...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 fan fiction, 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 fan fiction, 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.
Thank You! - I'm really happy with everyone's reviews, and I thank you guys so much. Not only do I eat them up, I appreciate them and it actually tells me that people enjoy my writing. I do aspire to having those 600-700 odd something reviews everyone else has. Of course their fics are done...or they have numerous chapters...but still! I LOVE reviews! And thanks again to everyone who has taken the time to let me know what they thought! 333!
Author Comment - It kills me to say this, because it makes me look like I'm not even a writer: I don't think about each chapter at all. I sit down and start writing as it comes to me, and that's it. Heh. I just figured I'd get that off my chest. I mean I do feel like a writer, but I don't feel as though I'm putting my heart and soul into it as much as others do when they think about their stories. Or does that just mean I'm gifted with not having to brainstorm?
Chapter 14: Achromatic Alleviation
"Why are you in my parents' castle, Phaedra?" Jareth asked, turning back to his breakfast with a disgusted look on his face.
"Your mother invited me," Phaedra scoffed, walking toward Jareth with her arms crossed over her chest. "She requested that Saerin and I--"
"You and Saerin. I should have known. I have noticed that you two have been involved in quite a great deal of things lately," he interrupted, staring down at his food. He was trying hard to resist the urge to beat Phaedra senseless. He knew it would solve nothing but to get pent up anger out of his system.
"What in heavens are you talking about, Jareth?" Phaedra replied, feigning shock. Jareth laughed to himself as he stood from his seat and turned to face her.
"You know damn well what I am talking about. I know you and Saerin have been plotting together for years. Do not underestimate me, I know not only your nature but Saerin's as well." Jareth had begun walking slowly toward her, his face now showing aggressiveness.
"I still have no idea--"
"Yes you do, Phaedra. I asked you not to lie to me. During my long absence in attending to treaties, I spoke with your mother. She was visiting Sirion, which she could only do if she were within the Gnome's territory. Which, to my advantage, was exactly where I was." Jareth kept walking toward Phaedra, and her eyes grew wide at hearing his words. She began to back up slowly, trying to keep a reasonable distance from him. "I managed to coax her into giving away your little secret. It appears that she never disowned you, and you never intended to 'run away' with me. Very clever of you Phaedra...to lie your way into my sympathy and pretend that you were a misunderstood woman trying to make the best of her life."
"Y-You did not hu--"
"I assure you I did nothing to harm her, she is, afterall, an elderly woman looking after the welfare of her daughter. Not to mention, I know you were the mastermind behind that entire setup, as you always have been in the past." Phaedra took one last step and gasped as she felt her back touch a wall.
"Jareth..." Phaedra laughed nervously. She stepped to his right quickly and moved away from him. "Let me explain this misunderstanding..."
"I am listening," he said coldly, turning around to face her.
"I..." Phaedra began, but bit her lip as she realized that no explanation followed.
"Exactly as I thought. I do not need nor want an explanation from you, Phaedra. I have had enough of you and Saerin, the games end here. I may not have the capability to banish you from any other kingdom, but I can very well banish you from mine. I advise you to begin finding another place to do your dirty work, because you are no longer allowed in my kingdom. I will deal with Saerin when the appropriate time arises, but you Phaedra, are more than lucky that I am not taking this matter up with the Seelie Court." Jareth smiled sarcastically at her, but Phaedra's eyes slanted in sheer anger.
"How dare you!" she screeched, clenching her fists at her sides.
"How dare I? I imagine that was quite a lot for you Phaedra, but treason deserves heavy punishment," he trailed off and thought for a moment, then continued. "Such as demotion. I could easily have your title stripped for what you have done. It is not up to me to take those matters into consideration, but the courts could very well do so." Phaedra's teeth grinded as she stalked up to Jareth, hatred flaring in her eyes.
"You would never dare to go that far, Jareth...because if you did...I could release some information myself that would damn you and your precious Sarah to eternal hell!" she replied, as she quickly pulled a hand up and slapped Jareth across the face. "I am not the only one with secrets to keep." After a few moments, her features went calm, and she clasped her hands in front of her. Jareth simply chuckled to himself, rubbing his face as he called her bluff.
"Information, hm? What exactly might that information be?" he asked, acting only half-interested.
"I know about the child, Jareth. You tell me not to underestimate you, yet you should do me the same respect..." Phaedra's mouth twisted into a satisfied smile as she watched Jareth's features turn to colorless surprise. "You may have evidence against Saerin and I for treason, but the way I see it...you have committed an act of treason yourself. Having intimate relations with a woman who is carrying another man's child? When he is not even aware of the child himself? I do not see how the courts would find that pleasing to hear..."
"Phaedra-"
"Jareth, please," Phaedra interrupted, holding a hand up as if she had plenty more to add. "Saerin has not yet found out about his unborn child. I want so much to tell him, but I am only keeping your dear Sarah's best interests at heart. If he were to find out, you do realize that she would be subject to marrying him. I could not possibly let that happen, you two being in love..." Jareth's teeth clenched as she spilled out her secret knowledge bit by bit, with a sarcastic and very fake concern. "My dear Jareth..." she sighed, "if you would have only married me...this would not be happening to you. Or Sarah." She shook her head, looking him directly in the eyes. "Would you really try and defy me now? Even as we both hold information that would ruin our lives?" She brought her arms up and folded them against her chest, tilting her head to the side slightly as if beckoning him for an answer. Jareth's eyes averted from hers, and he thought for several moments, then he looked back at her.
"I would, as a matter of fact, Phaedra," Jareth said finally. "You, as well as Saerin, have given me no other alternative. I obviously can not stop your schemes on my own, therefore I will need assistance in doing so." Phaedra scoffed at his reply.
"You would gamble your entire future, as well as Sarah's, just to see me and Saerin destroyed?" she replied, her grin growing wider.
"Yes, I would. I happen to believe that Sarah will feel mutual toward my decision, if not to protect herself, then to protect others from what you two are capable of. Who do you believe has more advantage in this game, Phaedra? Me or you? Countess against king?" Jareth laughed lightly, as he turned his back on her. Phaedra grabbed his arm and moved herself in front of him as if to block his attempt to exit.
"Treason against adultry!" she spat, her anger boiling up once again. Jareth jerked his arm from her graps and began walking away as he replied casually.
"We both may very well be punished, but I sincerely doubt that the courts would allow Saerin, a soon-to-be known adulterer himself, to marry anyone." Phaedra opened her mouth to speak, but Jareth silenced her. "But Phaedra, if Saerin does win the courts' favor, you would be better off having them execute you. You have no idea how much better off you would be, concerning what I have planned for you if they do not..." Phaedra's eyes widened as she watched Jareth round a corner and leave her alone in the dining hall.
Later that afternoon, Sarah woke up and found herself lying in her bed. She didn't even remember falling asleep, since the last thing she could remember was being on the floor. As she looked over to her right, she gasped as she saw Jareth sitting in a chair by her bed. She was shocked to see him there, having never known he came into her room at all. She blinked several times and turned bright red as he stared at her.
"What happened to you, Sarah?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I--"
"What happened?" he interrupted, knowing very well that she was going to try and avoid his question. Sarah sighed, sitting up as she wiped away a few oncoming tears.
"I can't do this anymore, Jareth. No matter what we do...he is always--"
"He. As in...Saerin?"
"Yes..." she whispered, covering her face with her hands. Jareth clenched his teeth, and his features went cold. "Jareth...I'm so sorry..."
"Sarah--"
"Jareth, I just can't do this anymore...it's too much...not only for me...for you, too..."
"I have had enough of this, Sarah. You and I are bringing this matter up with the Seelie Court. Saerin refuses to accept the fact that you belong to me, although the property aspect is no longer in effect with me and you. He has forced himself upon you, against your will. I see this as a matter for the courts. We do not have to inform them of the child. We will deal with that situation when and if it arises. We can always claim that the child is illegitimate, and we can explain reasons if need be. If Saerin wishes, he may fight me on this, but I only see evil in that man. He has nearly ruined you, Sarah. I no longer wish to see you hurting because of Saerin's disregard for you. Since you are a Countess, you do have some stake now in whether or not your story is heard. But, I will no longer let you out of my sight. You are now staying in my room with me. Just the same, when we return home, you will begin moving your things into my room. I regret not doing this sooner, Sarah. I feel that most of the things that have happened to you should be acredited to my own wrongdoing. I should not have let it get this far. If I apologized to you now, it would not seem fitting or even helpful. Once my mother has fully recovered, we will return to my castle. I will never, ever, leave you alone again. That is no longer a promise, Sarah, that is something written in stone. I refuse to let you suffer any longer, because of my selfishness or anything else that may come to pass. I may also press it so far as to have Saerin and Phaedra both stripped of their titles. For what they have done, it only seems right." The entire time, Jareth spoke without faultering. He had moved from the chair, to the side of the bed next to Sarah. She simply sat there in disbelief, not understanding how this kind of plan could win over hers.
"But...Jareth, I...I've already decided--"
"Decided what?" he said, biting the inside of his mouth so as to keep himself from saying anything harmful.
"I've decided to tell..." she swallowed hard, and looked up at him. "I just want to tell Saerin...about...the baby..." she whispered hesitantly. Jareth shot up from his seat on the bed and pulled her up with him.
"You are not going to tell him anything."
"I have to! He'll find out anyway!" Sarah cried, pulling herself away from him. "I told you, Jareth...this is just getting..."
"What?" Jareth asked calmly, keeping his eyes on her.
"Difficult! I don't understand how things work down here...and I am definitely on my own concerning punishment...even if I do belong to you...they will just grant you immunity from me. I know how this is all going to unfold, Jareth. I should just tell him now and get this all over with!" Sarah's eyes were bright red and glassed over due to her excessive crying. Jareth was surprised to see Sarah reacting this way. She was ready to give up, and he was not prepared to deal with this side of her--especially since he remembered how determined she was when he had taken Toby from her years ago. Jareth was slowly becoming more and more disgusted. As they both sat back down next to one another, he began realizing just how much Saerin had damaged her once strong willed spirit. He hated seeing her this way, and he knew of no other way to help her than to take it up with a higher power. He turned away from Sarah, his hands clenched within the bedsheets. At that moment, they both heard a knock on the door.
"Your Majesty?" came an elderly sounding female voice, which Sarah assumed to be one of Jareth's parents' maids.
"Yes Líadán?" Jareth replied, looking up at the door only to stare blankly at it.
"Pardon my rudeness, Your Majesty, I was informed that you would be here. Her Majesty the Queen wishes your audience. She did not go into detail, although she explained that it was urgent..." Líadán replied in a slightly more composed tone.
"I understand. Inform my mother that I shall see her shortly," Jareth said calmly. Then he stood from the bed once again, clearing his throat as he did so.
"Yes, Your Majesty," came Líadán's voice once more before they both heard her footsteps as she retreated to deliver Jareth's message. When Líadán was gone, Jareth turned back to Sarah and put his hand out for her to take. Sarah placed her hand into his and he pulled her to a stand.
"Jareth--"
"You do not have to say anything, Sarah," Jareth interrupted, releasing her hand with a sigh. "I do realize that you have every right to feel as you do. But I am only doing what I feel is right, and I only want to protect you from men like Saerin, and women like Phaedra. Had I known any of these things were going on in my absence I would have abandoned everything I was doing simply to come back home and set things right. See to it that those two were sentenced and barred away from the rest of the Underground. But as it stands, since I had come home after it had all happened, that allowed for time. Time for thinking, planning, and treachery. But I shall go to my mother now, and inform her of my plans...and I am hoping she will understand."
"What plans...?" Sarah asked, her forehead creasing with confusion.
"I plan to leave immediately, Sarah. I can not stay here a moment longer knowing all that I know now. Something has to be done. I realize that my mother is quite ill, and she needs me to be here, but I am beginning to wonder if that will be in your best interests."
"Jareth! This is your mother! You can't just leave her and run back home because of--"
"Sarah...there are things you do not yet know about this situation. It aided me in making up my mind to leave now."
"What things?"
"I will explain that later. Right now, I must go see my mother." Sarah blinked, then jumped as she heard another knock on her door.
"Yes?" Sarah called out. But there was no answer. Sarah looked at Jareth, and he turned to glare at the door. Jareth walked over to the door and stood behind it. He made a motion as if she were to answer the door while he kept himself hidden as a protection tactic on her behalf. Sarah understood, walked over to the door and placed her hand on the door handle. Another knock came, slightly harder, and Sarah yanked the door open. She was about to say something else, but when her eyes caught sight of Saerin, the color drained from her features and she froze in her place.
"My, Countess Sarah, you look as if you have just seen a ghost!" Saerin chuckled, taking a step toward her, but not entering the room completey.
"I..." Sarah looked at the door, silently hoping that Jareth would step out at any moment to ward him off.
"What is the problem my dear?" Saerin cooed, taking another step toward her as he reached his hand out to grab her arm. Sarah felt as if she were going to either faint or scream, but she wasn't sure which was the smarter option. But before Saerin could get his fingers around her arm, Jareth stepped out from behind the door. Saerin's face turned white, and he let his hand fall back down to his side quickly as he watched Jareth's hand roughly grab onto Sarah's. Jareth was looking at Saerin with an insidious grin the entire time, while Sarah's fear slowly died down.
"You refuse to accept the fact that Sarah belongs to me, do you not Saerin?" Jareth asked, his voice low, but full of anger. Saerin's features then returned to their normal arrogant appearance, as he laughed the question off.
"Oh, I accept it, Goblin King. I may not condone it, but I accept it."
"Whether you condone my business or you do not condone it, is none of my concern. I hope you will take that into consideration. Do not come near her again." Then, Jareth pulled her along with him as he pushed past Saerin. The both continued walking quickly down the long hallway, to meet up with Jareth's mother. Saerin's fists clenched at his sides as he knew he could do nothing but watch them walk away.
Jareth and Sarah met up with Alayna in her chambers. She was sitting at a beautifully carved oak desk, and appeared to be reading over several different papers at once. She was flipping through a couple that she held in her hands as the two of them entered her room. Jareth cleared his throat and made his presence known to his mother.
"Mother? Are you busy?" he asked quickly, pulling Sarah with him as he stepped past the open door. Alayna, hearing her son's voice, dropped the papers she held and turned to face him.
"Jareth, my son!" she said happily, a smile on her face. Sarah smiled at seeing Alayna smile, because it reminded her of how Jareth smiled at her the first night they made love. She pulled herself from her seat and regally walked up to her son and embraced him gently. As Jareth hesitantly embraced her in return, he was confused as to why she was in such a pleasant mood.
"You sent for me mother?" he said, as the two of them parted. Alayna noticed that Jareth's hand was tightly clasped around Sarah's. She looked back and forth from Jareth to their hands several times before she officially recognized whose hand he was holding.
"Countess Sarah! How pleasant to see you!" Alayna said sweetly. Then, she turned her attention back to Jareth. "Yes, my son, I have sent for you because I wish to discuss a matter with you."
"A matter? Of what sort?" Jareth replied, biting his bottom lip as he looked back at Sarah in early apology for what he assumed to be a long meeting.
"Well, your father has already departed on business. I do remember him telling you that he would inform you before his departure, but unfortunately, something has come up and his presence was requested quite sooner than expected. I apologize, my dear, that you were not able to see your father off. Do you remember the Lord Caolán D'Harleigh?"
"Of course. He was one of..." Jareth had to grit his teeth to continue, "...Saerin's childhood friends."
"Yes, well..." Alayna put a finger to her lips as if she were thinking of how to say what she was thinking. "He has been brought up on charges of treason to the Royal Court. Braedon is needed to do some sort of questioning. I do not understand why they did not call upon Lord Saerin, them being so close," she sighed, "but I suppose it is all in a king's work to do things that may or may not be required of them. But...there is also something that troubles me, my son." Jareth just looked at her with shock as she continued. "He claims that Saerin has a part in this...treason. Which brings us to the reason I called upon you. I wanted to speak with you regarding that. Of course the Seelie Court claims him as insane, but...do you believe him?" Sarah felt Jareth's hand loosen its grip on hers immediately, and she looked at him with a worried expression. Jareth's jaw tightened as he looked away from his mother in extreme disgust. He had no idea what to say, because if he claimed to believe in Caolán, his mother would think him insane. But, if he claimed not to believe in Caolán, his mother may very well dismiss the whole matter and that would be the end of it. But he did not feel that it was right for him to go against how he really felt. After all that Saerin had shown him since Sarah had come back to the Underground, he believed in Caolán. Saerin was a traitor. He knew it, as well as Sarah and Phaedra. But that alone would not help him to win a battle that had yet to begin. For allegations of treason, there was proof needed. Jareth's mind was fumbling over itself, and he blurted out the first thing he could think of.
"Mother, I...I can not say that I do. Saerin would..." he then completely released Sarah's hand and held it tightly against his side, "...never do such a thing." Sarah's eyes widened, and she looked down at the hand that Jareth no longer held so protectively. Alayna looked her son over, thought for a moment, then nodded her head.
"I suppose you are right, Jareth. Afterall, Saerin has been a loyal member of the Royal Court for many years. He has helped your father for years as well, I see no reason to believe in an accusation such as that. Although, I do pity poor Lord Caolán, he will lose his title because of this...and possibly his entire future." Alayna looked down as if to momentarily mourn over the current situation of Saerin's friend, then she looked back up toward Sarah. "My dear, how have you been enjoying your stay here? I hope you have been comfortable and that you feel welcome," Alayna said, smiling. Jareth cringed as his mother spoke, and he couldn't bare to look back at Sarah, let alone hear her answer his mother's question. Sarah's hands tightened into the fabric of her dress, and her body tensed up slightly. But she was able to compose herself enough to where she could speak clearly.
"I have enjoyed my stay here, Your Majesty, thank you very much," Sarah said, pushing herself to smile in return. Alayna nodded in approval, and turned to go back to her paperwork.
"If you wish, you two may go now. I really do have to get back to my work..."
"Wait, mother," Jareth interrupted quickly, forcing his legs to move as he walked toward his mother. Alayna turned back around slowly to face her son.
"What is it, dear?" she replied.
"Have you regained your health? Because I do have--"
"Business?" Alayna asked, finishing his sentence for him.
"Yes. I apologize deeply mother, for seeming so rude when you have called me here to take care of you. But this really is an important matter I have to deal with." Jareth's body was now tense just as Sarah's was. He was afraid of hurting his mother's feelings, but he couldn't put off a meeting with the Seelie Court any longer. He needed to get his plan started before he was once again hindered by anything else.
"I understand, Jareth. You are a king as well, like your father, you have callings. I have regained much of my health, yes. I may not have gained every thread back, but in my old age how could that be possible?" she laughed lightly, gazing at her son with what Sarah saw as both worry and definite understanding.
"Mother, I can of course stay if--"
"You need to attend to your duties. I do not wish nor have I ever wished to become the woman who stood in the middle of any one man's progress. I do appreciate your concern, but yes, I am well enough to do things on my own once again. You may return to your castle whenever you like. But I must really get back to my own work, or shall fall behind again. Take care of yourself, my son. I will tell your father that you wish him luck. And Countess Sarah, you are always welcome here. Do not forget, since you are associated with my son, that makes you a member of the Royal Court. If you should need any assistance of any sort, please do not hesitate to let me know." Alayna spoke each word with a smile. When she had finished speaking, she bowed slightly to the both of them and they bowed in return. Then, she dismissed herself, and returned to her work where she began rumaging through papers that were strewn about on the desktop. Jareth found it extremely difficult to turn and face Sarah, but when he did, he saw a look of happiness on her face that he didn't expect.
"Come, Sarah, we will be leaving immediately..." Jareth said lightly. Suddenly, he rushed past Sarah, grabbing her hand and pulling her along with him once again as they left Alayna to her work.
Back in Sarah's room, Jareth was helping her gather the few things that she had brought with her. He was standing in front of her vanity, picking up hair accessories, brushes, and different kinds of makeup. He quickly handed them to her, as she placed them in a small black box on the bed.
"Jareth, slow down...you'll break something or--"
"Sarah, we have our chance to leave now. I really do wish you had not brought so many things with you..." Jareth replied, handing her a handful of sparkling hair decorations. Sarah took them gingerly, but as he tried to pull his hand away to grab something else and hand it to her, she closed her fingers around his hand. Jareth stopped his frantic collecting, and turned to look at her with a sigh.
"Jareth--"
"Sarah, I am sorry. I know you are probably very upset with me right now, but--"
"Upset?" Sarah said, as Jareth moved away from the vanity and took a seat next to her on the bed.
"What I told my mother. I...I had to tell her that to--"
"Oh. That. I know why you did it, Jareth..." Sarah said, "I mean...I didn't at first...and I was pretty angry. But when I realized that you did it to deter her from either questioning you further or making things more difficult, you lied. I understand, Jareth..."
"It is not just that, Sarah. It must have hurt you to lie to my mother as well. I could not even look back at you and risk seeing a look of pain on your face...that question...was really not necessary."
"Oh, Jareth...as long as we know it isn't true." She smiled falsely, grabbed the small box full of her belongings, and stood up from the bed. "Do you want to go now?" Jareth looked up at her, and their eyes locked. The moment he was able to see how truly hurt she was, he could actually feel her wanting to cry.
"Sarah, my love..." he whispered. Then, he gently encircling her wrists with his fingers, and pulled her in front of him. Suddenly, she dropped the box she was holding when she felt him release her wrists and wrap his arms around her waist tightly. He let his head rest against her stomach as he held her close to him. He tightened his hold just slightly after feeling her hands gently caress his hair.
"Jareth, sometimes I wonder how I could have grown to love you so much...but now...all I feel...is my love for you. Whatever comes of this...I promise to never stop loving you. I'll do my best to help us win this fight..." Sarah whispered in reply to his words as much as his actions. Then, Jareth pulled away from her, and stood. As he brought his hands up to rest against either side of her face, he sealed her pact with one of his own.
"I, too, will never stop loving you, Sarah. I will also do my best in order to help us win this fight." And with that, his lips met hers in a passionate kiss.