Disclaimer: I don't own Labyrinth, Rigoletto, Phantom of the Opera, or Beauty and the beast. All of which inspired this story.
Chapter 47
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Beauty within
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Sarah's steps seemed heavy as she listened to the echo of her footsteps down the hallway. It seemed an eternity before she reached the heavy doors that barred the way to Jareth's study. "I should be happy." Sarah sighed wistfully as she stood outside the doors. Sarah was torn, she did not understand these new feelings she had towards Jareth. She felt that she should not leave him, was it loyalty? How could she develop such a thing, certainly she did not owe Jareth any loyalty. Then there was the unsolved riddle, she had not solved Jareth's curse. Something inside her told her it was important, that there was something she must do. Guilt weighed on her shoulders. No matter what she did she felt she was betraying someone. Would she betray Jareth, the Duke or her family? After what seemed another eternity Sarah pushed these thoughts from her mind and pushed open the doors that seemed especially heavy this day.
"I was wondering how long you were going to stand outside those doors." Jareth quipped before he even came into her view. Sarah stood and stared at the King with sad eyes. He beckoned her closer and Sarah slowly complied.
"You are ready for your trip then?" he questioned, not looking at her.
"Yes." Sarah answered in a small voice, which caused Jareth to glance at her.
"Very well." Jareth offered her a crystal. Sarah took the crystal from his gloved hand with a raised brow. "Should you find yourself struggling to transport yourself back with your own magic...this crystal will bring you ho.." Jareth stopped himself quickly. "Bring you back." He watched as Sarah tucked the crystal away into a small pouch that was strapped to her belt. She was dressed in fine traveling clothes, he made sure she was provided clothing that suited her station.
"Thank you." Sarah started to turn to leave, after Jareth had attempted to say no more.
"Wait!" Jareth's voice was on the edge of desperation. A memory flashed in Sarah's mind, she saw the look on Jareth's face as she had chose her words when she won Toby back. It seemed such a long time ago now.
Sarah looked up at Jareth, feeling anxious. Her wide and still very innocent and nieve eyes stared into his, she saw such unmasked pain and regret. Sarah gasped as she felt her heart restrict, Jareth had never appeared so broken to her as he did now. She did not flinch when Jareth reached out a gloved hand and cupped her face gently.
"My end is near. I have granted many wishes for many people for what seems an eternity. I would like at least one of my wishes to be granted before my end." his voice was soft, sad and tainted with bitterness. Sarah was still and listened to every word. "I would wish to see your face one last time. Be generous." he pleaded with her.
Sarah felt a tear run down her cheek, she felt so much sadness for this tortured man. "I will not go." she could barely believe her own words as she spoke them, was she then going to betray the duke and her family?
"What?" Jareth asked sharply.
"I shall not go." Sarah's voice became stronger. "I will not be selfish and indulge myself while you waste away in this curse." she was angry now. "I will figure it out, I will solve this." she insisted.
Jareth was taken back, he had never expected this. "No. You must go." he said resolutely.
"What?" Sarah questioned.
"We have worked hard for this. You will go to that competition and you will win. Then perhaps I will be remembered for the beauty I brought to this world and not the monster I became." Jareth's jaw was clenched.
"but.." Sarah felt herself protested although she did not understand why.
"Go!" Jareth commanded and turned his back on her. Sarah stared at his back before she turned and ran from his side.
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The Competition
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Sarah fidgeted with her gown as she looked around at her competition. "What am I doing?" Sarah thought as she felt unfamiliar doubt as she looked at the radiant fae women that she would be competing against. Sarah smoothed her white gown once again. The dress was quite exquisite and unknown to her she stood out among the rest of the competition who were dressed in gaudy gowns of jewels and gold. Sarah's dress was simple yet regal, the white fabric clung to her curves yet held an appropriate amount of modesty that most fae women seemed to disregard. The fabric seemed to shimmer and array of colors when the light hit it, it needed no other adornment.
"I will do this and I will win...for Jareth." she thought resolutely. As the competition began Sarah tried to calm the mix of emotions she was feeling and threatened to overwhelm her. On one hand she was desperately wondering if her family was there to watch her perform, and was her Duke there? Would he attempt to rescue her? Would she refuse? Sarah broke from her reverie as her name was announced and she felt her body confidently make it's way to the stage.
And then Sarah began to sing as she had never sung before.
"Music boxes have with them
Melodies they carry with them
Once they're opened music fills the air
Every person you have known
Has a song of their own
Once they open up you'll hear what's there
It's not easy you must listen
With your heart for what lies hidden
There was a melody
Locked deep inside of me
But now it's free
It found a place embraced by harmony
Sweet harmony
Love, more than anything
Teaches our hearts to sing
Only love could break the spell
Now I know very well
The love within myself
There was a melody
Locked deep inside of me
But now it's free
It found a place embraced by harmony
Sweet harmony
Love, more than anything
Teaches our hearts to sing
Only love could break the shell
Now I know very well
The love within myself."
As Sarah's ethereal voice carried over the crowds there was a stillness as all appreciated the beauty the radiated from Sarah. No one saw a meek mortal girl but they saw a strong and beautiful fae. As her song ended there was a deadly silence before the audience erupted in a deafening roar of applauds and whistles. Sarah smiled sweetly and curtseyed before making her way off the stage.
"Damn" Sarah muttered when she had exited the stage. "I screwed up my lines. Only love could break the shell not spell." she scolded herself. Suddenly Sarah felt a wave of some sort of recognition, an epiphany was dawning on her but before she could grasp it her thoughts were interrupted.
"Sarah!" Large arms wrapped around her as her father exclaimed. She hugged her father tightly but instead of joy a wave of panic overtook her.
"I'm so happy to see you." she nearly cried and embraced Midge too. "I wish I could stay but I must go." Sarah didn't understand her own words, nothing seemed to make any sense to her anymore but she felt she must flee before it was too late.
"Go where my love?" The Duke's warm voice flooded her ears and she turned startled to see the man she was to marry.
"Lasair." she gasped, not knowing how to feel after being parted for so long.
Lasair wrapped his arms around her possessively. Sarah felt uncertain in his arms. "I cannot stay, I'm bound to return." she explained plaintively.
The Duke held her tighter. "You are bound to stay by my side. He has no power over you here, not anymore. I shall never let him touch you again." there was warning in his voice, it challenged her to defy him. Sarah did not rise to the challenge.
"Ahem. Excuse me." an unfamiliar voice interrupted the reunited group. The Duke released Sarah and they turned to see an official from the competition. Sarah was drug onto the stage and crowned the winner, the fairest voice of the realm the crown cheered. This is what Sarah had wanted, what she had dreamed of yet she only felt sick inside.
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Jareth watched sadly as Sarah was announced the winner but at the same time he felt a fierce pride for her. "And so it ends." he turned a faced the setting sun.
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Author's note: Thanks as always to all. 3 more chapters...hopefully get another up tomorrow night however I am going to be super busy starting tomorrow all through next week. So you may have to wait awhile to get the end of the story. Sorry :-(