Del: Bubbles? Bubbles?

Bubbles: Yes?

Del: BUBBLES! You're feeling better!

Bubbles: Yeah kiss Thank you sweetie

Del: kiss Any time

Bubbles: On with the story!

Del: Oh and for those of you wondering if Darien is good or not, we'll just have to wait and see.

In Times of Sorrow

Chapter 6

The Eldest Dragon

I could keep you...The words echoed in her mind as barely as whisper as Sarah looked at the man that sat beside her. He had burning red eyes like fire, and his dark hair was shaped into a mohawk. He wore a black silk shirt over a tight fitting red muscle top that showed off his muscular chest and abdomen, with black leather pants that were stitched together with thick red thread.

"Jareth..." Sarah's voice was barely a whisper as she said the only thing that could come to mind. Darien smiled, "Yes, he is my brother, he has gone on a quest to the Mountain of Kintar in lands far to the west, seeking the Dragon's Crystal."

Sarah sighs and looks around the room, looking back at Darien she asks softly, "Why?" Darien crosses his arms and leans back on the bedpost, "He has gone on the quest to retrieve the crystal that will save your life; but apparently you seem to be improving quickly."

Sarah starts to move and can barely lift herself off of the pillow, Darien leans forward and helps her into a sitting position. "Thanks," Sarah says and Darien smiles even more before saying, "It is always an honor to help a Lady." Sarah looks at him in surprise, "What do you mean by Lady?"

Leaning back on the bedpost Darien gives her a skeptical look and says, "Well considering how smitten my brother is with you, I must refer to you as a Lady, it is a matter of respect." Sarah's mouth drops, "How smitten your brother is with me...you mean Jareth!"

Now it's Darien's turn to look shocked, "You mean you don't know?" Sarah shakes her head and Darien sighs, "Well I simply thought that you knew, you've been calling out to him in your sleep these last few days. So I thought that you two were lovers"

"Days!" Sarah exclaims in shock, finally looking around it hits her that she isn't at home anymore, "What am I doing here?" "What happened?" Sarah moves to step out of the bed and the covers start to slip back to reveal that she is completely naked. As her feet touch the floor she tries to slide back under the covers but her feet won't support her and she falls to the ground.

Rushing quickly to Sarah's side Darien scoops her up in his arms and returns a very red-faced Sarah to the bed. "Yes days, you've been very ill. Jareth didn't explain much but you were on the verge of dying, so he has taken on a fool's quest to find the Dragon's Crystal so that he can save you."

Sarah looks down at her arms and sees the bandages and the memories of that night come flooding back to her, she sits silently as tears begin to form in her eyes, without looking Darien in the face she asks, "When you say fool's quest, does it mean that he could die?"

Darien reaches out and touches her cheek while saying, "My lady, it is quiet possible that he could, the path ahead of him is long and difficult. But he willing went without a moment's hesitation because it was the only way to save you. Believe me, I know my brother; it would take a world falling on him to crush him. He'll return to you within a week is what he has proclaimed."

A cold tear falls on Darien's hand as he sees Sarah begin to shake, "Don't worry my lady, Jareth will return and you'll see for yourself how much he loves you," Darien reassured.

In a bitter voice broken with sobs Sarah replies, "Whether he loves me or not, it doesn't matter, I'm not worth saving." And with that Sarah pushed away from Darien and fell back on the pillows sobbing.

Darien sat stunned for a moment, and then standing slowly he quietly left the room, as Sarah's sobs wracked her body and filled her heart with pain until she fell into a silent slumber.

Jareth opened his eyes and the world was swimming, his head was throbbing and his arm felt as though it were on fire.

"E's da burd be awake bruder!" Jareth saw the rotting grin of a goblin staring him right in the face while he was tied on a spit and a small fire was being built beneath him.

The other goblin laughed and said to his brother, "Ee dink dat 'e be smartur dan us'ns, stoopid burd, 'e'll show u 'ow smart u are when 'e're eatin you'ns."

And without a moment's hesitation Jareth transformed into his human form, breaking the bonds that held him, leaving the goblins in dumbfound wonderment as their king stood before them. Quickly drawing forth two crystals he throws them at the goblins who are suddenly covered in snakes, that writhe and twist around their limbs until the goblins can no longer move. "And exactly how smart do you think you are you fool!"

"Wes'ns means no 'arm Sire, wes'ns only 'ungry 'en starv'n," one goblin pleaded. Jareth stepped up to the goblins with a big smirk on his face, "Well then, no harm no foul right?" The goblins grin, " Yeah, no 'arm no fool." Jareth smiles wickedly, "So since you didn't succeed in assonating your king, then I suggest that you two lead me out of this hole and through these Fire Mountains. Because now my arm is hurt, and I won't be able to fly."

The goblins look at each other and then back at Jareth, "But Sire, we 'on't travul 'ar 'ento da mountains, onlee 'round da outskirts." Jareth kneels till he is eye level with the goblins, "But you do know a way through." The goblins look at each other nervously, "
'Der es a way under da mountains, but wes'ns 'on't go dat way cause it 'eads out ento da Dragun Castle." Smiling wickedly Jareth replies, "Perfect."

In the Goblin Castle Darien is sitting in the throne room while goblins scurry about him completing their chores. Leon and Gobit have returned to the king's chamber and are watching over Sarah who is lost in sleep again. Darien keeps looking to the door that leads to the king's chamber and thinking;

What did she mean that she wasn't worth saving? She's beautiful, a woman that any man would be proud to have by his side. But there is something dark in her, in her mind. Something that I can't see, something only she knows. Jareth, dear brother, what has happened? She defeated you; I saw that, so why do you pursue her, why do you love someone who stripped you of your powers with a few simple words.

Yet, regardless, she is very enchanting. I believe that I will have to get to know this dear Sarah better; I want to know her darkness. See what makes her cry those heart broken sobs, and maybe I can save her from her darkness. And she has intrigued me; she is definitely a worthy opponent. We'll see who can win this one brother.

Jareth and two goblins had been walking for hours in the darkness, after releasing the two goblins they had reluctantly lead the way to a set of narrow stone steps that lead down into darkness. Holding a crystal in his hand Jareth brought forth light from the crystal, and used it guide their way. Beyond the rays of light there existed nothing but and empty inky black air, water could be heard dripping somewhere, and the two goblins made sure to stick close to their king for fear of the darkness.

Leon and Gobit sat quietly by Sarah's bed, Gobit fidgeted with a lose string on his pants, and Leon was looking over a book of potions when Sarah sat straight up in the bed and looked at the two of them. "Who are you?" Sarah asked quietly.

Gobit was so surprised that he fell of the bed, but quickly scrambled back on his feet and over to Leon who was now standing by the bed. "Lady Sarah, you're well? You're actually awake?" Sarah smiled as Gobit tried to peek over the top of the bed to look at her, giving up he climbed up the covers and watched Sarah intently.

Sarah then looked at Leon and said, "Yes, I feel much better now. But who are you?" Leon sputtered and bowed and deeply, "My lady, my name is Leon the Healer and the goblin before you is named Gobit. We were instructed by his majesty King Jareth to stay by your side and administer to your health."

Gobit then pips up, " 'Eah, I 'elped too!" Sarah reached over and patted Gobit on the head, "I thank you both very much, but who was the man that I saw earlier, with the dark hair?" Leon bows again and replies, "That was King Jareth's brother, Darien, and he is ruling the Goblin Kingdom in Jareth's absence." Sarah looks down at her hands and asks, "Is it true that Jareth has gone on a dangerous quest to get a crystal in order to save me?"

Leon smiles, "Yes, that is true my lady, he was very worried about you….." Leon trails off because Sarah has started crying. Leon sits down on the bed and puts a comforting arm around her shoulders, "Now why do you cry my dear, there is no reason for it."

Sarah rubs her eyes; "All of you have worked so hard to save my life, when I so willing tried to throw it away." Leon quits smiling and looks at Sarah, "What do you mean my dear?"

Sarah pulls the bandage off her wrists to reveal the cut on her wrists, "I slit my wrists, with a razor blade, because I couldn't take it anymore. He wasn't going to love me, he wasn't going to answer me, and he didn't come when I needed him." Leon gives her a little squeeze, "Who didn't come?"

Sarah runs her fingers through her hair as tears stream down her face, "Jareth didn't come, I begged and begged but he never came when I called him. And when I finally decide that I can't deal with it anymore that I'd rather be dead than feel the empty hole I created in my heart for him; he just shows up."

"Well, so that's what it's all about?" Looking up quickly Sarah and Leon see Darien standing in the doorway, smiling he says, "I mean you called for him, but did you wish for him? Jareth can only answer to the wishes of mortals, and did you ever think that he might resent you for the fact that you defeated him?"

Leon looks at Sarah in shock, "You defeated him?" Sarah nods her head, "Yes, I defeated the Labyrinth and saved my little brother whom I had wished away to the Underground. But before I returned home Jareth offered me everything, my dreams, wishes, and hopes but for a price. He only asked me to love him, but I didn't realize it then and I turned him down. I felt that he would never forgive me," Sarah starts sobbing, "but then I wake up here and I…. I don't know what to do." Sarah keeps crying, while Darien walks over to her.

Leon gets off the bed while Darien wraps Sarah up in a blanket and picks her up, "What are you doing?" Sarah asks quietly. Darien smiles and says, "You've been laying in that bed for two days now, I'm sure that you'd like to have a nice warm bath." Sarah smiles gratefully, "Yes, that would be nice." Sarah's voice fades softly as she drifts back to sleep in Darien's arms.

Jareth and the goblins had finally crossed under the Fire Mountains, after the void of darkness they had suddenly come to a room that was churning and flaming with lava, the center of the Fire Mountains. Making their way over the stone bridge they had come to another set of stone steps that lead up toward a small light.

Climbing the steps slowly the trio came to a large golden door. Beside the door sat two golden statues of a dragon, and in the middle of the door the Dragon Castle seal glimmered brilliantly. "It is time you two," Jareth said sternly to the two goblins that where trying to sneak quietly back down the steps, and with that Jareth opened the door.

Jareth pushed aside the tapestry that was hanging over the door and came face to face with a small dragon that fell backward on his tail. Moving quickly Jareth helped the young dragon up as the two goblins pushed past he tapestry.

The dragon hissed at Jareth and said, "INTRUDER! What are you doing here? And how did you find the secret passage!" Jareth frowned at the dragon, "My name is Jareth, I rule the Goblin Kingdom to the East of your lands, and I have come here to speak with the Eldest Dragon."

The dragon smirked and hissed again, "No one may see the Eldest who is unworthy, what have you to show to prove that you must speak with him?" Jareth reached over his shoulder and drew forth the Dragon Sword given to him by Darien, smiling pleasantly he said, "Is this proof enough for you?"

The dragon shrank back from Jareth and knelled in front of him. "The royal guard, there are no questions asked, I'll take you to the Eldest." Jareth smirked and motioned for the two goblins to follow as the young dragon led the way toward the Dragon Treasure Room.

As they walked down the halls the two goblins were in awe of the beauty of the castle, the walls, floors, and ceilings where made completely of marble with gold carvings on the walls of dragons and epic battles. Long red rugs ran down the hallway, with tall red curtains hanging from the ceiling to the floor at every window.

Soon they came to two large doors made of marble with the Dragon's Royal Seal inscribed in gold the young dragon looked to Jareth, "This is the Dragon's Treasure Room, this is where the Eldest comes to study and contemplate the mysterious of our universe and world. At the moment the Eldest is distraught with the betrayal of his brother, so please be careful with what you say."

Jareth nodded, "I understand." And with that the dragon opened the door to a mass of shimmering gold. Large mounds of gold covered the floor, with spots of gems, rubies, diamonds, and golden statues sorted around the room. On the wall hung weapons of all kinds and sizes, beautifully encrusted with gold and diamonds. And in the middle of the room was the largest dragon Jareth had ever seen.

The dragons scales were golden orange and tipped with touches of gold, the light reflected and shimmered on the dragon who had large leathery wings folded neatly on his back, and spiked tail that waved back and forth as the Eldest Dragon sat in contemplation.

"So you have come," the Dragon spoke, "Please step inside." Opening his eyes and looking at the young dragon, "You may leave Rasnor, this gentleman will not harm me. Please offer his companions something to eat and let them rest, Jareth and I must speak privately for a moment."

Rasnor the small dragon bowed and signaled for the goblins to follow, the goblins looked intently at Jareth who nodded and they scurried after the dragon. Jareth turned to face the Eldest dragon, who's dark black eyes glimmered at him like two crystals and the dragon said, "So Jareth, tell me about the woman that you have come here to save."

In the Goblin Castle Sarah sat relaxing in a large tub filled with warm rose water. Sinking low into the water she let out a sigh of relief, her whole body ached. The water was soothing and calm; looking around the bathing room she could see a lounge area with large wooden chairs and a few side tables. On the wall hung goblin masks, exquisitely beautiful. Covered in feathers, gems and glitter, no mask was the same. Some held happy expressions, other sad, and one mask even looked to be laughing.

A large mirror was on her right and looking in the mirror Sarah saw the door to the bathing room open and Darien step through quietly. "Are you feeling much better?" Darien asked to the reflection in the mirror.

Sarah turned and smiled at him while dropping a little lower in the water so that only her head and neck were visible. "Yes, thank you." Looking around again she noted, "This bathing room is exquisite."

Darien chuckled as he began to remove his boots, "Yes, Jareth never forgets to include exquisite beauty with luxury."

Darien walks over to the tub, "May I join you?" Sarah sits dumbfounded as Darien begins to remove his weapons, pulling daggers from hidden sheaths on his arms and legs and finally removing the sword and holster at his side he sits by the tub and dips his feet in. Sighing Darien says, "Ahhh, the water is warm and comforting."

Sarah just stared sort of dumbfounded as Darien removed his weapons, pulling daggers from hidden slits on his legs and arms, and then finally removing the sword at his hip he turned and smiled at Sarah.

"We have a few important matters to discuss," Darien said and Sarah sighed and replied, "Okay, what do you want to know?" Darien dropped his gaze and asked, "What are your feelings for my brother?" Sarah leaned back against the side of the tub, "Well, when I first met Jareth we were enemies. We fought each other for the child that he had stolen, or that I had actually wished away. He gave me everything that I asked for without any hesitation, but I was so blind then that I didn't see it. Sure he made it difficult for me, but that was all part of the Labyrinth."

Sarah rubbed her sore neck slightly and continued, "When I defeated Jareth I was just so happy to get Toby back that I didn't think of the consequences. I returned to the world above the Underground and continued on with my life, but I couldn't stop thinking of Jareth. My friends Hoggle, Ludo, and Sir Didymus came whenever I called for them, but one day I decided to call for Jareth."

Rubbing her temples Sarah stretched and Darien scooted a little closer to her, "Then when I called for Jareth he didn't answer, and suddenly neither did Hoggle, Ludo, or Sir Didymus. Suddenly I had no contact with the Underground, I couldn't find anyway to reach them anymore. And I became depressed; suddenly my world was so lonely and lost without them. I became a zombie, I woke up, went to school or work, came home, ate and went to bed, I wouldn't even play with Toby."

Sarah's voice starts to crack a little as she is starting to cry, "Then one night I decided that I'd had enough, that I couldn't live my life with the loneliness anymore. And I took a blade and," Sarah stops and motions to her wrists. Darien just nods in understanding as Sarah continues, "I can remember the blood, I remember laying on the floor in the darkness crying and begging for Jareth. Then I wished that I could see Jareth for one last time before I died and I don't remember anything after that until the moment I woke up and met you."

With the story finished Sarah relaxed against the tub a little more and absentmindly leaned her head against Darien's leg. Darien smiled at the girl and said, "But that doesn't explain your feelings for my brother, do you love him?" Sarah sighed, "I don't know, I know that my feelings are confused, that I could love him and I could hate him but it depends on him. He just has this way of making me so mad with his smug looks and pompous attitude sometimes, but that attracts me too him all the same. Perhaps if he were kinder then….." but Sarah was interrupted as she felt Darien stroking her hair.

Darien says in a whisper, "Yes, Jareth can be cruel; especially to those he cares the most about." Sarah looks up at Darien with pleading eyes, "Please tell me about Jareth, tell me about who he is." Darien smiles but his eyes are sad as he begins the tale of their childhood.

In the Dragon Kingdom rumors are flying everywhere betwixt the dragon subjects, the Goblin King armed with the sword of the Dragon Royal Guard had arrived and was speaking with the Eldest in private. "Perhaps he'll end the controversy between the brothers," a dragon female said hopefully, her companion looked back skeptically, "Not without bloodshed I doubt, and the Eldest would give up his own life before taking the life of his younger brother." The two females look to the Dragon Castle.

Meanwhile, inside the castle Jareth is lounging on a golden chair while the Eldest listens intently to his story, "So when I finally found Sarah her wrists were slit and she had lost a large amount of blood. I brought her to my kingdom where she rests now, but her life hangs by a thread. Or at least it did when I left…." Jareth pauses realizing that he hadn't contacted his brother since he left, "I'll contact my brother shortly to check up on her, and on my kingdom.

The Eldest closed his eyes and began to think, Jareth watched intently as the dragon opened his eyes and looked at Jareth. "First and foremost your kingdom is safe I can see that the goblins are busy under the instruction of your brother. I remember your brother well; we met when we were both younger, that is when I bestowed upon him the sword that you now carry at your side. I thought that your brother had long since vanished from the Underground."

Jareth nodded, "Yes, for a time my brother was gone far to the east and I believe that he found a land beyond the Underground, but he does not speak of this." The Eldest sighed and said, "So you are here seeking the Dragon's Crystal to help your lady, but there is much that you do not know Goblin King."

Jareth gets a little more comfortable and the Eldest continues, "I can see that your lady is awake and doing well now. Her wounds are healed but not, there are wounds deep inside of her that can't be healed with potions. She is in the presence of your brother now."

Jareth stands quickly, "Then I must contact him, I must know how Sarah is doing!" The Eldest chuckles, "Remain patient, there is still much to discuss. The Dragon's Crystal will restore her strength but she is healing marvelously, however, before you came here you knew that my younger brother has captured the Mountain of Kintar and now wages war on our lands."

Jareth sighs and sits back down, "Yes, Darien explained to me the situation, as I understand it you refuse to wage war on your brother." The dragon nodded, "Yes, war will not settle this, my brother and I have always been close, but a vermin has been whispering in my brother's ear as of late, the gargoyle called Sintium."

Jareth looks shocked, "A gargoyle, but that entire race was banished to the world above because of the treasonanous acts they tried to pull against the Dragon Kingdom, as well as all the kingdoms of the Underground. They plotted to kill your father, and then use the powers of the Dragon Kingdom to rule the Underground."

The Eldest smiled at Jareth's apparent fury, "Yes, that was the case, but regardless this gargoyle has set my brother against me with his tales of ruling, but the gargoyle is only here for himself. He is trying to set my brother against me and destroy our kingdom so that he may rule and then bring his brethren back from banishment."

Jareth paced back and forth, "So even with the history between the Dragons and Gargoyles your brother still chooses to take their side? I don't understand."

The Eldest seems rather sad, "My brother's thirst for power has overtaken his mind by the encouraging whispers of Sintium; therefore, bringing me to the conclusion I am about to propose to you. If you will enter the Mountain of Kintar and kill the gargoyle Sintium then I am certain my brother and I will reconcile and we'll be able to rule our kingdom together in peace."

Jareth plops down in the chair in total shock, "You want me to kill the gargoyle?"

The Eldest sadly says, "Yes, although I do not agree with killing, it will be the only way for my brother to regain his senses, and in return I will tell you how to save your lady from the darkness that is clouding her mind."

The Eldest takes his tail and pulls forth from the mounds of treasure a large crystal ball, placing it before the Goblin King he says, "Look deep into the depths of the crystal if you wish to see your Lady Sarah." Jareth gazes into the crystal as Sarah's face comes into to view; she is sitting in the bathing room relaxing in the tub.

Jareth's breath catches in his throat as he watches her stand from the water and wrap a towel around herself, walking slowly over to the mirror she stares for a long time at her reflection. And then without notice Sarah punches the mirror, shattering the glass and cutting her hand, and with a cry of heart-broken sorrow falls to the floor crying.

Why can't I do this? Why can't I move on? I feel as though my body is alive, but my soul is dead. What can I do? Sarah cries to no one in the room, suddenly the door is opened and Darien rushes in with Leon close behind. Darien immediately scoops Sarah up off of the floor and rushes her away; you can still hear her cries echoing down the hallway as the image disappears.

Jareth in the meantime is practically having a fit, looking at the Eldest desperately he asks, "What is happening to her? This isn't the Sarah that I know, please tell me!" Jareth is frantic but the dragon just says reassuringly, "You're lady tried to take her life….."

Jareth stands and screams, "NO! Sarah wouldn't do that, she isn't that stupid!" Ignoring Jareth's outburst the Eldest continues, "Regardless of whether you want to admit it or not, the truth is the truth. And now that is something that she will have to live with for the rest of her life, and regardless of whether you had anything to do with it or not, she contributes some of her misery to you. If you wish to keep her, then you'll listen to what I have to say."

Jareth glares at the dragon who chuckles as the frustrated Goblin King sits back down again and sighs, "Go on, I'm listening."

Del: Okay, Woah! That is like uber long chapter, so if it's too long for you guys I'll shorten it down into two chapters but this is sort of my Christmas present to all of my devoted readers.

Bubbles: Devoted readers looks around I don't see no body

Del: hits in the head that's because you ain't paying attention. Anyhow, as I was saying glares at Bubbles I just kinda got in the mood to write and couldn't seem to find a good place to stop with this chapter. And the office will be closed starting on Christmas to New Years, so there will be like a week that I won't be able to post. So I'm trying to get as many chapters out as I possibly can, but don't worry, when I'm not working over the holiday I will be writing on the story some. So there will be good long chapters posted after New Years.

Bubbles: Yeah right

Del: Don't make me hit you again! Well anyways, Happy Holidays!

Next to come: Perhaps a Christmas Chapter where Jareth and Sarah get to see each other, maybe not…….just depends.

Please Review.