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 8 - A love rekindled?
Sarah had had a very slack morning at the shop and at two o'clock she had decided to make it a short day, giving herself a bit of time to herself for a change. Stopping by the post office on her way home she was comfortably within the confines of her cottage in a matter of thirty minutes. And from the moment she had shut the front door of her cottage to the outside she had kicked back, thinking that she would read for the better part of the afternoon. It was a nice day, after all, and it would be good to sit outside in her perfectly manicured back garden, with all credit for that to her neighbour, Jacob.
She switched on the radio that sat on the windowsill in the kitchen and flicked the switch on the kettle; pulling out a teapot from one of the overhead cupboards she set that down and waited for the kettle to boil. She quickly warmed the pot before putting in the leaves and pouring the boiled water over them to allow them to infuse. She found her mug and poured in a little milk before she filled the mug up with the strained tea. Picking up her mug, the sandwiches that she had made for herself earlier on that day and her well worn copy of 'Pride and Prejudice', she decided to sit outside on her patio.
She could still hear the radio from her seat on the patio and absently hummed along with the tune it was playing. Halfway through the second verse the song appeared to change, as another melody seemed to take its place, it wasn't a song she had heard before but she liked it all the same.
Absently, she picked up words of the chorus and sang along with the unfamiliar ballad, " . makes no sense at all, every thrill has gone . da da da da da da da . I'll be there for you-oo-oo . world falls down . falling . falling in love."
"That was 'As the world falls down' by David Bowie, as requested by Jareth Reynolds for his beloved Lady Sarah and he would like me to say, on his behalf, that he is so sorry for what has happened between the two of you and he wants to make amends to you as soon as possible. Oh and all you young women out there that adore old DB, make sure you see the film that this song comes from. It's called 'Labyrinth' and David plays the part of the menacing yet handsome Goblin King. Now onto our next request of the afternoon Guns N Roses and 'Sweet Child o' Mine', enjoy folks!"
"Hope that Sarah is luckier than me" Sarah said to herself. "And I hope Jareth makes it up to her real good!" A sly smiled tipped the edges of her mouth as she thought about how lucky that particular Sarah may well be. "I'll have to remember to take a look at that film too, David Bowie, mm mm."
Getting herself comfortable on her sun lounger, she laid back and opened her book at the marked page. It wasn't as if she hadn't read that particular passage a hundred times before or seen it played out but it always made her shiver with the anticipation of how Lizzie was going to feel about Darcy's first declaration of love to her and the continuing struggles of them both as they allowed the love they had for each other to take over their lives. She could imagine being Lizzie, the proud young woman that never could quite understand why Darcy acted the way that he did, but eventually falling for him, hook, line and sinker. And Lizzie did always get her man, something Sarah was unfortunate not to have. However, she could still dream couldn't she?
She had always firmly believed that she would have met the man she intended to spend the rest of her life with by the time she was twenty-five, being the hopeless romantic that she was. However, this hadn't been the case and in a few short months she would be facing her thirty-first birthday, a day she didn't relish coming.
The telephone rang bringing Sarah out of her slightly depressive state. Putting her book down quickly on top of the patio table she rushed into the house and picked up the extension in the office. "Hello?" She said into the mouthpiece.
"Sarah, it's Gary. Just wanted to say 'hi' after last night an' all."
"Hi, Gary," she said slightly flustered from her dash indoors. "I'm sorry about what happened last night, I just couldn't take you for granted any longer. I'll always love you as my friend, you know that, but we could never be more than that. I only wish I had stayed away in the first place, I never meant to hurt you."
"Hey, its okay. Don't beat yourself up over it. It was as much my fault as it was yours. I should have realised that you and I could never be more than what we are . good friends. Sounds like some crummy cliché doesn't it."
"Yeah, kind of," she chuckled.
"Anyway, I should have just been satisfied with that; and I should've turned you down when you asked me out."
"There was no way you would ever have resisted my charms," Sarah joked, "I'd have got you in the end one way or another!"
"Maybe!"
"No maybe about it, Mr Gary Lambert. And if it is any consolation you are going to make someone extremely happy one day, you certainly have a knack at making love."
"Thanks, I think!"
"It was good, Gary, very good."
"Thanks," his voice brightened, "there was another reason for my call, we had a new guy start today at school, teaching English lit and Latin, must be a glutton for punishment, anyway he kind of got left with me so I invited him out with us all on Friday, do you wanna tag along?"
"Is this some feeble attempt at trying to match me up with someone. I mean is he 'prince' material?"
"Sarah, I told you to find your prince. I'm not saying that you'll like him 'cause you probably won't. He's quite thin but strong, blonde, has these odd eyes and he's a lot older than you."
"That describes you!" She mocked as she looked over to her latest drawing of her 'dream lover'. His 'odd' eyes were smiling up at her from beyond the paper filling her with a sense of an imminent yet exciting, first acquaintance. Shaking the thoughts from her head she continued her conversation with Gary.
"That also describes him." Gary offered. "So are you gonna come or what?"
"Yeah, no harm in meeting this guy, he may turn out to be a very good friend too! Where, when, why?"
"As to the when and where say seven at 'The Black Horse'. As to why, you'll have to make your own decision."
"Okay. What's his name? You know if I get there before any of you, at least I can be civil."
"Jareth . what was his surname . oh yeah, Reynolds. Jareth Reynolds."
Sarah stood transfixed to the spot, wasn't that the name of the guy that had put that request out on local radio. No it couldn't be. "What, Gary? Sorry my mind just wandered for a second there."
"Why do you know him?"
"No, just a coincidence, I think! So I'll see you on Friday."
"Yeah, bye!"
"Bye!" Well if nothing else, Sarah felt Friday evening was going to be interesting. Especially when she met this Jareth Reynolds and his, what did Gary call them? . his 'odd' eyes.
***
Friday had come along all too soon for Sarah. No sooner had she decided that it would be a good idea to buy something new to wear on the evening, the evening had arrived. She had gone into the nearest large town to where she lived that morning in order to find something suitable for her evening out, but ended up buying a pair of jeans she had seen a couple of weeks previously and a black top. And now she was stood in front of her full- length mirror, deciding whether or not the top was right for the occasion. She wondered if it was slightly too dressy for a local pub. 'Not if your fifteen,' she mused.
And for the first time in her life she was feeling anxious about going out with her friends. But why? She had been out with them hundreds of times before, so why should this time be any different? She was nervous about meeting Jareth Reynolds but again she was normally calm about meeting new people, she had even used a dating agency for a little while a few years previously and she had never felt this tense then. It was as if she expected this man to hold the key to her future, or past, or both.
It was now or never, she gave herself one last look in the mirror and made sure that her hair and makeup were both in check. She added a pair of earrings and grabbed her tan suede jacket for her short walk home, it was bound to be colder later on and she couldn't afford to get hypothermia or anything worse.
Closing the front door firmly behind her after checking she had her keys, she turned left out of her gateway and made her way to 'The Black Horse'. It was only a five-minute walk and she was glad of it, greeting the friendly familiar faces she passed on her way. The evening was still quite bright too with a faint breeze, this along with her brisk pace giving a slightly rosy tint to her otherwise porcelain cheeks.
As she strode across the car park she noticed that Gary's car was parked up. The beaten up VW beetle with its weathered paintwork and decaying body were strangely a welcome sight. At least Sarah would not have to walk into the pub knowing that she may have to make small talk with a man that would possibly make her more uneasy than she currently was. She walked into the small lobby and placed her hand firmly on the door handle. 'Calm down, calm down,' she kept saying to herself over and over, trying to soothe her ever increasing nervousness. She watched as her hand was shaking uncontrollably. What was wrong with her?
"Could I possibly help you with that," a crisp English accent spoke from just behind her left shoulder.
"No, I'm okay. I don't really like walking into places like this when I'm on my own."
"Are you on a first date or something, you do seem a little tense!" The voice remarked.
"No, I'm meeting some friends. There," Sarah added for effect as she opened the door into the lounge area, "it wasn't stuck after all!"
"No, well thanks for opening the door for me." The owner of the voice gave her quick once over as he passed by her into the lounge and disappeared around the corner. She watched as the door closed too again, only then wishing that she had used the initiative to follow him through. 'He must think I am a complete and utter idiot,' she thought and added, 'but I don't know him so who cares. Come on Sarah, snap to it, take any longer and they'll be sending out a search party.'
Grabbing hold of the handle once more she pulled the door open to the lounge and this time stepped through it. She noticed one of her friends, Alan, at the bar and he motioned getting her a drink whilst he was there. She nodded her agreement and walked around to the snug that she and her friends usually occupied.
"Sarah, you're here at last," Gary said in a bemused tone. "Weren't quite sure whether you remembered you're way here or not." He sniggered and most of the other's joined in.
Sarah stood there with a bemused look on her face and grinned, trust Gary to make light of her timekeeping skills. How late was she anyway? Placing her jacket over the back of one of the last remaining vacant chairs she sat down whilst saying her hellos to everyone. A tall glass filled to the brim with a sparkling liquid and ice was placed directly in front of her.
"Vodka and tonic, right?" Alan said.
"Cheers, Alan, how much do I owe you?"
"Get the next one."
She nodded, accepting the next round.
"So, not only do I have to offer my help to open a door, I also have to give up my seat for the same lady." The familiar tones of an English accent quipped from her right.
'Oh my god, I want to die,' she thought to herself as she raised her head to level with the table's last occupant. Shocked, she sat and blatantly stared at the man sat to her right. So Gary was right, he was everything he said he would be, and more handsome than she could ever dare to have hoped. Not to mention he carried a certain resemblance to her last drawing.
"Are you okay? I was only teasing." He asked.
"Sarah, this is Jareth Reynolds," Gary interrupted.
"Hmm," she said, quickly looking at Gary trying to register what he was saying but just as quickly turning her head back again to continue to stare at Jareth.
"I'm Jareth Reynolds," he said offering Sarah his hand. "And you are?"
Taking his hand in her own she shook it vigorously. "Sarah," she said.
"Sarah?"
Realisation suddenly struck her, she was definitely attracted to this man but should she really be giving herself away so quickly. "Oh god, I'm sorry, you must think me so rude. Sarah . Sarah Williams. I own the antiques store in the village."
Still shaking hands he said, "Well, its nice to meet you Sarah, I hope that I will have time to come and visit your shop, when I am not too busy."
"Yes," she said, "I would like that." She grinned, whilst she thought to herself, 'I would like that . me.'
"I'm very glad to hear that," he answered whilst he retrieved his hand. He turned away from her and began to talk to Alan about something or other; she tried not to pay too much attention to it. She quickly looked around the table trying to keep herself in check and noticed Gary staring at her. He motioned for her to join him at the bar and she followed him over like some kind of lost sheep.
"What was that all about?"
"Gary, I don't know, but there is something I need to show you. Will you walk me home later?"
"Yeah, sure. Are you okay? It just seems that you like this fella an awful lot but you don't know anything about him!"
"Gary, I can't explain anything to you right now, and I know I've acted like a complete maniac, but," she turned slightly in order to look at Jareth, "I know him, I don't know how or why but I know him, and before I came here this evening," she turned back to Gary, "I knew something like this was going to happen."
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 8 - A love rekindled?
Sarah had had a very slack morning at the shop and at two o'clock she had decided to make it a short day, giving herself a bit of time to herself for a change. Stopping by the post office on her way home she was comfortably within the confines of her cottage in a matter of thirty minutes. And from the moment she had shut the front door of her cottage to the outside she had kicked back, thinking that she would read for the better part of the afternoon. It was a nice day, after all, and it would be good to sit outside in her perfectly manicured back garden, with all credit for that to her neighbour, Jacob.
She switched on the radio that sat on the windowsill in the kitchen and flicked the switch on the kettle; pulling out a teapot from one of the overhead cupboards she set that down and waited for the kettle to boil. She quickly warmed the pot before putting in the leaves and pouring the boiled water over them to allow them to infuse. She found her mug and poured in a little milk before she filled the mug up with the strained tea. Picking up her mug, the sandwiches that she had made for herself earlier on that day and her well worn copy of 'Pride and Prejudice', she decided to sit outside on her patio.
She could still hear the radio from her seat on the patio and absently hummed along with the tune it was playing. Halfway through the second verse the song appeared to change, as another melody seemed to take its place, it wasn't a song she had heard before but she liked it all the same.
Absently, she picked up words of the chorus and sang along with the unfamiliar ballad, " . makes no sense at all, every thrill has gone . da da da da da da da . I'll be there for you-oo-oo . world falls down . falling . falling in love."
"That was 'As the world falls down' by David Bowie, as requested by Jareth Reynolds for his beloved Lady Sarah and he would like me to say, on his behalf, that he is so sorry for what has happened between the two of you and he wants to make amends to you as soon as possible. Oh and all you young women out there that adore old DB, make sure you see the film that this song comes from. It's called 'Labyrinth' and David plays the part of the menacing yet handsome Goblin King. Now onto our next request of the afternoon Guns N Roses and 'Sweet Child o' Mine', enjoy folks!"
"Hope that Sarah is luckier than me" Sarah said to herself. "And I hope Jareth makes it up to her real good!" A sly smiled tipped the edges of her mouth as she thought about how lucky that particular Sarah may well be. "I'll have to remember to take a look at that film too, David Bowie, mm mm."
Getting herself comfortable on her sun lounger, she laid back and opened her book at the marked page. It wasn't as if she hadn't read that particular passage a hundred times before or seen it played out but it always made her shiver with the anticipation of how Lizzie was going to feel about Darcy's first declaration of love to her and the continuing struggles of them both as they allowed the love they had for each other to take over their lives. She could imagine being Lizzie, the proud young woman that never could quite understand why Darcy acted the way that he did, but eventually falling for him, hook, line and sinker. And Lizzie did always get her man, something Sarah was unfortunate not to have. However, she could still dream couldn't she?
She had always firmly believed that she would have met the man she intended to spend the rest of her life with by the time she was twenty-five, being the hopeless romantic that she was. However, this hadn't been the case and in a few short months she would be facing her thirty-first birthday, a day she didn't relish coming.
The telephone rang bringing Sarah out of her slightly depressive state. Putting her book down quickly on top of the patio table she rushed into the house and picked up the extension in the office. "Hello?" She said into the mouthpiece.
"Sarah, it's Gary. Just wanted to say 'hi' after last night an' all."
"Hi, Gary," she said slightly flustered from her dash indoors. "I'm sorry about what happened last night, I just couldn't take you for granted any longer. I'll always love you as my friend, you know that, but we could never be more than that. I only wish I had stayed away in the first place, I never meant to hurt you."
"Hey, its okay. Don't beat yourself up over it. It was as much my fault as it was yours. I should have realised that you and I could never be more than what we are . good friends. Sounds like some crummy cliché doesn't it."
"Yeah, kind of," she chuckled.
"Anyway, I should have just been satisfied with that; and I should've turned you down when you asked me out."
"There was no way you would ever have resisted my charms," Sarah joked, "I'd have got you in the end one way or another!"
"Maybe!"
"No maybe about it, Mr Gary Lambert. And if it is any consolation you are going to make someone extremely happy one day, you certainly have a knack at making love."
"Thanks, I think!"
"It was good, Gary, very good."
"Thanks," his voice brightened, "there was another reason for my call, we had a new guy start today at school, teaching English lit and Latin, must be a glutton for punishment, anyway he kind of got left with me so I invited him out with us all on Friday, do you wanna tag along?"
"Is this some feeble attempt at trying to match me up with someone. I mean is he 'prince' material?"
"Sarah, I told you to find your prince. I'm not saying that you'll like him 'cause you probably won't. He's quite thin but strong, blonde, has these odd eyes and he's a lot older than you."
"That describes you!" She mocked as she looked over to her latest drawing of her 'dream lover'. His 'odd' eyes were smiling up at her from beyond the paper filling her with a sense of an imminent yet exciting, first acquaintance. Shaking the thoughts from her head she continued her conversation with Gary.
"That also describes him." Gary offered. "So are you gonna come or what?"
"Yeah, no harm in meeting this guy, he may turn out to be a very good friend too! Where, when, why?"
"As to the when and where say seven at 'The Black Horse'. As to why, you'll have to make your own decision."
"Okay. What's his name? You know if I get there before any of you, at least I can be civil."
"Jareth . what was his surname . oh yeah, Reynolds. Jareth Reynolds."
Sarah stood transfixed to the spot, wasn't that the name of the guy that had put that request out on local radio. No it couldn't be. "What, Gary? Sorry my mind just wandered for a second there."
"Why do you know him?"
"No, just a coincidence, I think! So I'll see you on Friday."
"Yeah, bye!"
"Bye!" Well if nothing else, Sarah felt Friday evening was going to be interesting. Especially when she met this Jareth Reynolds and his, what did Gary call them? . his 'odd' eyes.
***
Friday had come along all too soon for Sarah. No sooner had she decided that it would be a good idea to buy something new to wear on the evening, the evening had arrived. She had gone into the nearest large town to where she lived that morning in order to find something suitable for her evening out, but ended up buying a pair of jeans she had seen a couple of weeks previously and a black top. And now she was stood in front of her full- length mirror, deciding whether or not the top was right for the occasion. She wondered if it was slightly too dressy for a local pub. 'Not if your fifteen,' she mused.
And for the first time in her life she was feeling anxious about going out with her friends. But why? She had been out with them hundreds of times before, so why should this time be any different? She was nervous about meeting Jareth Reynolds but again she was normally calm about meeting new people, she had even used a dating agency for a little while a few years previously and she had never felt this tense then. It was as if she expected this man to hold the key to her future, or past, or both.
It was now or never, she gave herself one last look in the mirror and made sure that her hair and makeup were both in check. She added a pair of earrings and grabbed her tan suede jacket for her short walk home, it was bound to be colder later on and she couldn't afford to get hypothermia or anything worse.
Closing the front door firmly behind her after checking she had her keys, she turned left out of her gateway and made her way to 'The Black Horse'. It was only a five-minute walk and she was glad of it, greeting the friendly familiar faces she passed on her way. The evening was still quite bright too with a faint breeze, this along with her brisk pace giving a slightly rosy tint to her otherwise porcelain cheeks.
As she strode across the car park she noticed that Gary's car was parked up. The beaten up VW beetle with its weathered paintwork and decaying body were strangely a welcome sight. At least Sarah would not have to walk into the pub knowing that she may have to make small talk with a man that would possibly make her more uneasy than she currently was. She walked into the small lobby and placed her hand firmly on the door handle. 'Calm down, calm down,' she kept saying to herself over and over, trying to soothe her ever increasing nervousness. She watched as her hand was shaking uncontrollably. What was wrong with her?
"Could I possibly help you with that," a crisp English accent spoke from just behind her left shoulder.
"No, I'm okay. I don't really like walking into places like this when I'm on my own."
"Are you on a first date or something, you do seem a little tense!" The voice remarked.
"No, I'm meeting some friends. There," Sarah added for effect as she opened the door into the lounge area, "it wasn't stuck after all!"
"No, well thanks for opening the door for me." The owner of the voice gave her quick once over as he passed by her into the lounge and disappeared around the corner. She watched as the door closed too again, only then wishing that she had used the initiative to follow him through. 'He must think I am a complete and utter idiot,' she thought and added, 'but I don't know him so who cares. Come on Sarah, snap to it, take any longer and they'll be sending out a search party.'
Grabbing hold of the handle once more she pulled the door open to the lounge and this time stepped through it. She noticed one of her friends, Alan, at the bar and he motioned getting her a drink whilst he was there. She nodded her agreement and walked around to the snug that she and her friends usually occupied.
"Sarah, you're here at last," Gary said in a bemused tone. "Weren't quite sure whether you remembered you're way here or not." He sniggered and most of the other's joined in.
Sarah stood there with a bemused look on her face and grinned, trust Gary to make light of her timekeeping skills. How late was she anyway? Placing her jacket over the back of one of the last remaining vacant chairs she sat down whilst saying her hellos to everyone. A tall glass filled to the brim with a sparkling liquid and ice was placed directly in front of her.
"Vodka and tonic, right?" Alan said.
"Cheers, Alan, how much do I owe you?"
"Get the next one."
She nodded, accepting the next round.
"So, not only do I have to offer my help to open a door, I also have to give up my seat for the same lady." The familiar tones of an English accent quipped from her right.
'Oh my god, I want to die,' she thought to herself as she raised her head to level with the table's last occupant. Shocked, she sat and blatantly stared at the man sat to her right. So Gary was right, he was everything he said he would be, and more handsome than she could ever dare to have hoped. Not to mention he carried a certain resemblance to her last drawing.
"Are you okay? I was only teasing." He asked.
"Sarah, this is Jareth Reynolds," Gary interrupted.
"Hmm," she said, quickly looking at Gary trying to register what he was saying but just as quickly turning her head back again to continue to stare at Jareth.
"I'm Jareth Reynolds," he said offering Sarah his hand. "And you are?"
Taking his hand in her own she shook it vigorously. "Sarah," she said.
"Sarah?"
Realisation suddenly struck her, she was definitely attracted to this man but should she really be giving herself away so quickly. "Oh god, I'm sorry, you must think me so rude. Sarah . Sarah Williams. I own the antiques store in the village."
Still shaking hands he said, "Well, its nice to meet you Sarah, I hope that I will have time to come and visit your shop, when I am not too busy."
"Yes," she said, "I would like that." She grinned, whilst she thought to herself, 'I would like that . me.'
"I'm very glad to hear that," he answered whilst he retrieved his hand. He turned away from her and began to talk to Alan about something or other; she tried not to pay too much attention to it. She quickly looked around the table trying to keep herself in check and noticed Gary staring at her. He motioned for her to join him at the bar and she followed him over like some kind of lost sheep.
"What was that all about?"
"Gary, I don't know, but there is something I need to show you. Will you walk me home later?"
"Yeah, sure. Are you okay? It just seems that you like this fella an awful lot but you don't know anything about him!"
"Gary, I can't explain anything to you right now, and I know I've acted like a complete maniac, but," she turned slightly in order to look at Jareth, "I know him, I don't know how or why but I know him, and before I came here this evening," she turned back to Gary, "I knew something like this was going to happen."