"When," Sarah said, trying to look serious, but a tiny smile dancing on her face.
"Then, I suggest you go to sleep," Jareth said.
"I thought we were going to talk.." Sarah hated the whiny note in her own voice.
"We are, but you need to rest."
With a snap of his fingers, her clothing tranformed into a very old fashioned nightgown, one she well could picture her great great grandmother wearing.
"This is lovely. Where are my clothes?" she asked sarcastically in exasperation.
"In your closet- clean. By the by, no clothing in my land requires dry cleaning."
"Lovely - so you have all the modern conveniences- just not clothes?" she asked, touching the white linen with a grimace.
"Yes, we do have quite a few modern marvels- just powered by- magic is the best word for now. It's really- well if I want to bore you to sleep, which I don't..what is wrong with the gown?"
"It's so-- so - prissy."
"It also has absolutely nothing to be considered tempting about it- and will keep you cool or warm as need be,'' his majesty returned with a degree of judicious smugness.
"Really?"
"Well, okay, the first part is rather an exaggeration, but the latter is true as true can be. Now, go to sleep."
"I'm too wired," Sarah sighed.
"If I tuck you in and sing you to sleep will you attempt it?" Jareth asked, restraining a laugh.
Pretending to consider, Sarah nodded. "Okay- but I'm not sure how relaxing your prescence is."
Deftly picking her up, Jareth popped from the living room to her bedroom and dumped her without ceremony onto a huge feather bed. The only problem was, she had a rather narrow twin bed with a second hand mattress.
"Your bed was a disgrace. Courtesy of the Goblin palace, m'lady."
"I hope no goblins have used this bed," Sarah grumbled to hide her pleasure.
"Only to move it- you are the first to use it. Now, will you be quiet; it's a known fact that you can't talk and sleep at the same time," the king ordered. In response, the covers began to adjust themselves, tucking her in.
"I wanted you to do that!"
"I believe the appropriate line here is- lead us not into temptation." When she was settled, Jareth sat down on the beside. Lost amid piles of covers, Sarah looked so small and innocent. If he allowed her to cut her hair, it would not be much.
But, he'd promised to sing her to sleep. Maybe this song would help her understand. It wasn't from the musical or her memories, but he'd heard it sung by a very lonely young man years ago in what had been Eire.
It was called Immortality.
He didn't agree with all the words, but it did haunt him. Into the words, he poured a subtle soporific, lulling the girl against her will to slumber. When her eyes closed and he knew she was indeed asleep, the once upon a dream Phantom touched her forehead with the lightest of touches, letting his own memories pour through his fingertips into her mind. The rush would sort into a logical order and play out for her in place of dreams. It would have been tempting to just let her see the good memories, the best times, but ruthlessly with himself, Jareth gave her all of it.
Even though it meant he relived the worst moments as they passed through his mind to copy themselves into hers.
At least now he did not bear them alone.