambers above. 'I only hope you can forgive me,' he thought, 'for what I am about to do.'
***
"Hoggle, do you think we can take a quick breather?" Sarah asked her friend as they neared the dreaded bog of eternal stench.
"I suppose it wouldn't harm's much, we can rest for a little bit and then we can meet up with Ludo and Didymus in a while."
Sarah seated herself on the ground leaning her back up against the orange tinted rocks that cleverly made Jareth's face if you looked at it from a certain angle. The dwarf shuddered and absently removed his skullcap to begin twisting it between his hands.
"What is it?" Sarah enquired as she looked on.
"Nothing's. Its nothing's."
"Well it must be something."
"Yeah, well ." he began and looked up to notice she was staring at him, he quickly averted his gaze and turned slightly away from her gaze. "This is the place that Jareth . well, you remember."
"No, I'm afraid I don't. You'll have to give me clue or something here." She said as she shrugged her shoulders.
"This is where he gave me the peach . you remember, the one that made you forget us for a while."
"Oh, well I had a lovely dream before I woke up to reality."
"Do's you mind tellings me what happened."
"I'd rather not, Hoggle. Its kind of personal."
"I's thinks maybe he stole your heart that night?"
"Maybe. It was a lovely fantasy for a 15 year old girl, and nearly enough for a 30 year old woman, but I won't be fooled by him again." Her saddened disposition had returned and she looked wearier than she ever had done to Hoggle. She sighed deeply.
"Perhaps you should nap for a while's, I'll keep watch."
"Thanks Hoggle, you are and have been such a good friend to me, I don't deserve any of it."
"Yes you do, and more besides!" She smiled before resting her head back against the stone that she sat against and closed her eyes. She was soon asleep and as he had promised, Hoggle kept watch.
It was then that he noticed the sphere that was rapidly approaching him. Its aura blue, it had to be one of Luther's. He grasped out and plucked it from its course. Turning it over in his hand he made out Luther's face and peered at him, one eye cocked the other half closed. "And whats do you want?" he enquired.
"I need to speak with you, its about Jareth and Sarah."
"If you thinks you can go on tricking her like this then ."
A puff of blue smoke enveloped him slightly as he realised that now Luther was standing beside him. Luther grabbed his arm and pulled him further away from Sarah so that she wouldn't be woken. "I don't want to trick anyone," he whispered, "I just want to make sure that everyone gets what he or she . desire."
"And what exactly does Jareth desire? If he wants to hurt the lil' lady I'll .I'll"
"You truly are a good friend to her Hoggle, but Jareth only wants to be allowed to show Sarah he loves her."
"Loves her? He's going's the wrongs way about it if you ask me."
"I know, I have tried to warn him but you know how proud and fool-hardy he can be at times. But I am absolutely positive of his devotion for her. There is nothing he wouldn't do for her."
"Including's lying to her?"
"Well yes, I have pointed this out to him. But he decided that this is the way he wants to play it and at the moment he stills believes that she is fighting her way through the labyrinth at this very moment, in order to save him from a fate worse than death, and that is the way I want to keep it too, at present. At least until I can figure out a way of making him see sense."
"Jareth, see sense . that will never happen so long as he keeps calling me Higgle or Hogwart or some other such name. I don't believe that man woulds change for anything."
"He will. When he realises that he is going to lose the one thing he cherishes above all else, he will change."
"Luther, I do hope's you's right, for Sarah's sake." He took a moment to look over to her sleeping figure, momentarily seeming to be at peace with the world and then he noticed that she was dreaming, her eyelids moving slightly as she went into a deeper slumber.
Luther began watching Sarah as well, noticing the same sleep pattern as he had seen the King have on his countless sleepless nights. "Has she ever told you of what she dreams?" he enquired.
"No, why?"
"Jareth has, told me that is, what he dreams of, well what Sarah dreams of."
"How's can he dream what Sarah dreams?" Hoggle said, always the sceptic.
"Their souls are intertwined, Hoggle. They have needed each other from the day they met 15 years ago. She has been inadvertently looking for something in a man that is Jareth, the sandy blonde hair, blue or green eyes, slim but strong build, and never forgetting the English accent. And when she realises that any of them can never be him she runs away. The longest relationship she has had over her adult life has never lasted more than a couple of Aboveground months. And in her dreams she sees him as human, not fae, more normal to her world than his. They spend their time in places that he has never been to before but obviously Sarah has, meaning they have to be Aboveground places. And if that were not enough they are sharing their lives together, laughing, dancing, talking, caring, loving. When Jareth started having these 'insights' I began to take note and I have observed both he and Sarah. When she begins to dream he does and when she stops he stops too."
A noise reciprocated through the air as Sarah began to stretch her body awake. Watching from their position behind the rocks Luther nudged Hoggle. "I think I better be going. Please think about what I said Hoggle as I am going to need your help to make this situation work."
"Okay's, I'll thinks about it . but I ain't makin' any promises."
"That's a start, thank you. " And with another puff of blue smoke he was gone.
"Hoggle, Hoggle?" Sarah shouted slightly agitated.
"I'ms here, " he said as he came out from behind the rock, "I had to . take a leak!" He shrugged and smiled with embarrassment.
"Sorry. I just thought that you might have been taken from me again."
"I's will never let that happen," he responded, "never, come on I think's we better make tracks."
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 5 - The truth will out . well nearly
Looking at the watch on her wrist, Sarah suddenly became aware that she had spent the last two hours wandering aimlessly around the privet hedges in the hot sunshine. Years before the heat would never have been a problem to her, but now she was withering fast. She had already removed her blue long sleeved blouse and tied it clumsily about her waist and was contemplating removing the baggy marl grey t-shirt exposing the white vest that she was also wearing. After all, it was cold at home being late September, the leaves had started to fall and the main flowering season was over. She reached into the pocket of her jeans and pulled out the scrunchie that always resided somewhere about her person. Brushing her fingertips through her hair she managed to get most of the layered shoulder length style that she now favoured into a ponytail. "Phew, that's better," she remarked.
"I hopes the lil' lady feels better for that," a familiar voice shot out.
Sarah turned suddenly, shocked from the intrusion but just as glad to see her old friend. "Hoggle," she screamed, "where the hell did you appear from?" Crossing to him in two steps and crouching, he was firmly placed in her embrace.
Pulling away from her slightly he said, "I's been watching you, and as I know all the passages there is to know in this place I could get to you's quickly."
"Quickly? Why would you need to get to me quickly? I'm not in any danger, Hoggle. The labyrinth is seemingly allowing me to just walk through without much hindrance, as if it likes me."
"Well, that's the point Sarah, it does like you; it likes you 'cause he likes you."
"As in Jareth likes me? I know, why do you think I'm back? To save him of course."
"Is that what he has you believin'?"
"Hoggle, I saw him in one of his own oubliette's. The 'new' Goblin King, Luther showed me and told me that he was in love with me, that the labyrinth was acting strangely because Jareth couldn't control his love for me. And I'm here because after all these years I've realised I love him too, and I need to get to the centre again in order to save him from spending the rest of his eternity in a hole and being forgotten." She eyed him suspiciously; he had had this look and demeanour about him before. "You don't believe me do you?"
"Oh, I's believes you, Sarah, I just don't believe that fiend, Jareth." "Hoggle, he loves me, I've felt it. He sent me one of his crystals; I knew it was his because it was so clear and incredibly beautiful, unlike Luther's. And when it touched my fingers his strong emotions and feelings spoke to my soul."
"Have you been readin' romance novels again or somethin'?"
"'Course not!" she spat out, angrily.
"So he sent you one of his crystals did he?" He watched as she nodded her head, "Sarah, how do you think he got it to you? You've been in one of them oubliette's, you knows the score, no way out, remember?"
Sarah got up from her crouching position next to Hoggle, turned full circle as realisation hit her, imaging Jareth sitting upon one of his windowsills surveying the land before him and sending his crystals out into the atmosphere, like he had done so before. There was no reason not to believe what she had seen; after all to see was to believe, wasn't it? But then it could all have been a nasty little ruse, Jareth taking his revenge on her after all these years, and if that was the case why was the labyrinth being so nice to her, if Jareth were hell bent on revenge then wouldn't the labyrinth want that too. She looked at Hoggle, questions in her eyes and once he acknowledged what she knew to be the truth, tears of hurt formed and rivulets flowed down over her cheeks. Anger welled deep within her and if it hadn't have been for her sudden thoughts of revenge she may well have exploded.
"That bastard," she said under her breath as she closed her eyes and shook her head, she still couldn't quite believe it, "How dare he? How dare he bloody well do this to me?"
"Sarah? . Sarah?" Hoggle pleaded pulling at her left hand, as it lay limp by her side. Turning her head slightly she focused on her friend. Her eyes were red and bloodshot and Haggle's heart went out to her. She smiled slightly and he could see the desperation and hurt painted across her face. She really did love Jareth.
He watched as she found her way over to a stone bench and sat heavily upon it. Her head hung and her body hunched forward. He moved over and sat beside her. "Sarah, what's do you want to do now?"
"I want to get out of this bloody labyrinth and go home, I can't save a man that doesn't need saving, especially when that man has tricked me into believing . well, for making my look like such a fool."
"Well, we's could turn the table's."
"How, exactly?" She turned to face him, intrigued by his comment.
"Well, you do know's that if you solve this labyrinth again you'll have even more power over Jareth, don't you's?"
"You mean that I could really banish him to a life of solitude in one of his oubliettes?"
"If that's what you wanted, you would have the power of the Seelie Court to help you too."
"Really?"
"Yeah, them's the rules. If you can solve it once then's they don't look too kindly on it, but if you's does it a second time they's respects you."
"And they can really help me to have my revenge with that . that, well you know?" she asked pointing in the general direction of the castle at the centre.
"Yep!"
"In that case then, Hoggle will you act as my companion through this labyrinth and help me solve it." She stretched out her hand to take his in a solemn shake. "And along the way can we pick up Ludo and Sir Didymus, for extra security when we get to the goblin city."
"I's be glad to help and I knows exactly where those two will be!" He responded. "Let's get going, we've only got six and a half hours left."
"I'm right behind you, lead on." And with that the two friends were on their way.
***
Watching his friend from his seated position at the window, Luther wondered whether he should tell the King what had transpired between Sarah and Hoggle. Jareth had given him the task of watching over Sarah as she traversed his labyrinth, with strict instructions that if anything 'unusual' happened he was to wake him and tell him immediately. But was this event 'unusual' enough or was what Luther overheard enough to trouble the King with, after all it was only fair that Sarah know the truth of what she had let herself in for. Even if it were only a half-truth. Yes, Jareth had lied to her to get her to come to him, but he did love her. It was just a shame that the dwarf couldn't quite see that. Maybe, just may be he may be able to .
"Luther, what are you thinking about?" Jareth asked, eyeing his friend lazily as sleep departed from him. He hurled his slouched body out of his throne and paced over to Luther, the black tendrils of the cloak he was wearing flowing out behind him as he moved. "Well? And how is Sarah doing?"
"Fine Sire, she now has a companion to help her, Hoggle, I believe his name is."
"Hogwart, hey? And has he spoken out of turn, told her lies to prevent her from coming here?"
"Nay, Jareth, my friend. Do not worry yourself. I said I would mention anything untoward to you and I will. So far the dwarf has said only his hellos and offered to help her here. I don't believe the Seelie Court can look unfavourably upon that?"
"You are right, Luther, I'm sorry. I worry because I need her so, but I trust your judgement and I know you would never lie to me. We have been friends too long." He stifled a yawn, his eyes lids heavy; this loving Sarah business was hard going on him, he wasn't used to the stresses and strains of needing and cherishing someone not to mention the sleepless nights he was encountering when they both appeared to dream about the same thing, each other. "I must go to bed," he managed, "And hopefully get a peaceful sleep."
"Aye, my lord. You do look weary, take rest I will call on you when they are near to the castle."
"Thank you, Luther, you are one true friend." Luther looked on as he watched his King turn and make his way up the stairs to his chambers above. 'I only hope you can forgive me,' he thought, 'for what I am about to do.'
***
"Hoggle, do you think we can take a quick breather?" Sarah asked her friend as they neared the dreaded bog of eternal stench.
"I suppose it wouldn't harm's much, we can rest for a little bit and then we can meet up with Ludo and Didymus in a while."
Sarah seated herself on the ground leaning her back up against the orange tinted rocks that cleverly made Jareth's face if you looked at it from a certain angle. The dwarf shuddered and absently removed his skullcap to begin twisting it between his hands.
"What is it?" Sarah enquired as she looked on.
"Nothing's. Its nothing's."
"Well it must be something."
"Yeah, well ." he began and looked up to notice she was staring at him, he quickly averted his gaze and turned slightly away from her gaze. "This is the place that Jareth . well, you remember."
"No, I'm afraid I don't. You'll have to give me clue or something here." She said as she shrugged her shoulders.
"This is where he gave me the peach . you remember, the one that made you forget us for a while."
"Oh, well I had a lovely dream before I woke up to reality."
"Do's you mind tellings me what happened."
"I'd rather not, Hoggle. Its kind of personal."
"I's thinks maybe he stole your heart that night?"
"Maybe. It was a lovely fantasy for a 15 year old girl, and nearly enough for a 30 year old woman, but I won't be fooled by him again." Her saddened disposition had returned and she looked wearier than she ever had done to Hoggle. She sighed deeply.
"Perhaps you should nap for a while's, I'll keep watch."
"Thanks Hoggle, you are and have been such a good friend to me, I don't deserve any of it."
"Yes you do, and more besides!" She smiled before resting her head back against the stone that she sat against and closed her eyes. She was soon asleep and as he had promised, Hoggle kept watch.
It was then that he noticed the sphere that was rapidly approaching him. Its aura blue, it had to be one of Luther's. He grasped out and plucked it from its course. Turning it over in his hand he made out Luther's face and peered at him, one eye cocked the other half closed. "And whats do you want?" he enquired.
"I need to speak with you, its about Jareth and Sarah."
"If you thinks you can go on tricking her like this then ."
A puff of blue smoke enveloped him slightly as he realised that now Luther was standing beside him. Luther grabbed his arm and pulled him further away from Sarah so that she wouldn't be woken. "I don't want to trick anyone," he whispered, "I just want to make sure that everyone gets what he or she . desire."
"And what exactly does Jareth desire? If he wants to hurt the lil' lady I'll .I'll"
"You truly are a good friend to her Hoggle, but Jareth only wants to be allowed to show Sarah he loves her."
"Loves her? He's going's the wrongs way about it if you ask me."
"I know, I have tried to warn him but you know how proud and fool-hardy he can be at times. But I am absolutely positive of his devotion for her. There is nothing he wouldn't do for her."
"Including's lying to her?"
"Well yes, I have pointed this out to him. But he decided that this is the way he wants to play it and at the moment he stills believes that she is fighting her way through the labyrinth at this very moment, in order to save him from a fate worse than death, and that is the way I want to keep it too, at present. At least until I can figure out a way of making him see sense."
"Jareth, see sense . that will never happen so long as he keeps calling me Higgle or Hogwart or some other such name. I don't believe that man woulds change for anything."
"He will. When he realises that he is going to lose the one thing he cherishes above all else, he will change."
"Luther, I do hope's you's right, for Sarah's sake." He took a moment to look over to her sleeping figure, momentarily seeming to be at peace with the world and then he noticed that she was dreaming, her eyelids moving slightly as she went into a deeper slumber.
Luther began watching Sarah as well, noticing the same sleep pattern as he had seen the King have on his countless sleepless nights. "Has she ever told you of what she dreams?" he enquired.
"No, why?"
"Jareth has, told me that is, what he dreams of, well what Sarah dreams of."
"How's can he dream what Sarah dreams?" Hoggle said, always the sceptic.
"Their souls are intertwined, Hoggle. They have needed each other from the day they met 15 years ago. She has been inadvertently looking for something in a man that is Jareth, the sandy blonde hair, blue or green eyes, slim but strong build, and never forgetting the English accent. And when she realises that any of them can never be him she runs away. The longest relationship she has had over her adult life has never lasted more than a couple of Aboveground months. And in her dreams she sees him as human, not fae, more normal to her world than his. They spend their time in places that he has never been to before but obviously Sarah has, meaning they have to be Aboveground places. And if that were not enough they are sharing their lives together, laughing, dancing, talking, caring, loving. When Jareth started having these 'insights' I began to take note and I have observed both he and Sarah. When she begins to dream he does and when she stops he stops too."
A noise reciprocated through the air as Sarah began to stretch her body awake. Watching from their position behind the rocks Luther nudged Hoggle. "I think I better be going. Please think about what I said Hoggle as I am going to need your help to make this situation work."
"Okay's, I'll thinks about it . but I ain't makin' any promises."
"That's a start, thank you. " And with another puff of blue smoke he was gone.
"Hoggle, Hoggle?" Sarah shouted slightly agitated.
"I'ms here, " he said as he came out from behind the rock, "I had to . take a leak!" He shrugged and smiled with embarrassment.
"Sorry. I just thought that you might have been taken from me again."
"I's will never let that happen," he responded, "never, come on I think's we better make tracks."