Sorry for not posting in a long time on the last chapter.  The internet wasn't working.  Here's the next chapter.  It's a little longer.  I don't own Jareth or the Labyrinth.  I wish I did.

Chapter Seven: At the Castle

            As soon as I got in the city I sat down panting.  "Calm down.  What you saw was an illusion," Leo comforted.

            "What makes you think his love for me isn't also an illusion?" I asked angrily.

            "I saw him crying in the crystal you dropped."

            "Why'd he trick me!"

            "He uses crystals to watch and listen.  He probably saw and heard what happened."

            "So he wants to send me home."

            "Not necessarily.  He just wants you happy."

            "Well I'll indulge him.  I'll go home."  Then I got up and stormed toward the castle.  Leo grabbed the back of my shirt with his front claws, dug his back claws in the ground, and was dragging behind me.  "Stop!  If you leave you'll break his heart for the second time.  Third if you count Sarah.  He'll be crushed and afraid to love.  The labyrinth will slowly die and we'll disappear!" Leo exclaimed trying to slow me down.

            "I don't believe that because of a crush all this will disappear," I growled plodding forward.

            "This isn't just a crush.  You're only the second person he's truly loved."

            "Oh yeah!  I don't believe that either!"

            "You listen to me," Leo growled moving in front of me to block me, "If he didn't love you he would've made the way easier at the beginning.  The only reason he made it easier now is because he can see you're unhappy.  Otherwise he wouldn't have cared.  He also cried because he had to deceive you.  That deception was only to sever the last tie between you.  He figures you almost completely hate him all the way.  That deception was to make you hate him all the way so it wouldn't hurt when you're separated."  Leo took my shoulders in his paws and shook me lightly.  " I know but I have to go home.  His love for me will fade.  He'll find another that's more worthy of him.  He can't truly love me," I said sadly looking at the ground.

            "He does so help me he does.  No matter how un worthy you are he'll always love you."

            "I have to go."

            "If you truly love him you'll stay."

            "What if I don't and we…you know.  It would destroy him.  I couldn't stand it if that happened."

            "By saying that you proved that you do love him."

            "I proved nothing.  I'm going home."  I then pushed past Leo and walked to the castle.

            When I got inside I made my way to the throne room.  When I got there I saw Jareth lying across the throne his back and legs propped up by the arms.  His right hand was on his face in a thoughtful position.  "Jareth I've come to get my freedom," I stated.  Jareth shifted slightly and looked at me with glistening eyes, his fingers covering his lips.  He lowered his hand and smiled at me cynically.  "You can have your freedom for all I care.  I just brought you here for sport," he said dryly, rolling his legs off the arm of the throne and moving into a sitting position.

            "You know you don't mean that.  Tell her the truth!" yelled Leo.

            "The truth is that she got boring and I'm giving her the chance to go home."

            "Stop acting!  All you're doing is hurting yourself and her!"

            "Well Lionel it would do you well to remember I'm king.  I can't love a lowly human."  When I heard this I was on my knees crying.  "My son how can you be so stupid," Leo whispered to himself.  I heard him and looked at him surprised.  "Yes I'm Jareth's father.  A long time ago I was turned into a lion by a witch.  Everyone thought I was dead.  Please don't take my son seriously.  He really does love you," Leo whispered in my ear.

            "He isn't acting like it.  Maybe I should do what he wants.  Maybe I should go home," I said.  Then I got up and went to face Jareth.