So Cruel

Chapter 6: Friendship and Injuries

Sorry, couldn't help updating- especially with such wonderful reviews. Thanks again! Hope you enjoy and I'll hopefully be able to update again soon!

Same Disclaimer

Remember the feelings, remember the day

My stone heart was breaking

My love ran away

The moment I knew I would be someone else

My love turned around and I fell

-Cascada

Later at night

"My dear, you are a mess" Rem stated somewhat scolding while attempting to pad the excess dust off Sarah's dress.

"I know Rem, I'm sorry." A complex jumble of uncertainty and confusion was mixed within Sarah's eyes. Something or, rather, someone was deeply troubling her. She could hardly keep pace with the small goblin next to her, as they slowly strolled through the castle hallways.

Sensing something was awry Rem tried to put forth an encouraging and supportive front.

"No matter my lady. I can easily fix it up." Rem sent a smile Sarah's way. She grabbed her lady's hand, and they were paused in front of Sarah's doorway. "Anyways we have some bigger matters to discuss"

"Like what?" Sarah questioned, her curiosity emerging.

"Well…" Rem began to jump up and down excitedly, sending her own dress swishing about her "There's the annual Goblin Masquerade Ball to look forward to in the near future. My, it definitely is the highly anticipated event of the year. The whole Goblin City as well as several surrounding kingdoms take part in it"

"How does that involve me?"

"Why, Sarah, you are the honored guest this year. You cannot honestly say you haven't noticed the frenzy surrounding your return to the Labyrinth?"

"Actually, no, Rem. I guess I've been busy thinking about other things…"

Seeing Sarah was beginning to go on an unbeneficial and distressing tangent to her thoughts, Rem quickly interrupted. "I must admit I'm excited myself. I absolutely adored my dress last year, and I can't say I didn't appreciate the looks I had been getting from some of the eligible male goblins at the ball." She paused in recollection of the happy memories. "Of course, my dress will not even begin to compare to what we'll have for you."

"Rem, I confess I'm growing excited myself."

"That's the way to go about things,my lady." Rem stated, beaming a huge smile.

A renewed sense of energy seemed to fill Sarah, as she considered the exciting events to come. She was happy for the opportunity to dwell on something other than her current worries.

"Well, thanks a lot Rem. You've really brightened my day"

"Don't even think about it"

Sarah stopped and gave a massive hug to her little goblin friend. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then. Have a good rest o.k. Rem?"

"Yes my lady. The same goes for you"

Then, the two parted from each other. Sarah chose to wait at her doorway and watched Rem head off along the hallway and finally turn a corner. At least, among the other relatively obscure aspects of her life right now, Rem could serve as a significant point of stability. There friendship had certainly grown quickly, and her presence was considerably comforting even in the strange world of the Underground.

After a few seconds, Sarah turned toward her own doorway and grasped the coldness of the doorknob. Pushing it gently forward, she walked into the darkness of her room.

Nothing seemed amiss, as she blindly made her way toward her bed. Gracelessly plopping onto the bed, she was suddenly startled by a muffled "Oomphf"

She promptly got off and retreated from the offending noise. Moving toward the opposite wall, she voiced a curse to the so far, unknown intruder.

"Whoever it is. I'm definitely not afraid to defend myself and hurt you in the process," said Sarah in a threatening voice while grabbing a nearby chair.

"Sarah, always the feisty one. Don't you remember my previous advice about that quality to you?" said the trespasser in an all too familiar voice.

"I'm going to say this once, Darien. Get out." Sarah said as she left him to light a candle.

Sarah returned to the bedside and sent him a reproachful glare. Folding her arms across her chest, she stated "Honestly, I'm really getting tired of these recurring intrusions into my bedroom… I'll have to ask Rem about locks in this place."

She pulled the sheets away from him but stopped, suddenly, upon noticing the extensive cuts and bruises along his bare side. Overlooking the fact he was shirtless in her bed, Sarah let her concerns take a hold of her. After all, she did not fully loathe the man enough to simply overlook the fact he was genuinely hurt.

Darien squinted his eyes, acknowledging his own realization of the pain. "I'm sorry, Darien, I didn't realize"

Allowing a brief smirk, "I forgive you Sarah"

"Hold on, we need to do something about those cuts."

"I'm flattered over your concern my lady but I'll be fine."

Sarah simply ignored his last comment and hurriedly walked toward the doorway. Calling for Rem, Sarah did not have to wait for long before Rem appeared scurrying across the corner.

"Yes Sarah?" some worry in her voice.

"There wouldn't happen to be some bandages around here, would there?"

"Of course, but why?"

Thinking quickly, Sarah grabbed her hand and feigned a sense of injury. "I really am more clumsy than I should be. I… cut myself while in my bedchamber."

There was definitely suspicion in Rem's countenance, but she obeyed her instructions nonetheless.

It was only a couple of minutes before she returned- a stack of bandages balances in her hands.

"Rem, this really is a lot isn't it?" Sarah questioned.

"Can't be too careful. I don't really know what injuries you have to tend to, do I?" At this, Rem winked and hastily turned down the corner once again. Sarah merely shrugged and turned toward her room. She closed the door behind her and was soon faced with the peacefully sleeping figure on her bed.

Sarah walked carefully to her former position next to the bed. She noted the soft, even motions of Darien's breathing, as his notably toned chest raised up and down. Faint and strangely innocent snores could be heard between his breaths.

Not forgetting the pile of bandages next to her, she grabbed one of them and tried to gently place it on his injuries- all the while trying to do so without waking Darien. Smoothing it out against his skin, her movements were intercepted with the weight of Darien's hand on her own.

Smiling, he ingenuously inquired, "Sarah, my love, care to cuddle more?"

"Actually, I rather not." Sarah did not remove her hands, however, and allowed a blush to grow upon her cheeks.

"No worries, I can wait"

Sarah proceeded to place the remaining bandages upon him and continued to care for his remaining injuries. The room was getting perceptibly warmer. Eventually, a short and even comfortable conversation began between the two.

"Anways, what are you doing my room? Couldn't you face your injuries elsewhere?" Sarah asked.

"To tell you the truth, I rather not deal with Jareth right now. There's no way he's happy over the fallout of our little horse race" Sarah nodded in agreement.

He continued, "But I'm pleasantly surprised he has not visited our room once since I arrived" Darien searched Sarah's face for a response.

Sarah, however, didn't really offer anything and left her face immovable. She did not want to consider her confusing relationship with Jareth at the moment.

Sensing her uncertainty, Darien soothingly took Sarah's head and gently placed it upon his chest. They remained like that for a while, and Sarah was quickly growing tired as time went by. It was, she had to admit, not such a horrible position to be in right now- Sarah felt quite comfortable in Darien's arms. The room was warm and the darkness cast a calming veil upon them. Additionally, the day had certainly offered a test to her strengths and rest was certainly welcomed.

Soon, both the Fae man and the mortal woman were asleep- nestled contently against each other. They naively waited the day ahead of them.

A little later in the night

Such a position between the two was a significantly repellent sight to the hostile eyes of the former Goblin King. Ruthlessly scooping the human girl into his strong arms, he saw she was slowly waking up.

"Jareth?" asked Sarah brushing the sleep out of her eyes.

He merely gave her a menacing and almost frightening gaze before stating:

"Get him out or I'll throw him out"

Sarah knew it was a long ways up from the castle grounds.

Hmm... can we say some Jareth interaction next?

Until next time! Hope you enjoyed and please review.