I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday. Happy New Year to all. It's hard to believe that starting next month it's been a year that I've been writing Labyrinth fan fiction. I only planned to write one or two stories…;) Thank you to all who have e-mailed me, left reviews at ff.net or commented over at the guest book on the 'UC" page. This story has not been easy to write at all and the comments left have really helped me to keep going. Here's a nice long chapter for you!
Special thanks to my incredible beta, Scattered Logic, for her wonderful editing skills and her inspiration. Also thanks to The Hooded Crow and Lady Jamie for their comments and inspiration.
Evasion…
Sarah shivered, but not from the cold, as she sat on one of the wooden chairs on the porch. She was angry beyond belief and beneath it all she was frightened. Jareth didn't need her. What did it matter? He was not the first or the only one who had not wanted her. She wondered if she would ever get used to being unwanted.
With a heaving sigh, she looked out over the green land. Birds sang their early morning songs as the sun continued to rise to the east.
The door to the house creaked open and Sarah groaned inwardly. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jacob step from the house. She really wasn't in the mood for company right now.
Jacob took a seat beside her without a word. They sat in silence for a few moments before he spoke. "Are you all right?"
Sarah sighed. "I'm fine."
He cocked his head and gazed at her thoughtfully. Then he sat back in the chair. "Now, why don't I believe you?"
Sarah shrugged but did not look at him.
"I went to speak with your father." Jacob told her. He watched as Sarah's eyes widened. "I'm not sure I understand why he was curt with me."
Sarah lowered her head. "My…my father is a very proud man," she allowed. She couldn't believe that she was defending Jareth after the way he had just treated her. "He…he doesn't like handouts."
Jacob smiled warmly. "I suspected as much. My very presence seemed to offend him. I'm sure just being shot and now being forced to remain in bed to recuperate only adds to his misery and his anger. Are you certain that you are all right?"
Sarah nodded firmly.
"Well, if you are sure. I'm afraid I must leave you. The animals don't feed themselves." Jacob patted Sarah's shoulder and stood, beginning to walk away.
"Jacob?" Sarah called out. Jacob turned to face her. "May I go with you?" She stood and walked to him.
Jacob's expression became one of surprise but his usual warm smile appeared. "Won't your father need attending?"
Sarah frowned at the thought of having to bandage Jareth and bring him food. She didn't even want to look at him, never mind take care of him. She smiled at Jacob. "You and your family have been very kind to my father and I. Perhaps I could do something to help around the farm? With my father so angry right now, I'm sure it would be all right if I attended him later."
"Chores?" Jacob asked and Sarah nodded. "Sarah, it really isn't necessary for you to do chores while you stay here."
"But I'd like to…" They would keep my mind away from my problems…
"Well, let's see. Mama, Abby, Ellen and Elizabeth might need some help in the house."
"Is there something outside that I could do? Chop wood or something?"
Jacob smiled broadly. She wanted to chop wood. That was so charming. "Well, my father and I would like to show Thomas how to prepare the firewood and he would have more time to hunt with us if there was someone to feed the horses, cows, goats, pigs, sheep and chickens in the morning and evening. It would be a simple task for you. Shall I show you?"
Sarah nodded. 'Yes, that would be wonderful," she smiled.
"Wonderful, hmm? I don't believe that I ever met someone so willing to do chores. Are you certain that there is not some hidden plan?" He raised a brow and grinned.
Sarah blushed. "You talked to my father and saw how he acted. Would you want to be around that all day?"
Jacob laughed. "All right. I see your point. Just don't neglect the poor man or he'll probably have my head. Come on. I'll show you how to feed and water the animals."
* * *
"Have you been in Concord long?" Jacob asked as he helped Sarah dump some food into the hog pen.
Sarah watched as the large hogs rushed to the food, slipping in the mud as they came. "Only a few weeks."
Jacob shook his head. " You must have such a terrible opinion of it. I honestly don't know what Colonel Davis was thinking, and James either. The Colonel is so bitter about the British that anyone who talks even remotely close to their dialect, he assumes that they are a spy and should be hung."
"So Jar-my father was not the first to be taken as prisoner?" She coughed, hoping that he had not noticed her near slip-up.
Jacob shook his head and leaned against the wooden rails of the pen. He gave a sad expression. "I'm afraid not. After his cousin was shot at Lexington Green, it was the last straw for him. Many believe that he has gone mad with revenge. He had eight men executed just before your father was taken."
"Eight…" Sarah whispered.
"War is a terrible time filled with death and change." He smiled sadly. "We should get used to such things happening with everyone already talking about war."
"How did you get mixed up in all of this? Your family seems peaceful."
"My family never wanted war but we did want change. Some of the laws strapped onto us by the King were intolerable. Taxing our tea, forcing us to give quarter to British soldiers at any time of the day or night. A friend's house was burned because he did not have the room for British men and he would not move out of his house at 2 in the morning so they could stay there."
"I'm sorry." Sarah offered.
Jacob smiled sadly. "I went before the people in town to rally support to sign treaties with the King. I also helped dump tea into Boston Harbor." He looked away sadly. "I wonder if my actions were appropriate now."
"You only did what you thought was best to change the situation. The British laws were unfair and you had every reason to be upset. You didn't go around shooting people to make them see your way."
Jacob smiled slightly. "You're quite right. I should not doubt what has already been done. What's done is done, hmm?" He smiled and Sarah gave a shaky smile at the all too familiar words.
She moved to the next pen and fed the goats that were crying for food.
"How is that your father was shot? If you don't mind my asking," Jacob asked.
"He was shot by a British Colonel. Colonel Rochester," Sarah said through gritted teeth.
Jacob's brows lowered. "I know all about Colonel Rochester."
"You do?" Sarah asked, surprised.
"He was only about 18 years old when he fought in the French and Indian war with my father. He left England to fight in the colonies and settled here shortly after the conflict was over. It wasn't to his taste so he returned to England only to return again later when we began to rebel against England's laws. He can usually be found where ever there is trouble and usually he is the cause of it. It's been rumored that he has 300 men with him and that he has disobeyed orders to stay behind and engage us. If your father was shot by him, then it appears the rumors are true. Where is the camp?"
Sarah froze at his question. As much as she wanted to see Rochester brought to some justice, she remembered what she and Jareth had discussed. They had to be careful of what they said or they could change history.
"I don't know where it is." She lied.
"Hmm. It's all right. We had a feeling that he was still out there. James' body was brought back to camp. He'd been shot, close range by a musket. And barred hoof prints lead away from where he was found. Usually only the British put barred shoes on their horses."
Jacob glanced away and noticed something on the ground. He bent over and gently plucked a flower that grew by the post of the fence. Gently, he wove the small white flower into Sarah's dark hair. "One of the first flowers of spring," he smiled, only too happy to change the subject.
Sarah gave him a weary smile. Jacob noticed the dark circles under her eyes, and that her dark locks were uncombed. He frowned as he gazed upon the bloody and torn dress she still wore.
Sarah lowered her head. "I..I still need to bathe."
Jacob smiled. "As well as a change of clothes. We shall take care of that straight away." Jacob led her back to the house, where they found Mrs. Henry out by the well.
"Jacob and Sarah, there you are. We've been looking for you both. Jacob, your father needs some help repairing the north window. Sarah, your father is awake and he is the most insufferable man I've ever met!"
Sarah laughed softly. "I won't deny that, ma'am."
"Mama, we can talk about Sarah's father later. Sarah would like a bath."
"Oh, of course, child. What kind of hosts have we been letting you tramp around like that." She frowned at Sarah's appearance. "I'll have Ellie prepare the pot so we can boil the water and I'll see if I can find those old dresses."
"Thank you." Sarah told her.
"And I'll fetch the water for your bath," Jacob said. He lowered a bucket into the well and then pulled it up. Gripping the handle of the full bucket, he gestured for Sarah to walk in front of him. "After you."
Sarah smiled sweetly and started toward the house while Jacob followed after her.
Mrs. Henry put her hands on her hips and watched the two walk away. She cocked her head to the side and gave a smile as she saw the flower in Sarah's hair.
* * *
After her bath, Sarah's spirits had risen. She was now clean and dressed in new clothing, even if the dress was slightly too small. She spent most of the morning with Jacob and Thomas who showed her many interesting trinkets in the house. The Henry family had a long history and Sarah was fascinated to learn about it all. As Thomas rambled on about wars and his father and grandfather, Sarah noticed that Jacob had glanced at her more than just a few times throughout the conversation.
When it was time to bring Jareth food and bandage his injury, Jacob offered to carry the food for her. Jareth was lying on his side, facing the window as the door opened. He glanced harshly at Sarah and his eyes narrowed when he saw Jacob place a tray of food by the bed. Neither Sarah nor Jareth said a word as she re-bandaged his injury.
Jacob smiled politely at Jareth as he led Sarah from the room. "Mr. Charles, good day."
Jareth turned away from them both.
* * *
"Is he always like that?" Jacob asked as he tossed a stone into the water. He watched the water ripple after the stone broke the surface.
"Hmm?" Sarah asked as her thoughts were carried her away like the water in the river.
"Your father. Is he always so grumpy?"
"I don't think grumpy is the correct word for him," she smiled.
Jacob threw his head back and laughed. "Well, regardless of his attitude, I must commend him on how he raised you. You're a bit more out spoken than most women, other then my mother," he laughed. "But I like that about you. I see nothing wrong with a woman who likes to think for herself."
Sarah blushed.
"It must have been difficult without your mother around to guide you."
Sarah lowered her head, the light mood suddenly shattered. "You don't know the half of it. She left and my father was forced to raise me on his own."
"Left? I thought that she had died."
Sarah's eyes widened. "That's what I meant," she said quickly. "And yes, it was difficult." The situation she had created for herself was not too different than her own life. Her real mother had abandoned her and her father for her selfish career. To Sarah, her mother might as well be dead.
Neither Sarah nor Jacob uttered a word and a heavy silence settled over them both.
* * *
"Where's Sarah?" Mrs. Henry called out. "It's afternoon now and she still hasn't returned to bandage her father."
Elizabeth stopped as she came down the stairs. "I'll do it, Mama. It's obvious that she isn't going to. She's too busy off with Jacob. Do you know that they were together all morning? And she's very odd when asked certain questions. She's up to no good if you ask me."
"Yes, well I didn't ask you, Elizabeth. I won't have you judging her harshly until she does something wrong and she hasn't done anything wrong yet. In fact, Jacob told me that she's offered to do chores in exchange for our kindness. We need the help, even though we don't like to admit it. I don't mind that she's spending time with Jacob. He lingers around alone too much as it is. A friend might do him some good. Well, go on then, bandage the man."
Elizabeth didn't say a word as she moved away.
* * *
Jareth's mind wouldn't stop wandering. It would stray to thoughts of the Underground and his dying Labyrinth. To thoughts of his past, of the hardship that he and Sarah had endured in this time and land. And more often than not, his thoughts strayed to Sarah. Some part of him wanted to forgive her for all that she had done, while the other part of him still seethed with anger.
He hated lying in this bed, but he was too weak to leave it. It held him prisoner, as did his own body. He gazed out the window and realized his first brush with death had been close…too close.
He barely heard the door creak open and the sound of footsteps approaching his bed. He turned his head, expecting to see Sarah and that man again, but was surprised to see a tall blond haired girl. She held a jar of ointment, as well as clean cotton bandages.
"Where is Sarah?" he asked coldly.
The girl didn't seem bothered by his cold countenance as she placed the ointment jar on the table and reached for the blankets that covered Jareth's form.
"She's too busy spending time with my brother to help her own father." She raised her brows as she said this. Her tone made it clear to Jareth that this girl disliked Sarah.
Jareth grasped the blankets in one hand as she tried to tug them away.
"You need your bandages changed, Mr. Charles, and since your daughter is not here to do it, I must. Not that I mind," she purred sweetly. She smiled at him.
Jareth eyed her coldly. She was a beautiful young girl. She looked to be around Sarah's age and it was obvious by the way that she stared at him that she was attracted to him. A sly grin tugged at his lips as he released the blankets.
She pulled them down to his waist and gently removed the old bandages.
Jareth squinted and held his breath as she opened the ointment jar. He couldn't bring himself to get used to the smell of it. He felt her dab the thick goo around his injury and the putrid smell once again reached his nose.
"I dare say that something might have died in this bottle. It smells like some concoction that my goblins would have created."
Sarah laughed softly.
Jareth's brows arched delicately over his eyes. "You find that amusing?"
"It's just your tone…you…" Jareth gave her a blank stare as she mumbled. She smiled warmly. "Yes, I do find it amusing."
A smile tugged at Jareth's lips and he picked up the bottle into his gloved hands, studying it carefully. "Perhaps if I put some of this on myself it would keep Colonel Rochester away. I'd smell so badly that he would want nothing to do with me."
The thought of Jareth covering himself in the ointment and the looks that she knew he would receive sent Sarah reeling.
As Jareth realized what he had just suggested, even in jest, he began to laugh out loud.
"Is something amusing?"
The feminine voice broke the memory as if it were fragile glass and Jareth immediately stopped laughing. He had not even realized that he was laughing at all. He looked to the blond haired girl who had stopped applying the ointment to his injury and was now beginning to wrap it.
His expression grew sad for a moment and then bitterly cold. He shook his head, his wild blond hair moving around him.
She arched a brow and then finished wrapping the wound. She covered the ointment jar and flashed Jareth a sweet smile before leaving the room.
* * *
Jareth was surprised when the girl arrived in the evening with his food. He wanted to ask where Sarah was but got his answer when he heard laughter downstairs. Sarah's bright laughter mixed with that of the rest of the family, including the man named Jacob.
"I've brought you some dinner," the girl told him.
"Leave it," he told her refusing to look at her.
Mr. Charles, you should eat it while it's still hot-"
"I said 'Leave it'."
His tone was cold and Elizabeth did as he asked. She left the tray. "I'll return in the morning to change the bandages again," she said and then started to leave the room.
"Sarah will change them," he said sharply.
Elizabeth turned slowly to face him. "Sarah is too busy to change them. She helps Jacob feed the animals in the morning. I'm now in charge of seeing to your needs." She smiled sweetly and then left the room.
Jareth fell back onto the bed with a sigh as the door closed. He gritted his teeth as the impact of his body falling onto the mattress hurt his injury. He cursed in Goblin for getting shot and being put in this position and he cursed again for wanting Sarah to arrive in the morning and not the girl. Even if he didn't speak to Sarah…if only he could see her…
He shook his head violently. He didn't care about her, didn't need her.
He turned his head into the pillow, forgetting about the plate of food with steam rising from it by his bed. Instead, he settled into a listless sleep where his lies echoed in his mind.
"I don't need you. I never have and I never will."
* * *
Mrs. Henry blew out the lantern downstairs and slowly made her way to the upper level. It was well past midnight now and everyone else had gone to sleep. Occasionally she stayed behind as everyone else went to bed. This quiet time was the only time she had to read.
She was almost to her bedroom door when she heard a soft cry, followed by sobbing. Curiously, she made her way to the sound and found it emanating from Sarah's bedroom. She reached for the door handle, but the sound had ceased. She turned the handle anyway and peered into the room to see that Sarah was sleeping. The sheets and blankets of the bed were crumpled around her form.
Mrs. Henry sighed and shook her head. "She's just had a nightmare. Poor girl." She closed the door quietly and sauntered off to bed.
* * *
Sarah found that her hands were shaking as she lifted the bucket of food to the railing of the hog pen. It was before dawn and everyone else was still sleeping. Her night had been restless, with one horrible image after another blending together to create scenes so terrible that she couldn't possibly sleep.
Her hands slipped from the wooden bucket as she tipped it over the trough and it fell into the mud along with the rest of the food. "Damn it," she cursed loudly.
The hogs had not yet noticed her presence, probably not expecting her to be feeding them so early, and she hoped that she could get the bucket before they noticed her.
She stood on the middle rail and leaned over, stretching her arms toward the ground. She tried again and again to grasp to bucket but she couldn't reach it. Picking up her skirt, she slipped through the railings. Standing on the only firm ground beside the trough, she reached for the bucket and was pleased with herself to reach it without falling into the mud.
She dropped the bucket onto the other side of the pen and then her eyes widened. Snorting and grunting could be heard and before Sarah even had a chance to think, she was knocked into the mud by a group of hungry pigs.
She landed on her bottom in the mud and her white and blue dress was now brown. The mud was cold and slimy and each time she tried to stand, she only succeeded in slipping in the mud more. Crawling on her hands and knees, she made her way to the railing. After slipping several more times, she climbed over the rail, falling with a loud thud onto the dry ground on the other side.
She lay on the ground without moving, as tears clouded her eyes. Breathing heavily she wondered, could her morning get any worse?
After feeding the rest of the animals, Sarah slowly made her way back to the house. She hoped that she could take a bath and change before anyone noticed her appearance.
She opened the back door to the house, relieved at seeing no one so far. She would start the fire in the kitchen and would fill the large iron pot with water so she could bathe.
She started the fire and then went back and forth to the well 12 times carrying buckets of water. She was exhausted by the time she was nearly finished and while she carried the 12th bucket inside, her worst fears were realized as she entered the kitchen.
"Oh, this is just precious!"
Shaking with exhaustion, Sarah gripped the last bucket tighter in her hands and then looked up.
Elizabeth was beaming. Her long blond hair was curled into an intricate style and she was wearing a fancy dress that showed a little more of her breasts than Sarah needed to see. Sarah would have wondered what the change in appearance was all about if she wasn't so red with embarrassment about her own appearance.
Elizabeth moved around Sarah in a circle. Then she stopped in front of her and simply laughed. "We wondered where you had gone off to this morning, but it seems that you were out playing with the pigs. Why don't you wash last night's dishes for me, Pig Pen, and when you are finished you could climb in the wash basin? You could use a bit of scrubbing yourself." She laughed clearly delighted by Sarah's misfortune.
"Elizabeth, stop it. It's clear she didn't mean to fall into the pen," Jacob said harshly as he entered the kitchen. He then turned to Sarah. "Are you all right? You weren't hurt, were you?"
"Oh, it's Jacob off to the rescue," Elizabeth said sarcastically.
Jacob frowned.
"It's obvious that you are sweet on her," Elizabeth continued.
Sarah's eyes widened and she saw the sympathy in Jacob's eyes. She didn't want his pity. She quickly fled the room. She rushed upstairs and into her room, slamming the door behind her.
"Well done, Elizabeth. Well done," Jacob said coldly.
Elizabeth merely smiled and made her ways upstairs with a jar of ointment and clean bandages.
* * *
"Sarah, dear, come out. I have a bath ready for you." Mrs. Henry called out as she tapped on the door.
When there was no reply, she carefully opened the door. "Oh, poor child." The elder woman's heart ached as she saw Sarah sleeping on the floor. It was true that the girl had fallen into the pigpen. She was covered in mud. It had dried and it matted her dark locks, as well as her dress.
Mrs. Henry went to the bed and reached for one of the blankets. "Poor girl. She was exhausted." She covered Sarah with the blanket and turned from the room. Just as Mrs. Henry was about to close the door, a sound stopped her.
Soft mumbling followed by desperation and crying. She turned to see that Sarah was tossing on the floor. She began to walk toward her, but as quickly as the sounds and motions began, they stopped. Mrs. Henry watched silently for a moment, but nothing happened. Sarah had settled back into sleep.
The older woman sighed and after watching a few more moments, left the room.
Elizabeth had just entered the hallway and she was practically clapping her hands together with glee.
"Oh, Mama, he told me his name!" she called.
"That's wonderful, Elizabeth," she said dully.
"Don't you want to know Mr. Charles' name?" Elizabeth asked.
Mrs. Henry tried to look slightly more interested. "What's his name, child?"
'It's Jareth. Isn't that a wonderful name?"
'It's wonderful Elizabeth." Mrs. Henry walked away leaving Elizabeth to watch her curiously.
* * *
After Sarah had bathed and changed, she avoided anyone in the family that she came across. She busied herself with whatever chore she could find. For the moment, lugging water to the house for cooking dinner was on her list.
As she pulled the bucket from the well, she noticed her reflection in the water. Setting the bucket on the wall of stone, she gazed at herself. Dark circles lined her eyes and lines of worry and fear creased her brow. Her dark hair fell limply around her. Who was the girl who gazed back at her?
She felt tears prick her eyes and she shivered as she was once again reminded of the horrors that attacked her while she slept. They were attacking and terrorizing her while she was awake as well. Her hands bound, the harsh breathing and the feel of weight upon her body.
She cried out and fell to the ground, huddling close to the stone well, covering her ears as a gunshot echoed through her mind.
She shook her head trying to banish the images, the sounds. With an anguished cry, she lowered her face into her hands and began to sob.
The door to the house was half-open as Mrs. Henry watched the scene unfold before her.
* * *
Sarah gazed out the living room window and was not the least bit surprised to hear that someone was approaching. She knew she couldn't escape them all day. She turned slowly to see Mrs. Henry.
The older woman smiled warmly. "You must feel better now that you've bathed and changed."
Sarah nodded slowly.
"Sarah, you've been quiet all day today and I realize that falling into the pen was embarrassing, but I have the feeling that isn't the only thing that's kept you silent. I'm not one for beating around the bush so I'll have my say. I know that you're distressed. You're not sleeping, you barely ate a thing yesterday or today and now you're having nightmares, not only while you're asleep but when you're awake. What's wrong, child, that's made you so upset? I know that your father being shot must have been difficult, but it seems that something more is brewing within you. Some part of me believes it has to do with your father, but I'm not so sure. What's wrong?"
Sarah smiled slightly. "There's nothing wrong, really. I'm just tired. I've been through a lot the last few days."
Mrs. Henry didn't look convinced, but asked, "You're certain that you're all right and that there wasn't something else?"
Sarah looked her straight in the eyes. "I'm certain."
* * *
Jareth nearly groaned when he heard the door to his room open. He was tired of Elizabeth's questions. Couldn't the girl just leave him alone?
"Mr. Charles, we need to speak."
Jareth was surprised to see Mrs. Henry standing in the doorway. She was dressed in an apron that was covered in flour, butter and stained with other cooking ingredients.
"I'm surprised to see you, Mrs. Henry," Jareth told her.
"Yes, well I don't like to bother you. It's clear you don't like visitors. I need to speak with you. My conscience demanded it." She closed the door behind her.
One of Jareth's brows arched. "Your conscience?"
"Sarah has been exceptionally quiet today and she apparently snuck off early this morning to feed the animals alone. Jacob usually goes with her. She had an accident and fell into the pigpen which was embarrassing for her, but I don't believe that was the true reason for her silence. She's been elusive and she lied to me, straight out. Looked me in the eyes and said she was certain that she was fine when I know she was not."
Jareth's brows furrowed. While Sarah had been creating small lies to protect them from harm, this was different.
Mrs. Henry looked into Jareth's mismatched eyes. "Mr. Charles, are you aware that your daughter has been having nightmares?"
"Nightmares?"
"You weren't aware, were you?"
Jareth tilted his head. "Yes and no."
"I'd like for you to tell me what's happened to her. It had to be something rather traumatic. I'm sure that you nearly dying did not help things, but I believe that something else happened."
Jareth's eyes narrowed. "If you wish to know, you should speak with Sarah."
"I tried and she said that nothing is wrong. She's lying."
"How can you be so certain?" Jareth demanded angrily.
"Because I found her crying at the well. If nothing was wrong, she would not have been crying."
Jareth's eyes widened. The thought of Sarah crying disturbed him. He swallowed.
"She was crying?" he asked softly.
Mrs. Henry nodded. "I didn't let her know that I was there, but I was. She is not my child and I did not wish to overstep my boundaries. But you should know, Mr. Charles, that she's going around acting strong on the outside and inside she's a mess. I know this because I used to do it myself. You're her father and although you two seem to have your differences at times, it's clear that you care about each other. Something happened to her that you know about. Why not just tell me?"
"To do so would go against Sarah's wishes and I will not do that. If she wants to tell you, she will when she is ready. I will not tell you."
Mrs. Henry put her hands on her hips. "So you know what plagues her?"
"I have an idea, yes."
"Yet, you won't do anything to help her? She's your daughter!"
Jareth winced at the words…his daughter. If only this women knew.
"Sarah will ask for help when she is ready and not before." He turned from her ending the conversation.
Mrs. Henry huffed and slammed the door behind her as she went.
* * *
That night Mrs. Henry lay awake beside her husband as she listened to Sarah sobbing softly in the room beside their own. She heard full sentences being uttered occasionally. Sometimes they didn't make sense at all. One word was heard more than once…Jareth.
* * *
Mrs. Henry pounded the dough with her hands. "Elizabeth, what did you say Mr. Charles' name was?"
"It's Jareth, Mama, why?"
"Finish preparing the dough for me." Mrs. Henry said and she made her way to the back door. Her brows furrowed at what she saw and she hurried out the door. Elizabeth watched as her mother rushed out to the well where Sarah sat on the ground, her head in her hands.
Sarah felt arms wrap around her as she sobbed. She heard Mrs. Henry's voice, soft and soothing in her ears. She tried to pull away but Mrs. Henry wouldn't allow it. The tight embrace made Sarah cry harder and she turned and allowed herself to have the cry that she needed.
Above, in a window on the second level of the house, a wild haired Goblin King watched.
* * *
Sarah said nothing as she entered Jareth's room. She had been too tired, emotionally and physically, to argue with Mrs. Henry about tending to Jareth. She knew that the longer she stayed away from her father, the more suspicious things would become.
She placed the dinner tray down quickly on the table and moved as fast as she could to the door.
"Sarah…"
Sarah flinched. Her name spoken aloud by his lips was like a thundering gunshot exploding beside her ear. She stopped for a moment and then continued toward the door.
"Why didn't you tell me you were still having nightmares?"
She sighed and took another step to the door.
"Sarah, I'm talking to you."
She turned. "Well, I'm done talking. I've done enough today," she said wearily.
"You told Mrs. Henry about your nightmares, didn't you?" There was a slight edge of hurt in his voice but Sarah ignored it.
"Yes, how did you know?"
"I saw you talk to her."
Sarah's brows furrowed and she looked surprised.
"I had a brief period of strength. I couldn't stand remaining in this bed another moment. I went to the window for a breath of fresh air and was greeted by the sound of your sobbing and the sight of Mrs. Henry holding you in her arms. I could only remain in the window a short while, but I saw the two of you begin to talk. What did you tell her?"
"That's none of your business."
"I believe it is. Especially, if the nightmares had something to do with me."
Sarah snorted. "Well, isn't that completely like you to think that I was upset about you."
She shivered suddenly and hugged herself as an image of him falling off the horse filled her mind.
She clamped her eyes shut.
Jareth felt his heart leap into his throat at her actions.
Sarah shook her head and opened her eyes. Her expression was cold. "What I dream about is none of your damn business."
"It is my business when my name is murmured more than once while you cry out," Jareth pushed.
Sarah's eyes widened.
"I heard you crying last night, when you thought that no one could hear you. I heard my name more than once. What are you dreaming about?" he asked softly.
"Jareth, I'm tired. I don't want to talk about this anymore." She shook her head and a look of exhaustion and anguish touched her features.
Jareth felt his heart pound in his chest. He licked his lips that had suddenly gone dry. "Then we'll talk of something else."
Sarah looked slightly surprised that he dropped the subject so easily, but she didn't show him that she was grateful.
"We can not go on like this. Not speaking, ignoring each other. It will only make us look suspicious."
"You should have thought of that before you started this." Sarah shot back.
"I did not start this."
"Yes, you did."
"No, I didn't." He sighed at her cold, angry expression. "Perhaps I did," he whispered.
Sarah's brow rose.
Jareth took a deep shuddering breath. He suddenly looked tired. "You must understand something. Feeling concern for the welfare of anyone other than myself is not what I am accustomed to."
Sarah's brows drew together. "What are you saying?" she asked cautiously.
"Even though I don't wish to acknowledge it, I must." Jareth sighed deeply. "We need each other to get home."
Sarah's eyes narrowed. "You made it crystal clear that you didn't need me." Sarah put her hands on her hips.
"I was angry. I did not mean what I said," Jareth told her, avoiding eye contact.
Sarah looked bewildered. "Oh, just like I was angry with Toby and didn't mean to wish him away yet you still took him?"
"Sarah, that was different and you know it. I was bound to rules." Jareth glanced up at her cautiously.
"From where I stand it's no different," she spat bitterly. "Why should I believe you? Why should I accept that you do need me after what you told me? This could be another instance where you manipulate me for your own selfish reasons!" she cried out.
Jareth sighed. He saw the tears in her eyes, the ones she didn't want him to see. She was frightened and hurt and most of it, if not all, had been caused by him. Without even meaning to, he had taken a form of revenge on her and he was angry with himself for it.
"Sarah, I can't make you accept anything. What you choose to believe is of your own accord. I only know that we cannot continue to travel in the direction we are. You know as well as I do that we need each other to get home. Until I am well and my magic returns, I suggest an alliance."
"An alliance," Sarah said flatly and then she laughed.
Jareth ignored her reaction. "We need to fool these people just until my magic returns."
"Oh, and how long is that going to take?"
"I…I don't know."
"Oh, this is lovely. You don't know. I saw you make a crystal, even if it was pathetic. How long until the rest returns?"
"I don't know, Sarah. Longer than I would like, I'm certain." He looked away from her. "I have nothing, once again."
Sarah's eyes widened. "What do you mean you have nothing? I saw you make a crystal."
"And because I was injured with iron, that small amount of magic that returned to me is gone."
Sarah shook her head. She looked tired again. "I don't believe this…"
"I suggest that we act in a civil manner to each other, to continue the deception," Jareth told her.
"And what happens when you're better or the alliance ends? What then? You act like a complete jerk again?!" she called out.
For a moment, Jareth said nothing. He only watched Sarah as she stood over him, glaring at him.
"When it's over and my magic has returned, we go home and depart our separate ways." He met her glance and looked deep into her eyes.
"You have my word."