AN: Wow, I'm really starting to get through this story! I know exactly where I'm going now and that's such a great feeling. This is a shorter chapter but also a very necessary one! Enjoy! And Thank you to everyone who has favorited and reviewed! It means so much to me!
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Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth. All rights go to the Jim Henson Company.
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I Wish
Chapter Eight.
Connections And Voices.
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It was 5:30 am when Sarah heard the gentle knock at her bedroom door. She sat up, glancing at the door as she watched it open.
Patty walked in, holding a tray of tea and toast. She offered Sarah a warm smile. "Good morning."
Sarah smiled sleepily, sitting up in her bed. "Patty? What are you doing here?" she asked, covering her mouth as she yawned.
Patty placed the trey on Sarah's lap. "His Majesty instructed me to bring ya breakfast. He said that from now on, ya must eat a full breakfast before starting ya chores."
Sarah felt her heart skip in her chest. The fact that Jareth was caring about her enough to make sure she got a good breakfast in the morning before her chores started was really touching.
She smiled as she poured herself some tea."That was... really sweet of him."
The bed shifted slightly and Sarah glanced over to see Patty taking a seat on the edge of her bed, gazing at her with a look of uncertainty. Sarah knew something must be up for Patty to behaving in such a way.
"What is it?" she asked softly, her eyes showing her concern.
"Yesterday ya told young Addy a story... a very familiar story," she leaned in closer, keeping her voice quiet. "Nugan said ya' were her... The Sarah. But truth is, I didn't believe him. But now I'm starting to think he was right. Was he? Are ya' her?"
Sarah furrowed her brow. This was the second time she'd been referred to as 'The Sarah'
"I... don't know what you're talking about." She said after a moment.
Patty sighed, shaking her head. "He made ya sign somethin', didn't he? Tellin' ya that ya couldn't speak of it... but I know it is..."
Sarah nodded slowly. "Yes... I'm 'The Sarah' why does everyone call me that anyway?"
Patty looked surprised. "Don't ya know the prophecy? About the girl who defeated The Goblin King and the Labyrinth?"
Sarah's eyes grew wide with interest. "Prophecy?"
Patty shook her head. "Oh, dearie, ya don't know the power ya hold 'ear do ya? Well, let me tell ya. We 'ave time before ya start workin'"
Sarah nodded, starting to eat her breakfast as Patty began to talk.
"There has always been a prophecy about a young mortal girl who would defeat the Goblin King and The Labyrinth. It was foretold that the King would lose all power of his Labyrinth and it would become a dangerous and unruly place. Well, I've heard rumors that it's already happened. His Majesty used to spend hours in The Labyrinth but now he never steps near it."
Sarah gazed out her window. It was only just getting light outside and she could just make out The Labyrinth in the distance, beyond the Goblin City.
"Because of the Labyrinth being so unsafe, it means people who wish their babies away don't have no chance of gettin' them back by runnin' the Labyrinth. Unfortunately for them, if they make the wish then they won't get their child back."
Sarah swallowed hard, feeling sad for all the poor people who might have wished away their baby in a moment of weakness as she had all those years ago. "That's so unfair..." she whispered sadly.
"I know, dearie. But the Labyrinth isn't safe for any of us anymore. Not now that his Majesty has lost all power over it." She looked down at her hands, sadness in her eyes. "I know he can be cruel, but he always gave every person a chance to win their child back. But now that the Labyrinth is un-accessible, he can no longer do that... Not that it really matters... ya' are the only one to actually beat the Labyrinth and got ya brother back."
Sarah gazed at her with wide eyes. "I'm the only one who beat it?"
"Yes, dearie. Ya had the power to overcome ya fears. Ya had the power to beat it, and turn him down even when he offered ya every dream ya'd ever 'ad."
Sarah smiled sadly. "The truth is, I'd give it all up again for my brother."
"I know ya would, dearie. That's what makes ya special. That's why ya beat it. But anyways, as I was sayin'. The prophecy about the girl was that one day she'd come back and with her love and kindness, she'd fix all the damage that she did all them years ago. And the story goes on to say that the Labyrinth becomes beautiful again."
Sarah took a sip of her tea. "You expect me to have that effect on The Labyrinth? I'm currently the Goblin King's maid, I don't see how I can do any of what you just said... I'm sorry, Patty... I wish I did hold such power..."
Patty gave her a weak smile, gently placing her hand onto Sarahs'. "That's what ya think... but I believe in the prophecy."
And with that, Patty jumped down from the bed and left the room. Leaving Sarah to think about all that she had just heard.
That afternoon Sarah was busy helping out in the kitchen. Ursala, the Goblin cook, was baking some pies. Enough to last for the next few weeks if she had enough help.
She would often ask Sarah for her help, especially as Sarah was good at cooking. It always made the job easier for her when she had Sarah's help. However, today Sarah didn't seem to be as helpful as she usually was. Only ten minutes ago she'd asked Sarah to pass the butter only to have her pass her the salt.
"I asked ya for butter, not salt." She snapped, placing her hands on her hips. "What's with ya today?"
Sarah gave Ursula an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry... I'm just lost in my thoughts today."
"Hmm... well, maybe its time ya stopped thinkin' and started workin'"
Sarah sighed, nodding as she headed back to the larder to fetch the butter that Ursula had asked for.
She knew she was lacking in her work today, but she had such a lot on her mind.
She was fascinated by what Patty had told her this morning and she found herself unable to stop thinking about it.
Every time she passed a window she would stop and gaze out at the Labyrinth and every time she did, she felt a strange feeling would surround her; almost like a magical tingle in her hands and feet. She secretly wondered why and what that feeling was.
"Right, that's it. Go n' leave me to get these pies made." Ursula sighed when she found Sarah in the larder, gazing off into nothing, obviously still lost in her thoughts.
Sarah blinked a few times. "Oh, Ursula, I'm so sorry... I forgot what I came in here for,"
"That's why I'm sendin' ya out of me kitchen before I go mad. Easier to do it myself." She said, obviously irritated.
Ursula was normally very sweet to Sarah, and would often prepare breakfast for her in the kitchen if she didn't get a chance to eat before, but she did have a bad temper. Especially when something didn't go to her plans.
Sarah sighed, taking off her apron, which was covered in flour and passed it to Ursula. "Sorry..." she mumbled as she left the kitchen.
Ursula sighed and hung Sarah's apron up on the peg in the wall before she headed back to make her pies.
Sarah knew she was pushing her luck by leaving the castle. That was one of the things Jareth had told her not to do. But after Patty's words today, she found that she really did need to get closer to the Labyrinth.
She had quickly grabbed her plain brown cloak and put it on before she headed outside. It was overcast and windy, but she was determined to get to the Labyrinth, even if she got soaked in the process.
She headed to the stables and was greeted by a young fae boy who was happily brushing Spirit, whistling a tune to himself.
Sarah cleared her throat to get his attention and he turned to look at her, surprised by her watching him. "Who are you?" he asked
"I'm Sar- a servant of the King. I have been instructed to take Spirit out for a ride."
The boy looked confused by this and furrowed his brow. "Is that so? What for?"
"The King wants me to fetch somethings from the market. Please saddle her up for me." She said, keeping her voice even and her head held high.
The boy gave her a little nod and began to prepare Spirit. Sarah let out a little sigh of relief.
Thank god her story had been believable.
After a while, Spirit was ready and Sarah, with the help of the young fae boy, managed to mount her.
"If you aren't back at a decent time, I'll tell the King that you went to the market?" he asked, gazing up at her as she sat comfortably on Spirits back.
"Erm... sure... but don't worry, I'll be back soon." She smiled her thanks and kicked Spirit into a trot.
The fae boy watched curiously as she disappeared behind the corner.
Once she was far away enough from the castle, she nudged spirit into a canter. She didn't slow down, even when she rode through the market, many Goblins watched her as she rode passed them, some with their mouths open in shock at how fast she was riding past them in their market. And some watching her with a curious look in their eyes.
Once she was out of Goblin City she found herself by the gates leading out towards the Labyrinth.
Two of the Goblin guards stood in her way, guarding the doors with their weapons.
"Who goes?" One called, his voice slightly muffled from the helmet he wore.
Sarah swallowed hard, feeling nervous but she was determined to do this. "Open the gates and let me pass! The King has commanded it!" She called back, keeping her posture straight.
They immediately began to open the doors for her, and Sarah smiled to herself. Well, that was easier than she'd been expecting it too.
She clicked her heels into spirits sides and they cantered out of the city into the junkyard. Both the goblins turned and watched her as she did before they slowly pulled the doors closed once more.
Sarah pulled Spirit to a sudden stop. They couldn't go through all this trash. There had to be another way to get to the Labyrinth. She glanced around and eventually found a hidden path which lead into the forest. That was her best way of getting closer to the Labyrinth, so she nudged Spirit on again and they trotted through the forest.
"So all is going to plan, my Lord?"
Jareth glanced at Lilium, nodding. "Indeed. I made a lot of progress yesterday. I do not believe it'll take long to win her over completely."
Lilium beamed at him, fluttering her eyelashes. "Oh! How wonderful! I told you it would work."
"You did...I am indebted to you." He said, gazing at her over the table, enjoying their flirtatious conversation.
Aiden was sat at the opposite side of Lilium and he rolled his eyes at the ridiculous relationship they shared. That was if you could even call it a relationship.
"All I ask of you is a little time in the evenings." She whispered seductively.
"Mmm... that is something I definitely do not mind doing." He grinned, raising his eyebrows.
Lilium giggled at him before she took a long sip of her mead, her eyes not leaving his own as she licked the red liquid off her lips.
Aiden grumbled and rolled his eyes, not caring that Jareth was throwing daggers at him. He didn't really care if he was displeasing Jareth or Lilium. They were both acting like hormonal teenagers. Jareth didn't love her and Lilium knew it so why did they even bother flirting together?
Okay, Lilium was a beautiful woman, but far from Jareth's 'type' which was what made him even more mad. He was just using her for sex and that was it. But then again, that's probably all that Lilium was using him for as well. She knew she had nothing to gain from her relationship with Jareth. He'd let her know that more than once.
The door's opened and Nugan and Patty entered the room, carrying two trays of food. They both bowed politely before they approached the table.
Jareth furrowed his brow when he noticed Sarah was not there with them and he sat up in his chair, clearing his throat. "Where is Sarah?" he asked.
Patty glanced up at her King, swallowing nervously. "I's 'ave no idea, me Lord."
Jareth's brows lowered over his eyes as he tapped his chin with his gloved finger. "She is the one who normally brings my food at mealtimes, so where is she?"
"As I's say already, sire... I don't know." She curtsied and turned to leave but Jareth stood up from his chair. "Patty, I did not order you to leave."
Patty slowly turned and faced her King. "Sorry, sire. How can I's help ya?"
Jareth approached her slowly, his boots clicking on the stone floor. "If there is some reason for Sarah's absence I expect to be told from now on, is that clear?"
Patty nodded repeatedly. "Y-yes, sire."
Jareth gazed at her for a few long moments, searching her eyes before he nodded and allowed her to leave.
"That's odd..." Lilium said quietly as she began to cut up her food. "I wonder where she is... it seems strange to me that she would not bring your dinner today, especially when you treated her so well yesterday and this morning..."
Jareth sat down again, leaning back in his chair and folding his leg over the other. "Indeed...I will have to find out why later."
They began to eat in silence, but Aiden noticed that Jareth was thinking more than he was eating.
Sarah couldn't believe the feeling she was getting from being so close to the Labyrinth. When she'd first approached it, Spirit had come to an abrupt stop. Refusing to go any closer to the Labyrinth.
Sarah sighed and managed to dismount Spirit. She lead her towards a tree and tied her up there. "Good girl...at least you got me this far." She whispered, putting her hand into her pocket she pulled out a rosy red apple that she had sneakily taken from the kitchen when nobody was watching.
Spirit let out a little snort before she took the apple from her hand and munched on it happily, some of the juices dripping from her mouth and onto the sandy ground.
Sarah smiled and stroked her neck before she turned her attention back to the Labyrinth.
She felt her heartbeat speed up when a gust of wind swirled around her. There really was a strange feeling coming off this maze.
Slowly she walked up towards it, all caution she might have felt before had now completely vanished. It was almost like there was a force driving her to touch it.
She slowly lifted her hand towards the stone wall, her breath catching in her throat when she felt an odd sensation in her palms. She pulled back for a moment, hesitating.
Was she really going to touch it?
Another gust of wind whipped around her, almost driving her into the wall.
Sarah sighed, folding her hands over her chest. "Look, I don't know what it is you want for me but I will not be forced into doing something I don't want to... for my will is as strong as yours, Labyrinth, Maze or whatever you're called."
The wind slowly calmed around her, as though it had listened to her words.
"That's better..." she whispered as she gazed at the stone in front of her. It was shimmering in the dim light of the overcast day.
Sarah took a shuddering breath and very slowly placed her hand against the wall.
She gasped when she felt heat and something like a pulse beneath her palm.
"You're alive..." she whispered, stunned at the discovery. She'd never felt anything like this before.
Sarah stood there for some time with her palm pressed flat against the ancient stone. Soon there wasn't just the heat and pulse in her hand, but she could feel it beneath her feet as well. A strange tingling sensation swirled through her body at the same time. Sarah's lips parted softly, her eyes fluttering closed. It almost felt like pleasure working through her body.
"Sarah...The Champion..."
Sarahs eyes fluttered open again when she heard the eerie voice in her head. Feeling a little taken aback, she pulled her hand away from the stone.
"It's too late now, Sarah... the connection has been made. Fate has been sealed..."
"Stop it," she said quietly, shaking her head, trying to be rid of the voice she could clearly hear in her head.
"Child, do not be afraid of your connection, for it is pure and genuine."
"Stop!" she cried again, suddenly feeling afraid of what this voice could be. She turned on her heel she rushed back to Spirit, quickly untieing her from the tree.
"Running will not stop your connection, child."
The voice said again, getting louder and more forceful.
Tears began to cloud her vision before she even realized it. She managed to mount Spirit much easier than she had before and she wiped the tears from her cheeks as she clicked her heels into her sides rather roughly, which caused Spirit to rear up, neighing loudly.
Sarah screamed as she fell from Spirit's back, landing with a hard thud onto the sandy ground. "Ouch!" she cried out in pain.
Spirit suddenly bolted off into the forest as quickly as she could. Sarah watched her leave through teary eyes, her lip trembling.
"Spirit! Come back!"
Thunder rumbled loudly around her as the rain started to come down heavily.
"You have to help me, for I am dying and it is all your doing! Undo the bad that you did, child."
Sarah trembled. She hated feeling so afraid and like a victim, laying on the ground in the rain. She was equal to the Labyrinth. She had beaten it before and she would be damned if she was going to allow it to frighten her.
She got to her feet, placing her hands on her hips. "I am an equal to you, Labyrinth. I am NOT afraid of you."
The pulse beneath her feet began to speed up, almost as though the Labyrinth itself was infuriated with her.
"You should be afraid, child, foolish little girl."
"I am not a little girl, I am a woman! And I am not afraid."
That's when it happened. The strangest warmth surrounded her suddenly, like the embrace of a dearly departed loved one. It brought tears to her eyes and she wasn't even sure why. "What's going on?" she whispered.
"Do not be afraid," A female voice whispered in her ear.
"Who are you?" she asked softly
"I am the good side of the Labyrinth, The heart of the Labyrinth to be precise. And I am here to tell you that you need never be afraid of me."
Sarah blinked in confusion. This wasn't making sense to her.
"I don't understand... how can you be both good and bad?"
"Strange it may be to you, but it is the truth. The Labyrinth isn't just stone, it is a being. The side which frightens you is the male energy. And I am the heart of the Labyrinth, the female energy although I do not claim to be either female or male."
Sarah swallowed hard "I don't really know why you think that I can restore you... I don't have magic. I'm just a mortal girl."
Laughter swirled around her then, not malicious laughter, but genuinely surprised laughter.
"Dear girl, you do not know who you are, do you?"
"Of course I know who I am! I'm Sarah Williams!"
"Indeed, you are. But you are also much more than your name. All of which you will find out in time, but it is not my place to tell you now. I can see that you aren't ready yet... so I will give you time before I ask for your help again."
"I... I just don't see how I can help... Apparently, you are too far gone, is that true?"
"Nothing is too far gone."
Sarah knew it was probably a stupid question to ask the heart of the Labyrinth, but she really was curious about what Patty had told her this morning.
"My friend in the castle told me that I am linked to some prophecy? Is that true?"
"It is said that you are the girl who will unite the kingdoms once more. It is a prophecy that you are the girl who'll fix the Kingdom and it's King with your love and kindness."
Sarah was intrigued to hear this. "Fix the King? The King isn't broken." She whispered, furrowing her brow.
"The King is broken, perhaps not visibly, but he is, but again, not too far gone to be fixed. In time you will see this with your very own eyes."
Sarah sighed in frustration. The Labyrinth was speaking in riddles.
"I will give thee fair warning, though, child, that the King's intentions aren't as pure as you think they are. Be wary of all those around you at the present time. But do not fear them either. Not all the King's intentions are bad. He can be cruel, but he isn't evil."
Sarah felt even more confused now. "Jareth has been kind to me these past few weeks. Things didn't start out great for us but he's been really kind to me... especially yesterday." She smiled at the memory and began to play with the diamond necklace which was still around her neck. She'd easily hidden it with a higher necked dress today.
"It was just a warning. It is not my place to say anything more. You must judge those around you by what you feel inside you, not what I have told you."
Sarah nodded after a moment "Okay... well, what now?"
"Now, comes the King. Rest child, and do not forget what I have told you. There will come a day when you will know it is time to visit our walls once more. Perhaps then you will realize what power you really hold. Be good, be kind, but also be strong."
And with that, the spirt that had surrounded her was gone. That warmth had left her body and she felt alone again. She had been so lost in conversation and thought that she'd forgotten it was raining and now she was soaked to the bone. She shivered, her vision blurring as she curled up in a ball on the floor. She was beyond exhausted from everything that had just happened. She felt like her energy had been sucked out of her. Perhaps it had. Everything was different here. Nothing was as it seemed and she wasn't even sure which way was left or right anymore.
"Sarah?!" she heard the voice but wasn't really aware of who's voice it actually was. Her eyes felt very heavy suddenly...
"Rest, child..."
Sarah could just make out the figure approaching her before all turned to darkness.
Half an hour earlier
Dinner had gone by mostly in silence for Lilium, Aiden and Jareth.
Even when Lilium had tried to pick up a conversation, it had fallen apon deaf ears and an awkward silence had taken place in the room.
However, halfway through the conversation, Jareth had a strange feeling come over him and he had moved from his chair at the table, to the seat by the fire, wanting a little solitude from his friend and lover. Lilium noticed right away and had walked over to gently massage his shoulders.
"My lord? You look troubled?" she said softly, concern in her voice.
"I'm fine," He spoke quietly, taking a long drink of his mead, gazing into the fire.
Lilium looked to Aiden for his help.
Aiden cleared his throat and leaned forward. "Sire, what is it? Please say something so that we can help."
Jareth turned and glared at Aiden. "I said I'm fine. What's not clear about that?" he snapped before turning his attention back to the flames before him.
Jareth was not about to tell his lover and his adviser what was really troubling him. He almost felt ashamed of himself for feeling what he did anyway, without them adding to his misery.
But the truth was, he was concerned about Sarah. It wasn't like her to not bring him his food. It wasn't like her to not help out in the kitchen or make his bed like she did every morning. Every goblin he'd asked had said that they hadn't seen her. He even went down to the kitchens, something he never did, to see if she was working there. Ursula had told him that Sarah had worked for a little while this morning, but had been too distracted so she had sent her to her chambers to rest. However, when Jareth had transported himself to her chambers he'd been surprised to see she wasn't there either.
The door suddenly burst open. Jareth swung around in his chair and was more than surprised to see the young fae stable boy standing in the doorway. He looked red in the face and dirty, his pale hair a shaggy mess.
"Sire, Spirit just came back without her rider." He said, out of breath from his rushing into the castle.
Jareth stood up from his chair. "What rider? Who took Spirit out?" he demanded, approaching the boy, who looked confused and worried.
"Sire, it was one of the maids here... the human girl? She said you wanted her to fetch things from the market?"
Jareth grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt. "And you didn't think to check with me first?! You foolish boy!"
Aiden stood, "Sire, it wasn't his fault. Sarah was probably very convincing."
"Enough, Aiden! You have no idea what dangers await Sarah! You're forgetting she knows nothing of this world so I suggest you keep your mouth shut!" He shouted as he let go of the young fae boy. He quickly conjured a crystal, "Show me, Sarah." He whispered.
Inside the crystal, something swirled around like smoke and glitter before showing him a very blurred image of Sarah, in the rain, standing right next to the Labyrinth.
Jareth threw down the crystal, not caring as it shattered to pieces on the floor, and within moments he had vanished from the room.
Jareth appeared just outside the entrance of the forest. It was pouring with rain and the dark skies loomed low over the Labyrinth, taking his breath away by its dark and dangerous beauty. It had been many years since he'd been this close to its the entrance and seeing the way it had crumbled in several places, parts of the wall covered in ivy, the stone has even seemed to have lost some of its color; It was shocking and upsetting to see the place he'd once loved and been connected to so deeply.
Forcing down his sadness he began to look for Sarah. It wasn't long till he saw her, laying on the floor in the rain. Her long dress sprawled out around her.
"Sarah?!" he called as he ran to her, kneeling on the floor beside her, not really caring that the ground was wet.
He gently pulled her wet hair from her face. Her eyes were closed, her lips parted softly. Jareth leaned down, his ear close to her face, and yet out a sigh of relief when he heard her gentle breathing. She was alive but unconscious. He wondered what had happened and if she would be okay.
"You foolish girl...There was a bloody good reason why I told you not to come here..." he whispered. A mixture of feelings were surrounding him. He was half angry that she had gone against their signed agreement, and half relieved that she had. It let him know that she was still the defiant beauty who'd always challenged him and enchanted him.
Gently he picked her up and transported them both back to her chambers in the castle...
AN: What did you all think of this chapter? I know it was short, but this is a very important chapter that needed to come out sooner rather than later.
Soo... Jareth and Lilium are right! Sarah does have a connection to the Labyrinth! Jareth lost it as soon as Sarah won.
What did you guys think about The Labyrinth having the ability to speak to Sarah telepathically? This wasn't my plan at first, but there were things that needed to be said and couldn't be said in any other way. It just made sense that the Labyrinth would speak to her.
I'm sorry there wasn't any one on one Jareth and Sarah moments in this chapter but I will be making up for that in the next part! Please don't forget to review! Let me know if there is anything you would like to see! I'm always curious to know what you guys would like to see happen in the next part :D
