Author's notes:
-Niki please don't suspend me into the bog of eternal stench!
-Just a warning (though not a big one) I think I was in a strange mood when I wrote this section.
-I realise that everyone is getting antsy to know what is happening with Jareth's powers and where is Toby anyway…Hopefully this section will help.
-Thanks again to everyone for writing such great reviews…I really appreciate itJ
Toby awoke, rubbing his eyes in confusion. The room in which he now found himself was very dark and not familiar in the least. The walls were covered in strange pictorial tapestries that the candlelight denied him to see clearly.
The boy's head hurt and he couldn't find the strength lift his head. His discomfort did make him appreciative of the luxurious silk pillows and sheets on which he lay. It wasn't long before he heard footsteps enter the room and approach him. He felt a cool cloth caress his hot forehead and he could just make out the porcelain hand and its owner. Her pitch-back ringlets fell to her waist in perfect contrast to her bone white skin.
"I see you're awake," said a light feminine voice. The raven-haired woman removed the cloth and sat on the bed by Toby's legs. "How are you feeling?"
"I…my head hurts and I feel weak and dizzy," said Toby staring at the gorgeous creature attending him. "Who are you?"
Her green eyes sparkled as she smiled. "You may call me Hope. You're in my home; you've been here nearly two days. I wasn't sure you'd ever wake up," she said with concern.
Toby lifted the corners of his mouth in an attempt to smile back. "I'm Toby. Thank you for your kindness, but I really need to be going." He tried to lift his upper body without success.
Hope tilted her head toward Toby. "I don't think you're in any sort of condition to be running off so soon," she said as she began to rub his inner thigh just above the knee. "What could possibly be so important?" she asked.
Toby was feeling a bit distracted by the circular motions of her hand. And as he couldn't help but gaze at the Hope's cleavage as she bent forward he was beginning to wonder if this was how he got dizzy in the first place. He was too weak to move away, but he was determined to concentrate. "I have to get back home, my sister will be worried sick about me," he answered, his blue eyes intense.
"Oh I don't think you have to worry about your sister, Toby," Hope said hint of menace. "She is in good hands." Like the hands he was in, Toby wondered.
"What are you talking about? What do you know about Sarah?" Toby's voice rose an octave with alarm. He wasn't sure if this beautiful woman was friend or foe.
"I already knew who you were the moment I saw you, Toby. You were the first and the last child to escape from the horrid Goblin King. He didn't take anymore children after your sister defeated him." Hope paused, licked her lips and stoked Toby's blond curls. This sensation too was quite pleasurable.
"She's here," she continued, "Well, not here, but in this world. Sarah is with that old enemy of yours, or so I've heard. But I really think you should get some food in you and rest more. In the mean time I can find out all there is to know about your sister and her dealings with that monster."
Toby wanted to know how Hope knew all of this, but he was too tired and aroused to manage a single word. He was steadying his breathing when he heard her rise and leave his room. He knew she'd return with food and even though he didn't feel much like eating, Toby thought it would give him his strength back so that he could go and save Sarah.
Sarah breathed deeply and suddenly stirred. She realised that she was under large roots of a tree and there was what looked like a raven hanging upside down, staring at her. It cawed once and flew away. The loud birdcall startled her and jerking back Sarah almost knocked faces with Jareth. Then she remembered that she must have fallen asleep on him.
Asleep on Jareth, she thought. Oh dear. As delicately as possible Sarah turned her body and lifted off the sleeping man. She tried her best to keep the cloak about her shoulders as the air was still biting cold. She sat on her haunches in front of Jareth, watching him breath.
His face was so peaceful. She remarked how handsome he really was. With a light hand she lifted his feathery hair from his forehead and again noticed that he wore no make-up. Even without it, his face seemed to glitter with colour and beauty. Unconsciously, Sarah let her hand roam from the sleeping man's cheek to his chin where her thumb rested on Jareth's pouted bottom lip.
She smiled to herself. How small he seemed now. No monster, or king. He was only a man to her now, not much taller than she was. He was imperfect, with feelings and problems all his own. It was then that Sarah leaned in and brushed her lips to his. Still asleep, Jareth let out a soft delightful moan, which caused Sarah to come to her senses and pull away, though he didn't wake.
She mentally scolded herself. How could I be so silly! Great now he wins, I am silly. Sarah thought it was about time she rummaged through the packs that Hoggle had provided her with. In one was various breads and cheeses. Greedily she helped herself to both. In the other was a long burgundy cape. It wasn't fancy or very think but it would do to block some of the wind. Good old Hoggle, there was also a miss-matched pair of gloves just her size and what looked to be some kind of compass.
Putting on the cape, Sarah examined the compass. It didn't seem to indicate the usual directions of North and South. Instead it had tiny painted images of water, a baby bottle, a tree, and a door. She'd have to ask Jareth what they all meant later. Sarah pocketed the compass and put on the gloves.
Sarah wasn't sure what she could possibly do to thank Hoggle when she saw him again, but then she felt the clip in her hair securing her disastrous bun. It was blue plastic and she recalled how he loved plastic. She removed it, letting her hair down, and hid it away in the pack with the food. The second pack, now empty, she stuffed into the first in case they would need it later.
As she finished her task, Jareth woke and lifted his head to her. "Where did you get that rag?" he asked of her new cape.
Sarah turned to him. "I found it in the supplies that Hoggle collected for me back in the Goblin City. He also gave me this." She brought out the compass and showed Jareth. He nodded and took it from her.
"Yes, it's like a compass. The bottle is the gates of the Goblin City. This tree is the forest. The water is, well, water. And the door is the way out," he said handing it back.
"What do you mean? If I point this thing so the needle points in the direction of the tree it will tell me that I'm in the forest? That's so stupid. I know I'm in a forest."
"Oh really, Sarah. It's enchanted. You tell it where you wish to go and it helps you to get there. If you want to find your way through the forest you just find which direction the needle will point at the door. Only if your destination was to arrive at the forest would you point the needle at the forest."
"I guess that makes more sense," she said offering Jareth some bread, which he took gladly. "Wait, if I wanted to find my way out of the Underground I could just tell it that and then all I have to is follow the needle to the door?" Sarah asked eagerly.
"I suppose. I don't see why not."
"Jareth? Can I ask you something without you getting all moody and defensive?" asked Sarah leaning on one knee.
"I don't get moody and defensive," he protested.
"Yes you do," she insisted.
"I do not. When have I ever?"
"Um, just now count?" she teased.
"Oh fine, what is it," he pouted.
"I know I defeated you and all, but if you were able to conjure up that photograph in the bar you must still have some powers. Why are we walking everywhere if you could just take us to Toby?"
"Because my powers are limited and although I probably could - that is if I knew where he was to begin with – it would be a waste of energy that I may need for some other purpose."
"Oh I see. And why aren't you king anymore?" she asked twirling her hair innocently.
Jareth resisted a sigh. "Remember I told you that the goblins loved to laugh at me?"
Sarah grinned, "Yes of course. How could I forget."
"Well, they never would have dared before you came and defeated me. Now I'm unable to punish them they way I used to and they have no fear of me. How can I rule such stupid creatures without their fear and devotion?"
"I guess that makes sense, but what doesn't make any is that you were still living in the Goblin City. You aren't a goblin and you obviously hate them so why didn't you leave after you were de-throwned?"
Jareth shrugged his shoulders. "I never said I hated goblins. Besides, it's the only home I've ever known," he said with a touch of sadness.
"What do you mean?" Her heart actually pained with sympathy.
"You were correct in saying that I'm not a goblin, however I'm not anything else either. I'm not human. I'm simply an immortal who has existed here for as long as I can recall."
Sarah shifted her position and unknowingly scratched her head. "But you must have come from somewhere. How did you become king in the first place?"
Jareth extended a gloved hand and felt a lock of Sarah's hair, which was lose around her shoulders. "I don't know. Is it important? You still haven't told me anything about you."
"Me?" Sarah was a bit unprepared, she suddenly felt unimportant next to him. "There's not much to know. I've just been living my life doing mortal things like going to school and starting a career as a writer."
"Sounds awfully dull," Jareth mused.
"I suppose it can be. But hey it beats hiding out for the last fifteen years," she rebutted giving him a look.
"Touché."
"Shall we continue?"
"No, I think I'm bored of this conversation."
Sarah's face fell. "I meant our journey, Jareth," she sighed.
"Oh yes quite. It is that time isn't it," he agreed standing. "Well take out that compass of yours and request it to show us the door to the underground tunnels. This weather doesn't look like it will improve. We can move faster trough the tunnels."
"Sounds like a plan to me," Sarah said pulling out the compass. Then she commanded it like Jareth had requested and the needle spun. Sarah turned her body to follow it until she was facing the right direction, with the needle pointed directly at the door.
It wasn't fifteen minutes later that the needle began to spin without reason. Sarah stopped in her tracks. "It's gone crazy," she exclaimed.
Jareth moved next to her and shook it. "It think this might mean we've found the door."
"What do you mean? I don't see a door, or any opening of any kind," Sarah said taking a few steps forward. "There's nothing here. Unless it's a trick, like in the labyrinth. Maybe it's invisi--." Sarah was cut off as she fell through a hole under her feet.
Jareth rushed over to where she'd just been and looked down the hole. "I think you found what we were looking for," he called to he smugly.
"No shit!" Sarah called back.
"Minx," Jareth laughed to himself as he jumped down after her.
TBC…
(Hope it wasn't too chatty)
Please reviewJ
