...Though We're Strangers Till Now
by Jacqui
Note - All the original characters do NOT belong to me, although the rest of them do. Last names of those characters who didn't or don't have them are entirely fictional. This is my first attempt at Labyrinth fanfiction, so reviews would be really nice and appreciated. This story is mostly based on the movie, but there's a few elements from the book thrown in here and there. I read Labyrinth analyses, various fanfiction, and also came up with my own conclusions and ideas. So, this entire story will entail all three of those sources of information. It may be weird, it may be good, either way, as I mentioned before...feedback is always appreciated and adored. :) Oh yeah, Jim Henson, Brian Froud, and everyone who had a hand in creating this movie are geniuses.
!!!! - Hoggle is coming into the storyline now. I figured if the Labyrinth and Jareth could be real, why couldn't Hoggle? Or any of the others from the Labyrinth as well? Point made. On to the story.
Chapter 9: Unexpected Surprises
Sarah awoke the next morning with a soreness she had never felt before. It wasn't so unpleasant that she couldn't move, but there was a throbbing between her legs that made her wince as she turned around. Jareth had gone, but he had not tried to wake her up having known that she should receive all the rest she needed. Sarah smiled slightly as she saw the note lying on his pillow. With eagerness, she snatched it, opened it up, and immediately ran her eyes over the words:
Sarah,
I do apologize if you awake to any discomfort, but it is only natural. I trust what happened last night did not happen because either of us were under any influence. So we both need not worry about that. I also apologize for allowing you to wake up alone, but my duties have called upon me once again this morning and I have no will or plans to disregard them. Sleep as long as you need to, and I shall see you this evening at dinner. I have some things I must tell you.
I love you, Sarah.
Jareth.
Sarah's smile widened as she read the last line. He loved her. Sarah sighed deeply as she fell back onto the pillows. He really admitted his love for her. To hear a king admit such a thing was beyond her imagination, the entire situation was beyond her imagination. As she prepared to roll over and go back to sleep, she heard a faint voice outside in the hall. The voice got louder and louder as it came closer to the room. Sarah recognized it as a female voice she had heard before, but she couldn't quite place the time or date or even whom it was the voice belonged to. She sat up and listened closely, pulling the bedcovers around her as if someone she didn't know was in the room with her and might see that she was completely naked. Her eyes got wider as the voice stopped right outside the door. The voice sounded like it was arguing with someone, but just as the voice stopped, the door flew open. Sarah shrieked as her first reaction, then she gasped as she then immediately recognized the woman standing before her.
"You!?" they both cried at the same time, not believing what they were seeing.
"Miss Phaedra, oh miss I told you not to come in here! I warned you that it was occupied!" cried Helori as she stood behind Phaedra, tears sounding in her voice.
"Why the hell are you in my room!" Phaedra screeched, her voice reflecting extreme acerbity. Helori's features took on a florid color as she turned and ran from the room, crying for the Jareth.
"Your room? I wasn't aware that this room had a name on it!" Sarah snapped back.
"Well it does now! Servants are not supposed to be in the same quarters as those with higher authority and social rank unless requested!" Phaedra was enraged, but Sarah played into it.
"If you had any gumption, ma'am, you would kindly get out of the room while I put my clothing on so I can get out!" Sarah had to suppress a grin as she spat her reply.
"Oh! You wicked little...Jareth will not be merciful to you for this!"
"Well, let us just allow Jareth to decide things for himself, shall we?" Just as Sarah responded, Jareth stepped into the room. Phaedra turned toward Jareth.
"What is she doing here? I thought she was your servant, servants should be doing their daily duties by now should they not?" she retorted, folding her arms.
"Phaedra," Jareth said flatly, looking to Sarah then back to Phaedra. "I told you to wait until I came for you. Why did you directly disobey my orders? And just who are you to tell me what my own servants can and can not do? Just because you plan on residing here temporarily does not make you a queen. Never question my authority or the way things in this castle operate, ever again."
"I...I was just so excited about moving into a place like this I just..."
"That is not a good enough answer. I expect you to obey me when I give you an order, if you disobey me again, you will not enjoy the consequences." Jareth's face was emotionless, far different from his expressions the night before.
"Jareth..." Sarah whispered, trying to catch his attention.
"Sarah, put your clothing on and leave the room. Phaedra has made it painstakingly clear which room she has chosen, so she shall get it," Jareth cut in. Sarah sighed, and Jareth signaled Phaedra to give Sarah her privacy as he nodded toward the door. As the two left, closing the door behind them, Sarah jumped from the bed and snatched her clothes up. What the hell was going on? Was Phaedra really going to be living there now? If so, Sarah was relieved beyond words that this room was on the other side of the castle. They would have a hard time just accidentally running into each other, because it was so big.
As Sarah threw the dress over her head, she slowly slipped her arms through, then pulled it down the rest of the way until it was completely fitted. Without putting on her shoes, she tip-toed to the door and cracked it open to stick her head out. She snickered lightly as she saw Jareth scolding Phaedra just down the hall, the woman looking down in guilt. Serves her right! Sarah thought to herself as she gently slid out and closed the door behind her. Checking to make sure Jareth's attention was still on Phaedra, and it was, she made a dash down the hall toward her room. She wasn't in the mood or position to be reamed like that!
She had turned dozens of corners and ran down long winding hallways. But, just before she made it to her room, Jareth appeared in front of her. Sarah crashed into his chest, but his arms caught her before she fell back.
"Sarah, I apologize for Phaedra, she was quite disrespectful. She was, actually, one of the things I wished to discuss with you this evening. Although, there are still a few other things I want to discuss tonight, will you still accept my invitation?" Jareth asked. His face had become softer.
"Of course," she replied, adding on an extra twist to her agreement, "but only if you say the magic words." She smiled in a sly way that made Jareth chuckle as she caught him off guard.
"Are they really magic?" he whispered, playing into Sarah's game.
"They are to me, and if you don't say them I won't accept!" She put her hands on her hips, smiling suggestively as she waited.
"You look beautiful," Jareth said, taking a step toward her.
"Thank you. But, that's not it, try again," she whispered, moving backward a couple steps.
"You are...." Jareth placed his hands behind his back, thinking as if he were actually trying to get the words correct. "Incredible?" Then he took another step forward.
"Nope, keep trying, I have all day." Sarah smiled, moving back now with continuing steps.
"Hmmm," he raised his eyebrows, "Ah yes, I know what you want to hear now..." Jareth whispered. As he stepped forward, he turned, making her turn with him.
"Yes?" Sarah said, gasping as she backed softly into a wall. Jareth stepped just once more toward her, so that they were about an inch apart. He brought his arms out and let his hands rest against the wall on either side of her, holding her in place. Then, he leaned down toward her and brushed his lips against hers, but not kissing her. Chills ran up and down her spine as he softly whispered against her lips.
"I love you, Sarah."
"That's four words," she whispered jokingly against his lips in reply. She heard him laugh lightly, then he pressed their lips together in a passionate kiss. Jareth's hands came down from the wall and firmly grasped her waist, pulling her against him as he deepened the kiss. Sarah teasingly pushed away from him after a few moments. "Let's save some for later," she said sweetly, stepping away from him completely now. Jareth watched her drop into a curtsy, and he nodded toward her in acknowledgement. Sarah stopped just outside her door and turned toward him as he began speaking.
"You had better start saving then," he whispered, watching her open the door to her room. "Since 8 o'clock this morning I have been ahead of you, I wager you have a lot of catching up to do."
"Jareth!" Sarah exclaimed quietly.
"I will see you this evening, Sarah," he laughed, turning to go. The moment Sarah saw him turn the corner, she stepped into her room and quickly shut the door.
Sarah had searched through a small dresser that had been moved into her room, probably by Helori, and found a casual peach colored dress. It was similar to her plain white one, although the neckline plunged downward in an oval shape. It showed very little, so Sarah didn't quibble over the petty details of what it did show. She had not stayed in her room for more than a few moments after Jareth had departed. She quickly hurried out of the castle and spent much of the remaining day in the garden. She found it hard to ignore the beauty and tranquility she saw there. Walking around the small maze of various flowers, she sighed in contentment as she fingered small rosebuds and foxgloves. The entire garden smelled wonderful, everywhere she went there was a scent of floral mixtures in the air. She decided against wearing shoes because she wanted to feel like those women in her fairy tales. Beautiful and carefree. Sarah began talking to herself as she walked through the tiny maze of greenery and vibrant color.
"You love me, don't you Jareth?"
"Of course I do, Sarah."
Sarah would switch positions as if she were both herself and Jareth, using her acting skills to play both parts to exact preciseness. She would make hand gestures and use an accent when playing Jareth.
"Why do you love me?"
"You are everything I have ever dreamed of. You are beautiful, kind, and very intelligent. How could I not love you?"
Sarah blushed playfully as she batted her lashes and played out her part. They were idiots, she thought to herself, they can't see a good script when it's right in front of them ready to be made into a movie! She sighed again, continuing to walk through her flowery surroundings. Suddenly, she heard a scuffle behind her. Sarah froze as she heard the noise getting closer.
"Who's there?" she whispered, slowly turning around to face the sound.
"Me," came a familiar voice. Sarah couldn't believe what she saw as she drew her hand to her mouth in shock.
"H-Hoggle?" she whispered through her fingers.
"Yeah, I heard yeh were back, I didn't believe it at first...but I thought I should come and see for meself..."
"But I...I thought that you were just..."
"I ain't your imagination, Sarah." Hoggle kicked his foot across the grass, putting his hands behind his back in embarrassment. Before he knew it, Sarah was on her knees with her arms tightly wrapped around him.
"I thought I only dreamed you up...or that you were one of Jareth's creations...anything but reality..."
"Hey now..." Hoggle laughed nervously, squirming in her grasp. "R'member what happened las' time yeh did that.." Sarah let go, as she replied.
"That was when I kissed you, I was only hugging you..." she smiled sarcastically.
"Same thing..." Hoggle shot back.
"So, how have you been, Hoggle? Have you seen Sir Didymus and Ludo since I left? How are they?" Sarah asked all at once, still not knowing what to make of seeing Hoggle again.
"Didymus...well, he an' that hairy animal went on 'an expedition.' I think that's what he called it, I think they were goin' to explore the Underground...not completely sure what he meant of it..." Hoggle shrugged, confused as to whether or not he even said it right. "Ludo is somewhere...I 'aven't seen him lately..."
"At least I know that all of you were real," Sarah answered.
"Sarah..." Hoggle began, looking up at her for a second, then looking away again.
"Yes, Hoggle?"
"Did you...really wish yourself away?"
"Yeah, I...just didn't know what I was bargaining for when I did it I guess...but I am glad that I did."
"Why? Yer Jareth's property now, 'ow could you be glad about that?"
"I'll explain later, he's asked me to have dinner with him tonight..."
"Well...'ow about meetin' me back here t'morrow? I can't risk lettin' Jareth catch me in 'ere, he might really throw me into the Bog of Eternal Stench this time..."
"Sure, I can do that. Do you want to meet in the evening or...?" Sarah inquired hurriedly.
"Afternoon is fine..." Hoggle said, scratching his arm. "I missed you, Sarah..." he finished.
"I missed you, too, Hoggle. I'm glad that we've met up again, I would like us to be better friends than we were all those years ago..." she smiled.
"I 'ope so."
"So, I shall see you here tomorrow then?" Sarah said, making sure of their plans.
"Yeh. T'morrow." With that, Hoggle quickly turned and waddled behind the shrubbery. Sarah let out a deep breath she had been holding in for awhile. Wow, she thought, I never imagined I would meet up with Hoggle again. Or Jareth for that matter. Blushing deeply, she wondered if Hoggle had heard her conversation with herself earlier. Shrugging it off, she quickly hurried out of the garden to go get ready for her pre-set dinner date.
Sarah was in too much of a rush to pick something out that was extremely gorgeous. But to her surprise, Helori had tons of dresses for her to choose from. She had hung them in a makeshift closet that she had against the wall next to the bed. Sarah was amazed. Helori had done all of this in the span of a day. As she watched the small woman rush around her room and pick out an emerald green dress, toss it on the bed, then rush back across the room to snatch her shoes, Sarah became dizzy.
"Miss! Oh, are you ok, miss?" Helori stopped suddenly, looking at Sarah in concern.
"Yeah, I think so..." Sarah replied, sinking into the chair beside the vanity. "You're just moving a little too fast..." Sarah brought her hand over her eyes. "Don't let me stop you, I don't have much time before I have to meet him in the dining room..."
"Oh miss, His Majesty will not be having you meet him in the dining room this evening. He asked that you meet him by his chambers instead, I am sorry I forgot to tell you." Helori quickly pushed all the words out as she continued rushing around the room.
"What! Oh, great..." Sarah exclaimed as she promptly turned around to look in the mirror. "I have to put on makeup," she said, looking around the tabletop for the mascara and lipstick. When she found it, she snatched it up and began applying the mascara.
"Miss, I have your things set out for you. You may need me to help you with the--"
"Corset. I know..." Sarah finished, reaching hastily for the lipstick. Helori noticed this and shrieked.
"Oh no! Not before you put your dress on, you will smear it! Not to mention you will ruin the dress!" The young goblin's hands shot up to rest on either side of her face as she shook her head quickly.
"Okay, but hurry, I have to get going or he'll think I'm not going to show up," Sarah said as she motioned Helori to bring the dress over to her.
Helori grasped the laces on the back of the corset, which Sarah had been wearing for quite some time thinking she would get used to the feeling. The girl pulled until Sarah gasped for her to stop, then Helori tied the corset as tightly as she could. Sarah stood up slowly as she sucked in massive amounts of air. Helori placed the dress up to her to make sure it was a perfect fit, which it was. Sarah slipped the dainty dress over her head and gently pulled it down her body until it was in place. She noticed as she slipped her arms through the sleeves, that they had slits in them--she guessed it was for decoration. The sleeves flowed loosely all the way to her wrists. She ran her fingers lightly over the fabric, and it felt like velvet, although it didn't appear to be velvet. The hem around the bottom of the skirt had black lace around it. The bodice fit nicely, and the skirt flared out slightly at her thighs. The neckline started out as a V but curved into a rounded tip as it reached her breasts. That, combined with the corset's support, she felt her cleavage was revealed quite nicely. She also noticed that there was a loosely hanging golden chain around the waist, which made her look and feel like a form of royalty. She took a deep breath, lowering herself back down in her chair.
"It is almost time miss," Helori said as Sarah applied her lipstick. The dark shade of red lipstick was what set off her final appearance. Sarah slipped on her shoes as Helori placed them in front of her. They were a smooth black fabric, almost like that of ballerina slippers, but they still held the form of a high heel shoe.
"How do I look?" Sarah asked finally, pulling herself to a complete stand.
"Your hair miss, it would look better if it were held up. Here..." Helori motioned for her to sit back down for a moment, and she did. Sarah felt her head moving slightly to either side as Helori gathered her hair into a twist. She had to give it to the girl, she may not have been good at making herself look beautiful, but she was an expert with others. She closed one eye and looked up with the other as Helori slid a few pins into Sarah's hair to keep it in place. "There!"
"Thank you, Helori, I am in debt to you for helping me so much..." Sarah said as she turned to the girl and smiled warmly.
"Oh that is in no way necessary, miss. Now you should hurry on your way, His Majesty is expecting you..." Sarah felt as if Helori looked upon her as the child she never had. There was a certain adoration and pride in her eyes that Sarah seemed to overlook before. She nodded toward the girl once more and quickly left the room.
Just outside Jareth's room, Sarah stood waiting. She was beginning to think he was the late one now, her back beginning to hurt due to the corset's tight hold on her stomach. She jumped as she heard Jareth's voice behind her.
"Hello, Sarah..." he whispered.
"God...Jareth..." Sarah said, placing her hand to her chest as she turned to face him.
"Did I frighten you?"
"Actually, you did..."
"I apologize. I had you meet me here instead of the dining room because Phaedra has requested it for her own use tonight."
"Oh...since she's here...does that..." Sarah tried to think of a way to word it without sounding like that's all that was on her mind.
"There can not be a repeat of last night..?" Jareth guessed, raising a brow.
"Heh...yeah..." Sarah's breathing had become more labored. Jareth picked up on this immediately, reaching his hands out to grab her by the shoulders to steady her.
"Sarah, what is it?"
"Nothing, I'm fine Jareth," Sarah smiled weakly, forcing herself to stand upright. Damn this corset, she thought to herself, it makes me look perfect but I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. Jareth motioned toward his bedroom door, which had opened while her back was turned. Sarah smirked at him before turning around to enter his room. Jareth smiled, knowing that a small gesture of magic would amuse her. He followed her inside and shut the door behind him. He noticed right away that Sarah was examining her surroundings.
The room was incredibly large, more so than the room they had used the night before. There was a massive bed across the room, covered with silky sheets and pillows of a deep red shade. A black stone fireplace was directly across from it, apparently just recently started as it wasn't quite warm in the room yet. The floor was made of a slick marble-like material, although Sarah didn't imagine it was the same as the marble floorings in her world. The walls had beautiful black tapestries adorning them, and there was only one window which was directly above the bed. The window was amazingly gigantic, covered by long flowing black curtains. The walls were made of stone, like the fireplace. There was a mirror on the wall above the mantle on the fireplace, and nothing else hung from the walls but a clock on the left wall next to the bed. In one corner of the room, there was a small table. It was set with everything needed to accommodate a dinner for two.
"No," Jareth whispered as he slid up behind her, slipping his arms around her waist.
"N-No what?" Sarah replied, covering his hands with her own as they rested against her stomach.
"I am answering your question..." Jareth whispered seductively into her ear, holding back a smile.
"Oh, so we--" Sarah tensed as he brought his hands out from under hers and spun her around to face him.
"Yes." Their eyes were now glued to one another's. Jareth moved in to kiss her but she decided to play hard to get, stepping away from him.
"We really should eat dinner first, Your Majesty, what was the point of having dinner if we are going to jump right into things?" She played with his authoritative title, batting it into the conversation at her own will as if she had control over when it was used.
"You are right," Jareth said, bowing lightly as if her words didn't get to him. Jareth went over to the table and pulled a chair out, looking up to her as if queuing her to take a seat. Sarah smiled thankfully, following him to the table and seating herself. Jareth followed and she stared down at her plate, turning her head to the side in confusion. It looked like a kind of pot roast, she knew that wasn't what it was, but she knew it was a kind of meat.
"How would you..."
"Your hands," Jareth replied, reading her mind. He held a glass of wine as he watched her curiously, a grin spreading across his lips. Sarah smiled nervously at him, and picked up the meat with her fingers, tasting a little of it first.
"Oh, this is really good!" Sarah said, smiling as she looked at Jareth.
"Good," Jareth said, lifting the glass of wine to his lips. Sarah watched him, smirking as she caught his eyes move from her face to her breasts.
"My face is higher, Your Majesty," she said sarcastically, as she rested her chin on her hand, her smirk widening. Jareth cleared his throat, changing the subject quickly.
"I wanted to discuss a few things with you, Sarah. You should not concern yourself too heavily with anything I tell you, it is just for your knowledge." Sarah nodded for him to continue as she pulled off a piece of meat and put it into her mouth. "Phaedra has come upon a mishap. Her mother has disowned her and banished her from ever returning due to her..." Jareth paused, not quite sure how he should finish the sentence.
"Due to what?" Sarah asked, pressing him to continue.
"She apparently planned to run away with me. Her mother rambled a bit too fast for me to keep up with everything she had been saying, but from what I gather, Phaedra still has not let our past go. She may still have feelings for me." Jareth said this without any emotion, his face was straight and expressionless.
"Wait, how do you...Jareth what is this supposed to mean?" Sarah asked, concern and worry flooding her features.
"Nothing. I told her a long time ago that our relationship was over. I have known her since we were mere adolescents, Sarah." He sighed, looking down toward the table for a moment as if he were thinking of where to start. "We were arranged to marry through my parents. My mother thought our union would benefit the Seelie Court because of our positions therein. I, being the son of the King and Queen of the Underground, and therefore a prince; and Phaedra, daughter of the Grand Duke and Duchess of the Seelie Court, therefore next in line for Grand Duchess." Jareth stopped momentarily, taking in all he had said. "We are both royalty in our own respective rights, Sarah, my marriage was arranged long before either of us were old enough to protest it. We tried to make the best of it, but she just...could not prove herself to me. As we grew older, she seemed as if she only wanted the position of Queen through our marriage, which in reality, was the only hope she had of claiming that title. Otherwise, she would have followed in her mother's footsteps as the Grand Duchess."
"So in other words, she was too greedy?" Sarah said finally, wincing slightly as she shifted her position in the chair. Her eyes had grown wider as Jareth told his story.
"For the most part, she was greedy, yes. But, it was when she conspired against me that I had our arrangement annulled before it had a chance to begin."
"Annulled?" Sarah asked, surprise on her face.
"Yes. She tried to rush our marriage along by claiming she was with child. My...child," Jareth said this as if it hurt him to do so, but he continued. "She told me that she wanted to marry before the baby was born so it would not be born a bastard, forever shunned by the entire Underground as well as the Seelie Court. Suspicious as I already was of her intentions, I had the matter looked into with more depth. As I thought, she had betrayed me. I held back from informing my parents of her traitorous actions. Instead, I told them she had requested personal annulment due to a previous arrangement by her father. She was ordered by the Seelie Court to speak on her brother Sirion's behalf at his trial. I was thankful that his trial could not have come at a better time, giving me the perfect alibi for annulment."
"Then why is she behaving like she is, Jareth? Do you think she's trying to win you back? She does seem a little jealous of me, even if she does see me as your servant and couldn't possibly make anything more of our relationship in her mind..." Sarah thought out loud, without even comprehending that she was doing so.
"She is only here temporarily, Sarah. I will not have you two living under the same roof for very long when there is tension between you. I have neither the time nor the effort to break you two up every time there is a fight or argument."
"But she's royalty, Jareth, I am nothing but a servant. Maybe not in your eyes, but in the eyes of the Royal Court...I could never be anything more than that..." Sarah lowered her eyes to stare at her plate, only half eaten.
"That is another thing I wished to discuss, your status. I am arranging a meeting with the Seelie Court tomorrow on your behalf. You will come with me to have your status changed legally. This request may take awhile to get through to the superiors, but it should take no longer than a week. They are extremely busy, after all." Jareth stood and leaned over, one hand resting on the corner of the table. He brought his other hand under her chin and lifted her face toward his. "Do not worry, Sarah. I am quite certain the Seelie Court will have no objections to raising your status if I were to request it." Sarah smiled lightly, doubt lingering in her eyes as he stared into them.
"I'm not really that hungry anymore, Jareth..." Sarah laughed to herself, lightly pulling away from his grasp.
"What are you hungry for?" Jareth said, standing completely. He walked over to Sarah's side of the table and stared down at her, folding his arms.
"I don't..."
"Yes you do." Jareth responded before she even had a chance to finish her answer to him. Jareth reached down with both hands and wrapped them around hers, lifting her to her feet slowly. "Tell me," he whispered.
"I can't...not yet..." Sarah responded, pulling her hands up to rest against his chest. It was like she was trying to keep him at a distance from her. Her face was turned away from him, still hurt by the fact that someone else might now be in competition with her for his affections. Jareth let her hands free, noticing that she seemed a little weaker than before. Her body was trembling and her eyes were only half open.
"Jareth, I can't br..." Sarah's erratic breathing had started in again, the exasperation of learning so much in one night, mixed with the tightness of her corset made it hard for her to breath. She didn't realize just how tight Helori had made it this time, and her chest began to hurt as she was near to fainting.
"Sarah? What is it? What is wrong?" Jareth said suddenly as her legs gave out on her. She collapsed against him and he caught her before she slipped to the floor. Her eyes were fluttering as she tried to motion toward her back.
"Cor..set..." she whispered, her heart felt as if it were pounding in her throat.
"Shhh..." Jareth said, carrying her over to his bed, letting her down softly on her stomach. He quickly pulled the back of the dress down as far as it would go and grabbed the strings on the corset. He pulled the knot out and quickened his pace as he loosened the rest of the corset by pulling the strings out one by one. Sarah let out a giant gasp for air as she felt the corset loosen its hold on her chest and stomach. Jareth lightly caressed her back as he waited for her to regain her ability to think and see clearly. Her skin had become pallid, and he scolded himself for not catching onto her warnings sooner.
"I'm fine...Jareth..." Sarah whispered between breaths. "I need to lie down for awhile...that's all..."
"As you wish, Sarah," Jareth watched her close her eyes, then he let his hand fall from her back to his side. As he turned to leave, he felt her hand grasp his, holding him in mid-step.
"I never said you had to leave," she said quietly, pulling him back toward her. Jareth smiled and allowed her to pull him back. She motioned for him to get into the bed next to her, and as he did, he made sure to use the other side so as not to disturb her.
"Are you sure?" he whispered, sliding in behind her.
"Yes," she replied, turning to face him. She moved closer to him as he settled in, then she wrapped her arms around his waist. He put his lips to her forehead gently.
"Get some rest, Sarah. We can continue this tomorrow night...Phaedra will be gone on business and we have the entire castle to ourselves," Jareth whispered, pulling her closer to him. Sarah looked up at him, reaching her fingers into his hair. Within seconds, Sarah had leaned up and softly kissed him.
"I can't wait," she whispered, snuggling in closer to him. As she closed her eyes, she let the weariness and fatigue from the day's events hit her, and she fell into a deep slumbering sleep. After making sure she was completely asleep, Jareth closed his eyes and fell asleep as well.