Author's Note: And on to the insanity! I think I will make one more chapter after this one before it finally comes to a close. Thanks for the reviews, and those of you who have kept coming back for more. I'm also contemplating changing the name because this one seems to be a little cliché. So if the name changes, relax, that's all that will be changed.
Princess of Rivendell, Silvanus16. Twin Kats, thank you very much!
"You came into my life and opened the door; if not to love, what's a life really for?"
- Delaney Lindley
Sarah tugged on Jareth's shoulder's pushing and pulling him closer and father away from her as though he was nothing more than a rag doll. Sarah's tears fell onto the stone floor, letting some of her aggression and sadness fall away from her with it. She collapsed up against his chest, holding him for support, afraid she'd fall if she let go.
He looked at her at cradled her in his arms, finally understanding. If he were in her position, he wouldn't subject his child to it either. He finally understood. He wrapped his arms around her with one of his hands cradling her head like a baby's against his chest.
Loki slowly backed out of the room, understanding that Jareth probably wanted to be alone at the moment. Sarah lifted her head and looked in his eyes.
She mouthed silently "I'm sorry."
Jareth shook his head as some pain coursed through him as though he had just been stabbed. His face grimaced as he bit his lower lip. Things were speeding up. Sarah looked at him, unaware of the pain he felt, looked into his eyes, and brushed a strand of hair from his face.
They hugged a little longer until finally, Sarah stepped away. In the light of the dying sun, the room lit up as though it were on fire. Slowly being consumed by darkness and shadows, taking the land along with it. They sat together on the window sill, talking about all they've missed in each other's lives over the years.
Looking onto the deserted land, lighted only by the dim shine of a crystal moon, they spoke of triumphs, failures, fears, and loneliness.
"After, Toby died, my step-mother just kinda gave up on me, and gave into some type of cancer. My dad fell apart and blamed me, especially when my son, David was born. My dad kept telling Adam wasn't a nice person," Sarah paused for a moment to look at Jareth "I guess when you think you love someone you really stop listening to everyone else."
Jareth sighed and clenched his hand, pretending to feel no pain. Sarah still had not consented to believe. She was as stubborn as ever.
"Sometimes, you just think your way's the only way." Jareth said and smiled half-heartedly at her. Sarah began to get up to go to her room. Jareth, didn't want to have to tell her what was really going on. That he would, in time, disappear too.
When Sarah was gone from sight, Loki walked into the room, to a sobbing Jareth. "Sire, what's the matter with you? Why won't you tell her the truth! That we're all going to disappear unless she consents!"
Jareth glared at Loki. "Because Loki, I love her. I don't want to obligate her to do anything she doesn't want to." Loki's ears fell against his head.
"Then I'm afraid we'll all parish by sunset tomorrow's sunset." Loki said. An uneasy silence gripped the air and held it like someone fighting for survival. Jareth fell down in a coughing fit, as Loki rushed to his side.
Sarah stood outside the door eyes widened with the new found truth. He loved her and he was going to die so she could continue to have her freedom.
