Disclaimer: Same, same, still own nothing...
A/N: Short chapter, sorry -_-; I will try to make up for it. It isn't even that interesting... oh well. I hope you like it.
Chapter Six: News
Sarah woke up to see Jareth looking down at her. She blushed and noticed that she was still wrapped in his arms. But she was happy this way. She smiled a hello and was surprised to see him smile back. It was small, but it was still there.
"Good morning," he said quietly. "I trust you slept well?"
"Very. Thank you," she said. She snuggled closer to him and was thrilled when he wrapped his arms more tightly around her and she sighed.
"Jareth? Can I ask you something?" She felt Jareth nod. "Why did you bring me here?"
There was a long pause and she heard Jareth take a deep breath. "There were a few reasons, actually. I admit, I wanted to see how you felt."
Sarah looked up at him, confused.
"About me. Whether you could ever come to love me," he finished, stroking her hair.
"Did you find out?"
"I believe so."
"Good," Sarah said quietly, snuggling against him once more. "What are the other reasons?"
She felt him take a deep breath. "You solved the Labyrinth. You are the only one to do so. By doing this, you have gained magic of your own. Through the Labyrinth. It is now more your Labyrinth than it is mine. You can use this to change the Labyrinth itself or you may draw upon its power when you find yourself in need."
"Me? What will I do with it?"
"That brings me to the last reason." He sounded hesitant and Sarah looked up at him. He met her eyes. "Your potential is great. I believe that is one reason Xavier took you—he wished to use you and the Labyrinth against me. I fear that I will need all the help I can get to put him back in his place. I needed you here to become tuned to your powers and so I could ask for your help."
Sarah looked away, overwhelmed. After dealing with Xavier once, she felt sure she never wished to encounter him again. Then she thought about her friends, new and old. And Jareth. He needed her. Could she say no so easily?
She looked back into his steady eyes and nodded slowly. He hugged her close. "I will do all I can to keep you from danger." She nodded into his chest.
They lay like that for a while, enjoying the quiet and the peace.
"Jareth, what of the unicorn?" Sarah inquired softly.
"It has been taken care of, do not worry."
Sarah just nodded and silence followed until Jareth gave a small sigh.
"We should get up, the morning is getting late. You have some friends that are very anxious to see you."
Sarah nodded and they got out of bed. Jareth walked over to her and stroked her cheek.
"I will see you at breakfast," he said and disappeared.
Sarah smiled. It just felt so good to be back. She hummed a song as she got ready for the day.
Once dressed and cleaned up, she walked out her door and almost collided with Ada.
"Sarah!"
"Ada! It's so good to see you!"
Ada hugged the taller girl tightly. "What happened? Are you alright?"
Sarah returned her hug. "I am fine, Ada, don't worry." She drew back. Ada's purple eyes were tear-filled and a bright, relieved smile was on her face. She brushed a few loose strands out of Sarah's face and "tsked" over the bruise on her cheek. Otherwise, Sarah passed her inspection.
"I- we, are so glad you have returned. I will go tell Jemima, and I know she will join you for breakfast."
Sarah nodded and they went off on their own ways.
Sarah entered the dining hall quietly and was surprised to see, not only Jareth, but Hoggle, Ludo, and Sir Didymus waiting for her. They ran to greet her, wanting to be sure she was alright, and that nothing horrible had happened.
Jareth smiled at her when she looked up at him as she talked to her friends and reassured them.
A few moments later, Jemima ran in and hugged Sarah tightly. Sarah hugged her back and reassured her, just as she had for her other friends.
When they pulled away, Sarah saw that Jemima's tears had spilled over, but she was smiling.
"We were so worried! I am so glad you are back!"
They all sat down to breakfast and Ada joined them. They didn't talk much, but enjoyed everyone else's company. It's good to be back.
Sarah walked out onto the balcony that was attached to the library. She was alone, finally. She loved her friends, really she did, but they were hanging on her all morning and most of the afternoon and evening. She smiled. It warmed her heart to know that they cared so much.
She sighed as she watched the sun set over the Labyrinth and paint the sky in beautiful colors.
"Sarah," Jareth's voice came from behind her. She turned and smiled at him. Taking it as an invitation, he came forward to stand beside her.
For a while, they just stood in silence, enjoying the view.
"Glad to be back?" Jareth finally asked, not looking at her.
"I am," Sarah answered.
They studied the Labyrinth together. "Can you feel it?" Jareth asked. Sarah looked at him, confused.
He smiled. "Close your eyes, breathe, and open your mind. You will feel it, ready to move for you. Your power is connected to it."
She did as she was told. At first she felt nothing and became frustrated.
"Hush," Jareth said quietly. "Breathe in slowly, deeply, and let it back out. Relax."
She tried again. This time she tried to feel for her power. There it was: a pleasant, tingling sensation. Following it down, she found the Labyrinth, infinite in its possible conformations. It seemed to vibrate in her inner eye, waiting for her to simply ask for something, anything.
She smiled and opened her eyes, noticing that the sun had set completely and the only light came from the moon and stars. She looked at Jareth, who smiled.
"I assume your experiment was a success, based on the length of your trance." She nodded. "It will come easier now that you know what to look for."
They watched the moonlight play over the Labyrinth for a while longer until Sarah thought she saw it moving, only to jolt and realized that it still looked the same.
"You are tired and it is getting late, why don't you go prepare for bed?" Jareth said, glancing at her side-long.
She nodded and turned to go back to her room, feeling as though she was already half asleep.
She stood, looking down at her bed. She was ready to sleep, and very tired, but she was afraid. She did not want more dreams of Xavier to haunt her. In fact, she was afraid of the room all together. Xavier came in once; he could probably do it again. She did not want to go back to that cell. Despite Jareth's assurances that such a thing would never happen again, she did not feel comfortable.
She sighed. This is silly! I shouldn't be so paranoid. Jareth will protect me, I know he will.
The thought comforted her only a little, but not enough to get into the bed.
She started and almost screamed when she felt arms wrap around her waist and she was pulled against Jarth's bare chest. Realizing it was him; she bit it back and relaxed into his embrace. Her fears all but evaporated.
"Is something wrong? It won't bite," Jareth said quietly. That made Sarah smile.
"Perhaps, but around here, you never know," she answered.
A smile tugged at Jareth's lips. "Well, I'll just have to keep it from biting you, won't I?" He nuzzled her hair. "Let's get some sleep."
He led her over to the bed and they climbed in and snuggled together, Sarah in Jareth's arms, and fell asleep.
The next morning after breakfast, Sarah returned to the library to find a book to read until Jemima woke up. She selected one about goblins and sat down to read.
An hour later the silence was broken by Jareth walking in. He wore a dark red shirt, like the one he had worn in the Escher room and black tights with his usual black boots and gloves. She smiled up at him and he nodded as he sat in a nearby chair.
"What are you doing here?" Sarah asked, putting her book down on the table next to her.
He gave an ungentlemanly snort. "I own this palace, I may go wherever I please," he said with a hint of humor. Sarah nodded.
After a moment of silence he finally admitted that he was bored. "Alright, the happenings in other parts of the castle do not interest me right now."
"So you came to see me?" Sarah asked, blushing slightly, but happy. He nodded.
There was an awkward silence, but Jareth didn't seem to mind. Sarah did. She was about to say something when Jareth suddenly jumped to his feet and walked briskly to the balcony door. He threw it open and went out, scanning the area. Sarah got up and followed and was about to ask what had happened when a parchment fell out of thin air and Jareth caught it.
She watched him unroll it and a frown crossed his elegant features.
"What is it?" Sarah asked, concerned.
"A formal letter of notice from Xavier of Rose City."
Sarah's eyes widened. What does he want?
"He wants to go to war."
Ohhh! Short chapter! I know, I'm sorry. I had to finish it and post it before I went on vacation. 10 days without a computer! I will work on the next chapter or two while I am gone. Please review! I appreciate it much! It gives me inspiration to write more. Thank you and I hoped you liked it. It will, maybe, keep some people in a bit of suspense for a while, ne?
Oh, I know I didn't go into detail about the unicorn. Jareth just transported it I guess... Anyway, the unicorn will make another appearance sometime, I hope.
OK, Thank yous to:
BatBLady: I forced myself, it didn't come out too well, but I did. Thank you for advice ^_^
Mistress of Darkness: I'm glad you liked the bit about the ballroom *g*
zip: *laughing* Thanks! I hope the story will move a little quicker now for you
Thank you all!
