Here comes chapter 12! ^_^ Thanks for heeding my last rant about the mushroom thing. And also, thanks to Toreen, who helped me figure out that mushroom wasn't ALL that random…^.^;; R&R!
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"Milady? Milady, are you awake?"
"Uhn…" Sarah turned over and pulled the blanket up over her face.
Wait…blanket? Why would I have a blanket if I was outside my house with Jareth…?
"Milady, you're missing the grand ball downstairs."
"BALL?!" She sat bolt upright and took a sharp look around the room. Everything was black and red, and the floors were made of polished ebony marble. The chandelier over her head sparkled and gleamed, prisms glistening.
Sir Didymus stood straight and tall next to her, grinning as wide as he could. "Yes, the ball. King Jareth is holding it in your honor, but did not wish to awaken you. He did, however, ask me to keep an eye on you and inform you when you woke." His chest puffed out with pride.
"Sir Didymus!" Realizing who it was, Sarah jumped off the bed and pulled the little fox (or whatever he is) into a tight hug. "I thought I'd never see you again!"
"But milady, I do recall telling you that should you need us…"
"I would call," she finished apologetically. "I know. I'm sorry, Sir Didymus. I've just been so wrapped up in what's been happening-"
"And I'm sure you'll tell me all about it later," he interrupted. "But right now, you have a grand ball to attend!"
Sarah didn't budge.
"What's wrong now?" Didymus asked impatiently.
"I kinda…don't want to see Jareth right now," she muttered.
"Why ever not?"
Her incredulous look made her friend flinch. "After what he's done to me?!" She exclaimed. "He's the CAUSE of all my problems, and is only likely to cause more!"
Sir Didymus gave her a sidelong stare. "Were you not awake…?"
"Awake for what?" Sarah was tiring of all these guessing games.
Didymus's brow furrowed deeply. "All I saw was what happened after he carried you through the portal," he began.
Now she was interested. "What happened?!"
"Patience!" He chided. "When King Jareth carried you through the portal, he was singing that song. The one he wrote for you. The whole ballroom grew quiet as he sang; all eyes were turned on you two." His concentrating frown intensified, as if he were trying to recall every little detail. "Then he carried you to his throne, sat down, and cradled you in his arms for a while, softly calling your name. But you didn't wake up, so he brought you here and left me to guard you."
"And where is he now?" She asked hesitantly.
"I do believe he's downstairs, waiting for your arrival."
Sudden anger flooded her mind. "How is he so sure I'll even come?!" She fumed.
"Some things are simply known in the heart," he replied.
Stillness once again settled over the room. Sarah abruptly started to wish she hadn't woken up. Her head was starting to hurt.
"What should I do…?"
She didn't even notice she had spoken aloud until Didymus murmured, "Whatever your heart thinks is best. But you've awoken now, and my duty is fulfilled. I hope you make the right decision, milady." With an elegant bow, he exited the room, leaving Sarah alone to contemplate her predicament.
Letting her head slip tiredly down into her hands, she stared helplessly at the comforter. I can't win…The thought echoed through her mind like a hollow church bell. Jareth seemed to be the only one who could leave her completely powerless against her will.
"Darn you, Jareth!" She breathed, for about the thousandth time. Frustrated, she threw out her arms and dropped back on the bed.
But as she fell, something silk and gauzy brushed her hand.
"Huh?" She propped herself up on her elbow, looked at what she had touched, and nearly fell off her perch.
There, hung from a makeshift rack beside her, was the white glossy dress that had been her own only nights before. Slowly, she reached out and stroked the sleek finery. It folded gently under her touch and conformed to her fingertips. Shifting into a sitting position, Sarah buried her face in the soft cloth.
"Mmm…" she murmured. Of all the horrors and confrontations of the Labyrinth, the dance with Jareth in this graceful gown was what stuck out in her mind the most. Closing her eyes, she could almost feel his hand on her waist, the look in his eyes, and the sound of his voice.
Without even realizing it was happening, she stood up and took the dress eagerly off its hanger. She tossed her clothes on the bed, and hurriedly let the tresses of the skirt fall around her ankles. Her hands ran absentmindedly through her rather tangled hair. Remorsefully, she remembered the worn tennis shoes she was wearing and disgustedly kicked them across the room. They clunked to the floor about 20 feet away.
Maybe I could go down, just for a while, she thought. It couldn't hurt…after all, I'm stuck here anyway. No hindrance slowed her pace as she speed walked for the door of the vast room. To her amusement and wonder, she found herself actually looking forward to seeing the Goblin King.
She padded down the stairs in her bare feet, watching the festivities anxiously over the banister. However, Jareth was no where to be seen. She silently hoped that he hadn't left.
When she reached the bottom, she gaped at the enormous ballroom through wide eyes. It was bigger than she had even remembered it! All too quickly she came to realize that she had no idea what was going on. So she just stood and stared.
"May I have this dance?"
Sarah turned, smiling shyly. "I suppose you may," she answered.
Jareth smiled. He took her hand in one of his, place the other on her waist, then whisked her out into the captivating rhythm of the music.
***
It seemed to Lindsay that she and her new companion had been walking for hours. Every rock tripped her, and each vine seemed to grip at her legs. After a time, she finally fell.
"Owww!" She screamed. A line of blood appeared along her ankle, and she grimaced at the sight of it. Blood had never sat well with her.
"What is it now?!" Dragon shot an angry glance over his shoulder. Night had gathered over the Labyrinth, and he wasn't in the greatest of moods.
"I tripped!"
"I noticed," he replied flatly. Ever since Lindsay's comment about being Jareth's consort, Dragon had become increasingly less talkative.
Lindsay let her head drop back against the stone behind her. "I'm tired. Can we take a break?"
Dragon snorted. "You mortals grow weary so easily."
"What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying you're not mortal?"
He regarded her incredulously. "You couldn't tell?!"
"Everyone's mortal. Everyone can die." Lindsay ignored his gaze and chose instead to pick at the moss growing beside her. This place is disgusting, she thought, grimacing.
"Ah. You don't seem to grasp how powerful I am." Dragon knelt beside her. "Do you really plan to underestimate the Demon King?"
Round eyes regarded him. "D…Demon King?" Lindsay stuttered.
A wide grin lifted his features. "Yes, Lindsay. I am the Demon King, and soon I will have Jareth's head. However, I cannot do it alone. Goblin magic is much more powerful than my own…by itself, that is. And that, my dear Lindsay, is where you come in."
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Hope this chapter wasn't too cheezy….;;
