Forgotten Magic – Chapter Two

[A/N: Once again, I do not own the Labyrinth, and it's characters Sarah and Jareth. I do however own Cushla and Jared. Thank you so much for reviewing my story. You don't know how happy that makes me feel! ^^ Also, just to inform everyone, if you loved the movie of the Labyrinth, you should try reading the book also. Labyrinth: A novel by A.C.N Smith.]

Jared glanced up to see the face of his father. Jareth was not smiling, nor was he frowning. He had that cold, disapproving look across his face. His eyes seemed fixed upon Jared's, as if to be giving some kind of secret message. He took one step towards his son and Jared countered by stepping back one pace. Jareth's golden chain around his neck had made a quick chiming sound as he had walked. His father wore a cream-coloured shirt, it was open at the front with loose-sleeves and it seemed that the cuffs might have been made out of some kind of silk. Over this shirt, he wore a rather delightful black waistcoat, which showed nicely with his black gloves. Boots were worn to cover his grey tights. Jareth certainly was a masterpiece when it came to looks. His wife stood behind her Goblin King, she too seemed to have disapproved of his quick escape.

"Oh, Jared..." Sarah sighed, "Why did you have to go out without telling us? I was worried."

"Jared. I never would of expected from a boy of your intelligence to be so reckless. Look at all we have given you. All I ask of you is to stay in this castle till you are old enough to understand." Jareth began, though it seemed Sarah disapproved of these words.

"Look, the girl that you brought back is in your room. Luckily she seemed to have fallen asleep. We might have to take her back to the above grounds soon." Sarah said, she seemed to be trying to hint for Jared to leave. Sarah had to discuss something with Jareth, probably about their child.

"I'm going to my chambers." Jared replied smoothly. It seemed he had ignored most of what his parents had been informing him, but he did know that his mother obviously was the weak point that he should target if he wanted to get his way with anything. He loved his mother; his father was at the opposite side from his feelings about his mother. Utter hate. (A/N: Son- Mother love, not sexual)

Jared closed the door behind him, glancing over at the girl who was at his bed. He smiled— he was certainly handsome. He walked over towards his bed; Cushla was curled up amongst the red velvet sheets. She wore a lose pair of patched jeans, along with a tatted belt. Her cream-coloured shirt with rather full-sleeves seemed to be quite stained, and you could see places where it had been ripped— someone had attempted to mend these rips with rather messy stitching. It seemed she was not from a rich family at all. Jared tossed around a few thoughts of whether he should touch her or just leave her alone. He shrugged these feelings away as he leant down his hand, slowly brushing a few strands of her golden hair away from her face.

"You aren't going back." He whispered, "You're my key to freedom. Mine."

He continued to stroke her forehead, till something made him withdraw. Her eyes opened one by one and began to open widely into a disgusted glare towards him.

"What are you doing?" She yelled, as she sat herself up and began to back away against the head of the bed.

"Admiring your innocence as you sleep. It's easier looking at you that way; your face is always ugly and wrinkled into a smile when you're awake. Such a pity, really." Jared nodded as if to confirm what he had just said.

"What is your problem?" she muttered as she jumped off the bed.

"I could ask you the same question. Didn't your parents ever teach you any manners?" Jared replied.

"I don't have parents. I live in an orphan—" She cut off, not believing what she was saying to this stranger.

"Orphanage? So, you have none? No-one would notice if you were gone?" He replied, grinning to himself. It seemed his plans were working out better then he imagined.

"Probably not..." Cushla muttered, glancing at the ground as if she was in sadness for a moment. She shook this off, "What's your name anyway? Snobby."

"Snobby? I am not snobby. It's Prince Jared."

"Prince? Prince of what? Your silly little goblins you talked about?" She replied.

"Yes. You have a problem with that? Do you even know where you are?" Jared continued to speak in a rather annoyed tone.

Cushla had not even given this much thought. She was use to not knowing really where she was and she often felt lost.

She glanced around Jared's room. She had already gotten use to the four- posted bed, which was covered in the most equiseta velvet sheets that amazingly reached to every corner of his double bed. The walls were stone, like most of the castle walls. There was a simple tapestry of a maze in one corner, but the other three sides seemed to be filled of windows that had the most beautiful silk black curtains swooping at opposite directions of each window. She walked over to a window, and boy was she ever so surprised. Her eyes came across what was often called the Labyrinth. She stepped back in shock.

"W... where am I?" She whispered. Jared grinned coming up behind her, lifting one hand and placing it across her back. He swung her round to face him, glancing down at her with those eyes.

"Underground." He replied, smiling that handsome smile of his. Her eyes fixed with his for a moment, before she quickly frowned and turned away to look at the scenery once again.

~*~

"We should let him go some places from time to time, Jareth. I feel like I'm locking him up in a prison." Sarah said as she turned to face her lover.

"He is my heir. I can't allow him to be walking around the Underground, Sarah. You must understand this." Jareth replied as he walked a pace towards Sarah. He seemed to be feeling a number of mixed emotions, in his 17 years of being with Sarah. They had never fought about a single thing. Why did they have to fight now?

"Well, even if he is your heir. What's going to happen after him? If he cannot find someone else to create a family of his own with? Surely you did notice this?" Sarah continued. It seemed that she had grown more mature since her first encounter with Jareth, 17 years ago. Now standing as a woman of 32, she still was as beautiful to Jareth, yet ever so wise.

"There are other kingdoms besides my own Underground. We have had balls where he has met other woman. He does not need to bring a woman from the above grounds." Jareth argued.

"Then why hasn't he been interested in any of these woman? And if there are so many woman here, why did you find me instead of them?" Sarah countered his argument. It seemed, after all the years of living with him, she had learnt logic.

"You're different." Jareth mumbled, taking another pace towards her, leaning down to kiss her lips gently. She pulled away.

"No, Jareth. Please, listen to me. This girl is no different than myself. Why not give him a chance?" Sarah continued as she reached up and brushed her hand against his cheek.

"Hmm. What if I hold a ball? We'll keep this girl till then and we'll see what happens at this ball of ours. If he holds interest in her still, she can stay and he may have his freedom. If they kiss within the five hours of the ball, that is." Jareth nodded.

"You're still up to those time games, aren't you? They aren't fair you know, but I'll agree. Just this once, you'll see – your just taking your son for granted again. I'm sure Jared will prove you wrong." Sarah replied. [Sorry this was such a short chapter. I hope it didn't bore you to death. Well, There are more complicated things to come between Sarah/Jareth. Next up, this lovely ball they are organizing. Be prepared for a long chapter! ~Enslaved Angel]