Chapter Two

Living on the Sidelines

Sarah got over the fact that she was not going to be invited to many parties over the summer. She spent a month in New York with her mother, while her mother worked on Shakespeare in the Park. The Taming of the Shrew was the production they were working on. Her mother had the part of Bianca, and Sarah got to tag along to rehearsals and even be an extra one night when one of the girls was ill, all under the watchful eye of an owl in the tree closest to where she was on the set. When Sarah returned from New York, her mother insisted that Karen and Richard enroll Sarah in a dance class. She hoped it would help the girl blossom. Linda of course had meant for her to be in ballets or jazz, Sarah instead sighed up for ballroom dancing.

She was a junior that fall, excited about the elective classes she'd signed up for. She tried to ignore the whispers that followed her. Most of her classmates either gave her the cold shoulder or were openly rude to her. The boys who hung around Jason, for some reason, seemed to take great pleasure in taunting her. Amy and Chloe gave her comfort and support, but few others, including staff, cared what happened to her.

Her public speaking teacher was always criticizing her, finding fault with every thing she did in the class. Her music teacher would constantly give her grief over her hand positions on the piano. Her math teacher told her she simply didn't understand logic and never would. The teachers who were her supporters were the History, Art and Literature teachers, especially the History teacher, who found she could argue well and had a thirst for knowledge.

Just before Halloween the Junior Class always held a big hay ride. Only juniors were allowed and it was a big fundraiser for the class. Chloe had taken six hours to argue Sarah into going, promising she'd sit with her the whole time. Amy promised to sit with her also, and as the hay ride fell on Sarah's birthday the girls promised it would be a fun way to celebrate turning sixteen. Even Karen, her stepmother, had told her to go and have fun. Only Sarah seemed to have misgivings.

Sarah looked at her clothes in her closet. The straight-lined jeans she wore needed a nice casual top. Her eyes kept going to the one shirt she didn't want to wear: the poets' shirt she'd worn that fateful night she'd sent her baby brother into the Goblin realm. Chloe entered her room and found her with the hanger in hand trying to put it back in the stuffed closet.

"Hey! I love that shirt!" Chloe barked from behind her. "And you look great in it. Just don't wear that vest you use to wear with it." She opened the drawer where she knew Sarah kept her belts in the dresser. "Here you go, this is the new style, big belts. "She held the belt in front of the shirt, nodding.

Sarah gave in, not willingly, but out of exasperation. She pulled the shirt on over her head, fastened the belt and tied a sweater round her shoulders. "Ok, I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

Chloe looked round the room, with its stuffed toys and fairy books. "Don't you think it's time to put some of this stuff aside?"

"No." Sarah said flatly.

Amy was waiting outside in her little car, "Come on, shake a leg. We need to be at the High School by seven or we'll miss the ride!"

One hundred and fifty students had signed up for the ride. Sarah, Amy and Chloe were all on the wagon that the musicians were on. One of the musicians was playing a mandolin as the riders sang to the old tunes being played. Just past the High School were the woods and a few old farmers' fields. Sarah listened to the music and lost her self in thought. The man with the Mandolin began to play a version of You Fill Up my Senses. His voice was clear and crisp, and he sang with a sad joy. Sarah suddenly started to look up in the sky, looking for the owl. She didn't see him and figured she was just becoming paranoid. But the words to the song gave her pause.

Come let me love you
Let me give my life to you
Let me drown in your laughter
Let me die in your arms
Let me lay down beside you
Let me always be with you
Come let me love you
Come love me again

Sarah winced, and took a deep breath. 'Get out of my thoughts Goblin King! And I mean now.'

The wagon hit bumps and ruts and the riders laughed, all but Sarah. She felt an icy chill deep in heart. Even looking at the pale full moon didn't make her feel better. As the ride went on, more and more of the teens were pairing up, until the ride resembled a couple's event. The deeper in the fields the wagon traveled, the more she had the nagging feeling this was a mistake. She'd have preferred a small cake at home with Karen, her Father and Toby. When the wagons stopped at the far end of the field there was to be a bonfire and ghost stories.

Sarah was talking to the musician, asking about the mandolin when Amy said she was going to get them a soda. Chloe was talking to one of the other girls about some homework that had her stumped. Sarah walked behind the wagons and looked at the woods, so peaceful, and so sinister. She smiled and thought 'sort of like you, Jareth.'

"Hey Sarah." She turned at the sound of her name being called. Todd, Jason and two other boys she didn't know were descending upon her ominously. Jason had a strange look on his face, and his eyes were glassy. "I hear it's your birthday." He slurred his words slightly. "Sweet sixteen and never been kissed."

Todd took a drink from something in a sack. "Yeah, we can remedy that."

The two other boys nodded, all the while Sarah was backing up. Panic and apprehension froze the voice in her throat. She felt the two strangers grip her arms and she found herself being dragged toward the woods she'd just been studying. She struggled and pulled to free her arms.

Jason took a swig off the bottle in the bag, and handed it back to Todd. The liquor had given him the bravery to forget the nightmares he'd had after dancing with Sarah and any time he thought about her. "Hold the bitch. I'm gonna plant one on her she'll never forget." He took hold of her face and held it as he licked his lips. "You're gonna love this, you little ice princess. It's time you got your head out of them stupid kiddie books. Welcome to the real world, princess."

The air was filled with the screech of an angry owl and was followed by two equally angry ravens. The three birds swooped, but it was the owl that clawed the hands of the boy who held Sarah's face. Jason released his grip on Sarah, and brought his hands up to protect his own face. The Ravens attacked the two boys holding Sarah's arms. They released her to protect themselves. Once freed, the girl turned and ran off into the woods, her voice still frozen. She ran until she fell against a tree, panting found voice. "Jareth!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. Her sweater fell to the ground, having come loose in her hurry to escape.

Long fingers gripped her arms as a soft deep velvety voice soothed. "I'm here, Sarah." Sarah closed her eyes, let the fingers slide until both his hands locked and gently pulled her back against him. Lowering his head he rested it on hers. "I'm here." His breath was at her ear as he spoke the words of comfort. His cloak spread round her like the wings of a bird.

Slowly, deliberately she crossed her hands and locked her fingers over his. "I was so afraid." She whispered the sobbed words. His warmth filled her with a feeling of protection, of shelter.

"I know, my dear. But you're… safe" he nearly choked on the word.

Her grip on his fingers tightened. "That was you, the owl, wasn't it?"

"Yes, Sarah, that was me." He admitted smugly.

"You saved me…why?" she moaned softly.

Slowly he turned her to face him, he cupped her chin. "When you give your first true kiss, little Sarah, it will be to me." Green eyes gazed into mismatched eyes, and he smiled. "Your first true kiss belongs to me when you are ready Sarah, and not before."

Two Raven guards looked at each other. Confused by the way the man was speaking to the girl. Was this not the mortal he had charged with waltzing off with his property?

Sarah lowered her head to his chest, and slid her arms round his waist and she just held on. "I faced the challenges of the Labyrinth, so why do those four scare me more."

Jareth caressed her softly, "Because they mean you far more harm than my Labyrinth ever could, my sweet mortal." Then he laughed softly. "Sarah, I've brought you a gift."

Suspicious she looked up at the Goblin King pulling back a bit. "What is it? Another snake scarf? Or another peach to poison me with?"

Jareth smiled down into her eyes with wickedness, "It's a crystal…nothing more." He produced the bobble out of thin air, a tiny perfectly round amethyst orb the size of a dime. It dangled from a silver link chain that sparkled in the dim light in the forest.

"What does it do?" her suspicious mind was still working over time.

"Nothing, it just looks pretty." He dangled it out before her eyes for a moment; magically he placed the chain round her neck. Slowly he released the tiny crystal and let it fall into the opening of the poets' shirt, where it dangled between her soft rising breasts. "Very pretty." He leered smoothly.

She looked down and gasped, "Jareth, I didn't accept this."

"Happy birthday… Sarah." He stepped back and faded into the darkness and the sparkle of glitter.

At that moment, Amy and Chloe came out of the trees calling her name. Sarah leaned back against the tree and called out to them. "I'm here."

Amy was the first to reach her, "Oh Sarah, are you okay?"

Chloe held on of her arms. "I could kill that bastard, Jason!" Her voice was filled with anger. She noticed the little orb that now hung form Sarah's neck. "Hey, when did you get this? I don't remember you putting this on."

Sarah looked at the orb, "It's a birthday present."

In the tree, an owl stood vigil watching as the friends guided her back to the bonfire.

"I swear if I'd know they were drinking, I'd never have gone for the sodas… I thought you were safe talking to the guy with that mandolin." Amy was miserable with sorrow.

Sarah felt a tingle of warmth from the crystal near her heart. "It's ok; it's not your fault."

Chloe called out to the sponsor that they'd found Sarah. Mr. Davis, the sponsor for the ride came running over. "Child, are you alright?" Once he was assured she was safe and unharmed, he glared at the four drunken, but scratched up boys. "They will be banned from any other activities for the rest of this term."

Chloe shook her head, "Did you see that owl? Never saw anything like it! It was like it was trying to protect you."

"The owl must have a nest nearby." Mr. Davis announced. "It must have felt the boys were endangering its territory."

Sarah winced on the word territory. "That must be it." She agreed.

The ride home was quieter. The minstrel with the mandolin asked Sarah if she'd like to hold the wonderful instrument. She took it into her hands carefully. Her mother had insisted that she learn classical guitar a year ago. She strummed the strings; the first notes were that of Greensleeves. Yet as if her fingers had a mind of their own she began to strum a different tune, a strange tune she'd only heard once. Quickly she handed the mandolin back to its owner. He looked at her with awe, and told her he'd never heard the tune she was strumming and it sounded wonderful. The minstrel asked if she'd ever considered taking up classical mandolin, and offered to teach her. He handed her a card. 'Robin Hobb' it said. She smiled up and said she'd love to learn to play the instrument, but didn't own one.

"I've one that is old and in need of some work. I could let you buy it on time, if you find you like the way it feels." Robin had dancing gray eyes that sparkled when music was played. His voice was light and fun and he assured her she would not be interfering with other duties he had. "I have very few students at this time. I'll tell you what Ms Williams. If you work on the repairs of the mandolin, I'll give it to you at an even lower cost."

Sarah was silent as Amy drove home from the school parking lot. When they reached her house, she got out of the car and gave a half hearted wave to her friends. She entered the house and found a note saying that her father and Karen were at Karen's sisters with Toby, and would be home after midnight. Walking up the stairs Sarah realized she'd lost her sweater. "Damn." She said softly turning the doorknob to her room, "I loved that sweater." She switched on the light to find the sweater neatly folded on her bed. She swallowed. Only one person could have put it there. "Thank you, Jareth." She said softly out loud.

"You're welcome, Sarah," the answer came equally as soft.

She paced her room for a few moments, looked at her little antique clock and turned on her heels and rushed down the stairs. Locking the door of the house, she headed for the dark park. The park was empty, but she ventured deeper, deeper until she reached the lagoon and the obelisks. "Jareth!" She called out. "I need to see you. Now." Turning, she looked round. Nothing. When she turned back he was leaning nonchalantly on the obelisk.

"You called?" He teased raising an eyebrow. "It's rather late in the evening for a friendly visit, don't you think Sarah?"

Sarah frowned and looked at him, "Ok, let's get this over with." She announced. "You say my first true kiss belongs to you… Fine…Take it!" She brought her head up defiantly, puckered her lips and closed her eyes. She stood that way for what seemed an eternity to her. Arms down at her sides, hands balled into tight fists. When nothing happened, she opened one eye, then both. He stood with his arms crossed and a less than amused look on his face.

"No," he said in a low tone that spoke loudly of his displeasure.

The heat of anger made her blood boil, "Fine, you won't kiss me. I'll just go find someone who will oblige me." She began to walk past him.

A hand shot out, took hold of her wrist and held her fast. "Again; no." He glared as he stared into her eyes. "Don't defy me."

"You had your chance, Goblin King!" She declared. "Now let me go! I've only got a few minutes left of my birthday, and I intend to kiss the next person I lay eyes on! Even if it's a bum on the street."

Jareth let out an exasperated groan, turned and pulled her deeper into the park. "Not here." He said as he looked for the arbor, one he'd spotted some time ago when he was watching her. He pulled her along and then turned when he found a spot that would make their heights more equal. He was eye to eye with her now. "Here, in the arbor."

Suddenly Sarah lost her bravado, and tried to back away. "Wait, I've changed my mind!"

"What's said is said." He taunted with words he'd used the first time they'd set eyes on each other. "Remember, Sarah, this was your doing, not mine." The hand that was captured in his was forced behind her, as she was pulled forward. Suddenly they were but a breath apart. Still his eyes bored into hers, seeking her soul.

"Jareth." She whispered, looking into his eyes, and not knowing what it was she was seeking. She just knew that she was seeking something intangible.

The hand holding hers captive released the wrist, and slid possessively to the small of her back. His right hand cupped her chin, tilting it up ward as he lowered his lips to hers. At first he'd planned on being curl, but found he could not be, that he didn't want to be. Though it was softly given, it was not the kind of kiss she'd shared with anyone before. Behind the softness, there was a definite hunger. He felt her lips tremble and found it only made him growl softly in the back of his throat.

Sarah whispered against his lips, "I don't know how… I've never…"

His lips answered back, "I know of your innocence, let me guide you." When she nodded, the rocking up and down of her lips under his nearly drove him insane. The hand that had cupped her chin, was now entangled in her hair, and holding the back of her head. He deepened the kiss gradually, bit by bit, until she was responding freely on her own. "I want to taste you, Sarah." He whispered as he used the slightest pressure to part her lips. "Now." He sighed as the tip of his tongue sought entry. She moaned deep in her throat, and he felt her knees buckle.

With ease, he swooped her up in his arms, and carried her deeper into the arbor. Her arms draped round his shoulders as she laid her head against the base of his neck. When he came to a bench in a covered alcove he sat with her on his lap. Brushing the stray hairs from her lovely face, he gazed into those green eyes that filled him with longing and tortured his thoughts. Once more he began to kiss her. This time, she was answering his kisses with an urgency of her own. Pulling back, he forced her to look into his eyes. "Do you want more?" Passion swelled in his voice.

Before she could answer a quicksilver motion halted them both. Oberon appeared, looked at the entangled pair and huffed loudly. "Puck, would you like to explain this?"

The fawn appeared still in the guise of Robin Hobb. He bowed to the King of the Fae and smirked. "That one," he pointed to Sarah, "Called out that one. Demanded a kiss did she! NO said He, … fine says she… threatened to find another to kiss did she!" Hobb laughed, acting out the events. "This one," his thumb now was directed to the Goblin King. "Says 'What's said is said'," Puck did a fair imitation of the irate King. "And drags the maiden to this arbor and kisses her, but finds himself bested again me thinks."

At that moment, two ravens transformed into guards, and knelt before the King of the Fae. "Sire, what the faun says is true. She called him out. This is Neutral ground, we dare not interfere."

The Woodland King frowned, "What on earth would induce her to do such a thing?"

Puck snickered. "That one saved her in the wood. Came to her rescue like a valiant knight in a fairy tale, my King."

The guard grimaced. "This too is true, my liege." They then related the tale of Sarah's peril to the master of the Fae who listened with concern.

Oberon paced his hands behind his back. "Well, I can't have him deflowering her. Be she willing or no, it's just not done. She's not his until the trial after she turns the age of consent."

"But pretty they are together!" Puck now in faun form pointed out. "And master, they spark." He pointed to the lips that were barely a breath from each other, and the faintest of glows that formed there.

Oberon came closer, examined the pair and uttered one word. "Fascinating." He backed off and turned to the faun and the guards. "Leave. You will see the girl at the appointed hour. Teach her what you can of the mandolin, but nothing else. You two, stay near, I will return the child to her rooms myself. I will want you to then guard her." When the Fae King was alone with the frozen pair, he moved closer again and gazed at the spark. "Fascinating." He uttered. "And neither of you seem aware of it." He waved his hands over Sarah's half shut eyes. "Sleep fair maiden." Her eyes fluttered closed, but her lips whispered the name of the man holding her. It was enough to break though the web of magic that held him fast.

Jareth moved with a start, looking at the now sleeping not quite woman in his arms, and then to the Regal presences of the High King. "Sire." He bowed his head but keep his eyes keen.

Oberon clucked with his tongue and looked at the younger king. "Boy, boy, boy, what am I to do with you?"

Jareth pulled Sarah closer. "Right now, I don't care what you do with me. Why did you stop us?"

Oberon raised an elegant brow of his own, "Boy, think you that I would take your prize?" He could see by the Goblin King's expression that the thought had crossed his mind. "Be at ease. She is still thine. Or rather she will be," Oberon took a seat on the bench opposite the pair. "However, I think it best if I see your maiden home. You want her to remain a maiden, don't you?"

Jareth shrugged.

Oberon frowned. "Trust me, boy." He stood up, and removed the girl from the other Fae's hold.

"Father assist me." Jareth beseeched the older Fae. "I will not have her passing out her sweet kisses to any Tom, Dick or Harry." Now Jareth stood and stroked the hair of his sleeping prize.

Oberon nodded, "Sadly I agree. I shall cast an enchantment. She shall shun the kiss of all save for family. And all other males will shun her kiss and her company. Will that satisfy you?" He sighed, "Now off with you. You've done enough damage this night."

Cradling the girl in his arms Oberon wove a spell and was standing in the girls' bedchamber in an instant. He placed the sleeping woman-child on the bed and stood back to look at her. "Enchanting." He said softly.

"Do you really think so?" The pouting sound of his wife's voice came to his ear. With a shimmer, she appeared at his elbow. When her husband placed a finger to her lips she was stilled. He pointed down at the sleeping child. Tatiana looked at the child closely. "She is lovely, who is she?"

"Jareth's Sarah." Oberon said with a smile.

Tatiana giggled, "So this is the one who broke his Labyrinth? She is but a child." Then taking a seat on the edge of the bed, she looked again. "No, she is not a child, but not yet a woman." She raised her eyes to her husband. "You called her Jareth's ."

Oberon passed to her the scroll he'd just magically called to him. "Read."

"Oh he can not be serious!" Then she looked again at the sleeping maiden. "Then again." Looking back at her husband she smiled broadly. "Oh, to be young again."

Oberon touched his index finger to the tip of her nose. "You, my lady, will always be young."

Sarah smiled in her sleep. What a lovely dream.

Tatiana stood from the bed, and rested her head on her husbands shoulder. "Where did you come upon the child, why do you place her in her bed?"

"She called him out; in a garden… they call them parks here. But she called him out and demanded he kiss her."

Eyes widened on the Fae Queen. "Ah, so you took her from him before he could."

"No, I was not alerted until it was…too late. They kissed, right down to the soul." He looked at his wife. "I had to remove her before he consummated the union. She is not of age here."

Tatiana sighed deeply. "Poor Jareth." She looked up, "Bested by a woman child."

Oberon sighed too. "Poor Sarah, in love with the Goblin King." He looked at the woman child, not quite human, not quite Fae, lying on her bed. "Poor child."