The Daydreamer and the King

By Danika Lareyna

Chapter Seven - A Conclusion

The crystal did not slow to a graceful stop as before; it fell from pain-numbed fingers. The room was silent for a long time as Sarah stared at her empty hand, fingers still curled to cradle the absent orb, as if surprised to find it there. Numb, she turned her gaze from it to lean out the still open window. In a soft voice, she said, "No, Jareth. That's enough. That last one... it was too painful."

When she turned back to the room, he was there, as she knew he would be. He did not meet her eyes, but regarded the crystal where it had rolled to a halt beside her desk. He seemed very far away from her then, though he stood only across her small bedroom. At last, he spoke in a soft voice, "Did you not enjoy my gift?"

She bent to retrieve the shimmering sphere, holding it protectively to her breast. "I did," she replied. Stroking its smooth surface, she continued, "But I don't understand, why did you lie to me?"

He lifted his gaze to her, pointed eyebrows rising in confusion.

"You said that it would show me my dreams," she said, holding the crystal out towards him. Her voice remained soft, but lost its wistful quality, hardening as she spoke. "These are not my dreams."

She would never have imagined that the Goblin King could look so small and fragile, seeming almost to shrink into his great, high-collared cloak. "How did you know?"

Sarah took a step towards him, a small frown on her face and the crystal still extended. "I have lived with my dreams all of my life. Did you really think I would be fooled? Did you truly believe I would take these as my own?"

Jareth said nothing, his expression suddenly an emotionless mask. He turned his face from her and Sarah knew that, at any moment, he would disappear from her room for the last time. She would never see him again.

She took another step and snatched at his gloved hand before he could go. He continued to look away as she laid his palm over the crystal, still held in her other hand. Softly, a hint of color building in her cheeks, she said, "Thank you, Jareth."

The Goblin King turned back to look at the girl, gazing up at him with soft, hazel eyes. With a small smile, she took the final step and leaned her head against his chest, freezing him in place as surely as any magic. With the crystal between them, cupped in both of their hands, Sarah whispered, "Thank you for showing me your dreams."

The End

Author's Note-

Aw... fluff.

Allow me to say how terribly sorry I am that it took so long to post this last chapter. What with everything going on... I -ahem- I kind of forgot about DD&K. Here you waited all that time and all you get is this little bit of drivel to top off the story. Please don't beat me.

In order to make amends, I will allow you a choice. You make the decision where I should focus my energies next. Please vote in your review (because, of course, you will review).

Should Danika focus on:

a) The slow but steady rewrite of Magic Eyes (please do not expect this to be posted any time soon as I intend to wait until I am completely finished)

b) My Immortal Lover

c) As Strong & As Great (which will require my deleting the second chapter entirely because I detest it with a fiery passion)

d) Something completely different (but Labyrinth-y, of course)

Be aware that whatever you lovely readers choose will simply be my main focus in coming days, not my only focus. I will continue working on at least Magic Eyes, Immortal Lover and Muck, whatever you decide, though not at the same pace.

Much love and adoration,

Danika