A/N: I start out with Tehran's memory of a fight him and Sarah had then I switch back to present time at the funeral. The last part is a flash back to when Sarah really clicked with Tehran.
Disclaimer: I don't own Jim Henson's Labyrinth or any of his characters. I lay claim to only my original creations. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter Nine
Second Love of My Life?
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Tehran's flashback of before Sarah was gone…
Under the soft light of a widow pain sat Queen Sarah alone from her ladies in waiting. So often they were dismissed when Tehran called upon her. It was a surprise the salacious gossip hadn't devoured the entire kingdom whole. However, this afternoon was not one of glimmering young love.
The queen sat fuming in rage of her lover's arguments, "He's still my husband Tehran."
Pacing the softly lit room Tehran stirred outraged in his frustrations. How trapped he felt parading their masks. He couldn't help but vent, "That's how it'll always be, won't it? The three of us? The queen alongside her king with faithful lap dog in tow."
Holding back her sobs so the maidens would not have more fuel for the rumors she pressed on, "That's not faire. I have obligations to my-"
With out such caution he interrupted, "To your what Sarah? Your people? No, they'll never be your people, love." Sighing in his frustrations he couldn't help but let out his anger and venomous hurt, "We're different from them you and I, we'll always be outsiders. I at least thought we had each other."
"…We do"
Slamming her chamber's door he exited the annoyance he felt clouding. Disregarding the gatherings of shocked ladies in waiting rush to comfort their Queen he stormed out ward seeking what he had not yet decided on.
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Back at the funeral….
Lost in his memories the fae had not noticed the funeral drawing to a close. Before he could flee the king's wrath Jareth circled in closer. Would there be a confrontation? Should he run the other way? Panicked in the thrashing he knew he deserved from his scorned friend he stood lifeless in his tracks. It was only till the king had teleported them back to his private study Tehran's trance was snapped.
"Why? Why Sarah? Out of all the women throwing themselves at you why did you search out MY Sarah? I left her in your care, not your bed."
"Don't be foolish Jareth. You act as though I forced her. She fell for somebody else. That's all there is to it. "
"The dagger that you twist into me, is that uncomplicated? Such a simple thing for you to say my friend. You never cared for her as I did then, or you would see why I'm dying. "
"Are we still that Jareth? Friends? After all this, am I still that knight that road into your kingdom. How blindly I vowed my alliance to your efforts."
"A lot has happened but you are still that man Tehran. You have a pure heart even if it at one time belonged to my wife. At any rate I cannot dismiss you no matter my true feelings. It would be admitting my late wife's treason."
"Yes, a lot has happened since I first saw an angel."
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How is it I fell for her bewitching allure? She was my friend's wife…(15 years ago FLASHBACK)
For so many years Sarah had watched from a far her world going on with out her. Toby growing up, his graduation, marriage, his children, her parents death, Toby's death, his children's death…. Countless years. She watched it all from a far. The seasons changed but she would never be there to see it. Perhaps looking back only tortured her soul but how could she just walk away? She had her obligations though. A kingdom and a husband for all eternity and today as she looked on in her realm seeing the death of a 3rd generation it became too much. An immortal life was like a life sentence in solitary confinement. Nobody had any idea what it meant to be mortal turned immortal in this world…. nobody but her.
Among the cold stone floor she knelt while her tears gushed forth. Her world was shattered and she laid among the rubble, clinging on to what was no longer there; her world. While lost in a swirl of heartache her mind was clutched from the chaos by a startling interruption.
"He doesn't understand does he?" the voice came from behind in the dark, its source the last she'd expect.
"And you do?" Her bitter stab of warning radiated like frostbite. Ashamed of the tears Sarah feared he'd see, her hands quickly brushed her reddened cheeks. Rising from her crumbled stance she still lacked the courage to face him.
Despite the evidence of Sarah's annoyance, his footsteps and voice went on, "More than you'd ever know." Strong hands gripped her shoulders turning her about to face tear filled eyes. Their warm brown hue almost scorched her own as she tried to make sense of it all.
"I don't under-"
His merciful perceptiveness interrupted her shaken voice; "I too have lost loved ones as you are now. Yes, it hurts but it is not the end for us. Sadly, that will always be the truth. It is our fate to see those around us age and die while we go on. At times it may seem that you are alone-" Pausing, Tehran's brown stare deepened its hold on her emerald eyes as he went on, dangerously slow, "But you are never alone Sarah. Never…"
Their eyes met with a sudden understanding. No longer cold or harsh, a connection was forged over tears and pain.
The moment lingered in the air and she could feel the gap between them closing as though they were magnetically colliding. So close, Sarah could feel the warmth radiating from his tender lips she so longed to fit with her own.
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I hope you all are enjoying this story so far and PLZ review….pretty please? ^_____^
~Clover