Chapter 17.

Sarah's dream.

She walked though the heavy mists. In the distance, she could hear the song of the Nightingale. She was walking through the woods, the same woods she had traveled with Hoggle, Sir Didymus and Ludo. She came to a place that had been slightly cleared. Her hand touched a sapling, and she looked around.

"I know this place." She said aloud. "This is where Hoggle gave me the peach."

Looking up she could see the little bird in the branches, singing its heart out.

Tears welled in Sarah's eyes. "I'm trying!" She said loudly. "I'm trying to hold on to Jareth!"

The bird stopped singing, but there was still music in the air. Sarah looked around. That was Jareth's voice, he was singing to her.

"Jareth!" She looked around franticly. "I'm still holding on!"

Then she saw him, a shining image in the clearing. His hands held out to her as they had been in the Crystal Ballroom. She moved into his arms and followed as he led her in a dance. He looked down at her, his eyes sad and in pain.

"What am I doing wrong?" She asked softly. "Why can't I help you?"

"Accept me." The voice said.

"I do! I marked you, remember?" She moaned. "I do accept you, Jareth."

"All of me." His voice was raspy, and his steps faltered.

Sarah stopped dancing. "Don't ask me to do this."

The image faltered, like shattered glass it began to disintegrate.

"Sarah." His voice sounded as it had when he had transformed into owl form when she had won Toby back. "Sarah."

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Sarah sat up in the bed, and held a hand to her mouth. "Oh God, what have I done?"

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Quinn's Dream

Quinn walked in mists, though a wood he only knew from dreams. He followed the sound of the music, unable to resist. He came to a place that was slightly cleared. Part of his mind knew the place, part did not. He saw the image forming in the clearing and rushed forward. It was Jareth.

He embraced him as they often did. "Jareth, hold on to me brother, hold on. I've strength for us both."

"Accept." The voice rasped. "Accept her."

Quinn pulled back, looking at the image. "I'm trying…" He made excuses in his mind, none of which found voice.

"Court her, before it's too late." the faltering image warned.

Quinn fell to his knees in the clearing. "Don't leave me! We promised we'd never leave the other!"

"Court her, accept her…and bond." Jareth urged.

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Quinn sat up bathed in sweat. "Oh God, what have I done?" His hand ran though his soaked hair. "Alright Jareth…I'll do it your way." He promised aloud in the dark chamber. "I'll court her."