Jareth gazed across the ballroom at the young woman laughing amongst the other masked dancers. A crooked smile of his own played on his lips as he took a small sip of wine even though he knew what the next step was going to entail. The young brunette looked over in his direction then casually away as if his presence wasn't worth her attention. Her indifference only amused him. Five years in the Labyrinth suited Sarah Williams very well, too well in fact. In the time frame between her ill worded wish and now she had accrued her own army and was threatening to do the exact opposite of what he had begged from her all those years ago.
"Just fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave." He winced slightly as his own words echoed throughout his head. Sometimes he wondered who the true fool was in that little play of theirs though he'd never voice that out loud. Still, as he watched her flirt with the Underground leaders, he would be lying if he said he wasn't impressed with the character she had created for herself. He wasn't tricked though. Underneath all that armor, schmoozing and big words was still that young, girl lost in fantasy novels while making wishes she would later regret. All of this was just yet another act she was performing, and he was the only audience member not entranced.
The bitter wine burned down his throat and he made sure to knock back the last gulp before setting it down on a nearby table. The dancers moved out of his way with every step he took leaving a clear path to Sarah. He could feel that she knew he was getting closer, but she kept her composure as she continued talking to another man who was seemingly engrossed in her words. It was her party after all. Jareth found it ironic how similar this ball was to a particular dream he had conjured on her first journey to the Underground. He had to question if she did it on purpose and if so if it was directed towards him for any reason or just because deep down, she had enjoyed it so.
"So, you agree then? That there are too many goblins roaming freely into our territories when the treaty specifically says that they stay in Jareth's?" The man's words had grown louder. He wanted Jareth to know they were talking about him. As if he hadn't picked that up from across the room.
"I never said such a thing." Even under her silver, diamond-clad mask Jareth could see her nose wrinkle at his words. "I specifically said that I believe all creatures should be able to move freely; goblins included. If they did, I believe Jareth's realm would not be as dirty or stink as bad as it does. I can only see benefits from that." Even when being nice Sarah always found a way to take a jab at him. He both admired and hated her for it.
The other man tilted his head back and laughed at her words before finally turning his attention to the goblin king. "You know, when you first brought this human girl to your realm, we thought you were crazy. Even crazier when she beat you and you brought her back again. Now though, I think I can see the appeal." His eyes turned hungry as he looked back at Sarah who only gave a curt nod in answer. Jareth didn't appreciate the implications of either his tone or look but said nothing. Sarah wanted to play her role which entailed no help from him. Let her deal with the consequences for once.
"Hm, well while you've enjoyed her company sadly I have not." He held his hand out to Sarah who looked at It as though he was one of his goblins offering one of their 'found treasures' for her to take. "I was hoping to steal you away for a dance. Or is the conversation about my goblins all too entertaining for you?"
Sarah's eyes narrowed but placed her hand in his. "I will be back Tristan; I do wish to continue our conversation, but some guests tend to be a bit more needy than others."
Tristan chuckled at this and gave an encouraging nod. "Go then. I will be here as always."
Jareth wanted to drop her hand right there and then but the information he needed from her was far too great to lose now. Out of all the characters, she's played however, this one had to be his least favorite. "If you think I crave your attention so badly I'm afraid you're mistaken."
"Mmm, and yet you've been watching me all night." Sarah turned to wrap her arms around his neck as the music changed to a slow rhythm. The annoyance at the steps of the dance shined through her eyes causing Jareth to pull her closer.
"I could say the same to you, dear Sarah, how could you notice unless you were watching me too?" He could sense her pulse quicken at his words and his smile returned. "Of course, there's the fact that you threw this familiar ball in the first place and invited me. Did you miss me that much after all these years?"
"Hardly." He could taste the lie as soon as it left her lips. During the first year back, she did everything in her power to avoid him even if it meant living in an oubliette with Hogsworth…or was it, Hoggle? Whatever that traitorous goblin's name was he had heard rather than seen that she stayed with him. Then slowly, to his amusement, she had begun to venture out more past his labyrinth and into the Underground boarders he never crossed himself. Thankfully he had eyes and ears everywhere and a few years later she popped back up but as the scared, young girl that he had brought back.
"So why bring me here Sarah? I have to wonder, if it's not because you missed me, what message are you trying to send?" He lowered his hand on her back, so it rested right above her hips, his other arm rising to cup the back of her neck. She was completely wrapped against him and yet showed no signs of fear outwardly. Inwardly he could feel her blood rushing, her skin warming up, and her heartbeat hastening. Either she was scared or excited; either way, Jareth was finally going to get some answers.
Sarah raised her eyes, a fire growing inside them that he hadn't seen since she uttered those horrible words so long ago. You have no power over me. He wanted to shove her away in fear she'd say them again. Even if nothing were to happen now, the memory of what she had destroyed before would undo him. He hadn't expected coming here to cause a war within his mind and heart, but he wasn't surprised that it was happening. He was dealing with Sarah after all. "Let's move to the gardens." Sarah pulled back, her hands slowly running down his shoulders into his own leaving a trail of goosebumps even through his shirt.
Jareth watched her with suspicious eyes, knowing full well that the scenes were changing but her act was very much the same. Well, if he was going to play in her movie, he was going to write his own script. He may hold no power over her, but he held power over everything else.
The garden was empty save for a few guests lost in their own world. The light of the moon illuminated most of the flowers blooming even now in the shadows of the night. The aroma was sweet in the chill air, but Jareth paid none of it any mind. Impatience was growing as he watched Sarah pluck a small orangish, red flower and tuck it into her hair. It was striking against her brown curls yet seemed to fit perfectly right in. Slowly, she took her mask off and set it down on the ground before walking up to him.
She tilted her head slightly, watching him with amused eyes as she grew closer and closer to him. Even though he stood still, his eyes-only showing curiosity and nothing more. She could tell that he wasn't used to feeling like the prey. Truth be told she wasn't used to being the hunter and felt clumsy in this role; it was like putting on a costume two sizes too big. One wrong move and she'd trip breaking the illusion altogether and giving him more than enough room to pounce and turn the roles around. Thankfully she had years to practice this performance, perfecting it to the point that she even believed it. She was Sarah Williams, the human Warrior, and leader of her realm.
Repeating that line over and over in her head she reached up and tucked her hands under Jareth's black mask, so her skin was touching his. Almost on instinct, his eyes shut, and she smiled. He was playing his part perfectly too. Her hands inched upwards until they touched the silky ribbon tying his mask to his face and quickly undid it letting it fall to the ground carelessly. At the feeling of the cold wind on his face, Jareth opened his eyes once more and looked down into Sarah's eyes before taking what he'd been wanting this whole time.
The kiss was hurried, rough, and primal. He grasped her wrists and pulled her closer, so she was once more pinned up against him. He was all teeth and fire where her movements were more controlled and cold leaving the kiss more about him than her. Jareth didn't care though; why would he when he was just taking what was his. He bit down on her bottom lip and Sarah gasped slightly against his mouth. The thought of taking things further just crossed his mind when a gentle shove back made him stop. A small growl of annoyance crept up, but he did as she wished and pulled back just enough to look at her questioningly.
"You wanted to know why I brought you here." Even with swollen lips and foggy eyes she still demanded to put on her act. Very well, he got part of what he wanted he might as well keep his own act up.
"I had guessed more important things were about to happen." He raised an eyebrow and pushed up against her. His annoyance grew as she pulled her wrists out of his grasp, but as she didn't step away, he made no movements to grab her again. "I guess they can wait. So dear Sarah, do tell me what brings us together today. What grand finale awaits us this time?" He knew his words were condescending if not straight out calling her little game for what it was, but she had been toying with him for so long and he was growing tired of it.
Sarah didn't seem phased by it. Instead, she smiled. As she raised her hand to pull the flower out of her hair Jareth couldn't help but notice how incredibly beautiful, she looked at this moment. He couldn't remember the last time if ever, he had seen her smile like that before. It was so genuine and lighted up her face to the point that it made all her other features glow. She looked like a flawless painting that would cost any man in the Underground or Aboveground more than his life's savings to purchase and an artist a lifetime to create. He had never seen her so happy before and it took his breath away; he wanted to keep her like this forever at this moment.
He didn't even break his gaze as she slipped the flower into his hand, still smiling while forcing his hand to curl so his fingers crushed the petals. "I wanted to tell you something Jareth." That broke the spell, his eyebrows furrowed as he tried to make sense of her words. She had called him here, out of his realm and castle to tell him something, when there were much faster ways to communicate.
"I know you're human Sarah, but surely you have spent long enough to know that you could have just used an orb to speak to me."
Sarah giggled and her smile grew. He had been watching her long enough to know that she wasn't drunk or had partaken in any drugged food, but her mannerisms were saying otherwise. Her act was slipping, she was falling back into old, childish habits if only a little. It was subtle, her other movements were controlled and what was faltering wasn't to the extent that a commoner would notice. He wasn't a commoner though; he knew Sarah and he could tell that whatever she was going to say was something she'd been holding back for a long time. This just made his curiosity grow even more. "Honestly, I just wanted to see your reaction."
Jareth stiffened, all magic of the kiss and her smile gone. So, he wasn't going to like what he was about to hear. "Well, then say it, Sarah. I am tired of your games and you're much too old to be playing them in the first place. This isn't like last time."
"No, you're right." The smile was still there but it was a bit strained and there was no more laughter. She played with one of the petals of the flower still stuck in her hand as she spoke, no longer able to hold his gaze. "I'm no longer that little girl who played dress-up in the rain. I think…I think you killed her that first time." Her voice wavered and Jareth felt a smug satisfaction at it. It was only fair seeing what she had killed for him. "You killed her again when you brought me back again. But I wasn't going to stay dead, so I grew up." The petal slipped from her palm and landed, crushed up and wrinkled, on top of his mask. A striking blood drop on top of the velvet exterior. "And while I grew up, I also grew an army and my own kingdom."
Jareth's heart dropped at this piece of information; he hadn't heard it before until now. It made sense though, and it would be just like Sarah to go out and somehow achieve her own realm in a few years. She was stubborn enough and held just the right amount of a superiority complex to demand it. She also had nothing to lose but everything to gain. And she got everything. In the back of his mind, he had a feeling Tristan had a hand in it too with the way they were flirting and how he had looked at her. When this night was finally over, he would make sure he'd find out the truth and he would pay. That and any goblins that were supposed to relay him any information would be joining 'Sir Tristan' into the bog.
As if sensing his thoughts Sarah stood on her tiptoes, reached up, and cupped his face. He looked back into her gleeful eyes with his dead ones. "My kingdom is as great." Panic seized his heart, and he went to speak but his mouth was once again covered with her own. This time his lips didn't have time to move as her kiss was both slow and quick it was as though it didn't even happen. When she pulled away, she stared directly at him and said in the most matter-of-fact tone it would later send more chills down his body than what she had said prior. "I've come to overthrow your kingdom, Goblin King. My army will seize yours at dawn. It's my turn to kill you now."
With a final smile and a shrug of her shoulders, Sarah turned and walked away stopping to only pick up her mask and replace it on her face. She stopped in the doorway and looked over her shoulder; the king was still frozen in shock by the million questions rushing through his mind. "Don't worry though, when you die it only lasts forever. And forever isn't that long at all." Of all the things she had to say that was not what he was expecting but he had no time to respond before she had disappeared back into the party.
He was certain it was not this crowded when he arrived and even more certain that they had not spent six hours talking in the garden. Yet the clock told him that dawn was only an hour away and his journey back would take two days if he flew as fast as possible with no breaks. Jareth knew he would not make it back in time but as he flapped his wings there was a small part of him that admired her newfound strength. Yes, Sarah Williams was putting on an amazing act, her best one yet in fact. But he would always be there to show her the truth and close out the show; even if it meant at the cost of his own.