Chapter 46

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Letting Go

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Sarah had avoided Jareth for a week now, not showing up to her music or magic lessons. Each time she thought of facing him since that incident in the garden, her cheeks would go red and she found somewhere else to be. She was forever anxious, the competition was a week away and she had still not committed to a song. Sarah knew that she was acting like a child once again, she'd conquered this Labyrinth, she had bested Jareth before. Why could she not face him now? She also hated to admit the fact that she needed him, she needed his guidance and more and more she found herself seeking his approval. "I must be going mad" she muttered flipping aimlessly through a song book.

"I do believe you've been spending too much time with that Hogwart you call a friend." Jareth's luxurious voice startled Sarah.

Sarah felt her cheeks go hot and did not turn from the chair she was sitting in to face Jareth. "Whatever do you mean?" she tried to sound bored but her voice betrayed her nervousness.

Jareth let out a small low chuckle. "Have you become a coward or has my face finally scared you away?"

Sarah forgot her embarrassment and stood to face Jareth. His back was turned to her when she stood. "I'm not a coward!" she insisted.

"Hm." Jareth turned with a snide smirk on his face, his disfigurement causing him to look more wicked than usual. "Then why have you been avoiding your lessons?" he questioned like one might quiz a child.

Sarah shifted uncomfortably. "I- I've found other things to do." she fumbled over her excuse.

"I see?" Jareth waited for further explanation.

Sarah through up her arms in frustration. "I still haven't found a song for the competition and it's only a week away now." she responded in a flustered voice.

Jareth regarded her antics casually. "All the more reason you should be attending your lessons and practicing the song I've written for you to perform."

Sarah's mouth was agape. "What song? You wrote a song?" Sarah asked confused. Jareth conjured a parchment and handed it to Sarah, she took it from his outstretched hand slowly. Her eyes skimmed over the parchment.

"I'll be expecting you tomorrow if you really want to win that competition, or have I succeeded in draining all the fight from you already?" his voice mocked as he vanished from the room.

Sarah lifted her head to retort but he was already gone.

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The Next Day

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Sarah left Jareth's study feeling very pleased. The song was perfect and she was feeling very confident about the competition. "But that's not the only reason you're leaving is it." her mind taunted her. "Shut up" Sarah muttered to herself as she walked into her room. "You're going to use all that he has given you to win and then you will leave him to his curse, his death." one part of her mind plagued her. "Well what am I to do?" she asked herself. "am I to stay here and rot? Stay here and live a dull and loveless life?" She looked at herself in the mirror as she spoke. "No, I didnt leave all that was familiar behind to live this life." she watched as her eyes hardened. She remembered something Jareth had sung what seemed a very long time ago now. "You're eyes can be so cruel." Sarah shuddered and shook of the feeling, pushing these thoughts to the recesses of her mind.

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"You're really letting her go to this competition then?" Priya asked her King mournfully.

"I am." Jareth conceded, he was lounging on his throne in his normal fashion. He stared thoughtfully into nothing. Priya frowned, Jareth usually yelled or came up with some smart Alec remark when one questioned his actions.

"Then you've given up?" Priya's sadness quickly turned to anger. To this Jareth had no response.

"You know he will be there, he will take her away. All that you've worked for..." Jareth held up a hand to stop her ranting.

"If Sarah wishes to return she will find a way." his tone bore no emotion.

"Think of your Kingdom!" Priya hissed.

"The Kingdom can rot!" Jareth finally exploded. "Like it left me here to rot."

"That's not fair." Priya protested realized her mistake too late.

"Get out!" Jareth bellowed.

Jareth retreated to his private rooms after his conflict with Priya. He had done everything wrong when it had come to Sarah from the start, he had said all his wrong words. Letting Sarah go was sealing his fate and perhaps the fate of the Kingdoms. He could let her go or keep her for the last month he had left. "What difference does it make?" he muttered to himself, he would lose either way.

Each day he felt his power drained more, for the first time he felt his ancient years and he was very weary. His Labyrinth taught everyone who challenged it that you must take nothing for granted. For he had long ago learned that his immortality was not something to take for granted. "Now I will die...the King of Goblins." he muttered bitterly staring into a large ornate mirror that hung from his wall.

No matter how cruel and bitter his time here had twisted him, he had always been generous. With so little time left he had arranged for the well being of Priya and Sarah and her family. "She'll come to realize my generosity when it's all too late." he mocked himself. "Then will she be happy, will she be satisfied then?" he yelled at his reflection in the mirror. The mirror cracked and crashed to the floor shattering. Jareth signed and turned away.

He had once heard someone say that sometimes you must let someone go, to truly have them. He scoffed at the idea but the last decent shred of hope buried inside him clung to this and wished it to be true.

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Author's Note: As always thank you to everyone who is reading and reviewing. 4 more chapters to go.