Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Cory, Becka and Prof. Fiaich are my own twisted creations. Remember reviews are welcomed. Flames aren't.
Chapter 15: Ivy League
"Glad you realized that Becka."
"So who are you seeing now? Still seeing that Bowie clone?"
"Becka!"
o0o0o0o0o
The first week of college and already Sarah knew she was in for it. It wasn't her classes or the fact that Brad and Becka were attending the same college she was, no. It was the fact that she was next door to a haunted dorm room, Bloody Mary's Room. Every few nights she would hear someone crying in that room. The older dorm residents when asked would nod sagely and recount their stories about the room to which Sarah would sigh. How sad.
Professor Fiaich was a big help in rearranging Sarah's classes from acting to English Literature. Becka of course was appalled.
"But Sarah. I thought it was your dream to follow in your mother's footsteps?" Becka asked after she found out that she and Sarah wouldn't be sharing the same classses.
"Well," Sarah said with a shrug. "Acting is my mother's Dream. I found my own Dream." 'And it's with a certain wet dreams of a Fae King,' she mused. 'Wonder what he's doing right now? Who am I kidding? He's probably tormenting his goblins.'
"He put you up to it, didn't he?" Becka breaking into Sarah's thoughts.
"Who did?"
"That Bowie clone."
"He is not a Bowie clone," Sarah protested, not saying Jareth's name. If there was one thing she learnt in dealing with the Fae it was words had power and saying the Goblin King's name was to draw attention to one's self. "And I haven't seen he since I left for college." That too was hurting her. Now that he was back, she was finding that she needed him in her life. Her walk-about in the Labyrinth had proven that to her.
"Sarah! Earth to Sarah!"
"Huh? Sorry Becka. I need to get to Professor Fiaich's office. She wants me to help her with a project."
o0o0o0o0o
Sarah was sitting in a local coffee shop not far from the campus when a shadow loomed over her.
"Hello Sarah," said Cory McBain as he slide into the booth across from her. "And how is my favorite Dreamer?"
Sarah smiled, "And how is my second favorite Fae?"
"Sarah I'm hurt that I only come in second. He has all the luck."
Sarah made an unlady like snort. "What brings you here, Cory? And how is He?"
"Jareth is," Cory said as his eyes turn dark with worry, "tired. He's being over worked to the point of exhaustion. Between his brother/my uncle, and dealing with no less then three wish aways, Jareth is wore out. He needs a break."
"Wait. His brother, your uncle?"
Cory chuckled. "Ah. You haven't had a lesson is Fae politics have you?"
"Not really."
Cory chuckled. "Jareth is my cousin on his mother side and my uncle on his father side. We decided when we were quite young that it annoyed certain members of his father's court to call each other Cousin. The habit continues even though his brother is now on High King."
"Talk about inbreeding." Sarah made a face, then she sighed looking down into her coffee mug. "I haven't seen him since that night." There was a tired forlorn tone to her voice.
"He misses you, Sarah. He came this close of shoving Uncle Fluffy into that bog of his."
Sarah shuddered. Evil but then she would've liked to have helped. She sighed. "And I miss him. I tried to call but he won't answer."
"He will in time. Here." he said, pulling out a package. "Something to take your mind off everything."
"What is it?" She took the package and unwrapped it. It was a manuscript.
"The first proofs of your book. I found a publisher. Look it over. If there's no problems, then the book will go to print. Should be out by Christmas if things go right."
Sarah blinked as she opened the front cover. Sure enough, it was the story she wrote last summer. It was going to be published. She read through the book. It was beautiful and the editor hadn't changed anything of importance just made a few grammar corrections. She even left a note saying that it was refreshing and hoped she would see more of Sarah's work.
"Sarah. Here's the contract. Trust me," Cory said pushing the contract to her. "I need you to look it over and sign it."
"But?"
"If you want a lawyer to look it over for you, please do so. I need it back by the end of the week for the book to make its printing date."
o0o0o0o0o
Sarah skipped class the next day and took the train back to her home town. She had an afternoon appointment.
It didn't take long for the lawyer who just happened to be her uncle to look over the contract and pointed out a few things to her that was to her advantage.
"Your agent is a pretty shrewd businessman. He's gotten you the best deal out there. Good luck on the book, my dear."
"Thanks Uncle William. I will."
She made a quick stop at the house before she returned to the train station and back to college. Thankfully, her family wasn't home, so she didn't have to answer any questions or tell no lies.
That night, back in her dorm, she touched her mirror and said, "Hoggle, I need you."
Behind her a rugged face appeared. Turning around, she smiled and hugged the first friend she ever made in the Labyrinth.
"Sarah. What's wrong?"
"Hoggle. How bad is it in the Labyrinth?"
"It's bad, Sarah. Real bad. That rat Jareth isn't his usual self. He isn't even picking on the goblins. He won't leave his castle unless there's a Wish Away."
Sarah chewed on her bottom lip. She nodded as if coming to a decision. "Hoggle. I need a favor. I'm willing to pay." She held up a plastic ring with an over size green diamond on it.
"What's that?"
"It's a ring sucker. The jewel is candy that you can suck on while you wear it on your finger."
Hoggle gaped at the treasure in awe. "What's the favor?"
Sarah smiled, holding out a vanilla envelope. "Take this to Jareth for me. You don't have to wait for an answer. Just deliver it to him personally."
Hoggle shook his head, steeping back. "He's not to be disturbed. His orders."
Sarah smiled and shrugged, putting the ring down on her desk. "If you say so."
Hoggle stared at the ring then back at Sarah. Then he nodded. "I'll do it, but if he ducks me into the bog I'll never forgive you."
o0o0o0o0o
Hoggle nervously entered the throne room. "Your majesty."
"Come now, Hogwart. You know I'm not to be disturbed."
Holding out the envelope, Hoggle nervously said, "It's Hoggle and its from Sarah."
Jareth snatched the envelope as Hoggle made a hasty retreat to enjoy his new treasure.
o0o0o0o0o
Dear Jareth,
If I could keep time in a bottle, I would keep my memories of you and my time in the Labyrinth, but I can't. I don't have the magic to do so. Only you can.
Come back to me. I miss you.
Cory came to see me today. Talk about a redneck family tree. It doesn't explain a few things. He brought me a contract and the proof of my book. I'm so excited. I can't wait for Christmas.
Come back to me, My Goblin King.
o0o0o0o0o
Thanks for all the reviews. Sorry I'm so slow. I hope to be back on track when summer is over with.
As for what's in the envelope? Check out the one shot 'Dream Essay.' Until next time. --GF