Oh my lovely reviewers I am indebted to you all!
As this is my first EVER fan fic your comments are more important than you could ever imagine so keep it up!
CoffeeKris you love Darien? ME TOO! I know I created him etc but I really miss him from the story... sob. I might just have to slide him back in somewhere.
Enough of my rambling... here we go...
Sarah collapsed back onto her bed her mind going frantic as she replayed what had just happened. He kissed me... so what? It was just a ridiculous game, it didn't mean anything. Sighing she buried her head in her pillows, her heart still pounding in her chest. This is the worst possible thing that could happen... I mean... you have to be alone with him for a week, a whole week! Turning over rested a hand where his head had lain on the pillow moments before as he had taunted her. What am I going to do?
Jareth had disappeared from her room and gone straight to his own. Well... he thought with a wry smile this will definitely make things more interesting. With a wave of his hand he prepared himself for bed and climbed under the sheets. Stretching luxuriously he mentally went through a checklist of items they would need for their journey to the mountains and the Elders. Thanks to Sarah I have to visit that unruly bunch AGAIN! I've already seen them once this decade... They're even worse than Darien. With a heavy sigh he pulled the covers up over his head and escaped into slumber.
Sunlight fell across Sarah's sleeping face as if deliberately seeking her out so it could wake her. Scrunching her eyes against the bright light she slowly scrambled out of bed and staggered across to the bathroom. Demetria bustled into the room and hearing splashing coming from the room next door called out to her "Sarah I'm putting your clothes on your bed, you'll be riding almost all day so you need to be suitably dressed." Coming back into the room she saw navy breeches, black riding boots and a long white shirt laid out neatly on her bed.
"They don't look that much different to what I usually wear" she said lightly as she changed.
"That may be, but they have ne enchanted so they will cause you no discomfort while you ride" she grinned "Also should you happen to take a fall they will not show any dirt"
Sarah laughed "I don't have any plans to take a tumble...again"
Sarah ate quickly as Demetria told her she was expected to be down in the hall at 10.00 sharp and it was already quarter to. Looking at the kindly Goblin maid that had cared for her during her time in the castle she felt tears well up in her eyes. "After today...I'm...I'm never going to see you again am I?" Looking up from making the bed Demetria also felt tears prickling. "No I'm afraid not dear" She was surprised at how upset she was that the mortal girl was leaving, she hadn't been here that long but she had secured herself a place in Demetria's heart.
Hugging the girl tightly she said softly "Take care on your journey and enjoy the your life aboveground" Releasing her from her arms she wiped her eyes "Oh look at me what a silly Goblin I am weeping away, wait a moment I almost forgot" Pulling open a drawer of the dressing table she produced Sarah's mobile phone and her charm necklace she had been wearing when she originally arrived.
"Oh god!" gasped Sarah "Harold" Demetria looked at her strangely as she turned on her phone. Surprisingly Sarah had full signal. "Sorry I just need to make a quick call" Dialling Harold's number (her agent if you've forgotten, I almost did) the phone was picked up on the fourth ring.
"Harold yes...its Sarah. Fine thanks you? Yes... yes... yes..." Glancing at the clock she saw that it was close to the time she was meant to meet Jareth "Listen Harold I really have to run but I just called to assure you that I'm fine and I'm going to be back in a week... Im...away...with friends. Harold I don't know if dogs can get sunburned... I have to go..." The phone conversation carried on for a lot longer than she had meant it to and when she had finally drilled the fact that she was away 'with friends' she hung up quickly his voice still gabbling away from the phone.
"A human communication device?" asked Demetria staring at the phone. "Yes" smiled Sarah giving her another hug "Thank you so much for everything" Rushing from the room while still calling goodbye she ran down the staircase and almost straight into Jareth. Skidding to a halt directly in front of him he saw him look her over with a raised eyebrow. A vision of what had happened the night before flashed into her mind but she pushed it firmly out again.
"You're late" he remarked.
"Only five minutes"
Jareth was dressed in his usual attire black breeches, black boots, white shirt and a silky grey waistcoat with black leather gloves. Sarah also noticed a riding crop tapping against his boot. "Are you finally ready then?"
"Of course" she replied with a smile "Let's hit the road!"
"Excuse me?"
"Never mind" she was trying to keep the mood as light as possible but the Goblin King didn't seem in a good mood this morning. Grumpy bastard.
Outside she saw Sparta and a horse she had never seen before ready to go with packs on their backs. "Who's that?" she asked as they approached the horses trying not to feel nervous as she approached the unfamiliar animal. Authors' note: Sorry to interrupt, I don't know much about horses so I'm not entirely sure if it is actually possible to ride a horse on a long journey while they have packs on their back but that's what Jareth and Sarah are doing so forgive me if I'm wrong. Also I may be inaccurate about how long horses can go without resting, sorry!
Benson appeared from behind Sparta and offered her a leg up.
"That's Robin, miss" the groom answered helping her up onto the grey horse which was rather larger than Pasha.
"Why am I riding a different horse?"
"Ye couldn't ride Pasha on this journey miss, she's not strong or fast enough to keep up with Sparta." Sarah bit her lip. "Don't worry, solid as a rock Robin is... long as you don't do anything to upset him."
Seated on Robin she looked across at Jareth who raised an enquiring eyebrow before kicking off into a canter, Sarah followed.
They rode for 3 hours straight not saying a word to each other. As they rode Sarah gazed at the beautiful scenery around her. They had left the curling Labyrinth far behind and were now travelling across rolling fields of ridiculously beautiful lush green grass. The sky above was brilliantly blue apart from a large cloud that was crawling across the sky towards the sun. Sarah now felt adequately acquainted with her new steed Robin. He was a delight to ride. His paces were smoother than Pasha's though he was certainly bigger, faster and stronger than she was.
The two travellers stopped for lunch at the edge of a large, mysterious forest. Sliding off Robin unassisted by Jareth Sarah gazed into the trees. "It's beautiful" she sighed watching a small brightly coloured bird whistle from a high branch. Looking back she saw Jareth tying up the horses. They ate in silence, Sarah watching the forest and Jareth watching the sky.
"It's going to rain" he said softly just loudly enough for Sarah to hear.
"Rubbish it's a beautiful day"
He shot her a look "Trust me, It's going to rain"
Sarah looked around at the sunlight landscape and followed a frolicking bird with her eyes. Glancing up her brow furrowed at the large cloud which had almost completely passed over then leaving the sky flawless.
"You're full of crap" she spoke more harshly than she had intended.
"So eloquent Sarah, It will rain. I can sense it." Standing and walking over to the horses he pulled two black hooded cloaks from the many packs and threw one to her. "Put it on, though they are made out of such light material they are actually water proof." Sarah also stood and looked at the cloak then at the beautiful scenery. She thrust the garment back at Jareth.
"I'll take my chances thanks" stalking back to Robin she groaned Dam this horse riding business. Jareth crossed his arms and smirked.
"Jareth" She turned and walked back to him so they stood face to face, closer than was normal "Would you be so kind as to..."
"Of course" he said smoothly interrupting her.
"You don't know what I was going to ask" He raised an eyebrow.
"Sometimes I think you enjoy arguing with me Sarah."
"Whatever" she huffed back knowing she was acting like a child "Just help me up"
The Goblin King obliged and when she was settled he offered her the cloak again. She declined.
"Suit yourself" he snapped growing annoyed despite himself "but don't come crying to me when you're soaked."
Why am I being like this? Why didn't I just accept the dam cloak? Do I really enjoy arguing with him like he said?
The questions ran through her mind as she watched Jareth put on the cloak and pull the dark hood over his platinum locks. On his black horse with the black cloak he certainly was imposing. Sarah smiled grimly as they moved on once more Not exactly a knight in shining armour is he?
After half an hour dark clouds started to appear on the horizon and sped across the sky more quickly than Sarah had thought possible, they blocked out the sun. A cold wind ruffled Sarah's hair and made her shiver. A rain drop fell on her nose as a rumble of thunder broke the air. Oh shit.
Glancing up at the sky Jareth smirked as the rain increased, he almost wanted to laugh aloud as the rain clouds swirled ominously. Sarah was not amused. The rain gradually soaked her entire body while Jareth remained unaffected. Shivering uncontrollably she pushed her wet hair from her eyes while some pretty obscene cursing of both the weather and the Goblin King raged across her mind. Jareth slowed Sparta so that Sarah was alongside him and surveyed her water soaked form and grinned.
"Oh ye of little faith"
"Shut up!" she snapped definitely not in the mood for Jareth's taunts right now.
"Would you like the cloak now?"
"No"
He glared at her. "Sarah you are being ridiculous you can't ride in the rain completely at the mercy of the elements"
"I can and will" Though she was being a stupid ass Jareth couldn't help but admire her stubbornness.
"Sarah I am going to give you this cloak. Whether you put it on or not is up to you." He draped the cloak over Robin's neck and kicked Sparta forward. "Put it on"
She was freezing, there was nothing more she would like to do than obey his command but something stopped her. I will not be ordered around by him.
In front of her Jareth glanced back and was annoyed to see the idiot was still being stubborn. Fine if that's what she wants then I won't get in the way of her making herself miserable. They rode on.
Eventually the rain lessened a bit until it was just a light drizzle. They still rode on. Sarah was tired, cold and wet. She felt just about ready to faint with exhaustion when Jareth ground to a halt at the edge of yet another forest. Jareth dismounted and gestured for Sarah to do the same before leaning his horse forward under the slightly better cover of the trees.
Jareth walked quickly and quietly turning back to Sarah with a gloved finger over his lips to motion for her to keep quiet. After a short while they entered a clearing. Leaving Sparta Jareth murmured some words quietly and made a circular motion with his hand. Still shivering but intrigued by what he was doing Sarah watched in silence gripping Robin's lead rope.
Pulling down the hood of his cloak he spoke suddenly causing Sarah to jump "You're shivering."
"Im fine" she replied trying to keep the chattering of her teeth at a minimum. "Why did we have to be quiet?"
"There are things in these woods you would not be happy to meet" seeing Sarah glancing around nervously he added "I have cast a shielding spell, nothing can either see nor hear us as long as we do not leave this clearing. It also means that we will not be rained upon while we sleep."
With a flick of his wrist a camp fire appeared and taking the cloak from Robin's back he fastened it around Sarah's shoulders and pulled up the hood not meeting her eyes. "You are ridiculously stubborn, go and sit by the fire" Sarah obeyed and felt the flames warm her to the bones. The two ate supper in silence. Robin and Sparta sunk to their knees beside each other snorting contentedly.
Far, far away Darien sat at home eating shreddies in his bunny pyjamas and laughed at 'the Simpsons' on the television. (I couldn't resist!!)
Back in the forest Sarah was realising just how awkward this trip was going to be...How was she going to change into her nightclothes for God's sake? How would she be able to sleep with Jareth only a few feet away? Tucking a dark strand of hair behind her ear she stared into the flames until her eyes felt like they were glowing.
Standing she walked over to the Goblin King who was leaning against a tree, gazing up through the branches at the starry sky. "Right Goblin King" his gaze snapped from the sky to her face "How are we going to do this?"
Jareth's eyes widened as he stared down at her then smirked "Excuse me? How we are going to do what?"
Sarah felt her cheeks redden as she realised how that had sounded. "This is going to be awkward as hell" she grumbled glaring into his eyes.
"I don't quite understand what it is you're saying" he looked back up at the stars.
"I'm stuck with you for a week right?" He nodded his head. "Right well I have realised that it is going to be a bit awkward, how am I going to change into my nightclothes while you hang around?" This seemed to amuse him.
"Do you not trust me Sarah?"
"Not at all"
"Do I make you nervous?"
"Of course, it's not every day that you camp out with the Goblin King"
"It's not every day that I camp out with Sarah Williams either"
"Do I make you nervous?"
"Not at all"
"So what should I do?"
"Change using magic, I thought that would be obvious, you did manage to mimic my hairstyle so a pair of pyjamas shouldn't be too hard"
"What if it goes horribly wrong?" She had sudden images of her accidentally removing her clothes without leaving any to replace them.
"Then I shall laugh at you"
"Great" she huffed stalking away from him aware that he was watching her. Looking down at her clothes she thought of a simple pair of pyjamas but stopped as she was distracted by the Goblin King.
"You could at least not watch" she fumed looking for somewhere to hide.
"What and miss all the fun?"
Concentrating and turning her back on the grinning Fey leaning against the tree she managed to change into pyjama bottoms and a tank top. "Ha" she cried spinning around triumphantly and sticking her tongue out at Jareth who applauded sarcastically. "Bravo."
Sarah approached the two horses and said goodnight patting them each gingerly on the neck before turning back to the fire. Jareth had changed and was in his sleeping bag lying on his back, hands behind his head, eyes closed. "Smooth ass" Sarah grumbled climbing into her own on the opposite side of the fire. "At least you can't climb in my sleeping bag with me. I do not want a repeat of last night"
"I see no reason why I should want to"
"Oh you want to!" she growled tying her hair back in a messy bun so it wouldn't trouble her while she slept. He laughed.
"You think too highly of yourself Sarah" Jareth closed his eyes and stretched luxuriously.
"Hypocrite"
"Stubborn"
"Sore Loser"
"Gorgeous"
"Arroga...wait what?" She wasn't sure she had heard him correctly. Jareth grinned and rolled over onto his side to look at her.
"Nothing" Sarah was determined to hear it again.
"What did you say after I called you a sore loser?"
"I'm not sure I can even remember"
"You bloody can! Say it"
"No"
"Say it!"
"I said you were gorgeous" he drawled "but now I look again I may have been a bit over generous, mildly attractive may be more fitting or perhaps common, goodnight"
"Common?" she threw a nearby twig at him and missed "you bastard!"
"Well, what would you describe me as? In terms of looks of course, I already know Im arrogant etc"
"You're..." she honestly couldn't think of anything to say except stunning but she knew he would absolutely love that and so settled with "tolerable"
"Gosh Sarah your amazing skills of charm never fail to amaze me" he said sarcastically. Suddenly the two horses looked up in alarm and they heard a low growl. Sarah was on her feet in an instant as was Jareth.
"What the hell was that?"
"Im not sure but were perfectly safe"
Sarah stared out into the darkness of the trees and saw something move in the shadows.
"Jareth" she moaned faintly he moved to her side and looked where her quivering hand was pointing. Something was out there and it was big. Another low growl shook the air, it was louder this time and Jareth felt her grip his hand as the hulking shadow moved nearer. Glancing down she saw her face pale with fright and almost smiled, he knew exactly what it was but he wasn't about to tell her.
Sarah was trembling. Oh my god I'm going to die, I'm going to die! She turned to run but he pulled Jareth pulled her back effortlessly into his arms.
"Sarah" she buried her head in his chest "Sarah listen to me, we are safe, do you understand? Safe." Sarah hardly heard him. The dark shape was almost in the clearing and she felt a huge desire just to turn and run but Jareth's steel grip prevented her from doing so.
"It's just a dragon."
This was not what she wanted to hear. "A dragon? There's a bloody dragon out there? Let me go Jareth! We have to move it's going to fricking eat us!"
Hearing him laugh she looked up "It's a tree dragon Sarah, they're herbivores." Pulling away from him she gaped in disbelief.
"What?" she growled.
"Doesn't eat people dear, just trees"
"What!" she exploded "I was scared of a bloody vegetarian" He nodded a faintly amused look on his face.
The dark shape moved into a patch of moonlight growling softly. It was certainly big, about the size of a bus and covered in green scales. Knowing that it wouldn't eat her she still felt faintly nervous and turned to Jareth.
"Right...well...stupid dragon, it better be quiet from now on." Sarah felt a bit foolish. Jareth nodded and with another wave of his hand made it so they couldn't hear any sounds from outside the clearing.
They both settled back down to sleep.
"You were scared." Observed Jareth "Champion of the labyrinth scared of a little tree dragon"
"Shut up" growled Sarah turning her back on him and closing her eyes.
"Goodnight gorgeous" she heard him say softly as she was just drifting off.
"Night handsome."
The tree dragon munched on a few branches of a nearby tree unaware of the invisible camp before it spread it's scaly wings and soared into the night sky.
Gah! Tired...so tired... 1.12 in the morning...sorry if this chapter's a little all over the place but I seem to have a bit of writers block at the moment. Read and review as always. Hopefully I'll have better luck tomorrow. Goodnight, God bless! : )