Title: Rising From Ashes
Chapter Two: Jareth's Pain
I held onto one of your bandaged wrists.
We were both in my sleeping quarters; you rested on my bed, deprived of too much energy, sleeping a sleep too deep to be roused from. Still holding your hand, I sat beside you, full of anger, full of pain.
I had dressed your wounds but could not wholly heal you. I am powerless to your dominant will; therefore, my magic could not undo your savage slashes. Oh Sarah, how could you? What caused such hate and pain? If you did not call me in time - God no - I can't even think of it.
No. You're safe now. I am here.
I look at you and my heart is breaking.
So pale.
I remember the first time I saw you, strong, vibrant, visibly radiating the power of someone who dreams. Your crude attire of a jeans and a shirt could not hide your beautiful body, nor could it hide your kind, valiant and wickedly stubborn soul.
Now you are so cold.
How could you Sarah?
You might as well have stabbed me with your razor.
I whisper your name but you do not stir. You have receded to a place where there is no pain.
The urge to touch you is overpowering. I must know you are still here with me.
My hand gravitates toward you, spellbound, but I can not feel you. Angrily, I strip my hands of its gloves. They hit the ground with a sharp slap. How could you not realize how you affect me? My hands are shaking, can you not feel how you stir my blood, awaken my demons?
I graze my knuckles slowly over the contours of your cheekbone. I can feel the deep fragile nature of your humanity, as the side of my hand slides over your soft skin.
Why is it so hard to breathe?
Sarah.
Where has my brave Sarah gone?
When you last left me you were cruel in your innocence. The words you spoke were the very last thing I would ever hear from you, you left me broken, bereft of the strength of your dreams, of you. You did not once look back at me, confidant that I was the strong villain, the arrogant incorrigible Goblin King, able to recover from what you thought was only a blow to my ego.
How you wronged me.
You thought I did not notice, but yes Sarah, I do understand.
It had hurt you too, that crossroad we took. It was unfair to both of us. You wanted your dreams, I saw the desire to take what you want shine, hidden by your determination to do what you considered right. Your little brother could not stay here, and to my chagrin, I now realize, neither could you. So you turned your back on me, on us. But did you know that your dreams coincided with mine?
My dream was you.
It was always you.
And just moments ago you tried to take everything away from me.
Five years…
I pull myself to you, stroking your hair. My cold, naked fingers rake through your hair haphazardly. I should be more careful, but I can't help myself.
Five long years…
My hand wraps your hair around my white knuckles; they are shaking again as I cling to you, burying my grief into the depths of your raven hair. My cheek rests against you, and I am momentarily undone.
Sarah…
After all this time you finally call me only to… commit suicide?
Why?
Can you not see the power still pulsing in you? It is subdued now, but it remains nonetheless. And I have never had any power over you, surely you knew that.
Oh how you turned my world upside down.
I was powerless to stop you from leaving me, just as I am powerless to heal you.
I lay next to you, trying to collect myself as my cold fingers lace with yours.
What happened in the aboveworld to have caused such despair?
I think of the child you brought me to, and realize that you are now a mystery. What happened during the time you were away? The child is obviously yours, she is stunning with her inky black hair and bright hazel eyes, and not surprisingly she is similarly loud.
I watch the room darken as I pondered, to the point of weariness. With a flick of my wrist, candles lighten the abyss, as a resolve emerges in my mind.
Sarah. I will be your champion this time. I will lead you out of this dark solitude you have placed yourself in - and so help me - you will realize there is still power in you.