Chapter 11- If You Say Run, I'll Run With You
(Sorry about the delay, you guys! I know this is shorter than normal, I'll make the next longer, I promise.)
Four hours later, Sarah stood at the gates to Jareth's castle, fuming. She had dismissed her friends with many hugs and thanks for their help, and now focused her rage at the man who was responsible for her latest wanderings. From this point, she knew her way. She muscled the castle doors open and stepped inside the castle. She veered to the right and followed a hallway into a room that she could hear before she could see. The goblin king lounged in his grotesque stone throne, smirking at his minions, who idiotically played beneath his feet. When he saw Sarah standing in the doorway, regarding him angrily, he smirked even more.
"Did you enjoy your little journey?" he asked, leaving his throne and standing akimbo in front of her. Sarah walked right up to the king of the goblins, and smacked him. She fumed, unable to back her actions up with words. Stunned, Jareth looked down at her. "Is this how my generosity is rewarded?" He snapped.
"Don't talk to me about generosity!" Sarah shouted at him. "I've done everything you've asked of me, bared my heart and soul to you, and you send me where? To the bog of stench!" Jareth circled her, trying to unnerve her, but the woman was simply too angry.
"You asked to know where you were," Jareth stated simply. "I answered your plea. And, in another gesture of generosity, I allowed you to see your friends along the way."
"I'm tired," Sarah said, finally giving up the battle. "I'm tired of apologizing for something that happened when I was just a child. I'm tired of trying to convince you of my feelings. If you aren't going to try and give me a chance, you might as well send me back aboveground. I'm certainly doing no good down here." She sighed, and cast her eyes downward. Internally, she was holding her breath. She half expected to be whisked back home in a flash of light. Instead, the goblin king was looking down at her lowered head, fighting an internal battle. He pondered his situation, knowing that the closer he got to Sarah, the harder it would be to let go.
"I'm. . . sorry," he finally allowed. Sarah's head snapped up.
"What?" she said, confused. All the anger within her had been replaced with confusion.
"Don't make me repeat myself, Sarah," he replied. Sarah looked into Jareth's dark eyes, and realized that a small battle had been won.
"Alright," she answered, accepting what he had offered her. Jareth broke eye contact and turned toward his throne.
"Today I will show you where to find the rooms of the castle that you will be needing during your time here. Tomorrow you can start working." He turned toward the door to the room. With a wave of his hand, the door opened, and he strode outside. Without any further cue, and not keen on being lost in the castle for hours once again, Sarah followed him.
She had expected him to show her the rooms within the castle, but Jareth was heading out a pair of large doors to the outdoors. Sarah hurried after him, trying to look about her and memorize the path they were taking. A wooded area surrounded the castle. At the entrance to the forest was a small outbuilding, a stable. Understanding dawned.
"Are these the stables where Dorian Breanon will be working?" Sarah asked, gazing up at Jareth.
"Yes." He replied simply. "You will aid Master Dorian with his studies first thing every morning." Sarah watched not Jareth, now, but the stables they were approaching. The building was long, enough to hold quite a few horses, Sarah thought. A corral surrounded a field next to the building. Jareth entered the stables with the stature of a. . . well, king. He exuded self-confidence as he moved forward. Sarah's breath caught in her throat as she entered. There were so many horses housed there!
Sarah had no idea about horses, but appreciated the beauty of the animals. They were obviously well cared for, and their coats shone in the sunlight that trickled through broken boards in the barn. Sarah stroked the muzzle of the horse nearest to her. The animal whickered softly.
"That's Owl," Jareth explained. Sarah grinned, thinking of the white horse's likeness to a certain barn owl. "You will, eventually, be riding her," Jareth continued. "My horse is right here. Aren't you?" He turned to a black horse who had already begun to nuzzle her master. Smirking at her, Jareth held out a palm, and willed a large sugar cube to fill it. The horse, not surprised in the least at the gesture, gobbled up the sugar. Her tail twitched from side to side and she butted Jareth with her head, obviously looking for more treats. Jareth laughed. "That's all you get, little one." He patted her nose and led her out of the stall. "Her name is Sarah," Jareth said, not meeting his companion's eyes. A bit of hope materialized within Sarah's soul. Was this a rare glimpse into the soul of the goblin king?
"They're wonderful," Sarah admitted, breathlessly. Her eyes were large as Jareth messed with some tackle on a wall.
"Would you like to go for a ride?" Jareth asked. Sarah's head snapped up. He hadn't asked her to spend time with him, had he?
"No," she answered, regretfully, "I've never ridden before. I'd fall." The goblin king smiled at her admitted weakness. He cleared his throat, and paused for a moment.
"You can ride with me," he answered. "She won't harm you." He patted the nose of the equestrian Sarah, and glanced curiously at the human one.
"Alright," Sarah agreed cautiously. This might be a small step, but it was one she wouldn't let escape. Jareth placed a hand on Sarah's shoulder, turning her toward the animal. He lifted her by the waist, and, with a gasp, she had mounted the horse. Sarah's eyes grew wide as she panted, breathless. Whether it was from the exertion or the fact that Jareth had lifted her, she didn't know. Sarah held onto a spur on the saddle, clutching it until her knuckles were white.
"Relax," Jareth's voice calmed her. He placed a foot in a stirrup and lifted himself up and seated behind her. "This won't hurt." So saying, he placed one arm firmly around her waist, and the other over hers on the saddle. "Here we go," he spoke softly, his breath running along her cheek. The animal began to move out of the stable, and Sarah gasped, falling back against Jareth. He seemed to hold her more tightly, in response to her apprehension. She saw that Jareth held the reins firmly in his grasp; she hadn't even noticed the mechanics of riding the horse until now.
They started to trot and then canter over green fields. The sun shone brilliantly from overhead. Sarah's hair flowed behind her, and Jareth rested his head near her shoulder to keep it from flowing into his field of vision. Sarah tried to relax, but the idea of the goblin king holding her close to him, and accepting her presence, was more than enough to unnerve her. She looked around her, however, and was in awe of the countryside. Hills and mountains, lakes and valleys, the underground had it all. Despite her experiences in the more difficult parts of the terrain, the environment surrounding them on the horseback riding tour was amazing and beautiful.
Sarah held her breath as they approached a stream, way too wide to cross in one stride. The horse showed no signs of slowing, and Jareth made no move to pull up on the reins. In fact, they seemed to be gaining speed, becoming one with the wind. Jareth held Sarah tighter to him, and she felt the warmth of his body as her heart rate increased. In one well-timed jump, Jareth's horse jumped clearly over the stream and landed lightly on the other side. Sarah let out a breath; Jareth's hold on her did not decrease. Sarah cantered into a forest, sunlight trickling through the tree limbs and illuminating the path.
After riding for what seemed like only moments, they arrived at a small clearing. The steed slowed her pace, and then stopped. Jareth dismounted, still holding the reins to steady her. Sarah swallowed her disappointment at the loss of his embrace. She slid from her namesake and watched Jareth as he tied the reins to a tree.
"Why did you name her Sarah?" she asked, hoping to gain some insight into the goblin king's heart.
"She's stubborn, strong-willed," was the answer. Sarah's mouth shut, a comment lost on her tongue. "I have something to show you," Jareth said softly. He led her toward the center of the clearing, where a single tree grew. Upon closer examination, the leaves of the tree were tinged with gold. "This is the tree of immortality," Jareth explained. "If I decide your fate in favor of the underground, you will be allowed to eat a leaf from this tree, and therefore gain immortality. The tree is guarded by an ancient spell; only Madriel and myself would be able to remove its leaves; the two of us already blessed or cursed with life ourselves." Sarah's eyes had grown wide. Immortality!
"Why would you show me this?" Sarah asked him. She tried to find some answer within his eyes, but could find nothing.
"If some bitter fate should befall me before your 13 months are up," Jareth answered, keeping his tone low and steady, "I want you to find this tree and eat the leaf from it. As the only one to best my labyrinth, you will be responsible for its care, and the care of my goblins. In short, you will be in charge of my kingdom. The power I now control will rest in your hands. You will need the power of immortality as soon as possible." Sarah was speechless at this new information.
"But nothing will happen to you," she said quietly. His eyes finally met hers.
"If it should," he answered. A moment later, they had mounted again and rode back the way they had come.
*-*-*-*
From the stables, Jareth led Sarah back to the castle, then to the kitchen. Miriam was not present, although the king assured her that she would normally be in place beside her sister. Sarah recognized the women who had let her help earlier, and apologized profusely. The women looked fearful at Jareth's presence, then relaxed again when they realized that Sarah would be tutoring Miriam, not helping them cook.
The last place where the two stopped was the small daycare. This was, Jareth informed her, where she would be spending most of her time from now on. Here is where they found Dorian and Miriam. The girl was holding the baby, unwilling to give him up. Dorian was trying to coax Miriam to give Meril to the women at the daycare, and help her auntie in the kitchens. Sarah smiled at the children when she saw them. Dorian gave her a grim look, and Sarah could tell that he wasn't yet sure about his feelings toward her. Miriam, however, confided instantly in her former companion.
"Oh, Miss Sarah," she cried, "they want me to give up Meril. He'll be so afraid with momma gone!" Sarah's heart ached for the girl.
"Meril," Sarah began, placing a comforting arm around her shoulders, "they don't mean Meril any harm. How about we let him get used to them while you and I are here? I can tell you a story about the aboveground." Meril's eyes grew huge. She had always been curious about Sarah's stories.
"Okay," the young girl agreed. She reluctantly gave the baby to a smiling woman, then sat with Sarah on some cushions in a corner. Jareth watched the two with a curious expression.
"Sarah," he called, "will you be able to find your way to the dining room from here?" Sarah closed her eyes, picturing the route, then nodded.
"I think so."
"Ask a woman here if you cannot remember," Jareth told her. "I have matters to attend to." Sarah nodded. Dorian, no longer needed, glanced at his sister and Sarah, and then left the room as well. Sarah concentrated her attention on Miriam.
"I'll be here anyways, Miriam, to look after Meril, so he'll know someone." Miriam looked more comfortable with the situation. "Now let me tell you a story about the aboveground."
*-*-*-*-*-*
I need to change the title of this story to 'Thirteen' but I won't do so until it is finished. Here's why; I randomly found this poster with artist's commentary on it, and it completely describes the internal struggle going on in this story. Let me know if you agree; the site is here (broken up again so that it won't lose its formatting): ht tp:// www get! And if you'd ever have Interest in being a beta reader, please let me know!
tessie-fanfic- I'm so glad that mine was the first Labyrinth story you read! There are certainly a lot more that you will love.
Sarah- Oh good! Computers get sick an awful lot, it seems. . .
Xaviere Jade- Thank you, I'm glad you like my characterization! Don't worry, it won't go too far. . . I'm to fond of the wrench in the works. Another great chapter to Persephone, by the way!
TheCatsPooky- Hehe, don't let him get away! Don't worry, all will be resolved in time. He'll stop being jerky eventually!
Jessica White- *hands Kleenex* Aww, thanks! Don't worry, Sarah won't have to suffer. . . much. . . more. . .
Cherokeelady- Haha, I'm glad I made you laugh! Thanks!
Draegon-fire- glad you're enjoying it! Yeah, Jareth is not looking out for her at all. . . unfortunately Sarah has to do a lot of the hard work on her own. Again.
Desdemona321- I did! OK! *goes back to writing*
Neoshipper- hehe, glad you like it! Yeah, he's so reluctant to do what's good for him. ;-)
LabyLoverPhx- Thank you! I'm glad you think so!
Crazy_flutist- Thanks for telling me the name of the movie! It was driving me nuts! Lol. . . And thanks for your comments about the story!
Any-mouse- yep, they changed it in Labyrinth, I think it was a play on the old movie. Thanks!
Anime-moongirl16- Thank you!
*-*-*-*-*-*