Through the Crystal Ball

Chapter Two: Jareth's Joy

Disclaimer: I still don't own The Labyrinth, its characters, etc. Jeramey is mine, along with Drizella and her parents, and various and assorted goblins, and the trolls and faeries, and the little tin men. Okay, so there probably won't be any tin men. But if there were, I'd own them. So, yeah. Growl.

It had been an excruciating five years. Every day he would retire to his room and gaze longingly into the crystal ball in which he viewed her. Her. The one who turned his world upside down. He watched her constantly. He saw her first kiss with a boy named Ryan. He watched her first date with Ryan. He felt her pain when Ryan broke up with her for her friend. Jareth watched her meet Jeramey. He watched them date and watched them become closer. He watched them make love for the first time, and then he watched as Jeramy proposed to her. A single tear made its way down his pale cheek as he watched her burst into tears of happiness with her acceptance. Yes… It had been an excruciating five years.

"My lord." A goblin named Oogar peered into his room and tapped softly on the wooden frame of the door. "My lord, Drinzella is here, along with the king and queen."

Jareth picked up the crystal ball and gazed into it as the picture zoomed in on Sarah's face. He closed his eyes, his heart feeling even heavier than before, and he squeezed the ball into his hand, making it disappear.

Oogar cleared his throat once more. "Your highness, your visitors will be waiting in the sitting room."

Jareth turned and nodded slightly, just the faintest inclination and drop of his head. Oogar turned and left.

Jareth knew why they were here. Drizella, the princess of the troll race, was hoping to win his heart-and his hand in marriage. She and her parents were human as well, as humans have always had sovereignty over the trolls in their world. Trolls were ignorant and stupid, and so long as there was food and beer to be found, they could care less who ruled them. Drizella's parents, King Lagar and Queen Nycissus, wanted a joint kingdom. They wanted a new dynasty, one where trolls and goblins ruled together.

The idea itself appealed to his diplomatic and political side. If time should ever arise for war, they would be unstoppable; the trolls' brute strength and the goblins' trickery and resources. The idea seemed perfect.

But, alas, he did not love her. Jareth had explained this to Lagar and Nycissus, but they persisted on, preaching that Jareth would, in time, love her. Drizella was, in fact, beautiful. She had long, flowing, blonde hair that curled slightly at the ends. She had bright blue eyes, both knowledgeable and kind. They were mesmerizing, and anytime he looked at her, he found himself unable to tear his gaze, as if he were hypnotized.

Jareth shook his head, forcing the image of Drizella from his mind. No, he could never love her, even if he had wanted to. His heart belonged to Sarah-the girl he gazed at through the crystal ball.

He took a dark cape from a hook on the wall and slung it over his shoulders, tying the cords loosely across his chest. He took two steps towards the door when a loud knock resounded throughout the room.

"Come in." Jareth barked loudly, continuing towards the door.

The door swung outwards, a slight breeze entering the room. Jareth stopped short as Sarah entered. He felt himself paralyzed; he couldn't make his legs move.

Sarah was dressed in a long, white gown, her brown hair tousled and flowing down her back, held in place by a single, long, white ribbon.

Jareth opened his mouth to speak; to say the words he'd been reciting in his head for five long years. He found himself unable to speak as well, his throat dry and his tongue as heavy and useless as rubber.

Sarah glided across the room, until she was mere inches away from him.

"From hardships unknown, and trials un-numbered," she whispered, just loud enough for him to hear. "I have fought my way to the castle, beyond the Goblin City, to take back what you have stolen."

Jareth stood immobile, so she reached out and took his hand. She swallowed, and exhaled deeply. "My heart." she finished the saying.

She reached out towards him, letting go of his hand, and wrapped her slender arms around him. At her touch, Jareth seemed to regain control of his body. He gently wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on the top of her head, while Sarah tilted her head against his neck.

"Sarah, I thought…." he managed, but Sarah cut him off.

"I was wrong not to love you then. So I choose to love you now." She leaned back and brushed her lips across his cheek, then laid her head on his shoulder. Jareth was numb from shock at what had just happened. He became content and closed his eyes, leaning his head against hers.

Sarah, however, did not close her eyes. A smirk creeped across her face as she heard Jareth exhale in happiness. It had worked. A flash of pale blue flashed across the irises of her eyes, erasing the dark color momentarily. She focused once more, and they became a dark brown once again-the color of Sarah's eyes.

AN: Bum bum BUMMMM! Isn't this a good start? Give me your thoughts! I'd love to hear 'em! Love you all:)