Rites of Passage by Betty Bokor
Jareth/Sarah. When Sarah is called to save the King, her life takes a whole new course, again.
Spoilers: The movie, the book, and some of the Return series.
Disclaimer: The Labyrinth original characters belong to The Jim Henson Company and Lucasfilms Ltd. This was written strictly for the purpose of entertainment. No attempt at copyright infringement has been made.
A.N. We are still here, thankfully, after these last two years. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all those who reviewd the story. We are closer to the end. Hopefully, it will be done soon. Enjoy!
Rites of Passage
Chapter 28
Sarah hurried as much as she could. He was obviously better, but there were still many signs of what he had been through. She was relieved when Keene entered the room before any other member of the court. She explained her findings to him and excused herself. She barely made it into her room before hearing the king and queen walking briskly towards their son's chamber and cautiously discussing what they would encounter.
As soon as the door was closed, she started crying very softly. She did not want anyone to hear her; however, she was incapable of stopping herself. She was feeling deeply sad about Jareth's reaction. Was he happy at all about the baby? She had not expected a celebration, but perhaps… a smile? Maybe a hand over her belly? Something that showed he was pleased with the news. Was he?
She threw herself on the bed and cried with little sobs. She was an adult, a professional. She had a family, friends, a career. She did NOT need his approval. She could do this on her own if she had to do it… but she had suddenly committed to him. She had renounced the life she knew to become something she was not sure she understood. What… Who was the King of the Goblins' wife? What did she do for a living? Did she just sit in a dirty throne room and ignored the goblins and poultry around her? What was she thinking?
Her spiraling thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on her door. She sat up and tried to clean her face. She heard Lady Anwen's voice.
"Sarah?
"Just a minute…" she answered as she ran to the bathroom to wash her face. She tried her best to look alright and then opened the door.
"May I come in?" the queen asked.
Sarah nodded quietly and allowed her into the room. After she closed the door, Lady Anwen softly put her arm on her shoulder and guided her to the sofa by the fireplace.
Once they were both sitting comfortably, the queen looked at her with concern. "I thought I'd find you celebrating… but you're troubled by something. What is it, child? Is Jareth more ill than-"
"No," Sarah interrupted while shaking her head. "It's not that. He's still sick, but Keene and I are encouraged by his progress," she explained.
"Then, why are you crying?"
The question was direct and Sarah felt compelled to tell her the truth.
"It all happened so fast," she began. "First, he asked- No; he stated that I was pregnant with his child, then he seemed upset that I was not asking to be his wife, and, then, right there, we were already married!" She finished with a hint of exasperation.
Lady Anwen hid a smile. "Were you expecting something else?" she asked concealing her amusement.
"He didn't seem happy," Sarah let out before her eyes filled with tears again.
"Oh, child, he is," the queen stressed. "It's just been a surprise for him. I believe he doesn't know what to expect from you. You have a life beyond this world. You may not want to stay with him. He may loose his child."
"Does he really believe I would do that to him?"
"He doesn't know what to believe, you two have never talked about this, but there's something he can't allow himself and that is to seem weak."
That idea had not occurred to Sarah. She sighed. "It's so complicated."
"The only thing that matters is that you're happy about your decision. You told me you wanted to get pregnant, even without discussing it with Jareth, because…" she stopped and looked at Sarah inquisitively.
She sighed again. "Because I love him," she conceded. "I've been in love with him since I was a teenager. After we spent that time together in my apartment, I was sure. I'd have done anything for him. And what he seemed to want the most was a child, an heir. That was something I was certain I could give him. I don't know why; I just knew it. Every step of the way I kept thinking it might not happen, but, deeply, I was sure it would. It was like… my mission. My duty… Ah! I don't think I can explain it!"
"I understand."
"You do?"
The queen nodded and smiled. "Now, what would make you happy? You're doing something great for my son; I need to know what we can do for you. Making him happy can't be enough. can't be all of it." She paused. "Since you love Jareth, I thought being his wife would be a good beginning, but there's something you aren't telling me. You don't seem happy. Are you?"
"I am, I am," she insisted.
"But…?"
"Something is missing," she finally acknowledged.
"You need to talk to him about it. You have to tell him what you need. He isn't unreasonable."
Sarah looked at the queen. She had a kind face and, though she somehow intimidated her a little, Sarah believed she was honest and she wanted her to be happy. "I will, I promise."
Lady Anwen smiled. Maybe there would be a happy ending to her family's history.
Hagan sat in an armchair, quietly looking at his son. He was relieved that he had survived his battle and been returned to him, but he was also shocked. Jareth had chosen a human as his mate. He understood what had been said before –Sarah was his soul mate– but he was not sure it was the right decision for his kingdom.
"Father?" Jareth asked. "You haven't expressed your impressions about the news."
There was no fear in his voice; his tone was defiant. Hagan knew that when Jareth made a decision he did not back down unless there was a reasonable alternative. His son had tried for a long time to bring an heir to the throne and failed, but, now, he had one. He had been right about how to end the war –and how to win it– and he might be right about this, too. Perhaps this was the only choice possible. Perhaps his world was in need of new blood. Literally.
"I'm pleased," he stated without any hint of emotion.
Jareth nodded in appreciation. "Good."
Hagan stood up and walked toward his son. "What are your plans? Have you convinced the girl to stay here? Does she understand what she's agreeing to do?"
"We haven't discussed the details. She's a sensible and intelligent woman. I'm sure she'll fit right in."
"But you do understand that the child is part human… Aboveground, you'd have no rights over him."
"You should marry her," Ruy interjected from the back of the room.
"She is my wife," Jareth asserted strongly.
"At home, with her family, through her laws," Ruy clarified while walking towards him. "If you're her husband aboveground, too, you will have the same rights as she does. If anything were to happen to her, the child would only be yours."
"Nothing will happen to Sarah."
"I didn't say it would, but she's still human…"
They all became quiet thinking about the possibilities.
"That may be fine down the road, when he's better," Keene said with a sigh. "Going aboveground in his condition, using all the magic that'd be required… That'd prove to be too much."
"But it has to be done," Ruy insisted. "As soon as possible."
Jareth lay back down on his pillows. "Ruy is right."
"We can all help;" Shawn suggested. "Jareth, you don't have to take all the burden. She'll be with her family; so should you. We can all use our own magic and keep the illusion. After all, in a wedding, there are always two sides."
"Would the High Court approve?" Jareth asked his father.
"I believe they'd insist if the situation is explained to them," Hagan stated.
"Even if they didn't think that's the best option. I doubt they'd oppose either of you," Ruy added. "Not after you won the war for them…"
Everybody seemed to agree.
"You should also mention how substantial has been the aide Sarah has rendered us during the war," Keene reminded them. "You should be proud of how she took care of the wished away while we were gone."
"We will," Hagan said.
"Now he needs to rest. You're not completely healed," he added, turning towards Jareth. "I'll come later to check how you're doing."
Hagan waited for the others to leave the room before stopping close to his son's bed. He looked at him and asked, "Do you love this woman?"
"She is my soul mate," was the answer.
"I heard that already; I' asking whether you-"
"I do; I love her."
The king nodded slowly, approvingly, and left his son to rest.
Jareth closed his eyes and pondered how much had changed in his life since Sarah had re-entered it. Even though she was not directly involved in every event of the prior months, she had left her imprint in most of them and, now, she had brought the biggest, the most important change to him: he was going to be a father. That was something he had longed to be for the longest time and it had suddenly become a reality thanks to her.
"How are you feeling?" Sarah soft voice interrupted his musings.
"I'm fine. You shouldn't worry," he answered as he slowly sat against his pillows.
"It's alright. It's my job," she smiled.
"When do you need to return to your other job?"
The question surprised her. Return? Where? The Nursery? "Keene is here. I don't think I need to go back, but if he needs me… no problem, I'll-"
"I meant to you residency. You said you had many months left."
She looked shocked. "Am I allowed back home?"
"Why wouldn't you?"
"I asked to be your wife… You said I was your wife. I-"
"You thought you had to abandon everything else?"
She nodded slowly.
"And you still asked…?" Now, he was shocked.
For a moment they just looked at each other. It was evident to both that their feelings were mutual and stronger than they had ever thought before.
"I'd never separate you from everybody you love or make you abandon everything you have achieved. If you ever decide to stay here permanently, that should your decision. For now, we should find a way to balance what we both need; it probably won't be easy, but-"
"We can work it out," she finished with a smile.
"Yes."
"First, we need to announce to the subjects of my kingdom that you're my wife, mother of the heir. Then you need to be introduced to the High Court and, next, we need to figure out how to get married aboveground, with your family."
That last idea suddenly made her happy. "Seriously? We can have a real wedding?"
"Our union is already real," he affirmed, slightly offended.
"I meant," she tried to soothe him, "I meant that we could have a ceremony. It feels a little strange to be your wife without anything to signal the transition."
"The conception of the child signals the transition."
"Right… Still, it'd be nice to have the ceremony."
"Then, we will."
"Will your family be there or they can't go aboveground?"
"They will be there."
She smiled again. She was feeling better about her decision and the idea of planning a wedding –to him, nonetheless– was exhilarating.
"We should start preparing for your introduction to the Goblin Kingdom. If they accept you, you can become Sarah, Queen of the Goblins. We just need to make sure they find you agreeable and suitable to be their queen."
"You forget I know many of them already. Tell me when we need to be ready and I will."
"I believe tomorrow morning would be an appropriate time."
"Only if you're better. You're still too weak to get out of that bed.
"I am not."
"I'm your doctor and I say you are."
"I'm your king and I say I'm not."
"You have no power over me…" she replied smugly.
They both laughed.
"Then, Keene will give me a second opinion and he'll agree with me."
"We'll see…" Sarah said with a smile. "Now, go back to resting and getting stronger. I'll be campaigning with my pals."
