So Cruel

Chapter 10: Over It

Once again, please forgive me. I have no excuse for my lack of updates. I hope, at least, you enjoy this next installment.

Same disclaimer

I'm so tired of being here

Suppressed by all my childish fears

And if you have to leave I wish that you would just leave

'Cause your presence still lingers here

And it won't leave me alone

- My Immortal by Evanescence

"Who is she?" Sarah demanded as soon as she and Rem were alone in the hallway. She was sending piercingly cold stares in the direction Jareth and Elaine had gone.

"Don't tell me you're jealous Sarah," Darien suddenly said as he too left the breakfast room and placed his hand in the small of her back. "You know you've got better options."

"Rem?" she urged- choosing to ignore the conceited remark.

"Well my lady," Rem began with a derisive sigh, "I can definitely say she's not one of my favorite people within the kingdom. She, how do I put it, has a questionable reputation…"

"But quite an excellent one among men," Darien cheerfully interjected. "I can't say that I have had any firsthand experience, but she has certainly roused quite a scandal in her day. Let's just say she has thrilled many a man."

"What would Jareth want with that kind of woman?" Sarah questioned. She soon bit her lip, though, as she quickly figured out the answer.

"Poor Sarah," Darien drawled.

"But… why?" Her voice was pained. She moved to the opposite side of the hallway and turned her back on both of them. Her sights were blankly fixed on nothing in particular.

"My lady, it's nothing to worry about. She won't be here everyday, as she and her family moved into a dwelling away from our castle."

"Well, she's obviously closer than where she used to live, and it's not like Jareth won't invite her." Sarah simply noted.

"Sarah…" Rem worriedly approached Sarah upon seeing that she was still facing the wall. Her shoulders were slumped and her demeanor dispirited. "Sarah?" she repeated once more.

"I'm leaving!" Sarah announced, walking angrily toward the door. "And don't follow me Darien," she curtly added.

"But Sarah you're being unreasonable, " Darien rebuked, moving swiftly in front of her. He had blocked her way out and now held is hands out in front of him as a kind of shield. "Just remember what you came here for and forget about that scoundrel I call my cousin. Come with me, and I shall kidnap you for a day... joking of course."

Sarah paused and looked to Rem for advice, but she merely shrugged her shoulders. Sarah sighed- recognizing a nagging urge within her to distance herself from Jareth for at least little while and seeing that there was not a truly graceful way to excuse herself from the predicament. Thanks a lot Rem.

As if reading her thoughts, "Then it's settled," Darien announced with a cheerful tone, "We shall banish all worrisome thoughts and nonsense from our minds for the day, and you, my dear Sarah, will accompany me on a voyage of sorts through Goblin Kingdom."

~JSD~

As soon as the two stepped outside the castle's main doors, goblins gazed up curiously from their work. Some wore looks exposing confused countenances while others appeared pleased with the sight. Still, most of the goblins just looked worried.

"Fetch us two horses," Darien commanded to the nearest goblins.

They bowed in deference before quickly running to the royal stables.

"Where are we going exactly?" Sarah suspiciously questioned- beginning to regret consenting to the upcoming ride.

"Just a quick tour of the kingdom. I was called here to watch over it after all."

"Why is it hard to believe that this is just an innocent attempt at your responsibilities?"

Darien laughed dryly at the remark. "Despite what you think Sarah, I am not a horrible man. You would do well to restructure your opinions of me."

The goblins who had recently left to get their horses now returned with heavy breaths. Truthfully, it was an amusing sight to behold the little creatures leading such comparably huge horses. Sweat from the effort shined on their brows, yet, in spite of the strenuous difficulty of the task, they both continued to tug on the horses' reins until they were within reachable distance to Sarah and Darien.

"Ladies first," Darien declared before he reached over to Sarah and lifted her onto her horse. He quickly turned his back and got his own horse before she could complain. "So, our first order of business is to meet a few of the locals- gauge their opinions of the kingdom."

Seeing as this task was not too unpleasant and could, in fact, be quite enjoyable, Sarah quickly accepted. Gently urging her horse to move, Sarah commenced the journey and Darien was swift to follow beside her.

Dust hazily spread across their paths, and the procession of two leisurely wandered through the dirt streets of the kingdom. It was midday by now, and the streets were fairly crowded with goblins hurrying with their chores or engaging in chats. The two horses exerted great care not to trample on any of the goblin populace.

"Is that Lady Sarah, the mortal who beat the labyrinth?"

"She is quite beautiful. No wonder our former king was smitten."

"Yet-the man with her- isn't that Prince Darien?"

"Why, yes I believe it is."

"What are they doing together?"

A quiet grumble filled the area, as several goblins unsuccessfully whispered their take on the Darien/Sarah pairing. Interestingly, some even moved away from the oncoming horses with anxious frowns, as if distancing themselves would shield them from the inevitable ruckus this occurrence would wreak.

Sarah could feel a redness growing in her cheeks, and she could not bring herself to confront the gossiping goblins around her.

"Sarah?" A familiar voice suddenly broke through the hurtful chatter.

Looking up, a visible smile took over Sarah's face, as she practically jumped off her horse to meet the voice's owner.

"Hoggle! I'm so glad to see you. I've missed you." Sarah grabbed the little goblin and gave him a genuinely joyful hug.

"Ahem, yes well, I missed ya too Sarah." Hoggle coughed to hide the happiness he felt himself. He was delighted to know that Sarah had not forgotten him.

"So, how have you been since I left?"

Before answering though, Hoggle extended a wary glance to the man behind Sarah. He stared at him with a curious mixture of emotions- one of both respect and concern. Sarah was quick to follow his gaze.

"Oh… him." Sarah looked slightly uncomfortable as she considered what she should do. "Darien, could you please leave us for awhile so can talk… privately."

"Certainly." Darien did not even pause to think before he consented. Nonchalantly, he walked a good distance from where they stood and kept nosy goblins out of earshot as well. Now, Sarah and Hoggle were left in there own, temporary seclusion of space.

"What is it Hoggle? Is there something wrong with Darien?" Sarah questioned him with a worried tone. She bent in the dirt next to him so that Hoggle would not have to speak as loudly.

"No," Hoggle's voice was noticeably strained, "To tell ya the truth, I'm actually more worried about Jareth."

"Jareth?" Sarah repeated the name as if she had not heard it right.

"Let's just say that things weren't the best after ya left."

"What do you mean?" she pressed the reluctant Goblin for more information.

"Well, Jareth's temper seems to have become worse these three years. I'm always hearing about how he's beaten a new round of his servants for the smallest of mistakes. And there's also the gossip that he's regularly invitin' Fae women over to the castle." Hoggle looked at Sarah to measure her reaction. "I thought it was on the account of your leaving and all…"

Surprisingly, Sarah was not left hopelessly rundown from Hoggle's words. Instead, she felt a growing fire of anger mounting inside her. It was time to face the man that had unsettled her for so long. She was not about to let him hurt her friends as well.

"Don't worry Hoggle. I'll take care of everything."

Can you guys sense a Sarah/Jareth confrontation coming up? Lol I definitely can...

Until next time.