Chapter 15- No Power Over Me
Sometimes, we do not understand the strength that we possess until we are forced to start up again once we've decided to quit. Surrendering had been easy. Giving up, convincing herself that the goblin king wanted nothing to do with her and that she was only doing harm in the underground was simple. Confidence is a shy creature, and unless you own it, it will slip into the recesses of being, never to emerge again.
Surrendering had been so easy. So easy.
Everything seemed destined to work out now. The crystal that she had taken from the underground fetched enough money at the pawn shop to put a deposit and one month's rent into an apartment, giving her time to find a job. She had shelter and food and an aching in her heart that wouldn't let her think of anything but him.
But it didn't matter now.
Bravery would require her to leave this newfound comfort, face the objects of her nightmares, and leave sanity and reason behind her to chase an elusive enemy and a dark force much more powerful than herself. In the past, she had been known for her will to fight. It was her trademark, her foundation. Now, others used other words to describe her; 'world-weary,' 'depressed,' and 'tired.'
So very tired.
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Sarah's eyes were closed in sleep.
"Sarah," the voice called, from the darkness.
"Go away, Madriel, I'm sleeping," the exhausted girl replied, without opening her eyes.
"There is something you do not understand," the voice continued insistently. "The Labyrinth, and all the creatures who live within it, must contain the light in order to remain immortal. The emerald will be destroyed, I have no doubt about that. The only way the goblin king will remain alive, however, is if the light is contained in the underground. As the inscription reads; 'He who keeps the light shall live forever in immortality.' If the light returns to the labyrinth, there is nothing anyone can do to destroy the labyrinth or the goblin king." Sarah was highly confused, especially in her sleep induced state.
"The light? But what happened to it? Why isn't it in the labyrinth?"
"It got frustrated," Madriel said, softly, "and decided to learn how to jump worlds." Sarah's eyes flew open. "Sarah," Madriel continued, "Please, help us." And in the next moment, he was gone.
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"WHERE IS SHE?" The king bellowed out the question, making it an order, a threat and a death sentence all in one. Then a deep breath, and a calmer though no less deadly follow up. "I swear, Grishnak, if you've done anything to harm her, I will see to it…"
"…em, pardon me, your majesty, but 'e doesn't know where she is. 'E was lookin' for 'er before you arrived." Jareth's glare turned from the cowering hooded figure to the dwarf.
"Hedgewart, you are on thin ice as it is," he hissed, "I would advise you to watch what you say." Hoggle looked at his feet, mumbling incoherently and looking ashamed.
"Grishnak, you evil, two-faced rat, I'm waiting for an answer."
"It is as the dwarf says," the creature rasped, "I do not know where she lies." Grishnak's eyes snaked to the Goblin King's hands, eyeing the treasure which had been taken from him when he was unprepared for attack. Jareth held the emerald up to the light. The amulet had been restored to his neck, and he nearly glowed with the return of the powerful gem. He was, again, the most powerful being in the entire underground. And everyone knew it and was afraid.
"You are weak," Jareth was saying to Grishnak, now. "As are all true beings of evil. I pity you. But not enough to spare your life." And with a wave of his hand, Grishnak was erased from existence.
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COME ON! The doors to the goblin castle would not move. She had entered before; why was this time so difficult? She laughed sadistically to herself. Yep, I travel all the way back to the underground to save his life, and I can't even get in the door to face him. She kicked the door, then cursed her stupidity, sitting on a stone step to sulk for a moment. Tears streamed down her cheek, making her more miserable than she already was.
"Is that any way for the girl who defeated the Labyrinth to act?" A silky but strained voice made her head snap up from its position. Mismatched eyes met her own. In the next instant, she stood, trembling in anger, toe to toe with the goblin king.
"You!" She shouted at him. "I've done everything I can possibly do to make up for what happened all those years ago. Whether people get hurt or helped isn't my fault, LIFE ISN'T FAIR and things happen. And you, you with your temper and. . . and the ice in your heart," she was pacing now, ranting to keep her bravery at the surface, "I've done all that I could to get through to you." Finally, she braved a look at his face. Eyes, devoid of any emotion at all.
"I know," he said softly. Sarah blinked. She had expected to find herself whisked into the bog or to the aboveground, or a monumental temper tantrum. Anything but this quiet acceptance.
"Say something!" Sarah shrieked. She growled in frustration, balling her hands into fists, finally letting the inevitable tears fall down her face. "Please. . ."
Before she could say another word, she was in his arms. He pulled her fiercely against him, burying her head against his chest, holding her so tightly that she could barely breathe. Shock registered for a moment before she surrendered to the moment.
"I thought. . . I thought you were gone. . . all my fault. . . I've been so blind, Sarah, so blind. . . how could you ever believe. . . but I led you to believe it, my fault. . ." The tears were flowing freely now, Sarah buried her head on his chest for a moment to collect her thoughts. The goblin king brought a hand to her cheek and lifted her gaze to his. Now, she could see emotion in his eyes. A pained emotion that was undeniable.
"Jareth, I'm sorry," she breathed. He closed his eyes for a moment, then shook his head. In the next moment, his lips had tentatively brushed hers, and she sighed, closing her eyes at the emotion it presented. In another instant his mouth claimed hers once more, now with all the passion that lie unsaid between them.
The very air split with the shattering of the stone. Jareth gasped, tearing his mouth from hers, as his very existence was questioned. Sarah grabbed his hand, silently offering her strength to him. She knew that now it was a fight against the elements of good and evil themselves, against the founder of the underground and the labyrinth itself. Sound ripped through the underground, voices mingling with the anguished echoes. Sarah reached for him but he was no longer there; everything again fell into blackness.
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Again, thanks for the patience, guys! I really don't remember how I got from A to B to end the story as I had written it before, so I'm kinda playing it by ear for the moment. I apologize right now for any inconsistencies. Gah, there are a lot of reviews I've missed; I really do need to update more often.
Draegon-fire- Thanks for sticking with me!
Hecate-goddess- Haha, I've cursed AT it a few times, I assure you. But it still doesn't make the story come back, unfortunately. Ah well, maybe it will be more interesting to write a whole new ending.
Scary Miss Mary- Thanks for the encouragement! I'm trying my best to finish it, even though I'm AWFUL at finishing anything.
Eagle33- I know the feeling! I'm reading a few of those myself, where I'd love to just poke the authors with a stick until they write more chapters. I'll try not to leave you hanging for too long! AND, luckily, I've just received a job offer, so I'll be writing a lot more in the future, with the extra time!
Kalinda- Will do, I promise!
Jessica White- Aw, thanks! I can't wait to read your new Laby fic, post it soon!!
Lightning Rain- THANKS!
Underground- Glad you enjoy it!
Aliciablack52- Hahaha, I did that with Gremlins, they creeped me out. ;-)
Lazy L- Yes, yes there is!
Draegon-Keeper/Draegon_fe- What do you mean horrible? I like it! I love that Sarah was Judith's mother. Great twist! Keep at it, I'm curious to see where it goes!
Hallie Walker- Thank you! I'll do my best!
Akiko, keeper of sheep- First of all, I love your name. Secondly, I promise not to leave it there. . . for too long, at least. ;-)
Lady Shadowlight- Hopefully you like the way I've fixed things! ;-)
Cherokeelady- There ya go. *waits for reaction*
Sylvan Tears- Thank you! I'll update again ASAP.
Orphelia-Rose- Thank you! Hopefully I've answered all your questions in this chapter.
LilRayeofSunshine- See, I didn't abandon it! ;-) Hope you like it!
Heart of ice- Thank you!
Cyber Keiko- A wonderful review, as always. Thank you so much! I know that most of your questions weren't answered with this chapter, but hopefully I can tie things up fairly well toward the end.
Innocent Dreamer- Which is why she did it. Sarah seems to be the impulsive type to me. ;-)
Ann-marie- Hope you like this one!
SKC- Thank you!! I'm trying to figure out how to resolve some things; I can't remember how I had it ending before, so it's going to be all new. . . hopefully things are consistent.
Leeanna Marie Malfoy- That wasn't very fast, but I'm doing my best!
If-666- There ya go. Some long awaited chemistry. Although not too much so as to keep within the rating.
Desdemona321- See? They're both still alive. ;-)
Naina Motz- Thank you! I'm glad that you enjoy both the story and the site. I kind of meant the site to be more an inspiration for fanfic type stuff, with the photo gallery and everything; we'll see how it goes.
Xaviere Jade- He does, kind of, doesn't he? Haha. . . hopefully this chapter answers the question. I'll work on Sarah for the next fic.
Maskedmaiden- Haha, thanks, I like him too! And see, I had her go back, don't worry. ;-)
Vireyda Magodaly- Here ya go, another chapter, just for you!