Chapter 6
Thanks for your reviews! I do not own Labyrinth this is based on the film by Jim Henson.
Last night I actually had a dream about David Bowie, nothing dirty I just dreamt that he was lecturing on something and I stood up and started cheering like mad. He stared at me like I was a freak. Sob. I may have ruined my chances with him...even though it was only a dream. It was a good dream. I did hug him at the end of it. Gah so happy!
Right (StarGirl rolls up her sleeves and takes a gulp of Dr Pepper.) Enough of my fantasies, here we go.
Lying on her bed Sarah stared up at the ornate ceiling and sighed. Only moments ago Jareth had trapped her against the wall and she was still shaking. From fear? She asked herself but she hadn't been that afraid even as they had argued. Sarah wasn't weak hearted although the Goblin King certainly was alarming. It was how close he was that had caused shivers up her spine and made her forget how to string a sentence together.
Turning over and burying her head in the pillows she thought of Lucinda. Jareth was right she hadn't had a clue about the girls past. She couldn't imagine what it was like to get pregnant at such a young age and have such a terrible life. Sarah felt her eyes prickle with pity. Jareth really was a blessing in disguise.
Sarah felt her eyes grow heavy, it had been a long day. She was exhausted from the riding, breaking her arm and arguing with Jareth. I'll just take a short nap she thought snuggling into the bedcovers more comfortably and drifting into unconsciousness. The sky outside gradually darkened yet Sarah slept on. A gentle knock echoed around the room, when there was no answer from the sleeping inhabitant the door opened slowly and Jareth came silently into the room.
He had been curious as to the complete silence from Sarah and Demetria had said that she hadn't heard a sound from her room for quite a while so he had come to investigate himself. Seeing her curled up on the bed he smiled. Her dark hair lay tangled across her shoulders and spilled darkly against the white of the covers. Her face was peaceful in sleep and her chest rose and fell softly.
An unexpected feeling of tenderness rose up inside him as he crouched down by the bed and looked into her sleeping face. Sarah moaned in her sleep rolling onto her back, her lips moving silently. Jareth's eyes moved over her face, she was dreaming.
"Jareth." She sighed so quietly it was barely audible. The Goblin King's mouth fell open as he heard his name. Was she awake? No she was still breathing deeply clutching to the covers lightly, lost in sleep. Brushing a lock of hair away from her face lightly Jareth conjured a white rose on impulse and lay it where she would see it when she awoke. He stood and went to the door.
"Sweet dreams" he murmed closing it behind him with a click.
Moments after he had left Sarah woke and stretched luxuriously refreshed after her sleep. Sitting up she saw that it was dark outside and wondered how long she had rested for. The rose on the bed caught her eye and she picked it up wonderingly. Where did this... surely Jareth didn't? Holding it to her nose she smelt its sweet fragrance and touched the soft petals with her fingers. Laying the rose on her bedside table she called for Demetria.
"Ah you're awake, we better hurry and get you dressed for dinner. Supper is quite a large affair so you'll have to look simply wonderful."
"Who's going to be there? Sarah asked brushing out her hair that had become tangled in her sleep.
"A few of the realm officials and their wives" Demetria smiled. "No doubt you'll find it horribly boring, I know the King does, it's going to be political talk all evening but Darien will be there and he's hilarious, the kindest fey I've ever had the pleasure to meet, I don't know why he isn't married." Taking a beautiful grey dress from the wardrobe she laid it on the bed. "I believe you're seated next to him at dinner."
"That should be interesting" Sarah smiled "but do they know why I'm here?"
"I don't think so, they've been told that you're a guest of the king."
"But that could imply..." Sarah blushed slightly "That I'm...you know."
"His mistress?" Demetria gave a tinkling laugh "They might but I don't think so dear, these are respectable men, they will probably assume you're just an old friend of the kings."
Picking up the grey dress and slipping it on Sarah admired it in the full length mirror. It had bell sleeves and a full skirt but was suitably casual so that she wouldn't look as if she had tried too hard. Demetria laced the strings at the back for her as Sarah clipped back her hair, pulled on the grey silk dinner gloves and slid her feet into a pair of slippers that matched the dress. Stepping back to survey the girl Demetria smiled.
"You look perfect dear but you'd better hurry." Pulling Sarah from the room she stopped as they found the Goblin King standing in the hallway. Demetria dropped a quick curtsey. "Your majesty I thought that we were to meet you down there."
Jareth gave her a feline smile "I decided that I would come and collect her myself" he flicked his gaze to Sarah who looked down and away feeling her face grow hot. What is wrong with me? "After all we can't have her going down by herself can we?"
Demetria disappeared with another curtsey as Jareth held out his arm to Sarah. Taking it she concentrated on not tripping or doing anything equally embarrassing. "You know I've always wondered why women always take so long to dress" he told her as they walked together down the hallway. "In future I'll remember to turn up at least 10 minutes late." He smiled down at her. Oh my god! What if he heard our conversation about me telling Demetria that I thought everyone would think that I'm his mistress?
Jareth smiled slightly guessing what she was thinking "And by the way" he said softly watching her out of the corner of his eye "Demetria's right, I've told everyone you're an old friend so there's no need to worry." He got the reaction he wanted, he watched a blush spread across Sarah's cheeks as they walked down the stairs.
"You know it's not polite to listen to other people's conversations" replied Sarah feeling a little annoyed, Jareth ignored her.
"Darien, I don't believe you've met Sarah" Jareth addressed a fey that Sarah hadn't noticed leaning against the wall at the bottom of the stairs. "I'm going to be engaged all evening with the realm officials so I would be much obliged if you would take care of her for me."
Darien wasn't quite as tall as Jareth and wore his long white blonde hair in a high pony tail. Smiling at Sarah warmly he took her hand and brought it to his mouth. "It's a pleasure to meet you" he said meeting her green eyes with his startlingly blue ones which were made up with green eye shadow to match his green waist coat. He also
wore tight trousers and leather boots like Jareth did and Sarah thought how it seemed to be a fashion here in the underground.
Jareth turned from them and went to talk to a group of three older, plumper looking men who wore luxurious red robes, obviously some kind of uniform for the officials. The fey women were, in a way, beautiful. Though they also looked older than Jareth and Darien, wearing similar dresses to what Sarah was wearing.
Sarah turned back to Darien and saw him also watching the Goblin King as he talked with the three men and their wives, saying something that made them laugh heartily while not even smiling himself. "Poor old boy having to deal with those bores." He grinned down at Sarah "I'm lucky I have you to keep me company otherwise I would be forced to join them."
A gong sounded and everyone went into the dining room, Darien escorting Sarah and pulling out her chair for her to sit down.
Demetria was right, she was seated between Darien and a heavy fey with a large brown moustache which he was obviously proud of as he twirled it round his finger and informed her that his name was Furgen. Sarah smiled and introduced herself as 'an old friend of the king's' to which Furgen nodded and smiled before focusing all his attention on his colleagues wife who was sitting opposite him. Sarah turned to Darien.
"So how do you know the king, or are you also an official like Furgen?" she asked politely feeling slightly nervous of the fey beside her who reminded her so strongly of Jareth.
"An official?" he snorted grinning at her "Never, I wouldn't ever want to be one of them, I'm afraid I find matters of the realm extremely boring. The only reason I'm here tonight is because Jareth promised me that I would have your company. I'm an old friend of Jareth's, known him since I was a young lad." Looking to the head of the table Sarah saw Jareth having a conversation with one of the men and looking slightly annoyed as he smiled woodenly at what he said.
"What was Jareth like when he was younger?" Sarah asked curiously with a smile at Darien. She couldn't really imagine him ever being a young boy.
"Mischievous" Darien replied "Always got me in to trouble." He put on a mock sulky face and Sarah's smile grew. "Watch out for that fat codger Furgen next to you when he's on the wine he gets terribly handsy, I should know." He really was a delightful person to be with.
The evening wore on and Darien quietly told her everything about each individual. "Madam big hair over there is actually 'having relations' with a dwarf, personally I find it rather gross but apparently he's a tiger in the sack." Sarah looked at him, her eyes wide. "A dwarf? That's horrible!" Darien leaned back and looked at her over the top of his wineglass.
"Only fooling with you" he said grinning taking a sip of wine and studying his gloves. "Who would go to bed with a dwarf?" Sarah shrugged and continued eating as he said smoothly "It was actually a goblin." She choked on a potato and Darien smiled innocently at the rest of the table who had all turned to see what was making the mortal laugh so hard.
Jareth raised an eyebrow at Darien who grinned and patted Sarah on the back who was trying to disguise her giggles as a coughing fit in a napkin. "Wine went down the wrong" he mouthed. The servants came and took the plates away and served desert. Having composed herself she became aware of Jareth watching her as the officials
chattered on about tedious subjects. Not looking at him Sarah self consciously fiddled with her gloves and felt Darien nudge her in the ribs. "Don't look now but the sexy monarch is looking our way." Sarah glanced up at him and raised an eyebrow.
"Sexy?"
"Oh come you know he's gorgeous." He winked at her.
Sarah's eyes widened as she stared at him. Looking around to make sure no-one was listening to their conversation she said quietly "Darien are you...gay?"
He looked at her sideways at her and took a sip of wine. "Got it in one kiddo"
Sarah looked vaguely shocked then grinned "Wow that's great!"
"Great?"
"I love gay men!"
It was Darien's turn to choke. "Im sorry?"
"I've always wanted a gay best friend."
Darien looked extremely pleased "Shocked at a little bit of cross species loving but when I come out of the closet you're, dare I say it, happy?"
"Sure I am"
"Well I would be delighted to be your 'gay best friend' as you put it."
"Do they all know?" she asked gesturing to the rest of the table.
"They have their suspicions, the king knows, but it's not as well accepted here as it is in your world so I would appreciate it if you didn't say anything."
"Of course" Sarah nodded then her smile faltered "Is the king...?"
Darien laughed "What makes you say that?"
"He is rather flamboyant."
"Im sorry to say he's as straight as you can get, unless there's something he hasn't been telling"
"Darien" Sarah nudged him in the ribs as he chewed on a grape "Do you like the king?"
He cracked up laughing again causing 'madam big hair' to look over in interest. "Never, not that he isn't gorgeous and all, but I know him too well" he shuddered "besides Jareth's not my type."
Jareth sat at the head of the table and watched Darien and Sarah wishing he was with them. If it wasn't for the fact that Darien liked men he would have felt a bit worried seeing Darien's mouth form his name he wondered what he was telling her. Please not about that summer when...
"As Jareth's oldest friend I haven't been doing my duty, I'm terribly sorry. There are hundreds of hilarious stories I should be telling you which would embarrass him immensely."
Sarah leaned towards him interested. "I'm listening."
"Well..." Darien thought for a minute "has he ever told you about that time in summer when..."
Furgen was slightly disappointed that Sarah wasn't hanging on his every word; instead she seemed completely absorbed by what that Darien was telling her. Something about a chicken, some ivy leaves and a boat reached his ears and then he saw Sarah's shoulders shaking with laughter as she clamped a hand over her mouth to try and hold it in.
A few stories later the guests stood and started to prepare to leave. Sarah was disappointed she had been enjoying herself immensely. Jareth on the other hand had to hold in a huge sigh of relief as he shook each of the men's hands and kissed the ladies saying goodbye.
"Darien I know it sounds strange but I'm really sad you're leaving, I'll miss you."
Darien grinned "You don't get rid of me that easily I'll be here until tomorrow evening, I don't visit that often and while I'm here I have business to attend to."
Sarah was delighted "Slumber party!"
Darien raised an eyebrow and showed her a face of mock scorn "I think someone's had a bit too much wine."
As soon as the last of the officials were gone and the door closed behind them he leaned against the wall and groaned, closing his eyes and pressing a hand over his eyes. "Thank god that's over."
"Have a good time?" asked Darien walking over and standing in front of him, hands clasped behind his back with Sarah at his side. "I thought the evening went marvellously, yet time passed so quickly didn't it Sarah dear."
Jareth looked through a crack in his fingers to see Sarah nod in agreement.
"In fact I think you should have dinner with the officials a lot more often, perhaps every night." Darien put an arm around Sarah's shoulders "Sarah and I wouldn't mind at al."
Unwillingly Jareth felt himself smile "Oh shut up Darien, you realise if I find out that you have been telling stories to her I will have to treat it as treason and throw you in the bog."
"I wouldn't dare." He grinned yet the twinkle in Sarah's eyes told Jareth that he had done just that.
"I may spare you from the bog if you tell me what you've told her."
"It's late" said Darien smoothly "surely we should be tucked up and asleep, this can wait for another time or..."
"It's not that late" Jareth growled "and after that I need an enormous brandy" he gestured towards his office "get in there Darien" Darien obeyed and Sarah found herself alone in the entrance hall with Jareth.
"Would you care to join us?" Sarah hesitated "Surely you can't be tired after that long cat nap you took this evening." So it was him that left the rose.
"Come on Sarah" Darien said as he poked his head out from the study "Don't leave me alone with him!"
"In" growled Jareth pointing at Darien who promptly disappeared back into the room
"I'd love to." Sarah said and started walking with him towards his office
"Excellent, I haven't seen you all night and you seem to have made quite an impression on Darien."
As if hearing his name Darien pulled open the door before them and swept a low bow.
"Idiot" Jareth murmed gesturing Sarah into the room before pulling out Darien's hair ribbon out and tossing it into the fire.
"Hey!" Darien complained watching the green ribbon burn.
"You looked like a girl." Jareth said as a way of explaining the death of the ribbon.
"You look like a boy!" retaliated Darien.
Jareth stared at him bemused "How much has he had to drink?"
"Not much." Replied Sarah sitting down next to Darien and watched as Jareth sat opposite them.
Calling for two brandies and a mulled wine for Sarah he settled back on the comfortable cushions and draped his arms across the back of the sofa.
"Now Darien what did you tell her?" he asked glaring at Darien who had conjured another ribbon and was busy tying back his hair.
Darien repeated all the stories which he had told Sarah adding a few more just to annoy the Goblin King.
"Great you realise that now I'll have to kill her."
They continued talking late into the night, Sarah was amazed at what a different person the king was around Darien he was more playful, more relaxed.
"Gosh I'm tired" yawned Darien rubbing his eyes and setting down his Brandy glass and getting to his feet. Thinking about it Sarah too realised she was exhausted as she and Jareth also got to their feet.
"Milady may I escort you to your room." Darien asked.
"You realise Darien that your room is actually on the other side of the castle." Supplied Jareth.
"Right well I'm too lazy to go the extra distance so I will leave you in the capable hands of the Goblin King. Same room as always Jareth?" He nodded. "Right then I'm off" he swept Sarah into a hug, kissed the back of her hand then disappeared.
Jareth sighed and offered his arm to Sarah which she took "I apologise for any inconvenience that scamp has caused." He said as they headed upstairs. Sarah shook her head smiling.
"He was delightful company."
"Yes he has a way of charming people."
They walked down the halls in silence after that Sarah glanced up at his face which was expressionless. He really is looking rather good this evening she admitted to herself.
Stopping outside the door to her room Jareth turned to her.
"I have to say you look absolutely gorgeous in that dress" he said softly then smiled slightly "but it could just be the brandy talking"
Sarah felt her face flush "Im sorry about earlier, about what I said, I should have realised there was more to things than meets the eye."
"More to things than meets the eye hmm?" he practically purred leaning closer to her.
There it was again, that feeling that she couldn't move even if she had wanted to, the complete inability to remember how to breathe properly.
Their faces were inches apart as he reached down and brought her hand up to his lips.
Sarah prayed that he couldn't feel her shaking. "Goodnight Sarah" he said softly placing a gentle kiss on the back of her hand yet neither of them moved to go to their respective rooms. A grin suddenly lit up the Goblin King's face.
"Do I not get a hug?"
Sarah was shocked into speech "A hug?"
"You blessed Darien with a goodnight hug so I don't see why I shouldn't get one too."
She smiled "Oh right."
"Just think how he will gloat tomorrow over his stolen embrace with you, I must have one simply so that I am on equal terms with him"
He straightened up and let go of her hand spreading out his arms. "You wouldn't want me to throw him in the bog out of sheer annoyance tomorrow would you?"
Sarah smiled "Of course not"
"Come on, you know you want to" he grinned back.
Sarah stepped into his arms wrapping her hands around his back. She had only meant to give him a quick one then pull away saying something about how childish he was but she felt his arms fold over her back pulling her closer to him so their bodies were pressed together and the words fled from her mind. Her head was against his shoulder, feeling the softness of his waistcoat, closing her eyes she inhaled the scent of him, he smelt slightly of brandy, wood smoke and something else she couldn't identify.
Whereas her quick hug with Darien had been filled with friendship and warmth, being in the arms of the king was something completely different. The embrace was filled with longing and unsaid words. Every nerve in Sarah's body felt as if it was on fire.
"Goodnight Sarah" Jareth murmured into her hair squeezing her more tightly until he slowly, regretfully let go of her and looked into her eyes.
"Goodnight" she whispered back meeting his gaze.
He held eye contact for a few moments longer and then was gone. Sighing deeply Sarah pushed open the door to her room, changed into her nightgown and climbed into bed shutting her eyes.
A tentative knock came from the door. Sarah's eyes snapped open immediately and she sat up staring at the door.
"Come in" she called hesitantly expecting Jareth to enter but instead Darien bounded in.
"Sarah, fancy seeing you here! I hope I didn't wake you." Sarah shook her head and smiled as he sat at the end of her bed. She was pleased to see him yet she was also disappointed wishing he was someone else.
"I won't stay long I just wanted to ask, I forgot at supper but..." He raised an eyebrow "How do you feel about the king." Sarah stared at him open mouthed.
"I don't think I should comment."
"Come on you can tell me, I promise, whatever you say will never pass my lips, especially to that grouchy man"
Sarah smiled and considered his question. "To tell you the truth I honestly don't know...he's...well..." Sarah felt her cheeks grow red. Why am I blushing so much recently?
Darien was intrigued "So you have a major crush on him then?"
"I wouldn't go that far, but there's something...I don't know..."
"Say no more I know the truth even if you don't. Goodnight Sarah"
"Goodnight Darien" Standing from her bed Darien went towards the door with a grin and a whispered "Don't worry I won't tell."
"If you do I'll tell everyone you're having a cross-species relationship."
He nodded and closed the door softly behind him. With a wave of his hand Jareth returned his appearance to normal.
"I never want to have to act like him again" shuddered Jareth to himself as he set off down the corridor. Glancing back towards Sarah's door he thought about what she had said, it was neither a yes nor a no. "I'm in so much trouble."
Sarah turned over in bed and looked at the stars through her window. She stretched and sighed. What was with that hug? She thought as she closed her eyes and remembered the feeling of being held close by the Goblin King. You enjoyed it said a quiet voice inside of her you were disappointed when he let you go. "Im in so much trouble" whispered as she felt herself drift off to sleep.
Oooooh that Goblin King is a sneaky one. Im really, really sorry but I can't update for A WHOLE WEEK! As I said before I'm off on holiday so I can't. Please review I want to hear what you think of the gay fey. I don't know how it happened he just suddenly became a homosexual! Also tell me your thoughts on J and S's relationship. I could always have a Jareth/Darien pairing.