AN: I'd like to thank everyone for their patience while waiting for this chapter to be posted. I had some personal issues arise and I wasn't in the mood for writing. But I am back on track. My thanks and comments can be found at the end of the chapter.
Very special thanks to my wonderful beta and friend, Scattered Logic.
Chapter 25: Too far
The bed creaked slightly as Jareth leaned over and kissed Sarah's cheek. She stirred and smiled sleepily as she glanced up at him.
"Where are you going?" she asked groggily.
"It will be dawn soon. I'm going to feed the animals while you sleep," Jareth told her.
Sarah started to push the blankets off. "I'll help you."
"No." Jareth pulled the blankets back over her and gently pushed her down onto the bed. Jareth grinned. "Even though earlier this morning you proved that you're feeling better, I want you to rest." He leaned over and kissed her lips softly. He smiled as he pulled back and then his expression became serious. "I nearly lost you. I will not take any chances with your health."
Sarah shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. "I see that you're going to be a protective boyfriend."
Jareth grinned. "There's nothing wrong with a protective lover."
Sarah smiled. "I didn't say there was."
Jareth kissed her again, this time deepening the kiss. He felt one of Sarah's hands caress his face and felt the other grip his shirt and try to pull him down to her. He caved slightly and sank beside her on the bed.
Sarah ran one palm over the smooth pale skin of his chest. She felt Jareth tremble beneath her touch and felt him shift toward her.
Their kisses deepened further and Sarah felt Jareth's hand grasp one of her breasts. He kneaded the flesh through the fabric of her nightgown.
Sarah reached for the buttons on his shirt but Jareth covered her hands with one of his.
"I really should go," he whispered throatily.
Sarah glanced down in between them and then she grinned. "Well, that certainly doesn't want to go."
Jareth laughed softly as he looked down at the erection straining against his pants. "Well, that has a mind of it's own. A rather one track mind." He grinned and smiling sadly said, "I really should go."
"Please don't..." Sarah pleaded.
"Sarah..."
She sat up and raising a hand, she stroked his silky blond hair. She moved the hair behind his shoulders and leaning forward, she kissed his neck. She surprised herself with the new boldness that had taken over while they had been at the pond, as well as right now.
She flicked her tongue out against his skin and Jareth moaned softly. She pressed her lips against his neck. "Don't go...at least not yet."
Jareth fought with himself over whether he should leave or not. He glanced down at Sarah. She had stopped kissing him and was curled against his body, her head resting on his shoulder. She was offering herself to him and it was because she loved him. How could he refuse her?
Jareth's hand closed around one of Sarah's breasts and he squeezed it gently. She raised her head from his shoulder and he moved forward, claiming her lips.
It wasn't long before clothes were discarded hastily on the floor and two bodies became one as the sun peered over the horizon.
* * *
Mrs. Henry was cracking the eggs into a porcelain bowl when Jacob entered the kitchen. He rubbed at his eyes and then smiled at his mother.
"You look tired."
Jacob grinned. "I am."
"You didn't sleep well, did you?"
Jacob shook his head. "No. Too much on my mind I suppose."
Mrs. Henry began to stir the eggs with a wooden spoon. "Such as...?"
Jacob leaned against the table and crossed his booted feet at the ankles. "Well, the war for one, but that's always on my mind."
"It's the most important thing on everyone's mind right now," Mrs. Henry told him.
Jacob gave a sad smile. "Not everyone."
"What do you mean?"
He shook his head. "Never mind."
Mrs. Henry stopped what she was doing. "There's obviously something else on your mind, Jacob."
"I'm fine, Mama."
Mrs. Henry shook her spoon in her son's direction. "When you tell me that, I know that you are not fine."
Jacob sighed deeply. "I know that I haven't been around much lately. Father and I have been getting information about the war and trying to help without directly being involved for the time being. I suppose I feel as if I am left out around the farm. Things are happening and I am not aware of them."
"There hasn't been much been going on, other than chores and such. Unfortunately, the usual." Mrs. Henry said with raised brows.
Jacob walked to one of the kitchen windows and gazed at the sun rising to the east. Slowly, he turned to his mother. " Hardly the usual. Why didn't anyone tell me that Jareth and Sarah were together?"
Mrs. Henry laughed. "Those two...together? I've been trying to get them to see each other for days and it isn't working. They're both so darned stubborn."
Jacob frowned.
Mrs. Henry put her hands on her hips. "Why do I get the feeling that you know something that I don't?"
"I have things to do," Jacob said as he started for the door.
"Oh, no you don't. If you have juicy gossip, I want to know about it."
* * *
Jareth finished buttoning his shirt as he made it to the last stair. He strode through the living room and into the kitchen and he smiled and bid good morning to Mrs. Henry and Jacob.
Jareth had almost made it to the door when Mrs. Henry called, "Late night, Jareth?"
Jareth turned slowly. "A bit of one, yes." He swept his hair back into a neat ponytail thinking its wilder than usual style was causing her to think he'd had a rough night.
Thinking the conversation was over, Jareth started for the door and he was met with the handle of a broom across his stomach. For a woman who was not exactly small, Mrs. Henry could move quickly. She was blocking his exit.
"Not so fast." Mrs. Henry moved to stand in front of him and she looked furious.
Jareth's brows furrowed. "What is this all about?"
'Perhaps you should tell us what this is about, Jareth?"
He frowned.
"Oh, you don't know?" Mrs. Henry asked sarcastically. "Perhaps you should think really good and hard about what you were up to last night and I mean other than sleeping."
Jareth didn't say a word.
"Are you stupid? Are you?" she practically squealed.
"Pardon me?" Jareth asked.
"I'm not naïve, Jareth. I know what happened last night. You and Sarah crept off to the pond and god only knows what happened down there. Didn't your parents teach you about courting? Don't you know the rules? Or are you one of those who doesn't care about the lady and likes to break the rules?"
Jareth opened his mouth to say something and Mrs. Henry didn't give him the chance.
"The man who courted my sister broke all the rules. They were both young and foolish. He forced her into things she wasn't ready for. She turned up pregnant and the bastard took off as soon as he found out. She raised that child alone and no man wanted her because she had a child from another man. The man who left her became wealthy and he took a wife. He didn't want his reputation ruined and he..."
Jareth frowned when he saw the tears form in Mrs. Henry's eyes. "What happened?" he asked softly.
Mrs. Henry choked back a sob. "He had my sister and her son murdered."
Jareth lowered his head. "I'm sorry. I truly am, but I would never do that to Sarah."
Mrs. Henry wiped the tears from her eyes. "While you live in my house, you will not engage in any activity that will put that young woman in harm's way. You will not be allowed to spend time alone unless it's in a place where I can see you."
"You have to be joking!" Jareth's brows lowered over his eyes. "I will not be chaperoned!"
"I'm happy you two have found something together," she told him, ignoring his outburst. "But I will not see that woman's reputation damaged because of a man."
"What happened to your sister will not happen to Sarah," Jareth told her, his voice beginning to rise.
"You're darned right it won't. As long as you live under my roof you will respect my rules and if you can't, you can go elsewhere." Mrs. Henry moved the broom away, leaned it against the wall and went back to preparing breakfast.
Jareth's eyes narrowed. "I'll go elsewhere if I must."
"Go, but you're not taking Sarah with you."
"We came together, we'll leave together!" Jareth snarled.
"She's not well and she will stay here until I see fit. I'll have Doc Hiller draw up a notice if need be. If you try to escape with her, you'll be arrested."
"You wouldn't?"
"I will if I must. You watch yourself around here. You seem to forget that you're a guest. You walk around like you're king of this house. It's going to stop here and now. Things will be done properly or not at all."
Jareth practically growled at her and tearing away, he pushed out the back door.
Jacob who had not said a word throughout the entire conversation gave a heavy sigh and walked away.
* * *
Jareth threw buckets around and made as much noise as possible as he fed the animals. He knew he was acting childishly, but he couldn't help it. Things had been going perfect and now this. How dare Mrs. Henry dictate to him how things with Sarah were to go!
"You will not be allowed to spend time alone unless it's in a place where I can see you," he mimicked. He swung his foot toward a nearby tin bucket and watched it sail across the barn, landing with a clatter. With a weary sigh, he sat on a bail of hay.
He sat in silence for a moment and then Mrs. Henry's words sank in. He contemplated the story of her sister, and dread and guilt washed over him. While he had certainly not forced Sarah into anything, he feared that perhaps they had moved too quickly and without thinking their actions through.
While it took years or even centuries to impregnate a Fae woman, Jareth knew how prolific human women were said to be. Even though Sarah had been the one to initiate their lovemaking on both occasions, Jareth couldn't help but feel guilty for giving in so easily. What if Sarah was pregnant? How would Mrs. Henry react and more importantly how would Sarah react?
Had she even thought about the possibility of a child being conceived through their actions? He certainly had not. It was not something many Fae had to worry about. It took a long time for two members of his race to conceive a child. He realized that he had just enough magic to prevent conception from occurring and he had not even thought about protecting Sarah either time.
He sighed again and ran a shaking hand through his unruly hair.
* * *
It was afternoon when Sarah awakened. She had missed breakfast and no one seemed to notice. There had been no tray by her bedside and no one had bothered to awaken her.
Jacob was sitting in a chair adjacent to the fireplace reading a newspaper and he gave her a slight smile when he saw her descend the stairs.
She smiled in return and yawned as she entered the kitchen to find Mrs. Henry washing some clothes.
The older woman smiled. "Why good afternoon there. Finally decided to join us?"
Sarah smiled. "I was more tired than I thought. Have you seen Jareth?"
Mrs. Henry frowned for a brief moment. "I'm sure he's around somewhere but I want you to help me. You're looking better today and while Elizabeth is in town with William and Mr. Henry, I need some help around the house."
Sarah nodded. "All right. What do you want me to do?"
* * *
Two hours later, Sarah wished she had not agreed to help so quickly. Mrs. Henry was keeping her very busy, scrubbing anything and everything and each time Sarah brought up Jareth's name, Mrs. Henry seemed to quickly change the subject. Sarah hoped that Jareth had not done anything to annoy Mrs. Henry.
Jareth arrived in the house a bit later, looking very tired and dirty.
Sarah laughed when she saw him. He certainly didn't look like the proud and almighty Goblin King now. He looked as if he was a mortal farmer who had just come in from a hard day's work. He gave her a bright smile, overjoyed to see her.
Sarah's laughter immediately caught Mrs. Henry's attention and the older woman appeared and began to spout off a list of things to Jareth that she wanted done immediately.
The list Mrs. Henry rattled off was impressive and both Jareth and Sarah realized it would take until dinner or perhaps even later for him to finish it all.
"I'll help you," Sarah offered. "I'm just about done with my chores."
Jareth seemed to brighten at her offer. "That would be wonderful."
"When you are finished with your chores, Sarah, there are more to do," Mrs. Henry told her, hands on her hips. "Jareth can handle his tasks and he's welcome to ask Thomas for help when the boy has finished his own chores."
"But--" Sarah started.
"The house won't clean itself, child. And you," she said turning to Jareth. "What are you standing around for? I think you have things to do."
Jareth glared at the older woman and left without a word or a backward glance in Sarah's direction.
* * *
By dinner Sarah hoped to spend some time catching up with Jareth. She had missed him terribly all day and she was getting sick of Mrs. Henry's company. The woman had been bossy and grouchy all afternoon. Sarah was beginning to feel as if she was living with Karen again.
Jareth was glad when dinner arrived. He had finished his chores in record time and he planned to sit beside Sarah and perhaps even hold her hand under the table. He had thought about nothing but her all afternoon and he wanted to speak with her.
But things didn't go as he planned. Mrs. Henry sat Thomas next to Sarah and she sat on the other side of Sarah. Jareth felt his face turn white with anger, but there was nothing he could do. Making a scene wouldn't be a wise course of action.
Dinner was fairly silent. Anytime that Sarah tried to speak to Jareth, Mrs. Henry interrupted and she did the same to Jareth. Neither of them could get more than a few words out and they soon gave up trying.
Patiently, Jareth waited until after dinner and after Sarah had washed, dried and put the dishes away, so that he might be able to sneak in just a few moments alone with her. He had watched her from a chair in the living room. Occasionally, he saw her look in his direction and he smiled but the smile often faded. There were many things on his mind that he needed to discuss with Sarah and he wanted to be certain that he wouldn't frighten her with what he had to say.
Sarah finally finished her kitchen chores and as soon as Jareth made his way to her, Mrs. Henry sent him outside to fetch wood.
"Why can't Jacob get the wood?" Sarah asked. "Jareth's been working all day and he's tired."
"Jacob has been doing important work regarding the war. Jareth will fetch the firewood."
Jareth could feel his temper rising. He waited a moment, as did Sarah, both of them hoping that Mrs. Henry would walk away to do something else so they could have a moment alone. But Mrs. Henry stood there until Jareth left.
Sarah watched the door for a long time after he had gone. She felt Mrs. Henry touching her shoulder.
"Why don't you head off to bed, dear. You look tired."
"I'm going to wait for Jareth." Sarah said, making sure she said Jareth's name louder than the rest of her words.
"He could be a long while."
"I'll wait."
"Sarah," Mrs. Henry started in a warning tone, "I think it would be best if you went to bed. You're tired and still recovering from your illness."
"I'm not tired."
"Yes, you are."
Sarah spun at her. "Jareth was tired too and you sent him back outside to get wood. You loaded him with chores today and he's not completely healed. His shoulder still bothers him. He was favoring it at dinner."
"His shoulder needs to adjust to being used again. He's fine."
"I think that I should be the judge of that!" Sarah shot back. "You've done nothing but separate us all day. What have we ever done to you?"
"You lied to my family about him being your father and you both pretended that you were friends while you sneaked out of the house at night together."
Sarah's jaw dropped.
"He's broken the rules of courtship," Mrs. Henry started. She saw Sarah open her mouth to say something, but Mrs. Henry pushed on. "Something that I will NOT tolerate in this house. And if he slips up anymore, I will not hesitate to cast him from this house."
Sarah's eyes widened and she felt fear rush through her. "You...you wouldn't?"
"I will if necessary. How well will he survive without money, supplies and food while a war rages around him?"
Sarah's eyes filled with tears at the thought of Jareth alone in the woods. Fear stabbed her. What if Rochester found Jareth while he was in the woods? Rochester would surely kill Jareth.
Sarah refused to cry in front of Mrs. Henry. Instead, she rushed up the stairs and slammed the door to her room behind her.
* * *
It took Jareth a while to gather the wood and by the time he returned, Mrs. Henry told him that Sarah had gone off to bed.
"Don't even think about sneaking off with her tonight. I have the dogs sleeping outside her door. They'll bark if you step an inch toward her room and I'll hear them. If that happens you can pack your things and leave without Sarah," Mrs. Henry threatened.
As the older woman walked away, Jareth asked, "Why are you doing this?"
Mrs. Henry turned to face him. "I'm protecting her. She has no one else. No parents, no guardian. She's a young woman alone and she needs protecting."
"I protect her," Jareth told her and as soon as the words were out of his mouth, he realized how untrue they were. He had not been able to protect Sarah from getting ill, he had not protected her from possible conception and he had not been much of a protector when the two were out in the woods some months ago.
Mrs. Henry shook her head. "You're the one she needs protecting from. You and your kind," she spat.
Jareth's eyes widened and for a moment he thought she knew that he was Fae but her next words dismissed that idea.
"The rule breakers...the ones who think they are too good for the way things are done and have always been done."
"Then why did you bother trying to play matchmaker? Why attempt to pair us together only to tear us apart?"
"My son had his eyes on Sarah and I didn't want him to be with her. She's a sweet child, but she's not his type. She would hurt him far more than he's been hurt already."
Jareth crossed his arms over his chest. "And what does that have to do with Sarah and myself?"
"If Sarah was interested in you, then my son would leave her alone, which has happened."
Jareth snorted and shook his head. "So, Sarah and I were pawns on your game board. You manipulated us so that your son would no longer be interested in Sarah. You used us."
"That's a harsh way to put it. I do have the child's best interests at heart. I thought that perhaps the two of you were a good match, but I see that I was wrong. She's only 18 years old. You're a much older gentlemen with no estate or money of your own. Sarah could marry a wealthy man, like my daughter will. She would be well off for rest of her life, as would her children."
"And what about...love?" Jareth choked out.
"What about it? Most people don't have the luxury of marrying for love. I didn't love my husband when I was pushed by my family to marry him. He was a pompous young man, but he took care of my needs and those of my children when they were born. I grew to care for him and eventually love him as time passed. The same will happen to Sarah when a nice wealthy man comes along for her."
Jareth's heart began to pound in his chest. "You have no right to try and run her life like this! Sarah is an adult and has the right to choose who she wants to marry!"
"I have every right to help her choose the correct suitor and I'm sorry that you are unable to accept that it is not you. You just watch yourself or you'll be sleeping out in the woods!"
Mrs. Henry gathered her skirt and left the room. She left Jareth alone in the kitchen, trembling with anger.
Jareth bawled his hands into fists and it took all of his will power to keep from punching the wall. He began to pace back and forth across the kitchen, his anger rising with each passing second.
He didn't have to stand for this cruel treatment of Sarah and himself. If he could get to Sarah quickly enough they wouldn't have to deal with this imprisonment.
Jareth nodded to himself and he started toward the kitchen door. That was what he would do. He would escape with Sarah and they'd go...
He paused in mid-thought. Where would they go? To Concord to be found by Colonel Davis or into the woods so that they might be found by Colonel Rochester and the British?
Where would they go to escape the weather? Sarah was still recovering from her brush with death. He couldn't take her out into the woods to be attacked by the elements, and what about the war? What if they were caught in the line of fire and one of them was shot or killed?
Jareth shuddered at the thought. He couldn't protect either of them. His magic was returning but it was still too weak to do much good.
With a cry of agony, Jareth kicked a nearby chair over and didn't get any satisfaction in watching it topple over.
He and Sarah were trapped here and there was nothing he could do about it.
* * *
Things didn't change as the days passed. Instead of getting better, they got much worse. Mrs. Henry did her best to keep Sarah away from Jareth and ignored the strain it put on each of them. Their lists of chores seemed to double and triple and the only reason they did as Mrs. Henry asked was their fear that Jareth would be cast from the house. Jareth refused to leave Sarah alone at this farm and it was the fear of being forced away from her that kept him in line when normally he would have rebelled.
Sarah became confused and afraid and she stopped speaking to everyone. Mrs. Henry did her best to try to keep Jareth away from Sarah. While that bothered Sarah, what really frightened her was that Jareth didn't attempt to see her or communicate with her. She started slipping notes under his door, telling him that she was afraid and suggesting that he should use his crystals so they could escape. There were no replies to her notes, no nightly visits to sneak from the house and no rebellion on his part at all. He dealt with everything; often just leaving the room without a word after Mrs. Henry had ordered him away from Sarah.
Sarah began to fear that perhaps Jareth no longer loved her or he had never loved her at all. She began to tell herself that if he loved her, he would do whatever it took to speak with her on some level, and when he made no attempts, her worst fears were believed to be true.
Jacob waited impatiently for his father and sister to return from Concord. He was awaiting information about the war but in the meantime he did small chores around the farm and watched as Sarah and Jareth grew more and more distant. He knew it was because of what his mother was doing. He knew that his mother was still upset over the murder of her sister, but he felt she was going too far.
One afternoon while Sarah was mopping the upstairs hallway and away from Mrs. Henry, Jacob decided to say something to his mother.
He leaned against one wall in the kitchen, his arms crossed over his chest while his mother hummed and baked bread for dinner.
"I never should have said anything."
Mrs. Henry didn't look up as she asked, "What was that?"
Jacob stood up straight, his hands now on his hips. "They were happy together. Now look at what has happened. They don't speak and they don't even look at each other."
Mrs. Henry looked up at her oldest child. "Jacob, I know you. Don't blame yourself. You did Sarah a favor by telling me what you saw. Jareth's true colors were being shown. He sneaked away with her into the night when she was still ill and probably forced himself on her."
"You don't know that! You can only speculate! Sarah has a strong will and if she sneaked away with him, it was most likely because she wanted to go!" Jacob cried out.
Mrs. Henry continued to speak as if Jacob had not said a word. " And now he won't spend time with Sarah in front of us, which means he doesn't truly care about her."
"You won't allow them to spend time together! You load them down with chores!"
"He can't follow the rules and that is unacceptable!" Mrs. Henry cried out.
Jacob snorted in disgust. "But this isn't just about rules."
"Isn't it though? The rules for courting have been the same for generations. Who is Jareth to come along and think he's too good for the rules? Soon every young man is going to think the rules don't apply to him. I won't see things change because one man wants to break tradition."
"And what if at certain times, rules were meant to be broken? What are we doing, preparing to send supplies to the Continental army? What did we do in the past, breaking the King's rules because we thought them unfair? What if the rules don't apply to everyone all the time? For the person who is always so perceptive and a voice of reason, you've let loss and revenge cloud your mind. Separating Jareth from Sarah will not bring your sister back."
The clatter of cooking utensils against porcelain was heard. "What?"
"Nothing." Jacob spat. He turned and left, ignoring his mother's pleas for him to return.
* * *
Jacob entered the barn quietly. Other than the sound of animals happily munching their hay, all was peaceful. He started to leave, thinking that Jareth wasn't there, when he noticed the lone figure staring out to the west.
Jareth was resting his arms on the top fence post of one of the corrals. His chin was resting on his arms.
"Are you all right?"
Jareth jumped and spun to face Jacob, immediately trying to change his expression from melancholy to the arrogant mask he often wore.
"You shouldn't sneak up on people like that," Jareth snapped.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. You were absorbed in your thoughts but I thought perhaps you might have heard me coming."
"Well, I didn't," Jareth spat.
"Look, Jareth, I'm sorry...you and Sarah..." Jacob started lamely.
Jareth snorted. He feigned sarcasm when he heard Sarah's name to keep from breaking down. "Oh, you're sorry. That just makes everything better now."
"I had no idea that my mother was going to do this, otherwise I would never have said anything. I thought everyone knew that you two were together and that I was the last to know."
"And how did you know that we were?" Jareth's brows lowered over his eyes. His stare was dangerous.
Jacob sighed and looked away. "I couldn't sleep and went fishing. I saw you two by the pond."
Jareth's eyes widened.
"I didn't see much...just the two of you...kissing." Jacob told him quietly. "I had not been around the farm and I assumed everyone knew. I slipped up and I truly am sorry."
"Your apology changes nothing," Jareth replied bitterly.
Jacob looked hurt. "Then you won't even accept it? I'm trying to tell you that I regret what happened. Do you think that I enjoy seeing you and Sarah so unhappy?" Jacob's voice began to rise.
"Why should you care? You dislike me. I thought you would be glad to see me suffer."
"When we first met, I would have liked nothing better, but I have gotten over my jealousy. I've seen the way you make Sarah laugh and how she genuinely enjoys your company. As much as it hurt me to see her kissing you, I knew she was happy with you and that is all I want for her. You're in agony over what my mother has done and I dislike that greatly."
"How do you know what I feel?" Jareth shot back. There was a time when he had been able to hide all emotion from anyone. Had he become weak and transparent?
"Jareth, it's obvious that you are unhappy and hurting and so is Sarah. The way the two of you involve yourself in your chores and no longer look at each other. There is no smiling, no talking, nothing but two individuals who appear to have given up on life and I hate it. I hate that it's my fault this has happened." The sorrow in Jacob's voice was unmistakable.
It is not your fault," Jareth admitted quietly. The mask was beginning to slip from his face, revealing the agony he was feeling. "Your mother is to blame."
Jacob paced a little and rubbed at his forehead before he stopped and faced Jareth. "I can't believe how my mother is acting. She has always been protective of us because of what happened to her sister. She may push us in the direction of someone, but she often discourages us when she learns what someone is really like. She's gone too far with the two of you."
Jareth lowered his head and the mask slipped away, leaving a tired, hurting man. He gave a weary sigh and kicked at the fence post. "I can't speak to Sarah. I feel that I can't even look at her without your mother pouncing on one or both of us to get back to our chores. I feel like a prisoner when I have done nothing wrong but love Sarah. Have you any idea how frustrating it is?" he asked, his brows furrowing and creating lines on his pale forehead.
Jacob nodded slowly. He had not missed Jareth's declaration of his feelings. Jacob wasn't even sure if Jareth knew that he had said it. "I do know. My mother has done it to my siblings and myself. Sometimes she goes too far."
"Sarah doesn't even know why I'm avoiding her, why I didn't reply to the letters she's stopped sending. She must think that I no longer care for her." Jareth shuddered visibly and Jacob noticed.
"But that's not the truth, is it?"
"Of course it isn't!" Jareth growled. "If I had my way I would have asked her to marry me when I learned that she loved me. Now if I marry her, your mother will assume it is because I fear that Sarah might be with child or because I don't want her to marry Sarah off to someone else," he blurted.
"Whoa, wait a minute. Marry her off to someone else?"
Jareth looked away.
Jacob felt anger boil up inside of him. "Has my mother been threatening you?"
Jareth didn't answer.
"You can trust me. I don't agree with what she is doing and anything you tell me will be kept in confidence if that is what you wish. I give you my word."
Jareth nodded slowly and began to tell Jacob the turn of events. Soon the words were rushing out of him. He told Jacob everything. About the bullying, the threatening, how Jacob's mother had tried to match Jareth with Sarah so that Jacob would lose interest in her.
Jacob was furious as Jareth rambled on. Finally, Jareth stopped speaking. He had said far more than he had wanted to. He feared if he didn't stop now, he was going to reveal who he and Sarah really were, where they were from and of their real pasts.
Jareth still felt as if it was a miracle in and of itself that he and Sarah had fallen in love. They had been two enemies who had found love through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered. Jareth nearly broke down right then and there as the words from a story that was so familiar to him surfaced in his mind. Sarah had been different than the other girls and women who had entered his realm. She had defeated him and had destroyed his kingdom without looking back. He had lost his magic and had sought revenge only to have his world turned upside down again when he had unexpectedly fallen in love with her and she with him.
Jareth didn't realize that he could ever love someone so deeply and he feared more than anything that he might lose Sarah. Mrs. Henry was determined to keep her from him and so far her tactics had worked. Jareth could feel himself being pushed farther and farther away from Sarah. If he lost her, especially to another man, he didn't know if he would be able to handle it.
"My mother has gone too far," Jacob let out coldly. "She has no right to meddle in people's lives like she has. If you love Sarah and you believe she loves you, then ask for her hand in marriage before it is too late."
"It may be too late. I haven't spoken to her in days. She won't look at me."
"Sarah's most likely afraid. You haven't exactly rebelled against what's happened which, from what I know about you, isn't like you. She might not know that my mother has threatened to cast you from the house and that she's threatened you by saying she will marry Sarah off to some wealthy man. My mother can't do that. Sarah is an adult and she could easily refuse. My mother is grasping straws at this point. She's doing whatever it takes to protect Sarah because she's guilty that she couldn't protect her younger sister."
"She can't marry Sarah off?" Jareth felt a small sense of relief.
"Not unless Sarah lets her. Sarah is 18 and an adult. She can make her own decisions. My mother is hoping to make you believe that she can't. I believe that Sarah deserves an explanation and it would be best if it was from you."
"How am I to speak with her if your mother is always watching us?"
"Speak to her at night while my mother is sleeping," Jacob suggested.
"Your mother has the dogs sleeping outside Sarah's door and the moment I walk near it they will bark and alert her."
"I'll take care of the dogs."
Jareth gave Jacob a curious stare. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because what my mother is doing is wrong. I know she told you about how her sister and my cousin died. I was only 12 when it happened. I know it affected my mother and it's made her very protective of her children, but I didn't know her protective tendencies would extend beyond her children. My mother cares for Sarah like a daughter, but she needs to realize that she is not Sarah's mother. There are rules to courting and just because you and Sarah tried to get past them doesn't make you or her terrible people. You are not the only ones to try to escape bundling or chaperones. I will do what I can to help you, but then you are on your own."
Mrs. Henry's voice could be heard calling Jacob's name from the house and it interrupted the conversation.
Jacob gave a sigh. "She'll no doubt want to have words with me. Well, she can stew a bit longer."
One of Jareth's brows arched over his eye. "What?"
"I questioned her actions and I don't believe she liked it. I'm willing to wager that she liked my walking away from her even less."
Jareth let out a soft laugh and then his expression became one of worry.
"If you explain yourself to Sarah, I'm sure things can be repaired between you," Jacob told him again.
Jareth sighed. "I hope that you are correct."
Jacob nodded. "Do you have any other chores to do?" he asked changing the subject.
"I must chop more wood and bring it into the house."
Jacob gave Jareth a hearty pat on the back and laughed when he saw Jareth's brows raise in surprise. "Let me give you a hand."
Jareth didn't say anything for a moment and then he grinned knowingly. "Your offer of help doesn't have to do with you trying to escape your mother, does it?"
Jacob smiled. "Now, what gave you that idea?"
Jareth shook his head and laughed softly. He felt that he had misjudged Jacob badly. While the two of them had had differences over Sarah, it was obvious that they both wanted the same thing now. Sarah's happiness was the key to their own.
"We should get this over with before it gets dark. The shed is a bit creepy at night," Jacob joked.
"Afraid of the dark are you?" Jareth teased.
Jacob gave a shaky laugh. "I'm not really afraid, but it is difficult to see at night."
Jareth chuckled softly. "I'm sure."
He followed Jacob out of the barn and toward the woodshed feeling the first hope he had felt in days.
* * *
To be continued…
Kind2be: Annnnt!!! *buzzer sound* You were wrong. Jacob is going to help. And actually I changed Jacob from being Kevin Costner to Guy Pierce instead. I thought guy was much more what I had pictured. I apologize that I skipped a week of posting.
Niffers: Well, here's more. Hope you enjoy.
Sharkdiver: busting out in song, are we? Lol. I'm glad the last chapter was enjoyed!
Gail: Thanks so much. Hope you enjoyed ch 25.
Squeezystan: That would be odd wouldn't it? Time travel is a strange thing and since it's never been done, it leaves the writers with the choice of being able to explain it any way they choose!
Queen Bonnie: Thanks so much!
Draegon_fire: Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed a little bit of sap. I think Jareth and Sarah were entitled to it, especially since what I did to them this chapter. It is nice to stray from the war a bit, and I can at this time because a lot of the fighting is a bit south of where they are. That's not to say that skirmishes didn't break out, but the heavier fighting is not in their area. The war will be back in the future though…Jacob is a stronger man and nicer guy than people give him credit for. His true colors are showing this chapter with him wanting to help Sarah and Jareth.
CrystalUnicorn: There were a lot of restrictions back then and Mrs. Henry went crazy about them this chapter, though for different reasons. Jareth and Sarah come from different worlds themselves and they have different expectations of what love and a relationship should be and they also have a few that are the same. Hope 25 was worth the wait!
Reduara: It's ok. It happens! Thanks for reviewing.
Anne-Marie: So, I take it, it was a good intenseness? I hope it was!
The Real Me: I get too much into this story at times. To the fact where I can't eat or sleep until I get something written! I don't know if that's the sign of dedication or insanity!
Terrie: Thank you so much! Well, Sarah's whole issue was about trust and at the same time Jareth had trust issues as well. Now that they trust each other, they are able to let things go and attempt a relationship.
Naina Motz: I don't think Jareth would go for that. He finds the whole thing repulsive and offensive. Jareth isn't used to rules like this. The Fae pretty much do what they want when it comes to relationships. This is a shock for him. Sarah doesn't like the idea either. She's had rules her whole life too and she wants to do what she wants. Thanks so much for reading!
Crystal Sister: Well, don't get yourself into trouble at school. I had a reader who was reading an intense scene at school and the teacher made her print it out and read some of it to the class! Please don't get in trouble over my story. It makes me feel bad!
Skyfire: Can you blame them for being horny? Poor Jareth and Sarah. I deprived them for only….2 months! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for reviewing.
General Pepper: Well, as you can see with this chapter, Mrs. Henry didn't handle things well and Jacob did. Of course they each have their reasons. I'm glad you are enjoying the story! Thank you for your review.
EBS: Good girl! No reading the love scenes if you are underage. I did get your other review and due to personal issues I haven't been able to respond to reviews and e-mails like I have in the past. The trailer is video and music. You might have to download a newer version of Windows Media player. I had a few people who only got sound and once they downloaded a new version of WMP they had no problems. I love Evanescence. I wrote a NC-17 story where I used the song "Bring me to Life" I also listen to their music a lot while writing. Very inspiring. :
From the UC guestbook:
Christina: As you can see, Jacob wants to help. He's really a good guy and he does care about Sarah and wants to see her happy. He knows he can't have her and that she's happy with Jareth. I'm glad that you enjoyed the love scene! Those things are so difficult to write! Sorry that I didn't update sooner!
AniFauQa: Ch 25 was VERY difficult to write. Not only because I had personal issues arise, but because it was difficult to have to leave the sap and go back to some angst. I hope you enjoyed ch 25! Thanks for the review!
Jessie: Yep, they finally done the deed. *grin* I'm glad that you are enjoying the story so far!
Laura: Breathe…breathe…here's more story!
My thanks to Lynsey from the Jareth_Sarah_Forever group and to Fly, Sax, Anja, and Angel over at the Laby boards, for their reviews and comments.
Also thanks to: Barb, Aynne, Kim, and Anyatazya for their comments on the jsfanfiction list.