And Chapter 4 is here! Isn't this exciting?
Okay, here's the deal....Lyra's computer is screwing with her formatting in a very big way. I therefore tender my apologies for the way that the chapters have been varying.
Disclaimer: If it sounds important or official, I don't own it.
Between Dreams and Reality
by Lyra Matsuoka
Chapter 4: I Thought Our Chance Had Passed
Rated PG-13
After Luster had made her rather abrupt departure, Sarah had managed to stumble to the window seat. Now she was leaning against the stone-wall, her head tipped toward the maze that spread out before her. That was the most amazing part; seeing the Labyrinth in this light was wonderful. It looked so inviting, so interesting, and not dangerous in the least. Of course, nothing was what it seemed in this land of illusions and magic.
The pangs of emotion that flowed through her upon seeing the Labyrinth had been wholly unexpected. Sarah had missed this place, because she had left all her childhood dreams and fantasies behind when she left it. The Labyrinth had taught her that there was magic to be had in real life, and that fantasy was just the icing on the cake, so to speak. And being here once more brought the magic of her imagination to, as though her games and dreams were running to embrace her again now that she was receptive to them.
It was true that she had retained a piece of the magic that the Labyrinth had given her. It made all her friends and family that much more important to her, and she was careful what she said. Until today, she had been certain not to be impetuous.
And look where being adult and responsible had gotten her. Full circle, that's what she had come. From the entrance of the maze to a window overlooking the whole shebang. On the plus side, it wouldn't be much work to get to the castle this time around.
Sarah smiled wryly and looked down at herself. She was not dressed appropriately for a stay in a castle, but as she was here under duress Sarah saw no reason to change. Thanking any deity who might be listening that she hadn't changed into her bathrobe before putting that necklace on, Sarah's fingers unconsciously found the pendant hanging around her neck.
That brought other thoughts and emotions to the surface. Sarah lifted the pendant and stared at it. She had already searched the chain for weak spots and looked for something that might be able to cut through metal. Her search had been to no avail.
Well, she had discovered a rather large selection of perfume on the vanity, and clothes fit for a princess in her wardrobe. Or a queen...
Sarah pushed those thoughts out of her head. What had Luster said? Something about being bound to the creator of this pendant...and that creator would be making themselves known...
Sarah's head snapped up at the knock on her door. She did not bother to call out a reply. She knew, in the deep part of her soul, who was on the other side of that portal. Standing, Sarah strode over to the door and threw it open.
There stood the Goblin King, his eyes surprised and a smirk on his face. And Sarah felt the adrenaline pump through her veins as she saw Jareth for the first time in years. She had forgotten the devastating impact of those eyes, the clothes, and the hair.
The Goblin King and the girl stared at each other for several minutes, and it was as if the clock had been turned back. The Goblin King saw two mortals in this woman before him...the girl she had been and the person she was now. Sarah saw the figure of her nightmares and fantasies before her.
"Well Sarah. How are you enjoying my castle?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
From the throne room, Luster stared into a crystal, observing the scene that was unfolding before her eyes. The connection was unmistakable. Luster watched as her best friend and the girl of his dreams stared at each other. This was looking up. Three minutes into their first meeting in some odd years, and they hadn't torn each other apart in the first ten seconds. Yes, this was looking very good indeed.
At Jareth's statement, Luster stared for a moment, and then dropped her head to her hand with a smack. So much for love at first sight. She should have sealed Jareth's mouth shut. It was always getting him into trouble. She waved her hand and her flute appeared in her hands. This was a very delicate situation, and one that might require the assistance of a rather meddlesome unicorn at some point.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sarah continued staring at Jareth. He had just brought this whole issue into perspective for her. It was utterly ridiculous. Here she was, in the castle beyond the Goblin City, and its King was taunting her. Okay then. Two could play at this game. A veil of civility was draped over them both, and each seemed determined to maintain it as long as possible.
"I'd say a piece of cake, but as I haven't been out of these rooms as yet, that phrase doesn't seem to fit."
"Are these chambers to your liking?" Jareth asked, the very soul of courtesy.
"Naturally. After all, everything seems to be in order; clothing, cosmetics, books, a lovely view. There's just one problem."
"And what might that be?"
For some odd reason that neither of them could really define, those two phrases brought out a wealth of emotion in the two of them. Frustration, anger, hurt, love, trust, and mutual attraction boiled up and exploded. And Sarah let it loose.
"I am in the god damn Labyrinth!" Sarah yelled. "And what I can't quite figure out is *why* I'm here. I didn't wish my brother or my friend or my dog away, and I certainly didn't wish myself here. So how did you manage this? Please, inquiring minds want to know."
"Why so hostile, Sarah? Not appropriate behavior for a guest."
"I am hostile because I am in a place that is not supposed to exist in a situation that I don't understand. I am slightly on edge. And I do not want to be your guest, so do not take that high handed attitude with me!"
"Do you wish this interrogation to take place in front of an audience?"
Sarah frowned, and Jareth made the slightest gesture toward the hallway. Sarah frowned again and Jareth moved to the side. Sarah moved cautiously toward the open doorway and peeked outside. Around fifteen goblins stared at their king with amazement. Sarah blushed slightly and pulled her head back into the room. Stiffly, she moved to one side and Jareth swept in.
"Explanations, Your Majesty. Now."
Jareth walked briskly to the chair that Luster had occupied earlier and sank down, his cape spreading around him.
"I'm so delighted that you decided to be reasonable."
"I am always reasonable."
"Really?" Jareth cocked an eyebrow at this statement.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing in particular. At least you haven't begun stating 'It's not fair' in that tiresome repetitive manner."
"But it wasn't fair!"
"Do you have a basis for comparison as yet?"
"I wouldn't expect a cheater like you to understand the concept, so don't strain yourself to try to grasp it."
"Is that supposed to imply that I am a cheater?"
"Was that an implication? I intended it as a straight forward insult. What do you call bending the laws of gravity and reordering time to suit you?"
"I choose to ignore that comment about insulting me. As to the other, they are benefits of this position and my race."
"Abuse of power really does occur everywhere."
"You haven't changed at all!"
"At least I have a different hairstyle!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Luster chuckled wryly.
"Sarah - 1, Jareth - 0. They certainly bring out strong emotions in each other. The *wrong* emotions, but I can think of several ways to change that..."
Experimentally Luster played a few notes on her flute. This would either take a great deal of delicacy and decorum, or a swift strike that would leave them both reeling.
Luster glanced at the crystal again. Sarah and Jareth were fighting away, goblins were listening outside the door and Luster was tuning in via crystal transmitters. The Labyrinth was horribly entertaining at times. Still, Jareth and Sarah had been together for all of five minutes and they were fighting like siblings.
"Or lovers..." Luster mused. Now there was an interesting proposition. Quietly, Luster examined the facts.
Jareth loved Sarah, and wasn't about to admit it. Sarah might love Jareth, and if she did she wasn't going to admit it either. The shadow of Sarah's last visit to the Labyrinth was tainting their interactions now. Sarah was still hurt and bewildered by the whole thing, and Jareth was smarting from her refusal. But they were most definitely attracted to each other. Chemistry in spades. Luster grinned. She could build on that.
But there was a whole castle around the two. And that meant that it would be very easy for them to avoid each other until Midsummer. And that was unacceptable. But if they could talk...if there was no where for them to go...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"You are impossible!"
"You are stubborn and immature."
"Send me home, damn it! I don't want to be here!"
"What's said is said."
"In X thousand years of ruling this Labyrinth, you have yet to come up with a better line than that."
"Two thousand years, and it is my job."
"Poor baby," Sarah tossed back. Jareth leveled a cold glare at her, and Sarah did her best to match him in chilly regard. It was Sarah who broke the stare. This wasn't getting them anywhere. Time to try a different tack. Perhaps asking was in order...
"Can't you please send me home?"
"No, Sarah."
"But why not?!" Sarah demanded, anger and worry clouding her tone.
"Because I didn't bring you here," Jareth said. "And if I had, I wouldn't let you go," he muttered softly.
Sarah did not hear this last comment, and Jareth was grateful. She had grown up so much...this woman was far different from the girl-child who had defeated his Labyrinth. Her hair was shorter, she was taller, and her eyes were deeper. There was more pain, more understanding, and just a hint of magic.
"All right, fine. Then maybe you have an explanation for why this damn necklace won't come off."
"Of course. You bound yourself to the person who made that particular piece of jewelry."
"And who might that be?"
Jareth felt a smile spreading slowly over his features. Nothing for it. She had asked...
"Myself, of course."
His words hit Sarah from a long distance, because she was not waiting for an answer. She heard...music. Soft, sweet, romantic...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
With a thought, Luster was in the set of rooms above Sarah's. Dressed in a a ribbon skirt of bright red silk and a bikini like top of the same material, with red ribbons hanging from golden bracelets on her upper arms and from her hair, Luster played the opening notes of a song on her flute and began to sing.
Sometimes the snow comes down in June
Sometimes the sun goes 'round the moon
I see the passion in your eyes
Sometimes it's all a big surprise
Cause there was a time when all I did was wish,
You'd tell me this was love
It's not the way I hoped or how I planned
But somehow it's enough
As she sang, Luster danced gracefully through the rooms, casting her magic on each of the doors individually. This caused the doors to shine silver momentarily. If Sarah and Jareth had paused in their bickering, they might have noticed this. Luster smirked as the she played a quick bridge. She would have to distract Jareth somehow, to prevent his magic from complicating the situation. Her mischievous smile grew wider as she realized exactly how she was going to pull it off.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"What is it?" Jareth asked. Sarah looked at him, prepared to pick up where they had left off. But Jareth was standing up and walking over to her. His eyes were concerned, and for a moment Sarah glimpsed a deep emotion in them, an emotion that was far beyond her experience. That feeling held her gaze, and Jareth drew closer as Sarah stood captivated.
"Sarah..." he murmured.
A spray of golden glitter dusted them both and forced them to look upward. There was Luster, flute in hand, singing the notes that Sarah had heard earlier. She burned like a match in her flame red dress. Sarah stared in utter shock and Jareth seemed bemused. Luster raised her arms and began spinning in the air. Her red ribbons flew out around her and the doors began to glow. Sarah's eyes widened as the glow began pulsating and expanding. It crept along the walls and spread to the farthest corner of the room, sliding through the cracks in doorways. As her crystalline voice rose and fell the glow passed by the window, and covered the main entrance.
And now we're standing face to face
Isn't this world a crazy place?
Just when I thought our chance had passed
You go and save the best for last
All of the nights you came to me
When some silly girl had set you free
You wondered how you'd make it through
I wondered what was wrong with you
Cause how could you give your love to someone else
And share your dreams with me?
Sometimes the very thing you're looking for
Is the one thing you can't see
Sarah looked at Luster. The woman was playing an interlude on her flute, and was ignoring the two below her. Sarah shot a glance at Jareth, surprised to find him watching her. Something about the song was sliding inside her heart and making itself at home. Visions of the ballroom flashed across her mind briefly, and Sarah realized that she felt the same now as she had then. Memories of his handsome face hiding from her, and of her own desperate search came rushing back.
But now we're standing face to face
Isn't this world a crazy place?
Just when I thought our chance had passed
You go and save the best for last
Sarah was vaguely aware that Jareth had slipped his arms around her, and that her arms were wrapped around his neck. She had no idea why, but it felt so right...and it was for that reason that she didn't resist when Jareth tightened his hold and bent his head. Sarah lifted her face as Jareth pressed his lips to hers.
Sometimes the very thing you're looking for
Is the one thing you can't see
The silver light washed across the floor and the room blazed bright platinum. Light shot out of the window, through the cracks in all the doors. Goblins shielded their eyes and stared at the pulsating shine in fascination. Jareth and Sarah were oblivious to all of this, lost in a world where nothing existed but the other.
Luster, her outfit still a bright red, smiled softly as she looked at her best friend and the woman of his dreams.
Sometimes the snow comes down in June
Sometimes the sun goes 'round the moon
Just when I thought our chance had passed
You go and save the best for last
You went and saved the best for last
The last note held in the silence as Luster faded and the glow followed suit. The two in the center of the room were unaware that she had made her exit, as they stood in the middle of the room. Sparks flew and emotions flowed between them. Their crescent pendants touched, and Sarah heard a bell ring. She saw flashes of her visit to the Labyrinth, but these were from a different perspective.
These were Jareth's thoughts.
His annoyance at her wish, his surprise when it turned out to be her...why was he surprised? His fear, frustration, and disbelief when she continued to defeat his challenges. His elation during the ballroom dance...
Sarah threw herself away, staggering under the weight of thoughts, feelings and troubles not her own. Jareth stood silently, but his eyes were surprised and questioning.
"An unexpected side effect. Though not an unpleasant one," Jareth murmured. "I certainly wasn't expecting that...well, I'll leave you to compose yourself. I'll send someone to fetch you for dinner."
Stunned by his abrupt declaration, Sarah said nothing Jareth strode to the door and reached for the handle. Sarah watched him go, torn between wanting him to come back and wishing the goblins would take him an indeterminate number of miles away.
She didn't get the chance to make up her mind.
When Jareth touched the door handle, the door flamed silver and threw him back several feet. Jareth landed on his feet but his expression was priceless. Jareth eyed the door with suspicion. Sarah barely batted an eyelash. This place was as insane as she remembered.
But the idea of a door reacting against the Goblin King was slightly worrisome. After all, he had created said door, and it would stand to reason that he wouldn't create anything that would harm him. But Jareth wasn't behaving as if he was in on the joke. Rather, he looked just slightly...
"Very well. Why don't you open the door for me, Sarah?"
"And get myself blown to god knows where? Not a chance!" Sarah shook her head to reinforce her decision and turned to walk away. Jareth caught her arm. The man could move when he wanted to...
"It didn't hurt me."
"You are a...a...what are you anyway?"
"A Fae," Jareth supplied helpfully.
"Thank you," Sarah replied automatically.
"My pleasure. Now, would you try opening the door?"
"No."
"And do you have a particular reason for not wanting to do so?"
"Aside from the fact that when you attempted the same thing the door glowed and threw you across half the room? Not a one."
"I believe I know what has been done to the door, but I need to be certain that it applies to both of us."
"And if I won't?"
"Then I shall remain here with you," Jareth grinned wolfishly. "Perhaps we could continue where we left off...?"
"All right, I'll try to open the door."
"Careful, Sarah. I'm starting to think you don't like me."
Determined not to let Jareth gain the upper hand, Sarah strode toward the door, muttering all the while about evil males of all species and magical origin and placed her hand on the handle. Immediately the door flamed silver and tossed Sarah backward. Sarah stumbled back, and Jareth placed his hand on her arm to steady her.
Sarah yanked her arm free, and Jareth let go without much of a fight. They both looked at each other; Sarah with a growing horror and Jareth with an interesting mix of interest and anger.
Luster had locked them in.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehe!
There you are all, Chapter 4 in all its glory! I hope you likes.
Why, you may be wondering, was Luster singing a Vanessa Williams song? Because I like that song. And it fit the mood, and I get to pick. Mwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
And just for Lauralye, directions to the Labyrinth store (which I will own and operate someday if it kills me...) Would you believe second star to the right and straight on till morning? ^_~
And don't forget to leave a contribution in the little review box! (to borrow a line from The Lady Destiny *Lyra sweeps a bow and winks*)
Peace, Love and All That Jazz,
Lyra
Okay, here's the deal....Lyra's computer is screwing with her formatting in a very big way. I therefore tender my apologies for the way that the chapters have been varying.
Disclaimer: If it sounds important or official, I don't own it.
Between Dreams and Reality
by Lyra Matsuoka
Chapter 4: I Thought Our Chance Had Passed
Rated PG-13
After Luster had made her rather abrupt departure, Sarah had managed to stumble to the window seat. Now she was leaning against the stone-wall, her head tipped toward the maze that spread out before her. That was the most amazing part; seeing the Labyrinth in this light was wonderful. It looked so inviting, so interesting, and not dangerous in the least. Of course, nothing was what it seemed in this land of illusions and magic.
The pangs of emotion that flowed through her upon seeing the Labyrinth had been wholly unexpected. Sarah had missed this place, because she had left all her childhood dreams and fantasies behind when she left it. The Labyrinth had taught her that there was magic to be had in real life, and that fantasy was just the icing on the cake, so to speak. And being here once more brought the magic of her imagination to, as though her games and dreams were running to embrace her again now that she was receptive to them.
It was true that she had retained a piece of the magic that the Labyrinth had given her. It made all her friends and family that much more important to her, and she was careful what she said. Until today, she had been certain not to be impetuous.
And look where being adult and responsible had gotten her. Full circle, that's what she had come. From the entrance of the maze to a window overlooking the whole shebang. On the plus side, it wouldn't be much work to get to the castle this time around.
Sarah smiled wryly and looked down at herself. She was not dressed appropriately for a stay in a castle, but as she was here under duress Sarah saw no reason to change. Thanking any deity who might be listening that she hadn't changed into her bathrobe before putting that necklace on, Sarah's fingers unconsciously found the pendant hanging around her neck.
That brought other thoughts and emotions to the surface. Sarah lifted the pendant and stared at it. She had already searched the chain for weak spots and looked for something that might be able to cut through metal. Her search had been to no avail.
Well, she had discovered a rather large selection of perfume on the vanity, and clothes fit for a princess in her wardrobe. Or a queen...
Sarah pushed those thoughts out of her head. What had Luster said? Something about being bound to the creator of this pendant...and that creator would be making themselves known...
Sarah's head snapped up at the knock on her door. She did not bother to call out a reply. She knew, in the deep part of her soul, who was on the other side of that portal. Standing, Sarah strode over to the door and threw it open.
There stood the Goblin King, his eyes surprised and a smirk on his face. And Sarah felt the adrenaline pump through her veins as she saw Jareth for the first time in years. She had forgotten the devastating impact of those eyes, the clothes, and the hair.
The Goblin King and the girl stared at each other for several minutes, and it was as if the clock had been turned back. The Goblin King saw two mortals in this woman before him...the girl she had been and the person she was now. Sarah saw the figure of her nightmares and fantasies before her.
"Well Sarah. How are you enjoying my castle?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
From the throne room, Luster stared into a crystal, observing the scene that was unfolding before her eyes. The connection was unmistakable. Luster watched as her best friend and the girl of his dreams stared at each other. This was looking up. Three minutes into their first meeting in some odd years, and they hadn't torn each other apart in the first ten seconds. Yes, this was looking very good indeed.
At Jareth's statement, Luster stared for a moment, and then dropped her head to her hand with a smack. So much for love at first sight. She should have sealed Jareth's mouth shut. It was always getting him into trouble. She waved her hand and her flute appeared in her hands. This was a very delicate situation, and one that might require the assistance of a rather meddlesome unicorn at some point.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sarah continued staring at Jareth. He had just brought this whole issue into perspective for her. It was utterly ridiculous. Here she was, in the castle beyond the Goblin City, and its King was taunting her. Okay then. Two could play at this game. A veil of civility was draped over them both, and each seemed determined to maintain it as long as possible.
"I'd say a piece of cake, but as I haven't been out of these rooms as yet, that phrase doesn't seem to fit."
"Are these chambers to your liking?" Jareth asked, the very soul of courtesy.
"Naturally. After all, everything seems to be in order; clothing, cosmetics, books, a lovely view. There's just one problem."
"And what might that be?"
For some odd reason that neither of them could really define, those two phrases brought out a wealth of emotion in the two of them. Frustration, anger, hurt, love, trust, and mutual attraction boiled up and exploded. And Sarah let it loose.
"I am in the god damn Labyrinth!" Sarah yelled. "And what I can't quite figure out is *why* I'm here. I didn't wish my brother or my friend or my dog away, and I certainly didn't wish myself here. So how did you manage this? Please, inquiring minds want to know."
"Why so hostile, Sarah? Not appropriate behavior for a guest."
"I am hostile because I am in a place that is not supposed to exist in a situation that I don't understand. I am slightly on edge. And I do not want to be your guest, so do not take that high handed attitude with me!"
"Do you wish this interrogation to take place in front of an audience?"
Sarah frowned, and Jareth made the slightest gesture toward the hallway. Sarah frowned again and Jareth moved to the side. Sarah moved cautiously toward the open doorway and peeked outside. Around fifteen goblins stared at their king with amazement. Sarah blushed slightly and pulled her head back into the room. Stiffly, she moved to one side and Jareth swept in.
"Explanations, Your Majesty. Now."
Jareth walked briskly to the chair that Luster had occupied earlier and sank down, his cape spreading around him.
"I'm so delighted that you decided to be reasonable."
"I am always reasonable."
"Really?" Jareth cocked an eyebrow at this statement.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing in particular. At least you haven't begun stating 'It's not fair' in that tiresome repetitive manner."
"But it wasn't fair!"
"Do you have a basis for comparison as yet?"
"I wouldn't expect a cheater like you to understand the concept, so don't strain yourself to try to grasp it."
"Is that supposed to imply that I am a cheater?"
"Was that an implication? I intended it as a straight forward insult. What do you call bending the laws of gravity and reordering time to suit you?"
"I choose to ignore that comment about insulting me. As to the other, they are benefits of this position and my race."
"Abuse of power really does occur everywhere."
"You haven't changed at all!"
"At least I have a different hairstyle!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Luster chuckled wryly.
"Sarah - 1, Jareth - 0. They certainly bring out strong emotions in each other. The *wrong* emotions, but I can think of several ways to change that..."
Experimentally Luster played a few notes on her flute. This would either take a great deal of delicacy and decorum, or a swift strike that would leave them both reeling.
Luster glanced at the crystal again. Sarah and Jareth were fighting away, goblins were listening outside the door and Luster was tuning in via crystal transmitters. The Labyrinth was horribly entertaining at times. Still, Jareth and Sarah had been together for all of five minutes and they were fighting like siblings.
"Or lovers..." Luster mused. Now there was an interesting proposition. Quietly, Luster examined the facts.
Jareth loved Sarah, and wasn't about to admit it. Sarah might love Jareth, and if she did she wasn't going to admit it either. The shadow of Sarah's last visit to the Labyrinth was tainting their interactions now. Sarah was still hurt and bewildered by the whole thing, and Jareth was smarting from her refusal. But they were most definitely attracted to each other. Chemistry in spades. Luster grinned. She could build on that.
But there was a whole castle around the two. And that meant that it would be very easy for them to avoid each other until Midsummer. And that was unacceptable. But if they could talk...if there was no where for them to go...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"You are impossible!"
"You are stubborn and immature."
"Send me home, damn it! I don't want to be here!"
"What's said is said."
"In X thousand years of ruling this Labyrinth, you have yet to come up with a better line than that."
"Two thousand years, and it is my job."
"Poor baby," Sarah tossed back. Jareth leveled a cold glare at her, and Sarah did her best to match him in chilly regard. It was Sarah who broke the stare. This wasn't getting them anywhere. Time to try a different tack. Perhaps asking was in order...
"Can't you please send me home?"
"No, Sarah."
"But why not?!" Sarah demanded, anger and worry clouding her tone.
"Because I didn't bring you here," Jareth said. "And if I had, I wouldn't let you go," he muttered softly.
Sarah did not hear this last comment, and Jareth was grateful. She had grown up so much...this woman was far different from the girl-child who had defeated his Labyrinth. Her hair was shorter, she was taller, and her eyes were deeper. There was more pain, more understanding, and just a hint of magic.
"All right, fine. Then maybe you have an explanation for why this damn necklace won't come off."
"Of course. You bound yourself to the person who made that particular piece of jewelry."
"And who might that be?"
Jareth felt a smile spreading slowly over his features. Nothing for it. She had asked...
"Myself, of course."
His words hit Sarah from a long distance, because she was not waiting for an answer. She heard...music. Soft, sweet, romantic...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
With a thought, Luster was in the set of rooms above Sarah's. Dressed in a a ribbon skirt of bright red silk and a bikini like top of the same material, with red ribbons hanging from golden bracelets on her upper arms and from her hair, Luster played the opening notes of a song on her flute and began to sing.
Sometimes the snow comes down in June
Sometimes the sun goes 'round the moon
I see the passion in your eyes
Sometimes it's all a big surprise
Cause there was a time when all I did was wish,
You'd tell me this was love
It's not the way I hoped or how I planned
But somehow it's enough
As she sang, Luster danced gracefully through the rooms, casting her magic on each of the doors individually. This caused the doors to shine silver momentarily. If Sarah and Jareth had paused in their bickering, they might have noticed this. Luster smirked as the she played a quick bridge. She would have to distract Jareth somehow, to prevent his magic from complicating the situation. Her mischievous smile grew wider as she realized exactly how she was going to pull it off.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"What is it?" Jareth asked. Sarah looked at him, prepared to pick up where they had left off. But Jareth was standing up and walking over to her. His eyes were concerned, and for a moment Sarah glimpsed a deep emotion in them, an emotion that was far beyond her experience. That feeling held her gaze, and Jareth drew closer as Sarah stood captivated.
"Sarah..." he murmured.
A spray of golden glitter dusted them both and forced them to look upward. There was Luster, flute in hand, singing the notes that Sarah had heard earlier. She burned like a match in her flame red dress. Sarah stared in utter shock and Jareth seemed bemused. Luster raised her arms and began spinning in the air. Her red ribbons flew out around her and the doors began to glow. Sarah's eyes widened as the glow began pulsating and expanding. It crept along the walls and spread to the farthest corner of the room, sliding through the cracks in doorways. As her crystalline voice rose and fell the glow passed by the window, and covered the main entrance.
And now we're standing face to face
Isn't this world a crazy place?
Just when I thought our chance had passed
You go and save the best for last
All of the nights you came to me
When some silly girl had set you free
You wondered how you'd make it through
I wondered what was wrong with you
Cause how could you give your love to someone else
And share your dreams with me?
Sometimes the very thing you're looking for
Is the one thing you can't see
Sarah looked at Luster. The woman was playing an interlude on her flute, and was ignoring the two below her. Sarah shot a glance at Jareth, surprised to find him watching her. Something about the song was sliding inside her heart and making itself at home. Visions of the ballroom flashed across her mind briefly, and Sarah realized that she felt the same now as she had then. Memories of his handsome face hiding from her, and of her own desperate search came rushing back.
But now we're standing face to face
Isn't this world a crazy place?
Just when I thought our chance had passed
You go and save the best for last
Sarah was vaguely aware that Jareth had slipped his arms around her, and that her arms were wrapped around his neck. She had no idea why, but it felt so right...and it was for that reason that she didn't resist when Jareth tightened his hold and bent his head. Sarah lifted her face as Jareth pressed his lips to hers.
Sometimes the very thing you're looking for
Is the one thing you can't see
The silver light washed across the floor and the room blazed bright platinum. Light shot out of the window, through the cracks in all the doors. Goblins shielded their eyes and stared at the pulsating shine in fascination. Jareth and Sarah were oblivious to all of this, lost in a world where nothing existed but the other.
Luster, her outfit still a bright red, smiled softly as she looked at her best friend and the woman of his dreams.
Sometimes the snow comes down in June
Sometimes the sun goes 'round the moon
Just when I thought our chance had passed
You go and save the best for last
You went and saved the best for last
The last note held in the silence as Luster faded and the glow followed suit. The two in the center of the room were unaware that she had made her exit, as they stood in the middle of the room. Sparks flew and emotions flowed between them. Their crescent pendants touched, and Sarah heard a bell ring. She saw flashes of her visit to the Labyrinth, but these were from a different perspective.
These were Jareth's thoughts.
His annoyance at her wish, his surprise when it turned out to be her...why was he surprised? His fear, frustration, and disbelief when she continued to defeat his challenges. His elation during the ballroom dance...
Sarah threw herself away, staggering under the weight of thoughts, feelings and troubles not her own. Jareth stood silently, but his eyes were surprised and questioning.
"An unexpected side effect. Though not an unpleasant one," Jareth murmured. "I certainly wasn't expecting that...well, I'll leave you to compose yourself. I'll send someone to fetch you for dinner."
Stunned by his abrupt declaration, Sarah said nothing Jareth strode to the door and reached for the handle. Sarah watched him go, torn between wanting him to come back and wishing the goblins would take him an indeterminate number of miles away.
She didn't get the chance to make up her mind.
When Jareth touched the door handle, the door flamed silver and threw him back several feet. Jareth landed on his feet but his expression was priceless. Jareth eyed the door with suspicion. Sarah barely batted an eyelash. This place was as insane as she remembered.
But the idea of a door reacting against the Goblin King was slightly worrisome. After all, he had created said door, and it would stand to reason that he wouldn't create anything that would harm him. But Jareth wasn't behaving as if he was in on the joke. Rather, he looked just slightly...
"Very well. Why don't you open the door for me, Sarah?"
"And get myself blown to god knows where? Not a chance!" Sarah shook her head to reinforce her decision and turned to walk away. Jareth caught her arm. The man could move when he wanted to...
"It didn't hurt me."
"You are a...a...what are you anyway?"
"A Fae," Jareth supplied helpfully.
"Thank you," Sarah replied automatically.
"My pleasure. Now, would you try opening the door?"
"No."
"And do you have a particular reason for not wanting to do so?"
"Aside from the fact that when you attempted the same thing the door glowed and threw you across half the room? Not a one."
"I believe I know what has been done to the door, but I need to be certain that it applies to both of us."
"And if I won't?"
"Then I shall remain here with you," Jareth grinned wolfishly. "Perhaps we could continue where we left off...?"
"All right, I'll try to open the door."
"Careful, Sarah. I'm starting to think you don't like me."
Determined not to let Jareth gain the upper hand, Sarah strode toward the door, muttering all the while about evil males of all species and magical origin and placed her hand on the handle. Immediately the door flamed silver and tossed Sarah backward. Sarah stumbled back, and Jareth placed his hand on her arm to steady her.
Sarah yanked her arm free, and Jareth let go without much of a fight. They both looked at each other; Sarah with a growing horror and Jareth with an interesting mix of interest and anger.
Luster had locked them in.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehe!
There you are all, Chapter 4 in all its glory! I hope you likes.
Why, you may be wondering, was Luster singing a Vanessa Williams song? Because I like that song. And it fit the mood, and I get to pick. Mwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
And just for Lauralye, directions to the Labyrinth store (which I will own and operate someday if it kills me...) Would you believe second star to the right and straight on till morning? ^_~
And don't forget to leave a contribution in the little review box! (to borrow a line from The Lady Destiny *Lyra sweeps a bow and winks*)
Peace, Love and All That Jazz,
Lyra