Accepting: Chapter 3

The first thing Jareth heard when he crossed the threshold of his castle was a skull-splitting scream from deep within.

"I told her to stay out of the west wing!" He roared as he ran full speed to his new bride.

000

Sarah lay on the ground. Her eyes were covered with purplish, black ooze, spewed from the monster that lurked behind the door. She was frantically wiping at her eyes, trying to clear her vision of the thick goo.

The creature slowly slithered towards its victim. The beast was enormous, with two small front limbs that drug its long, flowing body behind. It was covered in dark violet scales and had blood-red glowing eyes. Its head was massive and full of jagged, sharp teeth.

Just as its terrible jaws were about to clamp down on its prey, the Goblin King appeared. He chucked a crystal at the brute, which bound it once again into its lair.In an instant, Jareth was at Sarah's side, comforting her.

"No, no. Don't rub your eyes, it will only penetrate deeper."

"What is this? What was that thing? Oh, it hurts!"

"Shh…let me help you. Just stop wiping your eyes." He picked her up in his arms and carried to her chambers and laid her on the bed.

"I'll be back in a moment." He said as he dashed from the room. When he returned he carried numerous bottles of different sizes and shades and some clean bandages.

"Now, this potion might sting a little." He warned.

"Nothing could make it sting worse than it does now!" she breathed. She was becoming paler and paler and breathing heavier by the second.

"You have to calm down, it will be alright. I'm going to cleanse your eyes and bandage them so that they may heal."

"Heal? What's wrong with them? What did the goop do to me?" She demanded. But she did not comprehend the reply. The last thing she remembered was hearing Jareth's comforting and caring voice in her ear as she slipped into unconsciousness.

000

Sarah awoke in the middle of the night after having a horrible dream. She heard something. She tried to open her eyes but something was covering them. Her mind was muddled by sleep and fear. Again, the noise: the sound of something scraping against her window. She sprang from her bed, tears soaking the bandages on her eyes.

Somehow, she groped her way out into the hall...and promptly collided with a table. A vase that adorned the table toppled to the ground with a gut-wrenching crash.

Jareth flew from his bed when he heard the smash of breaking glass. In a flash he was in the hall, prepared to defend his home and bride with the sword he kept on his bedside table clenchedwith both hands. He scanned the hall for any sight of an intruder before the soft sound of sobs registered in his mind. Under the table cowered Sarah, sitting with her legs clutched to her chest and her head buried in her knees.

"Oh, Sarah…" he breathed. "Its alright, its only a storm."

She continued crying and slowly rocking herself underneath the table. He bent down and picked her up and carried her into his chambers.

"I had a bad dream and…(hiccup)…I heard something against my window and…(hiccup)…I can't see and…(hiccup)…I got really scared and…(hiccup)…" she rambled into his chest.

"Shh…everything's alright." He soothed. "You must have heard branches scrape against your window from the storm. You have to calm down, it's not beneficial for your bandages to be wet."

"What's the matter with my eyes?" she sniffled as he sat her on his bed.

"You were blinded by the venom of the Rathis. Your eyesight will return in time." 'hopefully' he added silently. "I have to change the bandages. Now don't open your eyes."

"Wha…(hiccup)…What's a Rathis?"

"The Rathis is a monster that devastated the goblins before I locked it away in the west wing."

"I'm sorry." She whispered after a few moments of silence. "I should have listened to you. You warned me about the west wing and I was too nosy to listen."

"I am the one who should apologize to you. I should have simply told you what was behind the door."

Sarah sniffled. Jareth saw that she was still trembling with fear. His heart went out to her. 'Who can blame her? She's in a new home, with her new husband, and was blinded by a giant, venom-spewing beast. The least I can do is calm her fears.' He thought as he finished applying the bandage to her eyes.

"Would you like to stay with me tonight?" When he saw her stiffen, he went on to explain. "Just sleep, nothing more. I can keep the 'boogeyman' at bay."

She hiccupped and nodded.

He told her to lay back and as she did he tucked her into the black satin sheets. When he slid in beside her, Sarah snuggled in close to his bare chestandtucked her head below his chin. He wrapped his arms around his bride and they both drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

000

Well, thats all for this chapter. No cliffhanger this time Addie Rain. Stay tuned for more and as always, reviews are muchappriciated!