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 10 - Court in session
Jareth sprawled in his throne pondering, well, his second hand mint green velour wing backed chair. He was in his usual thinking pose of left leg over the arm, left arm draped over the back and supporting his chin with his right fist.
He decided that he really wasn't very comfortable, male human clothes just didn't give much in the right places, not like his usual attire. Getting up to stand he went to the window and sat on the cushioned window seat that resided there. From his seat he was able to watch nature go about its business, even if he couldn't join it. His keen owl senses he still possessed but he was unable to transform, and by god did he want to transform right now. A swift flight out amongst the trees and long grasses he could do with above anything else. Something to soothe and calm him from the torturous night he had just spent sitting next to his beloved and not being able to say anything to her. Not for the fact that he didn't want to talk to her but more like afraid that he would let something slip, like "hey, I'm the Goblin King, I reside in a place called the Labyrinth, which happens to be Underground and I have been deeply in love with you since you conquered both the overgrown maze and me!" He smiled absently at his thought.
And now he was caged in this awful apartment without his 'normal' luxuries and creature comforts. Apart from his bed; the Seelie court had allowed him one comfort and he had decided that even if everything else in his life was going to miserable then at least he could sleep soundly and maybe dream of his Sarah.
But even the dreams had evaded him of late. He had been sleeping well but he had been unable to see her, it was as if all contact between the two had been switched off. 'The court had probably intervened with that too,' he thought bitterly. 'I certainly can't believe my parents had a hand in all of this either.' That angered him more than anything, they were supposed to love him without question but he couldn't get passed the fact that they somehow wanted to teach him a lesson. Try to show him what the path to love was all about.
He thought back to that fateful night, standing before the court. "The thing is my dear," his mother said, "if your father had ever tried to pull a stunt like you have just pulled on that poor child then I would have married Ethorel instead." A few raised eyebrows appeared around the bench, especially from her husband and Ethorel himself.
"Mother, I really don't see what harm I did?"
"That is the problem then Jareth isn't it. No harm done to you or your pride but what of Sarah. Relationships are built on trust, even in this realm, and you showed Sarah that you were never to be trusted. How could she give herself to you willingly knowing that you had lied to her, no woman in her right mind would. Love is a partnership, love is about giving unreservedly, love is not just an emotion that can be played with and manipulated to suit the recipient especially when that recipient has no intention of giving anything back."
"Oh, but I did mother!" Jareth said adamantly.
"I'm not talking about sex and lust." More eyebrows were raised, including those belonging to Jareth.
"Nor am I."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
"Well from where I'm standing it doesn't look like you have learned much about matters of the heart, especially considering your many other conquests. I blame myself, if only your father had allowed me to guide you further then maybe you would not have made this dreadful mistake with her."
"You make it sound like you didn't mind the fact she was human."
It was now Ethorel, head of the court, who spoke. "We didn't. Allowing for the fact that Sarah has been the only person, mortal or otherwise, to beat your Labyrinth. I know at the time we were not completely happy as a group with that fact. However, we did grow to realise that you loved this girl and although you may have given her, unknowingly, an easier ride it was obvious that your heart needed hers."
"I don't understand. Are you saying you're now happy with the knowledge that she beat my Labyrinth and being a mortal, by all accounts? You hauled me over the coals for it when she did it, if I remember correctly. In fact, I am under the belief that you are likely to do that same thing again this time."
"No, Jareth. Sarah is strong willed, smart and courageous, everything your future queen needs. We now believe that you two together would have such a union that would allow your kingdom to flourish and in return the whole underground. But what you did was to try and trap her, even if your resulting intentions were good. There is no question that you love her.
"I have seen a man in love before and he claimed his bride from under my feet," he looked across to Jareth's mother and father, smiling, "but then I truly wasn't worthy of her. You need to realise, Jareth, just because you love her and she loves you, you cannot assume there will automatically be a match. Sarah, I believe, would have given her life for you but what would you have done for her in return?"
For possibly the first time in Jareth's life he didn't know what to say. He searched the room for some kind of friendly face in order that he may get some backing, but there was none. Not even his parents. Stricken he bowed his head, tears welled at the corners of his eyes, he was truly sorry for what he had done, he had just wanted his Sarah. His Sarah, he would never have her now, the court would see to that. Bringing his head back to centre he asked dolefully, "So, what of my punishment? The sooner you pass judgment on me the sooner I can try to forget."
"That would make you happy wouldn't it, to forget her?" Ethorel deliberated. "Then part of your punishment will be that you will never forget the one you loved and lost. Now about the rest!" He sat watching the Goblin King astutely tapping his chin with his right index finger.
"Excuse me, milord, but could a servant have the chance to speak up for his King." A voice boomed from the back of the room. All eyes turned to the speaker and his band of acquaintances, as he continued.
Amazement washed over Jareth's features as he took in the scene behind him. He could understand why Luther was there but not his companions, what were their names. Yes, they were Hoggle, Ludo, Sir Didymus and his steed, Ambrosias and he knew instinctively they were not there for him. They were there for Sarah. However they had arrived with Luther, did that mean that they were in fact there for him too. A quick look at the dwarf and Jareth knew that Hoggle certainly wasn't, but the others did seem genuinely concerned about the whole situation.
"Luther, please speak freely. I'm sure you wish to make a fair point to the council." Ethorel encouraged.
"Thank you. Milord, members of the council, King Alfredo and Queen Isabella, as I am sure you are aware my lord, King Jareth, is undoubtedly in love with Sarah Williams, the mortal from Aboveground." Luther heard Hoggle sneer at the suggestion but took no heed.
"Luther, we are fully aware of my son's intention toward the girl in question." King Alfredo said dismissively.
"Aye, Sire. I was merely ascertaining the events as I see them!"
"Then please continue." Ethorel interjected.
"Well, Sarah, again as we all are fully aware, is deeply in love with my King. I did try to explain to my lord that his attempt at getting Sarah to come to him would probably end badly, and more than likely through no actual fault of his own."
"How so? Surely if he tempted her here in order for him to 'test' her worthiness and offer himself as a prize then he should accept the consequence of his actions when she finds the truth out about it."
"Of course, milord. I said as such myself. However, it was actually by a misinterpretation that Sarah felt victimised by the whole . 'game'. This misinterpretation led her to believe that every intention of King Jareth's was not honourable in the least, even his declaration of love to her."
"A declaration, my lad."
"Yes, father. I sent Sarah a sentiment crystal."
All heads at the table turned to look at their neighbours in surprise. Luther was quite clearly shocked, he had obviously become aware that Jareth had sent Sarah a crystal, as she had told him as much, but he had had no reason to believe it was that special.
A hush fell over the room as everyone tried to get to grips with this latest information and all eyes turned on Hoggle when the only sound to be heard came from his throat as he gulped, the realisation of what Jareth had proclaimed to Sarah also making him twist his skullcap in his hands.
"Have you ever sent one of these before, Jareth?"
"No, mother."
"Never?"
"No . never!" Queen Isabella saw the certainty in her son's face as he spoke his words.
Ethorel now decided that action needed to be taken to reunite Jareth and Sarah. "Luther, what happened to the girl?"
"She was sent home, I know not by whom!" Luther answered.
"Meaning?"
"Sire, if you ask where Sarah went, then I think it safe to assume that it was not yourself or another member of the council that granted her wish. Therefore, I am at a loss as to who would have . granted her wish that is!"
"What was her wish, exactly?"
"I think her exact words were 'I wish to god that I had never read that book, that I had never wished Toby away, and most especially, I wish I had never met you at all' or words to that effect."
"Hm, then I don't think there is anything for it. Jareth you are going to have to reside Aboveground."
"Is that it? I mean no term in an oubliette or minor suspension of power for a while!"
"Jareth, that is not merely it. You will have to reside Aboveground as a human, you will live like a human, you will eat like a human, you will not be able to use magic as you will be stripped of it, you will not be able to change into owl form when you feel like it, and you will have the capability of dying, as with any other humans. You will live in a small apartment, with little money and have to earn a living in a humble position. And on top of all that, you will have to find this Sarah Williams, declare yourself to her and tell her everything of what is down here in the Underground. Remember, you will have no magic to help you, nothing; but you must tell her about her initial conquest, of her friends and of your second meeting, which incidentally, you have not had as Sarah seems to have gone back to the exact time she left. But all the same, she must know every detail. If she can still love you after that then you will be free to return to your Kingdom if you so wish, and with her if she so wishes. Also this must be done in one Aboveground year, which is not long at all, especially with everything else you will have to do. If at the end of the term you have either not found her or you have found her but she does not want to know you, you will return here and you 'will' never forget her. Do I make myself clear?"
"As crystal, milord."
"Good, does anyone else wish to say anything?" Ethorel motioned for anyone around the table to speak. Everyone shook their heads, including Jareth's parents. In fact, they seemed to be the happiest Fae in the entire room.
"I have a question."
"Yes, Jareth?"
"Who will be looking after my kingdom in my absence?"
"Luther, of course. With a little help from your mother and myself. We shall be keeping an eye on him. Is that to your liking, son."
"Thank you. I am sure my kingdom will be in good hands if maybe a little less formidable than my own but I am happy with that decision. Luther, I am sure you will be worthy of your new role."
"Now Jareth, an Aboveground ally of ours has such an apartment for you, it is meagre and sparsely decorated but we will allow you to take one item from your castle with you, something that would not look too out of place in a small room."
He thought for a few moments, he could take his throne not that there would be much use for it Aboveground, or maybe a portrait of his mother and father but they had hardly helped in this situation and he knew their faces without needing a reminder. His bed would be perfect, it would at least allow him to sleep comfortably, and it was amazing what he could do after having a good nights rest. However, his bed would be too big in a small room although Sarah's wouldn't, or rather the bed he had commissioned especially for her. It would give him great comfort as it was an exact copy of his own with the exceptions of size and the intricately carved figures, which played out Sarah's first attempt at the Labyrinth, from the moment Toby was taken to the end when she fell Aboveground and back home. "I wish to take the bed that is situated in the blue room, please."
"Very well. Jareth whilst Aboveground you will assume the identity of Jareth Reynolds, Reynolds in Olde English means sincere or pure love so I am sure you understand why we chose that name for you. A bank account will be set up for you in that name; a bank allows you to access your money whilst it keeps hold of it securely for you. You will also have to memorise a social security number so that you can be paid by the agency that employs you. You will work as a teacher and we feel that you would do best in the fields of English Literature and Latin, so please try to make them interesting subjects, you may actually enjoy it anyway and make a good impression on your students, with any hope. I think that is all you need to know, if you have any further questions then Robert, the gentleman who owns the building your apartment is in, should be able to help you. Are you ready to leave?"
"Yes."
"Then you are gone, Robert will meet you in your rooms. Goodbye Jareth, Good luck!"
Ethorel held out his hand in front of him and formed the most beautiful lilac coloured sphere in his upturned palm. "Begone Jareth," he said as he threw the crystal at the awaiting individual. As soon as the crystal struck Jareth's chest he was floating through the distance between both worlds. He had done this before, many times, but never with the knowledge that he wouldn't be coming back when he wanted to, and not really knowing how long it would be before he could come back. He either had to find Sarah and wait for her to fall in love with him again, tell her their story about what had actually happened between them over the years and hope and pray that she would still accept him after all that, or wait a year and then have to live with her memory for all of eternity. Either way he knew he was in for a long ride.
Then to have had the chance meeting with her that evening. He had expected a meeting between them to have taken a little while to arrange, but this had only happened in four days. He had known that his apartment was close to where Sarah lived, Robert had mentioned her shop saying that he had bought a couple of things from her for Jareth's rooms, 'to make him feel more at home' and that he and Sarah had got talking. Once Sarah had given Robert information concerning her mother, her childhood and her sibling, Robert had known that this was the Sarah that Jareth was being sent Aboveground to find and had informed of everything. Jareth would have to tread carefully though; she hadn't seemed her usual self when he had met her earlier on.
Jareth had spotted Sarah as soon as he had alighted the taxi that had brought him to the pub. He had been unaware that she would be there this evening although he knew Gary and Sarah were friends. They had after all split up only a few days before and because of him, but Jareth was surprised to see her. He hung back slightly waiting for the raven-haired beauty to disappear inside the pub, he didn't want to meet her to quickly and fumble over his words.
After what seemed like half an hour, but was in fact only a few minutes, Jareth made his way into the front vestibule of 'The Black Horse'. He had stopped abruptly for Sarah was there in front of him and blocking the entrance into the pub, his heart rushed to his throat as he watched her quiver, she was obviously nervous about something but what? Not him, surely. After all, she didn't even know him, did she?
"Could I possibly help you with that," he asked over her left shoulder.
"No, I'm okay. I don't really like walking into places like this when I'm on my own." Sarah had answered. He was slightly shocked that she hadn't turned around to speak to him but then she was obviously overwhelmed with something.
"Are you on a first date or something, you do seem a little tense!" He had remarked, hoping that she wouldn't take offence and that she wasn't on a first date.
"No, I'm meeting some friends. There it wasn't stuck after all!" Sarah had then managed to open the door but Jareth had noticed that her hand was shaking profusely like some kind of demented nodding dog.
"No, well thanks for opening the door for me." He had returned, slightly amused at Sarah's behaviour but only because he wasn't sure why his confident Sarah should act in such a way. He walked passed her and into the lounge, his head becoming slightly heavy with her floral laced perfume as he breathed it in.
He had noticed Gary immediately who acknowledged him back but he couldn't sit down just yet, Sarah should take her seat first. He found his way to the gents and stood over one of the basins. He was going to be a complete mess this evening if he didn't calm down. Opening the cold tap he splashed some of the water over his face and then returned to look at his reflection in the mirror. 'Calm down, calm down lad,' he chanted over and over in his head. It was now or never, sit with his new acquaintances or turn tail and run. It had to be the former, so he mopped his brow with a paper towel and went back into the lounge bar. He ordered himself a pint of lager and moved over to the table. He placed his pint on the table, his coat over the back of the chair and removed his gloves, he still wasn't quite used to not wearing them all the time but most humans would have thought that odd.
He noticed Sarah nodding at the man on his immediate right and as she didn't seem to be in a conversation Jareth thought he would introduce himself, but first he was going to tease her a little. "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 reaction he got he certainly didn't expect. For Sarah just sat and stared at him. No taunts back or any flash of anger just a stare and an open mouthed one at that. He thought he'd better say something to her. "Are you okay? I was only teasing."
"Sarah, this is Jareth Reynolds," Gary had interrupted, but it had been welcome. Jareth certainly needed to get Sarah back to Planet Earth and this would be a good way of doing it.
"Hmm," she had said, quickly relinquishing Jareth of her wonderful deep brown eyes for only a few moments before they were returned back to him.
"I'm Jareth Reynolds," he said offering Sarah his hand. "And you are?"
She had taken his hand in a vice like grip and shook it vigorously, but every nerve ending in his fingers had welcomed the touch of her skin. And from their touch he could tell that she was definitely attracted to him. The evening was getting better and better, for even though Sarah's attraction was in its infancy it was there all the same. "Sarah," she had simply said.
"Sarah?" He asked, in the same manner that he had always asked her if he sought an answer from her.
"Oh god, I'm sorry, you must think me so rude. Sarah . Sarah Williams. I own the antiques store in the village."
They were still shaking hands when he had answered, "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." Jareth smiled at her and she grinned right back.
Jareth had then spent the rest of the evening conversing with everyone around the table. Sarah had seemed unusually quiet but then she was still very nervous sitting there next to him. He thought that she was probably keeping herself in check so as not to embarrass herself further. And where she was concerned, he had picked up on every small detail this evening. The times that she had gone to the bar to order drinks he had felt her eyes boring into the back of his head. If an intimate detail was shared around the table she blushed slightly and wrung her hands together and when he had said goodbye to her, her face had gone bright red and she had waved at him like a thing possessed.
He pulled the curtains closed shutting out his problems for that night and got himself ready for bed. Not that he had to do much. He showered, a wonderful invention he thought to himself, dried himself off and brushed his short hairstyle into shape. Draping the towel around his waist and securing it, he made his way to his bedroom. He walked around the bed to the small cabinet at its side and opened the drawer. He removed the pendant that lay there and, as he found a seat on the bed he laid it out into his left palm. He opened up the little door in the centre and found the one thing he was looking for to give him comfort, Sarah's eyes. Laying back on the bed he kept her close to him until sleep evaded him, whispering before he fell into slumber, "Goodnight my darling, I will miss you, until tomorrow."
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 10 - Court in session
Jareth sprawled in his throne pondering, well, his second hand mint green velour wing backed chair. He was in his usual thinking pose of left leg over the arm, left arm draped over the back and supporting his chin with his right fist.
He decided that he really wasn't very comfortable, male human clothes just didn't give much in the right places, not like his usual attire. Getting up to stand he went to the window and sat on the cushioned window seat that resided there. From his seat he was able to watch nature go about its business, even if he couldn't join it. His keen owl senses he still possessed but he was unable to transform, and by god did he want to transform right now. A swift flight out amongst the trees and long grasses he could do with above anything else. Something to soothe and calm him from the torturous night he had just spent sitting next to his beloved and not being able to say anything to her. Not for the fact that he didn't want to talk to her but more like afraid that he would let something slip, like "hey, I'm the Goblin King, I reside in a place called the Labyrinth, which happens to be Underground and I have been deeply in love with you since you conquered both the overgrown maze and me!" He smiled absently at his thought.
And now he was caged in this awful apartment without his 'normal' luxuries and creature comforts. Apart from his bed; the Seelie court had allowed him one comfort and he had decided that even if everything else in his life was going to miserable then at least he could sleep soundly and maybe dream of his Sarah.
But even the dreams had evaded him of late. He had been sleeping well but he had been unable to see her, it was as if all contact between the two had been switched off. 'The court had probably intervened with that too,' he thought bitterly. 'I certainly can't believe my parents had a hand in all of this either.' That angered him more than anything, they were supposed to love him without question but he couldn't get passed the fact that they somehow wanted to teach him a lesson. Try to show him what the path to love was all about.
He thought back to that fateful night, standing before the court. "The thing is my dear," his mother said, "if your father had ever tried to pull a stunt like you have just pulled on that poor child then I would have married Ethorel instead." A few raised eyebrows appeared around the bench, especially from her husband and Ethorel himself.
"Mother, I really don't see what harm I did?"
"That is the problem then Jareth isn't it. No harm done to you or your pride but what of Sarah. Relationships are built on trust, even in this realm, and you showed Sarah that you were never to be trusted. How could she give herself to you willingly knowing that you had lied to her, no woman in her right mind would. Love is a partnership, love is about giving unreservedly, love is not just an emotion that can be played with and manipulated to suit the recipient especially when that recipient has no intention of giving anything back."
"Oh, but I did mother!" Jareth said adamantly.
"I'm not talking about sex and lust." More eyebrows were raised, including those belonging to Jareth.
"Nor am I."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
"Well from where I'm standing it doesn't look like you have learned much about matters of the heart, especially considering your many other conquests. I blame myself, if only your father had allowed me to guide you further then maybe you would not have made this dreadful mistake with her."
"You make it sound like you didn't mind the fact she was human."
It was now Ethorel, head of the court, who spoke. "We didn't. Allowing for the fact that Sarah has been the only person, mortal or otherwise, to beat your Labyrinth. I know at the time we were not completely happy as a group with that fact. However, we did grow to realise that you loved this girl and although you may have given her, unknowingly, an easier ride it was obvious that your heart needed hers."
"I don't understand. Are you saying you're now happy with the knowledge that she beat my Labyrinth and being a mortal, by all accounts? You hauled me over the coals for it when she did it, if I remember correctly. In fact, I am under the belief that you are likely to do that same thing again this time."
"No, Jareth. Sarah is strong willed, smart and courageous, everything your future queen needs. We now believe that you two together would have such a union that would allow your kingdom to flourish and in return the whole underground. But what you did was to try and trap her, even if your resulting intentions were good. There is no question that you love her.
"I have seen a man in love before and he claimed his bride from under my feet," he looked across to Jareth's mother and father, smiling, "but then I truly wasn't worthy of her. You need to realise, Jareth, just because you love her and she loves you, you cannot assume there will automatically be a match. Sarah, I believe, would have given her life for you but what would you have done for her in return?"
For possibly the first time in Jareth's life he didn't know what to say. He searched the room for some kind of friendly face in order that he may get some backing, but there was none. Not even his parents. Stricken he bowed his head, tears welled at the corners of his eyes, he was truly sorry for what he had done, he had just wanted his Sarah. His Sarah, he would never have her now, the court would see to that. Bringing his head back to centre he asked dolefully, "So, what of my punishment? The sooner you pass judgment on me the sooner I can try to forget."
"That would make you happy wouldn't it, to forget her?" Ethorel deliberated. "Then part of your punishment will be that you will never forget the one you loved and lost. Now about the rest!" He sat watching the Goblin King astutely tapping his chin with his right index finger.
"Excuse me, milord, but could a servant have the chance to speak up for his King." A voice boomed from the back of the room. All eyes turned to the speaker and his band of acquaintances, as he continued.
Amazement washed over Jareth's features as he took in the scene behind him. He could understand why Luther was there but not his companions, what were their names. Yes, they were Hoggle, Ludo, Sir Didymus and his steed, Ambrosias and he knew instinctively they were not there for him. They were there for Sarah. However they had arrived with Luther, did that mean that they were in fact there for him too. A quick look at the dwarf and Jareth knew that Hoggle certainly wasn't, but the others did seem genuinely concerned about the whole situation.
"Luther, please speak freely. I'm sure you wish to make a fair point to the council." Ethorel encouraged.
"Thank you. Milord, members of the council, King Alfredo and Queen Isabella, as I am sure you are aware my lord, King Jareth, is undoubtedly in love with Sarah Williams, the mortal from Aboveground." Luther heard Hoggle sneer at the suggestion but took no heed.
"Luther, we are fully aware of my son's intention toward the girl in question." King Alfredo said dismissively.
"Aye, Sire. I was merely ascertaining the events as I see them!"
"Then please continue." Ethorel interjected.
"Well, Sarah, again as we all are fully aware, is deeply in love with my King. I did try to explain to my lord that his attempt at getting Sarah to come to him would probably end badly, and more than likely through no actual fault of his own."
"How so? Surely if he tempted her here in order for him to 'test' her worthiness and offer himself as a prize then he should accept the consequence of his actions when she finds the truth out about it."
"Of course, milord. I said as such myself. However, it was actually by a misinterpretation that Sarah felt victimised by the whole . 'game'. This misinterpretation led her to believe that every intention of King Jareth's was not honourable in the least, even his declaration of love to her."
"A declaration, my lad."
"Yes, father. I sent Sarah a sentiment crystal."
All heads at the table turned to look at their neighbours in surprise. Luther was quite clearly shocked, he had obviously become aware that Jareth had sent Sarah a crystal, as she had told him as much, but he had had no reason to believe it was that special.
A hush fell over the room as everyone tried to get to grips with this latest information and all eyes turned on Hoggle when the only sound to be heard came from his throat as he gulped, the realisation of what Jareth had proclaimed to Sarah also making him twist his skullcap in his hands.
"Have you ever sent one of these before, Jareth?"
"No, mother."
"Never?"
"No . never!" Queen Isabella saw the certainty in her son's face as he spoke his words.
Ethorel now decided that action needed to be taken to reunite Jareth and Sarah. "Luther, what happened to the girl?"
"She was sent home, I know not by whom!" Luther answered.
"Meaning?"
"Sire, if you ask where Sarah went, then I think it safe to assume that it was not yourself or another member of the council that granted her wish. Therefore, I am at a loss as to who would have . granted her wish that is!"
"What was her wish, exactly?"
"I think her exact words were 'I wish to god that I had never read that book, that I had never wished Toby away, and most especially, I wish I had never met you at all' or words to that effect."
"Hm, then I don't think there is anything for it. Jareth you are going to have to reside Aboveground."
"Is that it? I mean no term in an oubliette or minor suspension of power for a while!"
"Jareth, that is not merely it. You will have to reside Aboveground as a human, you will live like a human, you will eat like a human, you will not be able to use magic as you will be stripped of it, you will not be able to change into owl form when you feel like it, and you will have the capability of dying, as with any other humans. You will live in a small apartment, with little money and have to earn a living in a humble position. And on top of all that, you will have to find this Sarah Williams, declare yourself to her and tell her everything of what is down here in the Underground. Remember, you will have no magic to help you, nothing; but you must tell her about her initial conquest, of her friends and of your second meeting, which incidentally, you have not had as Sarah seems to have gone back to the exact time she left. But all the same, she must know every detail. If she can still love you after that then you will be free to return to your Kingdom if you so wish, and with her if she so wishes. Also this must be done in one Aboveground year, which is not long at all, especially with everything else you will have to do. If at the end of the term you have either not found her or you have found her but she does not want to know you, you will return here and you 'will' never forget her. Do I make myself clear?"
"As crystal, milord."
"Good, does anyone else wish to say anything?" Ethorel motioned for anyone around the table to speak. Everyone shook their heads, including Jareth's parents. In fact, they seemed to be the happiest Fae in the entire room.
"I have a question."
"Yes, Jareth?"
"Who will be looking after my kingdom in my absence?"
"Luther, of course. With a little help from your mother and myself. We shall be keeping an eye on him. Is that to your liking, son."
"Thank you. I am sure my kingdom will be in good hands if maybe a little less formidable than my own but I am happy with that decision. Luther, I am sure you will be worthy of your new role."
"Now Jareth, an Aboveground ally of ours has such an apartment for you, it is meagre and sparsely decorated but we will allow you to take one item from your castle with you, something that would not look too out of place in a small room."
He thought for a few moments, he could take his throne not that there would be much use for it Aboveground, or maybe a portrait of his mother and father but they had hardly helped in this situation and he knew their faces without needing a reminder. His bed would be perfect, it would at least allow him to sleep comfortably, and it was amazing what he could do after having a good nights rest. However, his bed would be too big in a small room although Sarah's wouldn't, or rather the bed he had commissioned especially for her. It would give him great comfort as it was an exact copy of his own with the exceptions of size and the intricately carved figures, which played out Sarah's first attempt at the Labyrinth, from the moment Toby was taken to the end when she fell Aboveground and back home. "I wish to take the bed that is situated in the blue room, please."
"Very well. Jareth whilst Aboveground you will assume the identity of Jareth Reynolds, Reynolds in Olde English means sincere or pure love so I am sure you understand why we chose that name for you. A bank account will be set up for you in that name; a bank allows you to access your money whilst it keeps hold of it securely for you. You will also have to memorise a social security number so that you can be paid by the agency that employs you. You will work as a teacher and we feel that you would do best in the fields of English Literature and Latin, so please try to make them interesting subjects, you may actually enjoy it anyway and make a good impression on your students, with any hope. I think that is all you need to know, if you have any further questions then Robert, the gentleman who owns the building your apartment is in, should be able to help you. Are you ready to leave?"
"Yes."
"Then you are gone, Robert will meet you in your rooms. Goodbye Jareth, Good luck!"
Ethorel held out his hand in front of him and formed the most beautiful lilac coloured sphere in his upturned palm. "Begone Jareth," he said as he threw the crystal at the awaiting individual. As soon as the crystal struck Jareth's chest he was floating through the distance between both worlds. He had done this before, many times, but never with the knowledge that he wouldn't be coming back when he wanted to, and not really knowing how long it would be before he could come back. He either had to find Sarah and wait for her to fall in love with him again, tell her their story about what had actually happened between them over the years and hope and pray that she would still accept him after all that, or wait a year and then have to live with her memory for all of eternity. Either way he knew he was in for a long ride.
Then to have had the chance meeting with her that evening. He had expected a meeting between them to have taken a little while to arrange, but this had only happened in four days. He had known that his apartment was close to where Sarah lived, Robert had mentioned her shop saying that he had bought a couple of things from her for Jareth's rooms, 'to make him feel more at home' and that he and Sarah had got talking. Once Sarah had given Robert information concerning her mother, her childhood and her sibling, Robert had known that this was the Sarah that Jareth was being sent Aboveground to find and had informed of everything. Jareth would have to tread carefully though; she hadn't seemed her usual self when he had met her earlier on.
Jareth had spotted Sarah as soon as he had alighted the taxi that had brought him to the pub. He had been unaware that she would be there this evening although he knew Gary and Sarah were friends. They had after all split up only a few days before and because of him, but Jareth was surprised to see her. He hung back slightly waiting for the raven-haired beauty to disappear inside the pub, he didn't want to meet her to quickly and fumble over his words.
After what seemed like half an hour, but was in fact only a few minutes, Jareth made his way into the front vestibule of 'The Black Horse'. He had stopped abruptly for Sarah was there in front of him and blocking the entrance into the pub, his heart rushed to his throat as he watched her quiver, she was obviously nervous about something but what? Not him, surely. After all, she didn't even know him, did she?
"Could I possibly help you with that," he asked over her left shoulder.
"No, I'm okay. I don't really like walking into places like this when I'm on my own." Sarah had answered. He was slightly shocked that she hadn't turned around to speak to him but then she was obviously overwhelmed with something.
"Are you on a first date or something, you do seem a little tense!" He had remarked, hoping that she wouldn't take offence and that she wasn't on a first date.
"No, I'm meeting some friends. There it wasn't stuck after all!" Sarah had then managed to open the door but Jareth had noticed that her hand was shaking profusely like some kind of demented nodding dog.
"No, well thanks for opening the door for me." He had returned, slightly amused at Sarah's behaviour but only because he wasn't sure why his confident Sarah should act in such a way. He walked passed her and into the lounge, his head becoming slightly heavy with her floral laced perfume as he breathed it in.
He had noticed Gary immediately who acknowledged him back but he couldn't sit down just yet, Sarah should take her seat first. He found his way to the gents and stood over one of the basins. He was going to be a complete mess this evening if he didn't calm down. Opening the cold tap he splashed some of the water over his face and then returned to look at his reflection in the mirror. 'Calm down, calm down lad,' he chanted over and over in his head. It was now or never, sit with his new acquaintances or turn tail and run. It had to be the former, so he mopped his brow with a paper towel and went back into the lounge bar. He ordered himself a pint of lager and moved over to the table. He placed his pint on the table, his coat over the back of the chair and removed his gloves, he still wasn't quite used to not wearing them all the time but most humans would have thought that odd.
He noticed Sarah nodding at the man on his immediate right and as she didn't seem to be in a conversation Jareth thought he would introduce himself, but first he was going to tease her a little. "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 reaction he got he certainly didn't expect. For Sarah just sat and stared at him. No taunts back or any flash of anger just a stare and an open mouthed one at that. He thought he'd better say something to her. "Are you okay? I was only teasing."
"Sarah, this is Jareth Reynolds," Gary had interrupted, but it had been welcome. Jareth certainly needed to get Sarah back to Planet Earth and this would be a good way of doing it.
"Hmm," she had said, quickly relinquishing Jareth of her wonderful deep brown eyes for only a few moments before they were returned back to him.
"I'm Jareth Reynolds," he said offering Sarah his hand. "And you are?"
She had taken his hand in a vice like grip and shook it vigorously, but every nerve ending in his fingers had welcomed the touch of her skin. And from their touch he could tell that she was definitely attracted to him. The evening was getting better and better, for even though Sarah's attraction was in its infancy it was there all the same. "Sarah," she had simply said.
"Sarah?" He asked, in the same manner that he had always asked her if he sought an answer from her.
"Oh god, I'm sorry, you must think me so rude. Sarah . Sarah Williams. I own the antiques store in the village."
They were still shaking hands when he had answered, "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." Jareth smiled at her and she grinned right back.
Jareth had then spent the rest of the evening conversing with everyone around the table. Sarah had seemed unusually quiet but then she was still very nervous sitting there next to him. He thought that she was probably keeping herself in check so as not to embarrass herself further. And where she was concerned, he had picked up on every small detail this evening. The times that she had gone to the bar to order drinks he had felt her eyes boring into the back of his head. If an intimate detail was shared around the table she blushed slightly and wrung her hands together and when he had said goodbye to her, her face had gone bright red and she had waved at him like a thing possessed.
He pulled the curtains closed shutting out his problems for that night and got himself ready for bed. Not that he had to do much. He showered, a wonderful invention he thought to himself, dried himself off and brushed his short hairstyle into shape. Draping the towel around his waist and securing it, he made his way to his bedroom. He walked around the bed to the small cabinet at its side and opened the drawer. He removed the pendant that lay there and, as he found a seat on the bed he laid it out into his left palm. He opened up the little door in the centre and found the one thing he was looking for to give him comfort, Sarah's eyes. Laying back on the bed he kept her close to him until sleep evaded him, whispering before he fell into slumber, "Goodnight my darling, I will miss you, until tomorrow."