A/N: This chapter was inspired by a Disney movie, and as horrifying as that
may seem to some, if you think about it, Jareth and Sarah have a 'beauty
and the beast' kind of relationship, don't you think? Anyway, I put a
little J/S action in here, but not a whole lot.I promise, the real
encounter is on the way, though it might be a bit different from what some
of you are expecting.Thank you to everyone who has reviewed my story so
far, you don't know how much it means to me! With that said, enjoy!
Disclaimer: The labyrinth and all its characters blah blah belong to jim henson, the song to disney, the rest is my doing, bwahahahaha!
Chapter 14: Beauty and the Beast
They were once more in a ballroom, but not the same as before. The smooth tiled floor was golden in hue and mirrored the grand chandelier that hung high from the domed ceiling. Said ceiling was painted with clouds and cherubs, all with a golden sheen about them. The walls were interrupted by high arching windows through which could be seen nothing but the depth of night, which seemed to grope at the panes jealously, eager to overshadow the warm glow within. Most interesting of all, they were completely alone, as there were no other dancers. This ball was their own.
Sarah stood at the top of a grand staircase. The gown she wore seemed to match the room, it's golden radiance only adding to her beauty. Her hair was simply worn, half of it pulled up into a bun, while the rest cascaded down her back. At the bottom of the stair, Jareth awaited her, his hand outstretched to her in invitation. He wore a blue suit jacket with a billowing shirt underneath and tight black pants. Sarah noticed, however, that he wore no gloves. She smiled at him as she descended the stairs and grasped the offered hand. He kissed hers, relishing the feeling of her soft skin against his lips. How often had he imagined it? Too often.
"Sarah, what is this place?" he asked her as he swept her down the last stair and twirled her gently around.
She looked around, admiring the elegance of the ballroom. "I'm not sure," she murmured, craning her neck to look at the angels on the ceiling, "though it does seem familiar." Her gaze returned to his before she leaned in closer. "Does it matter?"
He smiled gently back at her. "Not in the least," he replied as he swept her into his arms and they began to dance to music that seemed to rise out of the air.
Tale as old as time True as it can be Barely even friends Then somebody bends Unexpectedly
The words struck Sarah as familiar as well, but she didn't care. All she cared about now was that she was in the arms of her king. She wanted to fight it, to turn away. After all, wasn't he the monster who had taken her baby brother and forced her to abandon her dreams to save him? He was a monster, wasn't he? She shouldn't want to hold him or be held by him, but she did, in spite of herself. She was uncertain of his feelings for her, but she knew that she loved him at that moment, whether she wanted to or not.
Just a little change Small to say the least Both a little scared Neither one prepared Beauty and the Beast
Suddenly Sarah laughed, as she realized what the song and the ballroom reminded her of. It had been a movie that Toby liked to watch with her, which she had always found rather enchanting. Jareth gave her a questioning look, but she shook her head and smiled. "It's not important," she answered as moved closer to him, leaning her head into his shoulder as they danced.
Ever just the same Ever a surprise Ever as before Ever just as sure As the sun will rise
Jareth wrapped his arm tighter around Sarah's waist, bringing her closer yet. He felt a wave of ecstasy surge up inside of him as her cheek brushed his. But in spite of this, he was doing his best not to feel. He knew he loved her, more than he knew how to express, but he also knew that whatever this place was, whoever was dreaming this dream, it would end and he would inevitably wake up alone once more. He had to bite his lip to fight back those treacherous tears that threatened to spill from his tightly closed eyes. To love her was too painful to bear. Still, the scent of her hair excited him and he felt his heart thundering against the walls of his chest. Oh yes, he loved her and wanted her, whether he wanted to or not.
Tale as old as time Tune as old as song Bittersweet and strange Finding you can change Learning you were wrong
The pair danced on, unaware of the other's thoughts and unaware too of the threat that hovered just beyond the golden light. It clawed inaudibly at the windowpanes and snaked its dark fingers under the doors like tendrils of shadow. And out there, beyond the edge of darkness, one could see, if they looked hard enough, eyes, soulless and gleaming with greed. Oblivious, the dancers danced, each using every moment to memorize the feel of the other, the sensation and warmth of their closeness, the dizzying rush of endorphins that made their hearts pound and their senses reel.
Certain as the sun Rising in the east Tale as old as time Song as old as rhyme Beauty and the Beast
Sarah knew the song, and somehow, their time here together, was coming to a close, but she refused to let go. Never the less, she felt a coldness seep between them and pull them apart. The sickly black darkness had found its way in and was pushing them farther apart. Neither fought the icy thrust of the tendrils as they drained all the warmth that had grown within their embrace. It was really not so much dark as it was a lack of light. As the obscuring wall of lightlessness rose between them like a fog at dusk, Sarah was sure she saw the glimmer of a tear roll down Jareth's pale cheek before he was consumed and melted away into nothingness before her. The last echoes of the song drifted to her through the growing silence, but it was melancholy and thin in the dim haze of loneliness around her.
.Tale as old as time Song as old as rhyme Beauty and the Beast..
She felt something wrap around her body and hold her down like a vice. She twisted and turned and fought, trying to free herself. And she fell.
~*~
Sarah cried out as she fell out of bed onto the cold stone floor, the sheets still tangled around her legs. For a moment, she was utterly confused, and a bit afraid, but then there was light. Looking up, she saw Anikara in a simple, ankle length nightgown, still rubbing the sleepiness from her eyes and carrying a small candle. Memory came flooding back as she realized where she was. They had ridden for a good part of the day, down the mountain roads and trails until they had reached the Banshee Wood. They had reached the castle of the former king around mid afternoon. Ayron had taken up residence there temporarily while a new ruler was found for the Banshee Wood. Tonight was the last night for several days that any of them would sleep in a real bed. What a shame that she was not enjoying it.
Anikara saw Sarah on the floor where she had fallen and walked over to her, offering her a hand. "Smooth," she teased groggily as she sat next to her on the bed, "Are you okay?"
Sarah thought about it for a moment and decided that she really wasn't. "Can I ask you something?" she inquired, glancing up at Anikara's face, then furtively back at her own lap.
"Of course!"
"Why did you do what you did? With the ballroom dream, like two weeks ago? It was you, wasn't it?" she glanced back up to see Anikara lift her eyebrows and give her a wry smile.
"Can't get anything past you, can I?" she grinned, "alright, you caught me. But I had to do it. I couldn't have you come here with all your new powers only to find that you and Jareth would spend eternity locked in battle! I did what I did to be sure you two would enjoy one another's company rather than attempt to destroy it." she gave Sarah a look of feigned innocence, ".and it might have been a bit entertaining to watch." Sarah gave her a playful push and shook her head at Anikara's burst of laughter.
"Well, I don't know what you think you figured out about me and.and Jareth, but I have no interest whatsoever in that man," she lied.
Anikara pouted at Sarah, "But you made such a cute couple!" she giggled.
"Really, well, speaking of cute couples," she grinned slyly, pulling out her own arsenal, "what exactly did Brexis and I break up out by the stables? Hmm?" Her grin widened as Anikara's cheeks flared red.
"I have no idea what you are talking about!" she scoffed indignantly. There was a pause for just a moment during which the girls sized eachother up, before they burst into laughter. "Alright, Sarah, maybe I do know what you're talking about, a little, but you must admit that I was right too."
Sarah stuck her tongue out at Anikara, "I must do nothing!" she insisted, but then relented, "but if it will make you feel better, maybe I think he's kind of attractive."
"You think he's sexy!" Anikara teased as Sarah threw a pillow at her. The two felt like children, teasing one another about the boys they had crushes on and denying it feverishly, and they found it relaxing to be able to let loose and act goofy.
"Okay, Anikara, tell me now, what happened with Ayron?" Sarah pried, genuinely curious.
"Oh, if you must know.well, he kissed me."
"Really now?"
"Yes! You see, I accidentally fell off my horse, and he reached out to catch me, and I sort of took him down with me." the two giggled at the sight it must have made, ".and as he helped me up, he pulled me up against him and it just.it just happened. I mean, I've kissed him before, but I was always teasing. I don't think either of us knew this was going to happen, but honestly, who cares? I just enjoyed it!" Sarah nodded her agreement. "But Sarah, aren't you curious at all about Jareth? And don't give me any lip about it! I know you have feelings for him, even if I can't fathom why," she added teasingly.
Sarah rolled her eyes. "Well, I don't know!" she huffed, but then thought for a moment before adding, "Alright tell me something interesting about Jareth."
A look of devilry appeared on Anikara's face as her smile turned wicked. "Oh, have I some stories for you."
A/N: Well? *Grins and ducks a thrown brick* tell me what you think :D
Disclaimer: The labyrinth and all its characters blah blah belong to jim henson, the song to disney, the rest is my doing, bwahahahaha!
Chapter 14: Beauty and the Beast
They were once more in a ballroom, but not the same as before. The smooth tiled floor was golden in hue and mirrored the grand chandelier that hung high from the domed ceiling. Said ceiling was painted with clouds and cherubs, all with a golden sheen about them. The walls were interrupted by high arching windows through which could be seen nothing but the depth of night, which seemed to grope at the panes jealously, eager to overshadow the warm glow within. Most interesting of all, they were completely alone, as there were no other dancers. This ball was their own.
Sarah stood at the top of a grand staircase. The gown she wore seemed to match the room, it's golden radiance only adding to her beauty. Her hair was simply worn, half of it pulled up into a bun, while the rest cascaded down her back. At the bottom of the stair, Jareth awaited her, his hand outstretched to her in invitation. He wore a blue suit jacket with a billowing shirt underneath and tight black pants. Sarah noticed, however, that he wore no gloves. She smiled at him as she descended the stairs and grasped the offered hand. He kissed hers, relishing the feeling of her soft skin against his lips. How often had he imagined it? Too often.
"Sarah, what is this place?" he asked her as he swept her down the last stair and twirled her gently around.
She looked around, admiring the elegance of the ballroom. "I'm not sure," she murmured, craning her neck to look at the angels on the ceiling, "though it does seem familiar." Her gaze returned to his before she leaned in closer. "Does it matter?"
He smiled gently back at her. "Not in the least," he replied as he swept her into his arms and they began to dance to music that seemed to rise out of the air.
Tale as old as time True as it can be Barely even friends Then somebody bends Unexpectedly
The words struck Sarah as familiar as well, but she didn't care. All she cared about now was that she was in the arms of her king. She wanted to fight it, to turn away. After all, wasn't he the monster who had taken her baby brother and forced her to abandon her dreams to save him? He was a monster, wasn't he? She shouldn't want to hold him or be held by him, but she did, in spite of herself. She was uncertain of his feelings for her, but she knew that she loved him at that moment, whether she wanted to or not.
Just a little change Small to say the least Both a little scared Neither one prepared Beauty and the Beast
Suddenly Sarah laughed, as she realized what the song and the ballroom reminded her of. It had been a movie that Toby liked to watch with her, which she had always found rather enchanting. Jareth gave her a questioning look, but she shook her head and smiled. "It's not important," she answered as moved closer to him, leaning her head into his shoulder as they danced.
Ever just the same Ever a surprise Ever as before Ever just as sure As the sun will rise
Jareth wrapped his arm tighter around Sarah's waist, bringing her closer yet. He felt a wave of ecstasy surge up inside of him as her cheek brushed his. But in spite of this, he was doing his best not to feel. He knew he loved her, more than he knew how to express, but he also knew that whatever this place was, whoever was dreaming this dream, it would end and he would inevitably wake up alone once more. He had to bite his lip to fight back those treacherous tears that threatened to spill from his tightly closed eyes. To love her was too painful to bear. Still, the scent of her hair excited him and he felt his heart thundering against the walls of his chest. Oh yes, he loved her and wanted her, whether he wanted to or not.
Tale as old as time Tune as old as song Bittersweet and strange Finding you can change Learning you were wrong
The pair danced on, unaware of the other's thoughts and unaware too of the threat that hovered just beyond the golden light. It clawed inaudibly at the windowpanes and snaked its dark fingers under the doors like tendrils of shadow. And out there, beyond the edge of darkness, one could see, if they looked hard enough, eyes, soulless and gleaming with greed. Oblivious, the dancers danced, each using every moment to memorize the feel of the other, the sensation and warmth of their closeness, the dizzying rush of endorphins that made their hearts pound and their senses reel.
Certain as the sun Rising in the east Tale as old as time Song as old as rhyme Beauty and the Beast
Sarah knew the song, and somehow, their time here together, was coming to a close, but she refused to let go. Never the less, she felt a coldness seep between them and pull them apart. The sickly black darkness had found its way in and was pushing them farther apart. Neither fought the icy thrust of the tendrils as they drained all the warmth that had grown within their embrace. It was really not so much dark as it was a lack of light. As the obscuring wall of lightlessness rose between them like a fog at dusk, Sarah was sure she saw the glimmer of a tear roll down Jareth's pale cheek before he was consumed and melted away into nothingness before her. The last echoes of the song drifted to her through the growing silence, but it was melancholy and thin in the dim haze of loneliness around her.
.Tale as old as time Song as old as rhyme Beauty and the Beast..
She felt something wrap around her body and hold her down like a vice. She twisted and turned and fought, trying to free herself. And she fell.
~*~
Sarah cried out as she fell out of bed onto the cold stone floor, the sheets still tangled around her legs. For a moment, she was utterly confused, and a bit afraid, but then there was light. Looking up, she saw Anikara in a simple, ankle length nightgown, still rubbing the sleepiness from her eyes and carrying a small candle. Memory came flooding back as she realized where she was. They had ridden for a good part of the day, down the mountain roads and trails until they had reached the Banshee Wood. They had reached the castle of the former king around mid afternoon. Ayron had taken up residence there temporarily while a new ruler was found for the Banshee Wood. Tonight was the last night for several days that any of them would sleep in a real bed. What a shame that she was not enjoying it.
Anikara saw Sarah on the floor where she had fallen and walked over to her, offering her a hand. "Smooth," she teased groggily as she sat next to her on the bed, "Are you okay?"
Sarah thought about it for a moment and decided that she really wasn't. "Can I ask you something?" she inquired, glancing up at Anikara's face, then furtively back at her own lap.
"Of course!"
"Why did you do what you did? With the ballroom dream, like two weeks ago? It was you, wasn't it?" she glanced back up to see Anikara lift her eyebrows and give her a wry smile.
"Can't get anything past you, can I?" she grinned, "alright, you caught me. But I had to do it. I couldn't have you come here with all your new powers only to find that you and Jareth would spend eternity locked in battle! I did what I did to be sure you two would enjoy one another's company rather than attempt to destroy it." she gave Sarah a look of feigned innocence, ".and it might have been a bit entertaining to watch." Sarah gave her a playful push and shook her head at Anikara's burst of laughter.
"Well, I don't know what you think you figured out about me and.and Jareth, but I have no interest whatsoever in that man," she lied.
Anikara pouted at Sarah, "But you made such a cute couple!" she giggled.
"Really, well, speaking of cute couples," she grinned slyly, pulling out her own arsenal, "what exactly did Brexis and I break up out by the stables? Hmm?" Her grin widened as Anikara's cheeks flared red.
"I have no idea what you are talking about!" she scoffed indignantly. There was a pause for just a moment during which the girls sized eachother up, before they burst into laughter. "Alright, Sarah, maybe I do know what you're talking about, a little, but you must admit that I was right too."
Sarah stuck her tongue out at Anikara, "I must do nothing!" she insisted, but then relented, "but if it will make you feel better, maybe I think he's kind of attractive."
"You think he's sexy!" Anikara teased as Sarah threw a pillow at her. The two felt like children, teasing one another about the boys they had crushes on and denying it feverishly, and they found it relaxing to be able to let loose and act goofy.
"Okay, Anikara, tell me now, what happened with Ayron?" Sarah pried, genuinely curious.
"Oh, if you must know.well, he kissed me."
"Really now?"
"Yes! You see, I accidentally fell off my horse, and he reached out to catch me, and I sort of took him down with me." the two giggled at the sight it must have made, ".and as he helped me up, he pulled me up against him and it just.it just happened. I mean, I've kissed him before, but I was always teasing. I don't think either of us knew this was going to happen, but honestly, who cares? I just enjoyed it!" Sarah nodded her agreement. "But Sarah, aren't you curious at all about Jareth? And don't give me any lip about it! I know you have feelings for him, even if I can't fathom why," she added teasingly.
Sarah rolled her eyes. "Well, I don't know!" she huffed, but then thought for a moment before adding, "Alright tell me something interesting about Jareth."
A look of devilry appeared on Anikara's face as her smile turned wicked. "Oh, have I some stories for you."
A/N: Well? *Grins and ducks a thrown brick* tell me what you think :D