Disclaimer: Okay, I admit it. They aren't my characters;
they belong to Jim Henson, with the exception of Riona. I
can't help loving them though. ;)
Author's Note: I would just like to thank the readers and reviewers from the bottom of my heart! You all really keep me motivated to keep up with the story. I wish you could see the smile on my face when I see that I have new reviews! That said, on with the story!!!
Chapter Six:
Sarah woke up for the third time that night. No matter how hard she tried, she simply could not stay asleep. Finally giving up, she threw on a robe and stalked over to the window. The moon was full and the sky was very clear, allowing the stars to shine endlessly across the heavens.
The moon had always made her feel restless. Ever since she was a small child, she had often spent her evenings staring up at the sky, wishing that she could be a part of that vast and mysterious body. As she grew older, she had experienced the sensation that the moonlight pierced her soul and wound about her, forever ensnaring her in its embrace. Even now, gazing up at the moon from her window, Sarah silently wished that the moonbeams could enfold her once more, restoring her spirit and healing her wounds. At that moment she decided to leave her sanctuary and venture outside, where she could better feel the night's call. Slipping out of the room like a shadow, she moved silently through the halls, down a winding staircase, and out into the night. ******************************************************************
Jareth wandered aimlessly towards the garden. The news that Sarah was now talking to Riona pleased him greatly and deep down he hoped that soon she would open up to him as well. It had been so long since she had defeated his labyrinth, but he still remembered everything, her defiance, the way she had felt in his arms when they danced, and the pain he had felt when she had said those final words, "You have no power over me." At that moment those words might have been true, but now things were different.
When Sarah forfeited her life, she left Jareth with an interesting predicament, 'What to do with her?' He meant her no harm that was most certain. He had two wishes, one unselfish, the other well...selfish. The unselfish desire was simply that Sarah be unconditionally happy. The second was essentially the same as the first, except for the fact that he wanted to share her happiness as well.
Ever since she has defeated his labyrinth, Jareth had experienced the feeling that something was missing in his life. He went through the motions of being a ruler, all the while wondering why his life seemed so empty. However, whenever he would brush aside his advisors suggestion that he marry and whenever he would walk away from the encouraging gazes of beautiful fae noblewomen, he realized that he was always thinking of Sarah. Though at first he tried to deny it, he later accepted the fact that he had fallen in love with Sarah Williams. This pained him because since his attempts to view her through had always failed, he was sure that he would never see his love again.
He leaned against the garden wall for a moment. 'But now she is here with you,' he mused. He knew that at this point a confession of his love would not be well received. In fact, given her distrust concerning his intentions, she would most likely believe that he was playing her false. 'No, to win Sarah's heart I must be patient,' he concluded. 'I will be polite, generous, charming, and unfailingly attentive to her every need. In other words, I will be myself.' He congratulated himself on this brilliant plan of action and considered returning to his chambers and going to bed when a sound in the garden caught his attention. Curious, he crept silently into the garden to investigate.
**************************************************************
Sarah knelt on the ground beside a rose bush. The crimson petals were speckled with crystalline drops of dew. Tentatively, she stretched forth a hand to touch one of the blossoms, letting their chilled softness kiss her fingertips. When she went to pull back her hand, a clever black torn bit into her finger, drawing a ruby bead of blood.
Sarah glanced at the drop without concern, staring instead at her wrists. Riona had done wonders with the gashes. To look at them now, no one would ever be able to tell that they had ever been cut. 'Of course I will always know,' she mused. 'Perhaps it is for the best that the memory will stay with me forever, to remind me.' She sighed deeply as she gazed about her. So this was her new home. If nothing else, it was a beautiful place, more so than she remembered.
Resting her head against the stone wall, Sarah closed her eyes and breathed in, listening to the sounds of the night. She hummed gently, soothing herself. Almost without her knowledge, her lips parted and she began to sing softly.
The thorn of the world
Lives inside of me
Ravaging my soul
But I can't feel it bleed
Where did the pain go?
Where do I go?
I'm lost without the lines
Just a fool on the floor
With a tear and a smile
"I can't say that I enjoy the lyrics, but the singer certainly is lovely."
Sarah's eyes flew open at the voice and were greeted by the sight of Jareth, leaning casually against the stone wall a few feet away. She stood up slowly and backed away. "What are you doing here, Jareth?"
Jareth smirked as he matched her steps, drawing closer to her, "I could ask you the same thing, my dear Sarah. I was under the impression that you were confined to your chambers." Seeing her open her mouth, he waved his hand to silence her. "Oh don't worry, I'm actually very pleased to see that you've recovered your strength." He closed the distance between them and pulled her hand to his lips, allowing them to linger on her soft skin much longer than Sarah was comfortable with.
"Please, let go of me," she whispered.
A quick look of irritation flashed in Jareth's eyes, coupled with some undistinguishable emotion. He smiled as he dropped her hand. "But of course my dear." He smiled, "Shall I escort you upstairs? The night has turned rather cold." He stretched out his arm, a devious smile on his face.
Sarah paled as she protested, "No thank you, I can find my own way." With that she walked off towards the castle, trying not to look like she was hurrying.
Jareth gazed after her as he leaned against the wall. 'I'll just have to keep pushing her a little each time I see her,' he mused. He smiled as he headed for the castle, feeling that he was going to enjoy having Sarah around very much indeed.
Author's Note: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It took me forever to finish it and I'm still not sure if I'm satisfied with it. In response to the review by if-666, let me just say that I have no desire to have a wishy washy Jareth in my story, so rest easy. ;) He will be arrogant at times, but he will also show his softer side from time to time. Also, I apologize for the space between updates and the brevity of my chapters. Other than that, thanks again readers!
Author's Note: I would just like to thank the readers and reviewers from the bottom of my heart! You all really keep me motivated to keep up with the story. I wish you could see the smile on my face when I see that I have new reviews! That said, on with the story!!!
Chapter Six:
Sarah woke up for the third time that night. No matter how hard she tried, she simply could not stay asleep. Finally giving up, she threw on a robe and stalked over to the window. The moon was full and the sky was very clear, allowing the stars to shine endlessly across the heavens.
The moon had always made her feel restless. Ever since she was a small child, she had often spent her evenings staring up at the sky, wishing that she could be a part of that vast and mysterious body. As she grew older, she had experienced the sensation that the moonlight pierced her soul and wound about her, forever ensnaring her in its embrace. Even now, gazing up at the moon from her window, Sarah silently wished that the moonbeams could enfold her once more, restoring her spirit and healing her wounds. At that moment she decided to leave her sanctuary and venture outside, where she could better feel the night's call. Slipping out of the room like a shadow, she moved silently through the halls, down a winding staircase, and out into the night. ******************************************************************
Jareth wandered aimlessly towards the garden. The news that Sarah was now talking to Riona pleased him greatly and deep down he hoped that soon she would open up to him as well. It had been so long since she had defeated his labyrinth, but he still remembered everything, her defiance, the way she had felt in his arms when they danced, and the pain he had felt when she had said those final words, "You have no power over me." At that moment those words might have been true, but now things were different.
When Sarah forfeited her life, she left Jareth with an interesting predicament, 'What to do with her?' He meant her no harm that was most certain. He had two wishes, one unselfish, the other well...selfish. The unselfish desire was simply that Sarah be unconditionally happy. The second was essentially the same as the first, except for the fact that he wanted to share her happiness as well.
Ever since she has defeated his labyrinth, Jareth had experienced the feeling that something was missing in his life. He went through the motions of being a ruler, all the while wondering why his life seemed so empty. However, whenever he would brush aside his advisors suggestion that he marry and whenever he would walk away from the encouraging gazes of beautiful fae noblewomen, he realized that he was always thinking of Sarah. Though at first he tried to deny it, he later accepted the fact that he had fallen in love with Sarah Williams. This pained him because since his attempts to view her through had always failed, he was sure that he would never see his love again.
He leaned against the garden wall for a moment. 'But now she is here with you,' he mused. He knew that at this point a confession of his love would not be well received. In fact, given her distrust concerning his intentions, she would most likely believe that he was playing her false. 'No, to win Sarah's heart I must be patient,' he concluded. 'I will be polite, generous, charming, and unfailingly attentive to her every need. In other words, I will be myself.' He congratulated himself on this brilliant plan of action and considered returning to his chambers and going to bed when a sound in the garden caught his attention. Curious, he crept silently into the garden to investigate.
**************************************************************
Sarah knelt on the ground beside a rose bush. The crimson petals were speckled with crystalline drops of dew. Tentatively, she stretched forth a hand to touch one of the blossoms, letting their chilled softness kiss her fingertips. When she went to pull back her hand, a clever black torn bit into her finger, drawing a ruby bead of blood.
Sarah glanced at the drop without concern, staring instead at her wrists. Riona had done wonders with the gashes. To look at them now, no one would ever be able to tell that they had ever been cut. 'Of course I will always know,' she mused. 'Perhaps it is for the best that the memory will stay with me forever, to remind me.' She sighed deeply as she gazed about her. So this was her new home. If nothing else, it was a beautiful place, more so than she remembered.
Resting her head against the stone wall, Sarah closed her eyes and breathed in, listening to the sounds of the night. She hummed gently, soothing herself. Almost without her knowledge, her lips parted and she began to sing softly.
The thorn of the world
Lives inside of me
Ravaging my soul
But I can't feel it bleed
Where did the pain go?
Where do I go?
I'm lost without the lines
Just a fool on the floor
With a tear and a smile
"I can't say that I enjoy the lyrics, but the singer certainly is lovely."
Sarah's eyes flew open at the voice and were greeted by the sight of Jareth, leaning casually against the stone wall a few feet away. She stood up slowly and backed away. "What are you doing here, Jareth?"
Jareth smirked as he matched her steps, drawing closer to her, "I could ask you the same thing, my dear Sarah. I was under the impression that you were confined to your chambers." Seeing her open her mouth, he waved his hand to silence her. "Oh don't worry, I'm actually very pleased to see that you've recovered your strength." He closed the distance between them and pulled her hand to his lips, allowing them to linger on her soft skin much longer than Sarah was comfortable with.
"Please, let go of me," she whispered.
A quick look of irritation flashed in Jareth's eyes, coupled with some undistinguishable emotion. He smiled as he dropped her hand. "But of course my dear." He smiled, "Shall I escort you upstairs? The night has turned rather cold." He stretched out his arm, a devious smile on his face.
Sarah paled as she protested, "No thank you, I can find my own way." With that she walked off towards the castle, trying not to look like she was hurrying.
Jareth gazed after her as he leaned against the wall. 'I'll just have to keep pushing her a little each time I see her,' he mused. He smiled as he headed for the castle, feeling that he was going to enjoy having Sarah around very much indeed.
Author's Note: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It took me forever to finish it and I'm still not sure if I'm satisfied with it. In response to the review by if-666, let me just say that I have no desire to have a wishy washy Jareth in my story, so rest easy. ;) He will be arrogant at times, but he will also show his softer side from time to time. Also, I apologize for the space between updates and the brevity of my chapters. Other than that, thanks again readers!