II
Jareth stalked across his throne room, his subjects cowering away from their master's wrath. "What's got you so riled Uncle?" Dorian lounged lazily on the throne of the Goblin King. "I should have sent you back to Alys when I had the chance," Jareth grumbled as he kicked an unsuspecting Goblin out of his path. "Oh come now Uncle," Dorian released a hearty laugh and stood. "Now, if I was a gambling man," his dark haired nephew smirked, "I'd wager that all this emotion might be the result of a certain mortal who spurned you." Dorian released another peal of laughter as Jareth levelled him with a frosty glare. "Don't push me boy," the Goblin King hissed and resumed his pacing. "Poor Uncle Jareth, lovesick as a schoolboy." Dorian teased before flitting from the room. With a harsh scoff, Jareth sank onto his throne and conjured a crystal between his palms. "Sarah," he whispered against the cool sphere.
Immediately a grey mist began to swirl within the orb and Jareth was greeted with the familiar image of Sarah's living room, however, as the scene began to shift it revealed his Sarah in the arms of another. The crystal slipped from his gloved hands and shattered into a fine shimmering powder on the throne room floor. He clutched his chest as a fire of hurt and jealousy began to swell beneath his breast. "She is mine." He snarled to the vacant room before transforming into his owl familiar and disappearing into the night.
Jenny and Sarah sat at the kitchen table, each with a warm mug of coffee before them. Richard had long since returned home and the only thing that remained between them was the little red book, The Labyrinth. "How did it happen?" Jenny asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "What?" Sarah retorted twisting her hands together nervously. "How did you and Jareth meet?" Jenny pressed, the little red book seemed to grow as if to mock the distance between them. "He took Toby away and I was foolish enough to follow him to get Toby back," Sarah stated matter-of-factly. "I read the book mom, I know what you did. You wished Uncle Toby away, but you defeated Jareth to win him back. But I don't understand why, if Jareth stole your brother and you hated him so much, you still wished for him all those years later to help you get away from dad." Jenny flipped the book open to the folded page and pushed it toward her mother.
"Yes I wished your uncle away and yes I ran Jareth's labyrinth to get Toby back but the connection I made to Jareth and his kingdom never faded. I never understood why but I soon learned that no matter what my feelings for Jareth might have been I could not act on them. Tom was a good man, in the beginning, but he never understood why I couldn't give him my entire heart and it may seem cliché but he resented me for it. I was alone, depressed, scared and I reached out to the one constant that had been with me. I would never take back the things I did because having you was the greatest gift in my life but I always regret giving Jareth false hope. Make no mistake, your dad loved you more than life itself but there was always the possibility that Jareth would find out and demand you return with him." Sarah touched the book lightly before wiping a tear from her eye.
After another moment of silence between them, Jenny finally spoke. "Will you hate me if I choose to go?" She could not meet her mother's eye. Sarah immediately rose from her chair and wrapped her daughter in a tight embrace. "I could never hate you! No matter what your choice I will always love you!" Sarah kissed Jenny softly on the forehead. "I think I should learn about the land of my fathers," Jenny attempted a smile as Sarah released her. "You don't owe hum anything, Jenny. Don't think you have to go. Jareth has no power over us," Sarah patted her daughter's arm as she grabbed the mugs and moved them to the sink. "For my will is as strong as yours and my kingdom as great. You have no power over me," Jenny taunted as she collected the book and made her way back upstairs. "Oh and mom," Jenny called form the top step. "What?" Sarah shouted back. "Let's hope Jareth doesn't find out about Richard," and with a hearty laugh she disappeared into her room. "For his sake and mine," Sarah muttered shaking her head.
"Never pegged you for the Richard type, precious," the dark taunt made Sarah jump causing her to drop the slippery mugs sending them clattering into the sink. "Get out of my house, Jareth." She ground out, gripping the counter so tightly her knuckles were taunt. "Oh come come now Sarah, that's no way to treat the father of your only child." He leaned back in the chair and it groaned in protest. A smug grin settled on his lips. "I'd love to hear more about this Richard character. How does he compare to the Goblin King?" The superior grin spread across his face as Sarah slowly turned to acknowledge him. "I don't have to explain anything to you, you sneaky, manipulative son-of-a-bitch. I'll be civil in front of Jenny, for her sake, but so help me God…" Sarah paused as both looked up to find Jenny standing in the doorway, the red book clasped tightly to her chest.
"Mom, Jareth, you don't mind if I call you Jareth, do you?" She looked between the bewildered pair. The Goblin King was the first to recover, "No not at all, Jareth is fine," and he stood as Jenny stepped into the kitchen and took her place at the table. "Have a seat, mom." She looked to Sarah who still held her vice grip on the counter. Sarah mechanically disengaged and took a few heavy steps forward before settling into the chair next to her daughter. "Actually, I'm glad you're both here. I'd like to talk to you about the new living situation and expectations." Jenny stated much to the shock of her mother and Jareth. "Jareth, I think it would be good to spend time in the Underground so that I can learn about the 'land of my fathers' but I want to be able to stay with my mom during school. So I figure I can spend summer's Underground and the rest of the year here," she watched his reaction carefully and felt her mother's feather light touch upon her arm. "If you mother agrees then this arrangement is acceptable to me." Jareth leaned forward on the table. "I would suggest packing your things. I would like to bring you Underground as soon as possible." He stood as did Jenny. "I'll be ready by Thursday, that gives me three days to pack," Jenny replied stonily and in a blink of an eye, Jareth had disappeared once more and Sarah and Jenny were once again alone. "Richard's coming over in the morning. He wanted to take us to the farmer's market." Sarah looked to Jenny. "That sounds great, I'd love to go!" Jenny offered an enthusiastic smile and leaned down to kiss her mother's cheek. "Night mom, I love you," and with that she made her exit and Sarah broke down, silent tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Morning Jenny! Sarah!" Richard called as he stepped through the front door. "Morning Richard," Sarah appeared from the hall and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Morning!" Jenny emerged seconds later, hastily pulling her fair hair back into a sloppy ponytail. "Ready to go?" He motioned to the door and followed the pair out to his car. As they settled themselves in and Richard steered them out of the drive, he turned back to Jenny, who was reading through the little red book once again. "So what are your plans this summer?" He asked as they pulled onto the empty highway. "I'm going to stay with my dad for a few weeks." She smiled and turned her attention back to her book. Richard sent a wary glance to Sarah who merely shrugged. "Does your father live far away?" he pressed and Sarah sent him an exasperated glare. "Yeah, but not so far that mom couldn't come and get me if something happened." Jenny replied politely as she continued to read. "Right, well that sounds like an exciting way to spend the summer," he returned his attention back to the road and the car fell into silence.
"You shouldn't have let her go," Richard remarked as Sarah inspected a flower stand. "I don't see how it's any business of yours what I allow my daughter to do." She replied darkly as she pulled a bright summer bouquet from one of the stands many baskets. "You know I see Jenny as one of my own and I worry about her," he handed a few crumpled bills to the vendor and he and Sarah continued to walk onward. "That's the problem Richard, she's not your daughter. She's mine and I think I know what's best for her." Sarah thrust the flowers into his hands and stalked off to find Jenny. "Sarah! Sarah wait!" He called hurrying after her. "We're ready to go home now, Richard." She snapped as Jenny stepped out from behind a stand overflowing with fresh produce. "Come on Jenny, time to go home." Sarah held out her hand and motioned for her daughter to follow them back to the car.
Richard had barely pulled into the driveway before Sarah was out of the car and making her way to the front door. "Are you coming in?" Jenny asked as he handed her Sarah's discarded bouquet through the car window. "I don't think your mom wants me to stay, but I'll come by on Thursday if that's alright," he gave a sympathetic smile. "Alright, I'll see you then!" Jenny took the bouquet and hurried inside as Richard pulled out of the drive. "Mom I'm leaving the flowers on the table!" Jenny called out as she arranged the bouquet in a vase.
"Goddamn you Jareth!" Sarah hissed as she paced back and forth across her bedroom. "Never a moment's peace, you always have to come in and wreck everything!" She threw her fists against the bed and continued her frantic pace. "Well doesn't this bring back memories," the cruel taunt froze Sarah on the spot. "The last time I saw you in such a state you were trapped in my Labyrinth letting precious time slip away." She turned and met his cold gaze. He was stretched out on her bed, his arms folded across his chest and his face glowing with smug superiority. "Just like you to kick a person when they're down," came Sarah's reply, her voice dripping with malice. "Who me? I would never dream of it," Jareth purred as he materialized before her. "Such a pity about Richard. I was beginning to like him," he raised a gloved finger and softly pushed a stray lock of hair from her face. "Get away from me Goblin King. You've got your heir so let me be." She shoved him back and retreated to the far side of the room. "He's a vast improvement over the other one," Jareth continued, stalking toward her. "Sober, peaceful, he won't even raise his voice to you. A most complacent lover indeed." He stopped nearly a hairsbreadth away, she felt his cool breath as it fanned across her cheeks. "I'm warning you Jareth, one more jab at Richard and I swear on Toby's life you will never see your daughter again." Sarah's steel gaze forced the Goblin King to take a few steps back. "What happened to the old Sarah, I wonder." He mused before vanishing in a cloud of smoke and glitter. "Damn you, Jareth," she muttered as she hunted around the bedroom for her cellphone.
"Hi Rick, it's me. I know you're probably screening this call because you don't want to talk to me but I just wanted to say sorry for snapping at you today. I know you care about Jenny but with everything that's been going on lately I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed and one edge. You don't have to call but I just wanted you to know that I love you and I'm sorry. Alright. Bye." She snapped the phone shut and made her way downstairs to see to the flowers.
"The new lady's maid, yer majesty." Hoggle bowed low before the Goblin King as he showed the young flame haired miss into the throne room. "Ah just in time," Jareth beamed, rising from his throne and taking a few steps toward the girl. "Tess, isn't it? I'm glad to see you doing so well," he held out a gloved hand as she dipped low into a curtsy. "An honor, your majesty," she managed as she rose. "You'll be the new lady's maid to my daughter. She's arriving in three day's time and I expect you to have her room prepared. She's about your age so I hope you can also keep her company during her stay." He took her small hand in his and squeezed it gently. "As you wish, your majesty," she smiled. "Very good. Hoggle, please show Tess to Jenny's chamber," Jareth snapped his thin fingers and the dwarf stepped forward to lead the young miss away.
"I remember when you played this for me!" Jenny laughed as she pulled a copy of Songs from Friday Afternoons from a dusty trunk in the attic of the farmhouse. "That was a very long time ago, wasn't it," Sarah chuckled as she dug through a pile of cloth covered paintings and old toys. "What exactly are we looking for?" Jenny asked moving behind Sarah who had grabbed hold of an old steamer trunk and was dragging it across the attic floor. "This. Toby! Help me carry this downstairs!" Sarah called past Jenny to her brother who sat on the attic steps. "You owe me big time for this," he teased as he grabbed hold of the trunk and helped Sarah carry it to the stairs. "Be careful!" Sarah chastised as she and Jenny followed Toby down the stairs. "Any one home?" a familiar voice called up from the living room. "We'll be down in a minute, Richard!" Sarah replied as she grabbed one of the trunks handles and heled Toby deliver it safely to the foot of the stairs. "Moving out?" Richard teased as Sarah gave him a quick hug. "Ha. Ha. No, I'm lending this to Jenny since she's already filled up two suitcases." Sarah wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead and fell back onto the sofa next to Toby. "I thought you were just going to visit," Richard raised an eyebrow at Jenny, who had made herself comfortable in the oversized arm chair. "I am!" She smiled innocently as he approached. "Well if I had known you had so much to pack I wouldn't have added to your burden. But too late now," He smiled as he handed her a prettily wrapped box tied with a bright blue ribbon.
"You didn't have to get me anything," she shook her head as she tore away the wrapping to reveal a small leather-bound journal. "Something to jot all those thoughts down in," he shrugged sheepishly as she jumped from the chair and pulled him into a tight embrace. "Thanks Rick, I love it!" she beamed. "You didn't have to get her anything," Sarah sighed as he sat down next to her. "Just wanted her to know that I was thinking about her," Richard kissed Sarah's forehead sweetly. "Ugh you two get a room!" Toby rolled his eyes and stood. "Come on Jenny, I'll help you get the rest of your stuff packed before Jareth shows up." Toby playfully hit his niece's shoulder as the pair hurried upstairs. "Jareth?" Richard cocked an eyebrow at Sarah. "That's her father's name," Sarah shrugged. "You must have really been a rebel in your youth," he teased kissing her lightly. "Oh shut up!" she nudged him playfully before laying her head on his shoulder. "I wish I knew if I was doing the right thing," she sighed. "I don't think anyone ever knows if they're doing the right thing," he murmured as he rubbed her shoulder. "We just do what we think is best at the time." He kissed the crown of her head once more before standing. "I'll go see if they need some help." He wandered off to find Jenny and Toby as Sarah curled up against the arm of the sofa, staring blankly out the window.
"He's here!" Jenny called grabbing her backpack and Richard's journal as a large black sedan pulled into the drive. "Do you have all your stuff?" Sarah asked as she flitted nervously around the living room. "Yup," Jenny smiled as she pulled her arm through her backpack straps. The doorbell rang just as Toby and Richard rounded the corner from the hall and stepped into the living room. Sarah smoothed her hands against her jeans before pulling open the door. "Good afternoon, Sarah," Jareth drawled as he stepped past her into the living room. Sarah closed the door behind him and moved to Richard's side. "Jareth, this is Richard," Jenny motioned that he should shake the man's hand. "Pleasure," Jareth levelled Richard with a severe gaze. Sarah's gaze remained focused on the Goblin King who managed to look even more intimidating in his human garb than his usual regal attire. "I'll load these in the car," Toby mumbled as he carried Jenny's things out the door. "Let me know when you get there," Sarah managed as she pulled Jenny into a tight embrace. "And if you want to leave early just call and I'll come get you," she added giving Jenny a gentle squeeze before releasing her. "Be safe," Richard added as he gave her a quick hug. "Thanks. Love you both and I'll call as soon as I can, and Rick, take of mom while I'm gone," Jenny gave them each a last quick embrace before hurrying to the car. Richard wrapped his arm around Sarah and the pair waved good bye to Jenny until the car disappeared around the corner.