Disclaimer: I dont own Labyrinth, I dont own Rigoletto and I don't own any of the music/lyrics from Rigoletto either!
Chapter 41
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Understanding
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Sarah had cried herself to sleep and slept in most of the day. When Palthar appeared inside her room he was greeted with a pillow in the face while Sarah screamed at him to get out of her presence. After that Sarah could no longer sleep, she knew she was acting like a child but did not care at the moment.
Jareth sat in his throne, Sarah had seen him and there was no point in hiding from the truth any longer. His Goblins had already witnessed his half transformation, some were in awe others became more frightened of him. In his fingers was twined the necklace that he had intended on giving to Sarah. He struggled with himself for a long while before he finally caved in.
Sarah sat in the chair by the fire, it was winter now and the Goblin Castle was awfully drafty. Sarah had sobered from her earlier tantrum, "I wish I didn't care." she thought to herself tiredly. She almost wished she could just give up but she knew that was an impossibility. A soft knock came at Sarah's door. This shocked Sarah, no one around here knocked softly and many did not knock at all. "Come in?" she called, half afraid half curious.
Jareth entered the room his head held high as if he had nothing to be humble about. Sarah stared at him strangely wondering why he had not just barged in like he normally did. "Sarah." he greeted her.
"Jareth." she replied a bit curtly.
"I've decided that I shall personally resume your lessons." he paused there when Sarah looked surprised.
Sarah nodded her head. "That may be wise unless you wanted me to kill that Palther idiot." she spat the name irritated.
Jareth suppressed the amused smile that was twitching on his lips. "and.." he continued. "I shall give you music lessons if you wish it."
Sarah stiffened at this and looked at him coldly. He had been so cruel to her the other day that she did not know why he was offering this now. "But my singing is such torture for you, how would you bare it?" she asked with sarcastic anger.
"Sarah." he warned. "I've brought you a gift." he offered the box to her.
"I don't want your gifts. I never have and I never will." Sarah said with a cold calmness.
Jareth mastered his rage before he was tempted to harm Sarah. "So be it then." he walked to her vanity and set the box down before leaving her room. Sarah braced herself for the sound of the slammed door but it never came.
"Ugh, Sarah you're an idiot." she moaned to herself. "He was trying to apologize in his own right and you ruined it. You could have had singing lessons from a master." she admitted even though it stung her pride. "If you want to get out of her and win that competition you better find a way to fix this." she told herself.
Hours passed and Sarah sat there brooding and staring at the little box that Jareth had left on her vanity. Finally she got up and went to her vanity, she touched the box carefully as if it were a hot stove. Gingerly she picked the box up and opened it. "Oh!" Sarah gasped at the beautiful little necklace that lay inside.
Sarah held up the necklace the crystal unicorn caught the light and dazzled brilliantly. Sarah sighed, it was going to be hard to apologize to Jareth. Sarah admired the beautiful necklace before fastening it around her neck. Determined to set things right she set off to find the Goblin King.
During Sarah's search for Jareth the bells in the Goblin City begun to ring, signifying that another baby was wished away. Sarah made her way back to the throne room, knowing that she could find Jareth there now. Sarah was about the enter when she caught sight of Jareth and a small girl child, she lingered in the doorway to watch.
The girl cowered away from the fearsome looking man that towered over her. Jareth looked down on the small girl of six years with pity, he saw the fear in her eyes and knew what a monster he must seem to the girl. Jareth bent down so he was at the child's level, "Child, I will not hurt you." he spoke softly to the girl and held out his arms to her.
Sarah had never heard the Goblin King speak so softly before.
Despite the man's monstrous looks the girl felt she could trust him and fell into his open arms. Once in his arms she felt as though nothing could hurt her ever again. The little girl stared into the Goblin King's eyes with wonder and happiness. Jareth returned the girls gaze, amazed at her boldness. Then the girl reached out her face and touched the King's distorted face. "Thank you." the little girl cried before wrapping her little arms around the Goblin King's neck and held onto him with all her little might.
Sarah covered her mouth with her hand, completely shocked at the little girl's behavior towards Jareth.
Jareth sat there stunned, no child had ever shown him such affection. Unseen to Sarah a single tear slid down Jareth's cheek. "If only everyone could have half the understand and acceptance of this wondrous child." Jareth murmured to himself. He stood and carried the weeping child with him to his throne. Prying the girl from his neck he set her on his lap. He conjured a crystal and offered it to the girl. The girl accepted the crystal and held it too her and snuggled against the King.
Sarah watched on in wonder as Jareth begun to sing to the girl.
Jareth smiled at the girl and wiped away her tears with a gloved hand. He looked at the girl the entire time he sang..
"Sweet little love
Divine little daughter
You're a budding flower
Whose blossoming is near
You are April
But you dream of June
And every passing day
Beauty grows from within you
Dear April Child
are you dreaming of June
Like a tender young flower
awaiting summer's bloom
Sweet April Child
in the springtime of youth
what a glorious season
it is yours, let it shine through
Awaken yourself dear child
A bud begins to wake
Deep inside you are already beautiful
Let it grow inside of you
Sweet April Child
It's the spring of your youth
Cherish these precious days
Summer comes all too soon
Dear April child
Still dreaming of June"
As Jareth ended his soft lullaby the girl was fast asleep, her little hands still clutched the cloth of his shirt. Sarah still stood in the doorway gapping in awe and touched by the tender scene that had unfolded before her eyes. Jareth craddled the little girl in his arms and strode from the throne room, Sarah moved aside to let him pass. The Goblin King hesitated when he approached Sarah, his paced slowed and their gaze met. A quiet understanding passed between them and Jareth could not help but smile when he saw that Sarah wore his gift.
Sarah padded softly after the Goblin King as he passed her without a word. He entered a room that Sarah had never been in before, it was a child's nursery fitted with various cribs and various sized beds. The room was colorful and friendly and filled with toys, it could brighten anyone's mood. Sarah stood in the doorway once again to watch Jareth. The Goblin King set the girl down on a soft pink bed and tucked her in gently and kissed the top of her head. He then conjured a crystal which popped as it touched her brow. "Pleasant Dreams my child." Jareth whispered.
Jareth closed the door behind him and stared at the ever curious Sarah, knowing she wanted to speak with him. "Did no one run the Labyrinth for her then?" Sarah asked sadly.
Jareth shook his head, a mix between anger and sadness filled his features. "She was abused, unwanted."
Sarah's heart ached for the small girl but now she knew the girl would be safe. Never in a million years did Sarah ever think she would say that someone was safe in Jareth's hands. "Stealing babies turns out to be more noble than I could have thought." her mind mused. Jareth began to turn to leave, "Wait, Jareth!" Sarah halted him.
"Yes?" he turned his eye brow raised.
"I'm sorry." Sarah knew that she did not have to say more. "and Thank you." she finished.
"Sarah." he sighed. "I can be a monster, on the inside as well. We can all be cruel." Sarah nodded, realizing her own capability for cruelty. "My offer still stands." he finished before turning to leave.
"His offer?" Sarah thought as she walked him walk away. Jareth had offered her many things, she assumed he meant his lastest offer. "He would never offer me my dreams again after I rejected him time and again."
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The Duke was irate once again. His often fluctuating moods had his staff on edge. His moods often reflected the relationship Sarah had with his cousin. "I must do something...but what?" he asked himself enraged..."I will use this singing talent of hers to my full advantage." he plotted.
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Author's Note: Just a short little chapter for you before I leave for vacation :-) I'll be on the plane for Hawaii tomorrow!
PandaMilk? and Avitar Girl - I know some of you were disappointed in how similar my last chapter was to the actual movie in Rigoletto, and you're right it was a little too similar but I was planning on it being that way from the beginning. This one is a bit similar too but I tried to make it more different. I am sure there will be another too similar chapter towards the end but I'm trying to make the rest of the story original enough to make up for it. hehe. I appreciate your comments.
Thanks to some new readers who have come out of the woodwork : Seventh Bell Astarael, PandaMilk?, Weirdness Rocks and Vixen519!
Yes I am really overwhelmed by how many people are reading and liking this story, it's very encouraging. And Cloud97 - I do try to thank everyone at least once, even the anon people :-)