Disclaimer: Do I look rich? I don't own the Labyrinth or anything to do with it.
Huggles to all my reviewers:
Acantha Mardivey Yay. He did deserve it didn't he? I also have a special gay boy. Not to sound defensive but I would definitely not call Ani DiFranco folk or lesbian. Thanks any way.
Anyana: She dose serve to stir up a bit of savoury trouble but I'm afraid I might need to protect her from a lynch mob after this chapter ;)
angelwingz202: Thank you. Ahh you'll have to wait and find out.
Avalon-blackandgreen: Unfortunately there isn't much pummelling of Steve but if you all beg enough I might put some in. And life shmife. I'd kick his ass too.
Eleanora Rose: Thanks much. Maui is pronounced "Mao-ee"
Lhiata: Relena from Gundam Wing. I LOVE that movie but no. If you were going to quote that you'd have to go "shiver with antici………..pation". Thanks very much.
jazzy021: Glad you love it. She is quite. Well she'll try to. Whether she succeeds remains to be seen.
PinkCrescendo: Aww bless.
janine: My head is going to explode with all your praise. He will eventually be disposed of, but wont they? Do you really think Steve is enough to get in Jareth's way when he wants something?
I'm sorry. All those answers are rather ambiguous aren't they. I also apologise for the update delay. I'm back to school and I have my mock exams in…. two weeks. I should be studying. Damn it. Well, here you go.
December 17th
The next morning was slow and uneventful. Steve informed her that he was travelling into town to buy gifts and would be gone most of the day. She had spent most of the morning helping Etáin and co. set up the place for the coming feasts and a ball. Sarah had gotten an immediate sense of foreboding when she had heard this.
"A ball. You never said there was going to be a ball."
Etáin gave her a strange look. "Yes, well it didn't seem important."
"But…what about a dress. I didn't bring anything ball appropriate."
Ionnina smiled at her. "Oh, relax. We shall get you sorted out for the big night. You do have some formal wear though right?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Well we're having a sort of dry run tonight."
Sarah paled. "Another ball?"
"Not a ball as such. More a gathering of the currant guests for a night of music and dancing."
"So, a ball then."
"Well, if you want to call it that…"
Sarah mock scowled. "You people have to stop surprising me with everything. I'm going to have a heart attack."
"No, but your right. You might burn the place down."
Sarah set down her mug. "Well, as delightfully illuminating this little luncheon has been, I believe I shall go for a walk. Some thinking time is needed." She smiled at her friends. "I'll see you all a bit later."
Etáin started to clear the kitchen table. "Don't go disappearing on us now."
"I won't. Bye."
Sarah found that the gardens of the castle were much more extensive than she had originally thought. She knew there were acres of land but the actual gardens were immaculate. She also found, to her amusement, that there was a maze of tall hedge rows and sculptures. She wandered through out and though it was quite easy to solve she liked the small groves and 'secret gardens' it held. They were small areas with ponds, benches trees or even just where the stream that ran through the entire thing intersected with a dead end where it created a small haven from the world. It was cold as Sarah sat on a stone bench listening to the soft murmur of the stream as it travelled over the stones. She looked up as a gloved hand appeared before her holding a crystal.
She wanted to smile but schooled her face into an angry expression as she looked up at Jareth. "Is that supposed to be funny?"
"No. Quite the opposite."
"What? Quite unfunny?"
He sighed. "It's meant to be a peace offering."
Sarah studied his face, trying to figure out whether he was genuine. She grinned at him. "Fine. Your forgiven for now. But don't think you'll get away with it again. No more miss nice guy."
"Miss nice guy?"
"Shut up. So what does it do?"
"Well, it allows you to call me without wishing yourself or anything else away first."
"Hey that's pretty nifty." She watched the crystal as he rolled it over his palm. "Can you teach me how to do that?"
"This?" He waved the crystal on his hand and balanced it on his finger tips.
"Yeah."
"This took me years of practice."
"Wow you must have been bored. I'm a quick study. Come on."
He shrugged. "Alright."
Jareth moved behind her, coming in close and placing his hands on her fore arms, handing her the crystal. "Ok, now move your hand like this….good."
"This isn't so hard."
"Ahh, but the proud are first to fall. Try again."
Sarah gasped as the crystal slipped from her grasp and hit the stone bench. Her eyes widened as she bent down to pick up the whole crystal. It wasn't even chipped. "How come it didn't smash?"
"That's the beauty of it. This will only shatter if the thrower intended it to break."
"What so if I do this…" She held the ball over her head and let it drop back on the hard ground. Once again the crystal was unharmed.
"You don't trust me? No, you won't smash it unless you want to and then I'll know when you're really angry at me."
She raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure its not just to spy on me?"
"I would never."
"Like hell you would. Hey, I bet I could beat you out of this maze."
"I doubt it."
"I don't. Tell you what. Thirteen minutes. I'll go left you go right, last one out buys the drinks."
"Fine. Prepare to be beaten."
"Ahh, but the proud are the first to fall, such a pity. Go."
She ran around the corner. Sarah arrived at the entrance of the maze twelve minutes later to an empty garden.
Hmm, seems like I win again.
She shoved her hands into her pockets and waited. She could feel the heavy, smooth, cool glass under her finger tips and it gave her an odd sense of comfort. Suddenly hands clamped over her eyes and she shrieked. She could feel his body pressed up against her back. He radiated heat and she could hear his breathing close by her ear. "You owe me a drink."
"What? No way. You cheated with magik, I know it." She pried his hands from her face and turned to his wicked grin.
"I did no such thing."
"Whatever."
"What is that? 'Whatever'?"
"I dunno. A dumb saying I guess." She walked along side him as they headed back to the castle. "Hey did you hear about the ball? Or two."
"Yes, ominous. And one tonight. No smashing anything this time."
"I'll be good."
"As will I."
"You better. Or I'll beat your sorry ass. Again."
"What is it you say…oh, like hell you will."
"Hey you're good at that."
"Mmm, I do try."
Sarah brushed her hair and gave herself a once over in the full length mirror.
I don't look that bad…for a mortal. Sarah grinned at herself.
She wore a white silk dress that hugged her curves nicely, it had a plunging neck line and a drop back. The dress had a silver shimmer to it and though it bore no resemblance to the dress she had worn at her last ball, it still brought the memory to the forefront of her mind. She put a silver drop necklace on and matching earrings.
"Ok, Steve, I'm ready to go. Are you ready?"
"I…em…I…ouch, No. You go ahead Hunny."
Sarah laughed silently. "Ok, I'll see you down there."
Sarah made her way towards the main staircase but not before a pair crossed her path. Yukio looked bored almost to the point of passing out as Cassandra hung on to her arm. "Oh, it is such a shame that we are the only young ladies at this little gathering. I mean, there is that Williams person but we have class and elegance and…"
Yukio's face lit up at the prospect of a rescuer as she saw Sarah approaching. "Sarah. Um…hi!" Cassandra's face grew dark as she saw Sarah draw near.
"Yukio, Cassandra. You both look stunning tonight."
Yukio was dressed in a black flowing gown that did indeed make her look stunning. Even Cassandra didn't look that bad. The pink was subdued and mixed in with lavender. The dress was big and extravagant.
The two looked over Sarah. "My, my Miss Williams, you look…"
"Absolutely gorgeous! Wow. I wish I could pull off a dress like that." Cassandra gave a warning glare to Yukio but she ignored it. "My parents won't let me wear anything that revealing. And you do your makeup great. Hey, do you think you could teach me to play guitar? It looks really cool."
Sarah smiled at the hyper girl. She really wasn't that much different from human teens, in fact, Sarah couldn't really find any differences…besides the immortality thing.
Yukio jumped as a voice called her from down the hall. "Oh, that's my parents. So, will you teach me?" Sarah smiled at the girl. "That's what I do."
"Great. I'll talk to you at the ball."
Yukio ran off down the hall leaving Sarah alone with Cassandra. The princess looked dangerously towards her. "Tell me, how long have you known King Jareth. I myself have known him personally the best part of six years."
Sarah smiled inwardly at the unspoken challenge. "Well, personally I'd say we've known each other nearly twelve years now, I would think."
Cassandra scowled. "Well, I shall ask him also. Have you ever even been to a ball before?"
"Just one. It was an interesting evening. Jareth looked fabulous then, I have to say."
"Jareth was there?" Sarah could hear the edge to her voice. "Well, yes. We were there together." Ok, so she was bending the truth, just a bit.
Cassandra made a distinctly unladylike noise. "You went with…" She paused. "Miss Williams, I feel I should tell you something." Sarah waited for the rest of Cassandra's declaration hoping the obnoxious girl wouldn't provoke her into breaking something. Cassandra continued when she got no reaction. "Well, the fact is that I plan to make the Goblin King my husband, uniting our two great lands and creating the most powerful kingdom in the underground. You seem to be intent on sticking a wrench into my plans. I will get Jareth to propose to me and will be rid of you if needs be. Are we quite understood?"
Sarah growled. "Would you like to summarise that for me?"
Cassandra stepped closer and anyone watching would have been sure there were punches to be thrown. "Stay far away from Jareth tonight and every night or I shall be forced to take action."
"Oh, I'm afraid I can't do that. You see, Jareth is my friend and I'm sure he can make his own decisions. He tells me to leave him alone I'll do that, but unless he tells me face to face, I'm not going anywhere." Cassandra glowered. "You have no idea what you are getting into."
"Right back at you."
"Sarah? Sarah are you…oh."
Ionnina rounded a corner to face the two seething women. "Um…eh…sorry to disturb your…um…conversation but we've already started. Are you coming?"
Cassandra picked up her skirts and pushed past Sarah and towards the stairs. Ionnina looked questioningly towards Sarah who just shook her head.
Why do I feel like I've just averted a disaster?
Sarah started for the stairs and looked back at her friend. "Because you did." Ionnina followed hurriedly. "Well what happened?"
"I'll tell you later. I have to have a little chat with Jareth."
Ionnina rolled her eyes and motioned Sarah towards the ball room. She knew this whole affair would bring trouble.
Jareth's eyes found Sarah the minute she entered the crowded room. She looked ravishing in a white dress and the shimmer that it held made it seem like she was glowing in the candle light. She also looked, he noted with some concern, as if she might murder every person in the room.
Sarah stopped momentarily as she entered the large room. The entire place was lit with candles and she could feel the tiny flames react to her arrival. The room was crowded with people who she had never seen before from what looked like every country imaginable. She couldn't find Jareth in the mass of gowns and colours, but she could find the drinks table. Sarah approached the table grabbing a glass of wine and pretty much downed it, not caring if anyone saw.
"Thirsty?" Sarah turned and glared at the owner of the cool voice. Jareth was looking pretty damn good in all black tonight. He leant against the wall casually and after awhile glaring she moved to lean beside him. They both stood there in silence, in a shadowy corner of the room observing the people and exchanges the went on around them.
After awhile Jareth's eyes slid over to Sarah. "So, is there a reason you're so disagreeable and willing to get pissed tonight?"
Sarah face darkened. "That's what I need to talk to you about."
Jareth looked mildly surprised but nodded slightly, motioning her to go on. "Well, your fabulous pretend girlfriend threatened me just before we came down to you. I am to stay away or she 'shall be forced to take action."
Jareth didn't move a muscle but Sarah could feel the emotions surging through him. "What exactly did she say?"
His voice was tense and she sighed. This wasn't going to be a fun conversation. "She told me her long term plan for you to marry her…" A small shudder ran through the two of them. "…and informed me that I was in the way and to stay away from you. When I said no, she told me I didn't know what I was getting into."
When she finished Jareth closed his eyes. Sarah had a feeling that he was getting ready to storm off somewhere and do…something. Jareth opened his eyes to a glass of wine being shoved in his face. Sarah held another for herself.
"Here. Have a drink."
Jareth gave her a small, resigned smile and raised his glass. She did the same and they both returned to observing what was happening else where. Soon Cyros appeared by the pair. "Are you both going to hide in the shadows all night or will I have to pull you out?"
Sarah grinned at the man. "We are not hiding. We are people watching."
"Ahh and what is the difference?"
"While you hide you watch people."
"I see. And what are we hiding from?" Jareth and Sarah both pointed to the other side of the room and said in unison "That."
Cyros looked over to where Cassandra was standing. "That does explain a lot. What did she do this time?"
Jareth looked at Cyros darkly. "She threatened Sarah."
Cyros looked surprised. "Really? We can probably get her thrown out for that you know?"
Sarah shook her head. "As much as many of us would love it, there's no point in causing more consternation just now."
Jareth frowned. "I'm not sure. She is more powerful than she looks. Don't let her fool you."
Sarah just shrugged. "Well, I'll just hope you lot are there to protect and rescue me."
Cyros laughed. "You can count on that my dear…oh, the music is starting. Will you dance?"
Sarah shook her head. "I don't dance."
Jareth grinned down at her. "That's not what you said last time"
"Careful."
Suddenly a hand grabbed Sarah and she jumped. "Ahh, oh. Steve. Hey. You just get down?"
"Yeah." Steve sent a dangerous look towards Jareth who was carefully studying his wine glass. "Hey baby, you wanna dance?"
"Um…I…Not…"
"Great come on."
Sarah sent a pleading look towards Cyros but he just shook his head, grinning. You will pay for this, you realise.
Cyros laughed as Steve dragged Sarah to where many other couples were dancing.
I don't know about that.
Sarah threw a scowl over her shoulder. Painfully!!
Steve pulled Sarah in front of him as a new song started. Sarah almost laughed when she heard it. This was not the kind of music one expected to hear at an Underground populated ball.
Some enchanted eveningYou may see a stranger,
You may see a stranger, across a crowded room.
And somehow you know, you know even then
That somewhere you'll see her again and again.
"Ouch, Steve, you're stepping on my feet."
"No, I'm not."
"Hey, they're my feet and trust me when I tell you, you are."
The pair stumbled. "You know, it's useful to learn how to dance before you attempt it in public."
Steve scowled. "It's not may fault."
"This was your idea." They bumped into a rather regal looking couple moving across the dace floor. Steve swung Sarah around and she caught a glimpse of Jareth watching them intently.
Some enchanted eveningSomeone maybe laughing
You may hear her laughing across a crowded room
And night after night, as strange as it seems
The sound of her laughter will sing in your dreams
"Ow, shit. Steve, seriously you are killing my feet. These shoes are not cheap."
"Alright, alright. It must be these shoes."
"Or maybe the fact you can't dance."
"What?"
"Nothing. Why don't you go back to the room and change your shoes."
Steve looked suspiciously at her. "Ok, but don't be dancing with anyone else while I'm gone."
Sarah put on a sweet smile. "Sure sweetie. Go on."
Steve lumbered off in the direction and Sarah limped back towards the drinks, and Jareth.
Who can explain it?
Who can tell you why?
Fools give you reasons
Wise men never try
Jareth smirked as Sarah leaned on the table and rubbed her foot. "Sore toes?"
"Understatement. Why do men try to dance when most of them can't even get a basic rhythm?"
Jareth said nothing.
Sarah looked at him. He seemed distracted, deep in thought. "Hey, Jareth? Are you alright?"
Jareth looked up at her, broken from his reverie.
Some enchanted evening
When you find your true love
When you hear her call you across a crowded room
Suddenly Jareth moved forward and swung Sarah into his arms, moving them out on to the dance floor. "Whoa, what are you doing?"
Jareth looked down at her as they moved gracefully across the dance floor. "I'm teaching you that not all men will step on your toes."
"Don't you think this might bring retaliation from our dear Cassandra?"
Jareth pulled her closer. "Sarah, shut up. You're spoiling the moment."
She sighed but stayed quiet, enjoying the feeling of having him so close.
Then fly to her side and make her your own
Or all through your life you may be all alone
Sarah laid her head on Jareth's shoulder. It was just a moment together, but it would do for now. Jareth's arms tightened around her small form, pulling her as close as possible.
Once you have found her
Never let her go
Never let her go.
The music stopped and Sarah reluctantly pulled away. "Um, thanks."
"For what?"
"Not stepping on my toes."
Jareth smiled at her. His proper smile she noted, not that thin lipped sinister smile. This one was all kindness and it reached his eyes. He didn't use it often. Even in the day they had spent in the library he hadn't used it. Sarah moved away with him towards the side of the room, all the time watching him. He was always so cold and removed from everyone around him with the exception of Cyros and Ionnina. He could be so cruel, as much as she knew he had never been truly cruel to her, it was true. She also knew there was another side to him that very few people got to see. She didn't mean it as in there was a scared little boy inside that just needed to let his feelings out. Far from it. Jareth was multifaceted and if you even wanted to talk to him you needed to accept it. All of it. The cruelness, the kindness, the violent mood swings and penchant for the dramatic. She felt her self rather lucky that she had even seen more than one of his many sides.
Sarah grabbed a seat next to a window and another glass of wine. Jareth was approaching her with his own glass before he was descended upon by Cassandra and what appeared to be clones of her. Sarah shuddered as she got flash backs of the shit she got form the 'popular girls' back in high school. It looked like cliques were back in this season.
She saw Jareth casting about for someone to intervene but unfortunately both Cyros and Nadír were busy seducing their wives on the dance floor. Sarah was about to get up and cause some controversy but Steve was back by her side.
"Ready for another go Hunny?"
Sarah shook her head apologetically and held up her glass in explanation. Steve nodded and took a seat beside her. Her eyes strayed to where Jareth was standing his cold mask firmly in place, one by one picking off the fawning idiots around him with a well placed insult.
Hmm, somehow I don't mind him being cruel today. She thought wickedly as she took a sip from her glass.
It was about three am when the ball finally emptied. Sarah stood at the side of the room staring at the drunken passed out pile that was Steve. She shook her head as Etáin appeared at her side. "Hmm, that's …interesting."
"Or disgusting."
"Quite. So did you enjoy the ball?"
Sarah ran her fingers trough her hair. "No offence, but I only enjoyed about five minutes of it."
"None taken. Were these five minutes the five you spent pressed up to one Goblin King?" Sarah blushed and Etáin laughed.
"I knew it. Ionnina you owe me a day of servitude."
Ionnina grinned at the two. "Don't I give that to you anyway? Where is our beloved King anyway?" She turned and gasped slightly "Oh…"
Etáin and Sarah turned. "What is…oh."
Sarah closed her eyes. Cassandra was kissing Jareth with definite passion. It was obvious he was struggling but somehow Sarah was sure he could push her off easily leaving only one alternative. She turned back to Steve.
"Well...Um, Nadír, will you help me with Steve?"
Nadír nodded and helped Sarah lug her boy friend out the door. He looked over Steve's slumped head to Sarah.
"You know, Sarah, I'm sure it wasn't what it looked like."
Sarah gave Nadír a fake smile. "Im sure. But it doesn't matter. I'm here with Steve. Jareth's just a friend." Nadír looked sadly at her.
They dropped Steve on the large bad and Sarah followed Nadír out to the corridor. "Thank you. It was a lovely evening and I didn't have to break my back getting back up here."
Nadír looked at her for a beat before turning to leave. "Talk to him in the morning. Don't jump to any conclusions. Remember what happened last time."
After that he was out of sight. Sarah stared after him.
"Right. He's not really the villain." She murmured to the empty corridor. She jumped as Steve snorted in the room behind her and turned to go inside.
End Chap.
Hmm. Was I too evil with that ending? Muahahahahahcough Hopefully you won't throw anything at me
MRAN: The song "Some Enchanted Evening" is from the musical "South Pacific". Not one of my favourite musicals but I love this song and felt it fit the mood of the chapter just right.
Well, you know the drill. Any questions, just review and I shall do my best to answer.
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Slán.
