Chapter: A Shadow of Doubt

The darkness cradled her like a lover's arms, cocooning her in warm safety, even as she knew that she had to wake up and face the dangers that lay ahead.

The thought had barely left her mind before the first impressions began encroaching on her peaceful refuge. There were strong calloused fingers working gently through the tangles of her wild mane, as she rested her head on firm warm thighs. She had to wake up, she knew that, but it seemed so hard to do as the heat and whispered crackle of a small fire mixed with the soft twitter of little birds. The familiar warm fingers continued their gentle movement as their owner started singing in a soft familiar voice.

There's such a sad love

Deep in your eyes.

A kind of pale jewel

Open and closed

Within your eyes.

I'll place the sky

Within your eyes.

There's such a fooled heart

Beatin' so fast

In search of new dreams.

A love that will last

Within your heart.

I'll place the moon

Within your heart.

As the pain sweeps through,

Makes no sense for you.

Every thrill is gone.

Wasn't too much fun at all,

But I'll be there for you-ou-ou

As the world falls down.

Falling.

Falling down.

Falling in love...

The song died on his softly smiling lips, as she opened her eyes and stretched languidly.

"Good morning precious, have you slept well? I was beginning to think that you intended to sleep the day away. "

"Hmm how could I. . there was this old man who insisted on singing to me.. how was I supposed to sleep through that noise.."

The hand in her hair tightened and forced her to lock eyes with him.

"Well young lady, if that is noise in your ears, then I shall be sure not to offend your delicate sen..."

Sarah had her fingers buried in his feral mane and their lips locked together in a wild passionate kiss before he had the chance to finish that teasing sentence. Digging her claws in deep, she held him firmly as she seemed to want to devour him from his face down. Not that he appeared to mind in the least, as he pressed her closer and returned her fervent kiss.

He's here, her mind screamed joyfully. He's here and he's whole...

It was only the need for air that drove them apart and even then she still kept them locked in a tight embrace, as she nuzzled his neck soaking in his utterly unique sent and hearthy magical aura with a content sigh.

"Hmm I'm glad that memory ended, I... I had no idea how little I knew about what you went through while you were gone. ..I mean I saw the wounds, but I didn't understand. ..I didn't get it... and I'm soooo sorry. "

"Hmm sorry about what precious? Was it you who chained me to the rack, filled my eyes with iron shavings and salt before sewing them shut and nearly skinning me?"

Resting his chin on the top of her head, Jareth sighed softly as his arms tightened around her drawing as much strength as he gave.

"No precious you came and saved my eyes, and my life. After you came I refused to give in, and I now know that it forced Titania to redo parts of the web, you cost her time that she didn't have, and forced her to reinforced her spell with all the imperfections that you are using now. No my love to know that, that particular memory was no dream born of agony, but an actual memory ... It gives me a strength that I had thought beyond me."

Reaching up, Jareth cupped her blushing cheek in a strong clawed hand gently stroking her skin with the side of his thumb: "You saved me my precious... But you cannot linger here, it is too dangerous…"

Pulling back from his warmth was a nearly impossible task, but she managed, and looking up into his gaunt but whole face, Sarah asked: "what do you mean dangerous?"

"I mean that we are not alone in this forest, the wolves of doubt prey upon any unwary traveler, and they will show you no mercy…"

"The wolves of doubt?"

Nodding gravely, Jareth said: "Yes... they roam these woods and their bite is painful beyond belief, it will fester inside you like a boil, until you question your every decision, leaving you paralysed for them to feast upon."

Staring at him in utter disbelief, Sarah blinked and slowly turned her attention to the surrounding trees.

They were in a small clearing, protected from sight, by the surrounding ancient giants, massive canopies and interwoven branches. The enormous trees look faintly oak like with their dark gnarled bark and heavy foliage, though there were no shimmering oak trees aboveground. In fact it wasn't just the trees that shimmered, everything seemed to have a layer of glittering dust over it just as it had when she had originally run the Labyrinth. And the magical atmosphere it created comforted her. But it was a cold comfort, because even now she saw faint movements just at the edge of her vision.

Pulling back, she rose and turned full circle as she watched large shapes prowl just outside the deceptively solid looking branch walls.

Wolves her mind screamed, huge fucking monstrous wolves!

"Jareth... What in the name of hell is that ?"

There was a faint rustling sound as Jareth rose and shook the loose leaves and glitter from his white fur cloak and loose cream pants. It wasn't until now that he stood before her did she realize that he was wearing the same cloak, shirt and boots that he had worn when she had rejected him that final time. Only the pants were different, this time they were fitted around his hips, but loose around his thighs before they tucked into his high boots. The change in the expression of the outfit was striking. He looked the same only more powerful and virile. This time he looked the part of the erotic goblin king out to seduce any unwary maid with his raw untamed masculinity. The pull was almost physical in its intensity as he stalked towards her.

"It is the wolves, eager for your mind and your power."

Gripping his offered hand in a clammy grip, Sarah asked anxiously: "But we are surrounded in here how are we going to get away?"

His strong hands glided up her arms, dirtying the already stained sleeves even further as he gave her a sadly resigned smile: "We...are not.. You however are going to stay here until the wolves are gone, and then you will follow this."

His fingers traveled from her arms, over her shoulders, and down her decolletage to caress the sharp edge of his pendant through the bloodstained linen of her shirt.

"You will follow this, and it will lead you to its owner. ."

Gripping his hand desperately as he pulled back minutely, Sarah cried: "No! you can't leave me here.. and what am I even supposed to do once I find him.. you?"

Cocking his head slightly, Jareth ran his warm fingers over her cheek, as he sighed: "I must precious, and only your heart can tell you how to break this spell and free me/us... Only you have the strength to do what must be done, just remember, your flesh is the mirror of your soul, and what is given or lost will not return through wishful thinking."

Raising her delicate hand to his lips, Jareth kissed her knuckles gently as he whispered: "I have never doubted our love, hold fast to that and you will prevail."

Releasing her hand reluctantly, Jareth bowed and said: "And now I must leave, for the night draws closer... do not stop Sarah, no matter what you think you see... do not stop... Nothing in this forest is true it is but shadow and light…"

Stepping back, he threw his arms and cloak wide. A glittering wind enveloped him, obscuring his form as he fell in on himself, in a sudden flurry of ivory feathers and flashing claws. And with a loud shrill scream, the golden white barn owl hurtled out through the thickly woven branches, it's powerful wings beating soundlessly as he taunted the salivating wolves. Tempting them by passing just above their snapping jaws.

Fear left her teary eyes as she watched Jareth circle the trees tightly, pecking at any unwary wolf. Ripping out unprotected eyes and scoring slobbering muzzles with razor claws, ruthlessly driving the massive creature into a boiling frenzy. Depriving them of any sense to the point that they thundered after him blindly, when he suddenly broke off his onslaught and speed of through the ancient glittering forest.

The sudden silence left by wolves stunned Sarah for a brief moment freezing her in place. But only a moment, then she was moving. The trees seemed to part in front of her as she followed the insistent pull of Jareth's sigil as it lead her towards the setting sun. Huge trees swallowed her up, closing behind her and concealing her tracks with their thick undergrowth. And soon the sounds of the forest, filled the air, as if to tell her that she was now safe and alone.

Letting her pace slow until she was merely walking, Sarah finally allowed herself time to take in the majesty of the trees surrounding her. Like the trees of the clearing, they looked like ancient oaks covered in golden glittery dust. But unlike the trees in the clearing these felt strangely hostile as if their branches were poised to lash out at any moment. Running her trembling hands through the tangled mess of her hair, Sarah shuddered as she pushed on. She had to keep moving forward and put as much ground between herself and those enormous wolves as she was able.

. . .

The constant dusk light painted heavy shadows on the forest floor, creating pools of impenetrable darkness at the roots of the trees and across the winding path she was following. Pools that Sarah had a creeping suspicion she had better avoid touching. But the pools were not the most pressing thing in her mind. By now she had run or jogged for hours on end, and fatigue and hunger flooded her slight frame, making her legs feel like badly set jelly. She had to rest and soon, or her body would take the decision out of her hands.

Breathing hard Sarah stumbled to a shaky hold and leaned against a protruding branch. Her knees shook, and her entire body felt ready to collapse as she rested her hands on her knees and gulped down as much cool air as her aching lungs would hold.

It had been the longest run of her life, and it was still not over, the wolves were still out there and she had to ... Had to do what? What was she even trying to do ?.

Sliding to the ground, Sarah wrapped her arms around her knees and stared out into the dull rusty light surrounding her, as a creeping cold invaded her bones.

What in the name of hell was she doing here? Who was she trying to kid, she was a human, a mortal... how could she ever hope to unravel a spell woven by a goddess? A fey queen. No she should be groveling in the dust, begging Titania. ...

Titania..

The very thought of the fey queen's name had Sarah scrambling to her feet, and out of the dark pool of shadows surrounding her. While images of Titania ordering Jareth's death filled her mind and returned clarity to her.

The dull light, flooded her body as she rubbed her frigid arms with hands that shook with a sudden bone raking cold. Doubts pierced her through like icy blades, but the light melted them like the spring sun melted winter snow. Pulling herself up Sarah shook her head, trying to clear it of the overwhelming doubt that had sprung up, seemingly out of nowhere.

She wasn't "just " a mortal human anymore, hell she didn't even know whether she still classified as human...

Letting go of her left arm, Sarah grabbed hold of Jareth's warm pulsing sigil, and smiling softly she held it out as far as the long chain would allow her. The rusty light glistened in the skin polished silver, turning the smooth surface into warm red gold. Curling her golden half inch claws around the curve of it Sarah smiled at the contrast.

No she was no longer a mere human, not here, nor anywhere else. She was and would forever be the goblin queen, the willing and equal bride of Jareth. Their hearts were and had forever been one, and no one, fey nor otherwise would ever tear them asunder.

Turning slowly, Sarah looked at the small innocent looking shadow, that had nearly bested her, with a twinge of fear. It was tiny, just large enough to cover a square foot or so. And if something that small had come that close to defeating her, then she would rather not risk any of the larger shadows of doubt that dotted the forest floor.

Gripping the sigil hard Sarah turned to the cloud heavy sky and whispered: "I have no doubts about our love Jareth... you hear me I have no doubt. .."

"Are you certain? Hmm?"

The sound of the creatures silken voice whipped Sarah around to face the wickedly smirking figure. Striding from the depths of a pitch black shadow, the creature stopped just at the edge where the darkness still shrouded him, like a coronation cloak, as he leaned casually against a wide trunk, and folded his arms across his chest. Causing his unbuttoned shirt to open and reveal his perfect milky white torso.

"For one who professes not to have any doubts, you seemed quite ... uncertain."

The smirk only deepened as he meet her eyes with a cruel gaze: "Hmm you seem awfully quiet Sarah dear, did the big bad wolf steal your tongue?"

Shaking the initial shock off Sarah squared her shoulders and pulled herself up to her woefully slight height. Disdain dripped thickly from her voice as she snapped: "It's cat.. did the cat steal your tongue. …"

Sarah knew as soon the words left her lips and his smirk turned into a full blown cackling laugh, that she had walked into a trap. Her grip on the sigil tightened until the metal drew blood across her palm as the creature cooed: "Not in this instance Sarah dear... But enough of this, bring me her heart…"

Wolves, huge and black as sin poured from the shadows, howling and growling with deep haunting voices.

There was no sentient thoughts, only an ancient visceral response as old as time itself, to the sight of a pack of giant charging wolves.

Run...

Run or die..

The forest vanished, narrowing down until it was nothing but fast moving shadows and dulled colour as Sarah sprinted down the winding path. Dodging around shadows that suddenly seemed alive and reaching for her, as she speed past.

Sweat poured down her back, and into her eyes as her feet pounded the soft forest floor like pistons and her lungs worked like furnace bellows.

Faster her mind screamed as she skirted a shadow, and hurtled out onto a lit section of the path, faster or they will shred you. Their fangs will rend your flesh and crush your bones, they will devour you. Destroy you, and all you ever were or could have been. Run..

And she did. Yet no matter how fast she ran they still kept gaining ground, their salivating jaws constantly snapping just behind her haunches. Exhaustion tore at her body, making her stumble as roots materialized in her path.

Panting, she cast a quick look over her shoulder and as she swerved and rounded a sharp corner, she suddenly fell...

One moment she was racing down the forest path, and the next, she was airborne as her feet tangled in the grasping roots. There was a moment of peace as she was propelled from the barely lit path and out over a slight incline. It was as if time had stopped and was allowing her to float serenely through the glittering air. Everything seemed so beautiful as she flew, and Sarah couldn't keep from wondering whether this was what Jareth felt when he took flight as an owl.

But the peace was an illusion and the sudden full body blow, of landing on the slanted forest floor, jolted her straight back to reality as her flight became a scrambled struggle to grab hold of any handhold as she slid down the incline, in a tumble.

Water stopped her mad slide, as she plunged face first into a stale lukewarm pond. Sputtering wildly, Sarah scrambled to get on her feet, she had to move, to run, to follow the insistent pull of Jareth's sigil.

Struggling to regain her footing, Sarah felt her heart drop into the deepest pit of her stomach as her feet vanished into the thick sticky mud concealed by the shallow water.

Pulling desperately against the unrelenting suction, she growled low in her throat, as the futility of the situation sunk in as deeply as her feet. The mud was just drawing her deeper with every small movement holding her in an iron vice. She was going nowhere, fast, and the wolves would be here any second now.

The thought had barely had time to manifest, before the first wolf emerged through the shimmering trees, with its massive teerth barred in a dark growl. Crouching low Sarah slid her hand into the murky water, searching for a branch or stone, anything that could be used as a weapon. Groping wildly through the cold slimy muck, she could have cried with relief as her questing fingers closed around something smooth and solid feeling. Pulling sharply, she ripped the long ivory limb from its dark resting place. Light glinted in it's smooth ivory surface, revealing the nature of its origin. It was a femur, a humanoid femur, but that did not matter to Sarah as she gripped it like a baseball bat, and watched the second wolf creep from the dense underbrush to her right.

Grinning in near crazed defiance, Sarah growled: "Well come on then, come on and see what happens."

She may be caught but there was no way in hell that she was going to let herself be taken easily. No she would fight with all she had. Even if that meant brandishing a femur in the face of huge bloody wolves.

And on they came, or rather the first wolf came.

Crouching low the huge beast crept closer, with its massive dagger like fangs bared in a vicious snarl. Shifting her grip, Sarah crouched down into a batters squat and called: "Come on then you overgrown lapdog..."

It might have been the tone, but then again it might very well have been the word lapdog. Either way, the wolf was airborne almost before Sarah's taunting words had left her smirking lips.

And it was perfect, twisting slightly, Sarah swung the bone with all her might, slamming it squarely into the wolf's snout with a loud dry crack. The shock of the impacted numbed her hands, but she still managed to keep a hold of the bone. The wolf on the other hand did not fare so well . Stunned senseless by the harsh blow, the wolf was slowly sinking below the water.

Sparing the still form only a brief glance, Sarah turned to the still stationary predators.

"So who's next you..."

She knew the second she opened her mouth that she should have kept her big mouth closed.

They came at her as one.

Huge beasts she hadn't even realized were hiding in the brush now poured forth in a tidal wave of fur covered muscles and glistening fangs the size of small daggers.

Instinct took over, and Sarah didn't have time to question anything as she found herself swinging wildly left and right, snapping teeth and bone with each blow. Turning in a circle, she managed to keep them somewhat at bay, but that only lasted a few minutes, before the first wolf managed to dart in under a swing, and nip at her unprotected flank. Pain flared instantly, as the sharp teeth ripped at her flesh, but it was the thoughts that followed close in its wake that had her screaming.

"He is a warrior, why would he love anyone who can't even protect herself."

"No" : Sarah screamed as she thrust the jagged end of her now broken bone into the gleaming yellow eye of a wolf. And in her mind, she countered."No he loves me, for me. That is all I need to know"

Twisting to her right she narrowly avoided the snapping jaws of one wolf while punching another in its tender nose, with knuckle cracking force. They came fast now, and Sarah knew that it would only be a matter of time before one of them was going to catch hold of her, and drag her down.

It was like a dam bursting inside her mind as the memory of three thousand years, sparring against the battle hardened Jareth, flooded her muscles. Suddenly the wolves moved at half speed as she twisted gracefully this way and that, narrowly avoiding bites and claws that should by right have hit her time and again. Letting the memories wash over her, Sarah grinned as she realized that she could easily read the ebbs and flows of the fight. She could read who would come at her next and what attack it would bring.

She could almost her him as the memory of their last sparring match played through her mind.

"We are like saplings in a gale, we sway and move, but we do not break. We bend and snap back with greater force."

Lashing out his claws ripped clean through her thick leather jerkin: "And we are the flame searing the flesh we touch. Do you understand Sarah. Move, and never let your opponent see you intent, be like a spirit born on the wind."

Yes Sarah thought as she swayed away from one wolf, and lashed out at another. She did understand now. Only it was too late, there were to many, and Sarah knew that it would only be a matter of time before she was brought down by a lucky bite.

And when that happened it would be over, she would be lost, within her own doubt, incapacitated by the pain of it as these creatures feasted on her.

Swaying and lashing out as yet another wolf missed its lunge, Sarah suddenly realized that she was praying, no to god or the goddess, no she her lips whispered for a very different being.

"Please Jareth help me show me how to get out of this... show me what to do..."

But as with almost all prayers, this too went unheeded. And the silence ignited a sudden cold flame inside her.

It wasn't really desperation that seized her heart, no she was too busy trying not to get bitten to be desperate. No it was closer to a driven determination, borne by the utter most need, that brought with it a bright clarity as the mud caused her to stumble and allowed one wolf catch a hold of her left arm, and another clamped down on her right ankle.

The pain of their teeth ripping into her seemed muted and dull as Sarah dove inward, in pursuit of the sudden realization.

Yes her magic, was beyond her, not just her own but also that of her world, and of course it was. The bloody spell was using them to fuel itself, to fuel this entire nightmare, in which she was trapped. And considering the sheer power of those two it was likely that the creature... spell... whatever wasn't using and blocking what little remained of Jareth's magic. ...Likely that she might be able to. ...

Biting down hard, she swallowed a scream as giant jaws snapped just inches away from her face pulling her roughly back to her most immediate predicament.

Large salivating jaws and burning eyes was all she could see as she struggled to keep them from reaching anything vital. Her bone was long lost and she was reduced to fighting the huge predators with her bare hands and razor sharp claws. But she might as well have been using nothing at all, as the sheer number and weight of the assaulting wolves crashed over her like a wave, causing her to fall backwards into the churned up mud. Her arms flailed as she fell, but there was nothing for her to grab but more wolves as thick slimy mud closed around her stealing all sound and sight as it sucked her down.

Panic grasped her in its jagged icy claws, and shredded what coherent thought she might have held as she was dragged down. And it was panic that sent her fleeing inwards reaching unthinkingly to the cores within her. Panic saw her grasping hold of the one core that reached up in obedient surrender, letting her pull it with her, and wrap it around her now wounded body. Away her mind screamed at the glowing blue core, get me away from here.

And like a well trained pet the power obeyed, pulling her further down, forcing her assailants to relinquish their morsels, as she dissolved into the very soil.