Chapter 49
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Fulfillment
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Sarah had tried numerous times in numerous locations to teleport herself without success. Everywhere she went eyes were upon her, she knew Lasair was keeping a close eye on her and guards seemed ever present. She had become a prisoner and her only relief was knowing that her parents were home safe. Her nights had been sleepless, nightmares plagued her dreams. Images of Jareth transforming into something that was neither goblin or fae, his pain filled howl would echo through her bones as she woke in cold sweats. Other dreams showed her clothed in gaudy red and gold gowns with a tall ornate crown on her head as she sat in a throne beside the Duke, yet he was no longer a Duke but a King and she was his Queen. She sat like a statue, an image of beauty but her eyes were lifeless and cold.
Panic gripped her as she awoke, it was the day before her wedding to the Duke. A part of Sarah wanted to scream and stop and tell the Duke that she would never marry him, another part told her that if she did so then she would never escape. Tonight would be the last night she could attempt to escape, silently anyways. Guards were always placed outside her rooms at night, for her protection; the Duke had assured her. She learned they were very fond of a good drink and was able to get her hands on a good sleeping drought after complaining to the palace healer that she had been having trouble sleeping.
Her plans to escape had been set, now she only had to wait to carry them out. The day seemed to drag on forever, it was very hard for Sarah to put on a facade and pretend she was happy and looking forward to her wedding day. At times through out the day Sarah would freeze up, wondering what would happen if she failed to escape. Would she be forced to marry the Duke? What would happen to Jareth? Sarah tried to calm herself of these thoughts, "I'm a clever girl. If I can best Jareth's Labyrinth then I can escape a foolish Duke." she would tell herself. Luckily Sarah did not have to see the Duke that day, she had explained to him the mortals tradition of not seeing the bride before the wedding day and he had decided to amuse her.
The time had finally come, Sarah had instructed a maid to bring her a pitcher of mead after the evening meal. Sarah concentrated and was able to conjure up three small glass tumblers. Sarah poured the sweet intoxicating liquid into the glasses and then began to divide the bottle of sleeping potion between two of the glasses. Dressed in her nightclothes Sarah approached her door, glasses in hand. Balancing two of the glasses in one hand she managed to pull her door open slightly.
Sarah gave the guards across the hall her best, most seductive flirty smile. "Join me for a drink boys." she held up the glasses and nodded towards her chambers. The two guards blushed at Sarah's lithe body covered only in silky thin delicate cloth. They looked at each other questioningly, each knew they would be in dire trouble if the Duke caught them fraternizing with his bride to be.
Sarah tilted her head lazily, still smiling at the men. "Come on now, don't be shy. Help me celebrate my last night as a free maiden." she winked. Sarah's alluring form and the drink in her hands were too much for the guards to resist and they found them discarding all warning and crossed the hall to Sarah's chambers, grinning ear to ear. Sarah turned with a wicked grin on her face, feeling quite pleased with herself.
Handing the guards the drugged drinks she picked up her own glass. Raising her glass she proposed a toast, "To life and all it's challenges."
"Aye!" The guards charmed in raising their glasses. Sarah took a sip of the mead as she watched the guards take theirs in a single swallow. Sarah was quick to lift the pitcher and refill the glass and she waited for the sleeping potion to take effect. Sarah flirted with the guards as she refilled their glass again and again. For a moment Sarah was worried that the potion would have no effect on them, but quickly it hit them and they stumbled around before crashing onto her floor in a heap. Sarah took no time to change quickly into some travel wear and a dark grey hooded cloak. Her clothes were dark and muted, she wanted to blend in with the shadows.
Taking her ring off she placed it on her nightstand before making her silent exit. "I'm coming Jareth."
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Jareth stirred slightly in his throne, he felt as if he heard Sarah's voice calling out to him. He looked up and waiting, waiting to see her walk into the room. No one came and not a sound could be heard. The mess of goblins that usually resided in the room causing a ruckus had vacated, the goblins were simple creatures but they knew that their King was losing his powers and will. They withdrew to their houses and huts in mourning, mourning over the only King who was able to bring them order to their purpose. They were scared and uncertain of what would become of them. Every creature that inhabited the Labyrinth waited and hoped that the girl would return.
The Goblin King had not slept for days and sat endlessly in his throne, seemingly waiting for his end to come. He gazed out the window, watching the sun set. Knowing it was likely to be the last he saw, once the sun rose again his transformation would be complete and whatever remnants of the great fae he once was would be lost forever. As much as it stung his pride, the pain in his heart was at moments unbareable. Hours ago he had sent Gavin and Priya away, as Sarah he had made sure that they would be taken care of and live comfortable lives. In his last hours he would be alone.
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Sarah made her way quickly but as quietly as possible down the hallways. The urgency she felt inside her made her want to run but she was so afraid the sound her feet would make. Her soft quick steps already sounded deafening to her. It seemed forever before Sarah made her way outside of the Palace, now she only had to make it out of the gates unseen. Sarah made her way into the courtyard gardens that stood on either side of the main gated wall. Coming up on the wall she carefully followed it to the gate, there were three guards on duty. One guard seemed to be napping while the other two were in deep conversation. The gates had been left open in the event that some wedding guests arrived in the middle of the night. Sarah stood and watched and waited for the right moment. Eventually she saw the two talking guards approach the slumbering one. As the came closer Sarah shrunk back further into the shadows, she watched as they roused the slumbering guard awake. They exchanged words and then the two guards left. It did not take long before the sleepy guard fell back asleep, allowing her a chance to get through the gate. Sarah could not believe her luck as made her way quickly to the gate, she passed by the slumbering guard easily. She slowed her pace down a bit once she was out of the gates, reasoning that if someone saw a figure running it would cause more suspicion then if they saw one walking calmly.
"You there! Halt!" the booming voices caused Sarah to jump. Spinning around Sarah saw the other two guards had come back and had spied her. The guards looked surprised when they recognized the Lady Sarah. "My Lady!" They called "You're not to leave!" they began to rush towards her. Sarah stood still in panic for a moment, like a dear caught in the headlights. Finally she felt her feet begin to move again on her own accord, she was not fast enough and she felt strong hands grab her arm.
Sarah yelped in pain as she was spun back around. Sarah kicked and punched trying to get free of the guards grasp. "Calm down Lady. We don't want to hurt you." The guards protested.
"No I've come to far." Sarah mumbled as she continued to fight for her freedom. The guards got a better grasp on her and she felt herself being dragged back towards the palace. "No! Please! Let me go!" she begged sobbing. The panic and adrenaline was rising within her the closer she got to the gates, she felt as if she passed back over that threshold she would surely die. Sarah felt something surge within her in a last attempt to break free she felt her body transforming. The guards leapt back as they felt the magic surge through Sarah. Her body morphed and she felt herself rising up on hoofs. She saw through strange vision the guards running back towards the palace. Without another thought she turned and ran on her four legs, faster than she could imagine.
Sarah felt very strange in this new body, that she assumed was some sort of horse. She was overwhelmed with new sensations of different muscles, the wind through her main, the feeling of dirt under her hoofs. The speed she was traveling at was exhilarating and she had never felt so free in all her life. Sarah soon realized that even in her morphed state she could feel exhaustion, with her heightened hearing she could hear the sound of running water and followed the sound until she came to a small river outside of the forest. As she leaned her head down to drink from the stream Sarah realized with great surprise that she was not a horse but a unicorn. She turned her head and admired the long silvery horn the protruded from her brow. It was then that Sarah transformed back into her human body and fell to a heap on the ground next to the river, swiftly falling unconscious.
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The Duke was enraged when he was disturbed from his slumber to be told that Sarah had escaped the grounds. The guards who had been found unconscious in Sarah's room had been sent to the dungeons to be dealt with later. He managed to be more lenient on the gate guards. "Fools" he spat as they told the Duke that she had transformed into a unicorn. He was certain now that Sarah had fae blood running through her, which only made her a more fitting bride. He clutched the ring he had found on her nightstand, she had defied him and she would pay for that. Watching her sleeping form by the river in his mirror, he whispered. "I have been very gracious Sarah but you have worn out my patience."
The Duke knew exactly where Sarah was heading and he would make sure that he was there waiting for her when she arrived.
Sarah woke and shifted uncomfortably. Opening her eyes she realized where she was and her purpose. The sky above the tree line was golden and pink, the sun was rising. That sense of urgency returned to Sarah double fold, she did not know how long Jareth had before the curse was completed and she had a sinking feeling that she was going to be too late. Once more she concentrated on teleporting, outside of the Duke's domain she found this very easy and in a flash was gone.
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Jareth watched mournfully as the sun slowly rose over the horizon. As the golden light fell upon Jareth's form he felt a sickening stab in his heart. Falling from his throne he twisted agonizingly on the floor. The few goblins who had remained watched, terrified from the shadows. It did not take long before the transformation was complete.He did not look like your average goblin that could almost get away with being so ugly that it was cute. Jareth retained his tall stature, he was terrible and menacing looking. Unlike the goblins he ruled, he looked truly terrifying. Jareth heaved his chest as the pain subsided, then he let out a horrible scream, Jareth had hoped that once his transformation was complete that his mind would be lost as well. Fate was not kind to the once glorious fae, while his body was gnarled and his powers stripped away his mind remained agonizingly in tact.
The once beautiful and proud fae slowly stood and sat once again in his throne. This was it, he would die a monster and his cruel and deceitful cousin would have his Kingdom and the love of his life. Jareth wished for nothing but death now.
Jareth's now green and warty face looked up as he heard someone enter the room. Her let out a snarl, revealing rows of sharp yellowed teeth when he saw his cousin standing there. Lasair could not hide the look of disgust as he looked at his once powerful cousin and enemy. "Why do you come here? You have everything of mine that you always wanted, what more could you wish to take from me cousin?" Jareth's voice was raspy and distorted like his figure.
The Duke smirked, "I have come to be gracious to you, after all we are family." his smirk widened into a wicked smile. Pulling a sword from his side he approached the Goblin King. "I have come to relieve you of your misery." Jareth made no move to avoid the blow that was coming, he sat tall and proud in his last moment before the blade sliced through to his heart.
"NO!!!!!!!" Sarah screamed as she had appeared in the room just to see the Duke remove the blade from Jareth's deformed body. The Duke stepped aside, feeling very pleased with himself again. As he stepped aside Sarah gasped not only from Jareth's mortal wound but because of the frightening transformation that had finally taken hold of him. She watched horrified as the Goblin King hunched over and fell to the ground dead. "No, No, No." she cried over and over as she ran to his side.
She rolled the King over onto his back, he was already dead but she did not, could not accept this. She weeped over his body, the Duke watched her. Satisfied that she was being punished for loving Jareth over himself but also disgusted at her display of emotion. "Jareth, you can't die. I love you." she cried as tears fell freely from her face.
The Duke had seen enough now, he grabbed her by the arm and wrenched her up painfully. "No!" she cried again, arms outstretched to Jareth's lifeless body.
"You deceitful little wench!" The Duke spat and sent her sprawling on the opposite side of the room.
"I'll never marry you!" Sarah screamed hatefully from the floor. The Duke approached her with raised arm, with every intention on striking her. Before he could make contact with her face a protective shield came up between them, she was using the little bit of defense magic that Jareth had been able to teach her.
The Duke through back his head and laughed cruelly. "You'll have to do much better than that Sarah." he spat as he reached his arm through her defensive shield and pulled her through it. "You will marry me Sarah. Or everyone you've ever cared or loved will meet the same fate as your precious Goblin King." his voice was hot on her neck and Sarah felt as if she would wretch. She hung her head in shame, she had lost Jareth and now if she did not marry this man that she now hated, she would lose everyone else. With a smug grin, the Duke forced a kiss upon her before transporting them back to his palace.
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Author's Note: Okay before you all grab your pitch forks and kill me, know that some sort of justice will be served, lol. I can hardly believe that there's only one chapter left! After the last chapter there may be an epilog or some notes, answered questions etc. Thank you SO much for your reviews and support. Love ya all!