Disclaimer: I own squat of Labyrinth. Such a shame, I know.
Well here it is. As promised, this chapter is the stunning conclusion to my very first fanfic, and truthfully, this moment is bittersweet. How can I explainhey feelings of wanting to finish a story, but never wanting it to end? Regardless, I would like to thank all of you readers for your support and love! It was because of all of you that this story was able to be finished!
Onto shoutouts! To my beautiful and quite lovely reviewers: fanficreader1053, black-heart-green-eyes, Joesette, Kami74, A Gumshoe, The Queen of Water, Buggus264, Guest, Honoria Granger, and Kypriothe, It is with love that I bequeath unto you all 2 baskets of homemade gooey brownies!
For those of you who just Favorited or followed: Praxiscosima, Chasing Darkness, , Goldenwolfhowl, and PinkutoMomo, I humbly present unto you a warm, fresh, beautiful brownie for your eating pleasure! Please enjoy with my complements!
And as always, a rather large shoutout to all of you that have taken time out of your busy schedules to read and enjoy my fic! For you, I give packets of my secret brownie recipe! (Just add water). ;D
Chapter 14: It's Only Forever
All around her, goblins and fierys were battling it out. Tails were set ablaze and heads rolled, but Sarah was oblivious to it all. To her, all that mattered at this moment was the small flicker of hope she held inside of her. Hope that the plan she clung onto would prove itself.
Amid frenzied battle cries, Sarah Williams resolutely closed her eyes and spoke the right words.
"I wish the Goblin King would live and reclaim his fallen Labyrinth.." the rest she added in a breaking whisper, "as well as its' rightful queen."
As the words left her mouth they seemed to ring in the air with an expectant finality about them.
In response to her plea, a mighty wind picked up causing Sarah's hair to swirl wildly. The noise caused by the raging battle was drowned out as the whirlwind blasted through the trees.
Bending down so that her face was mere inches away from Jareth's, Sarah murmured, "Come back to me. I love you.." , before sealing her wish with a kiss.
As she brought her lips down upon the Goblin King's, a shock coursed through her body. The words of love she had uttered hung in the air like an errant echo, and as she sat up, she couldn't help but gasp.
Time had frozen. The trees were bent from the blustery gale, and in the air sat the glistening leaves that had been whipped about. The forest seemed deathly quiet without the assault of voices ringing within the enclosed circle. Goblins and fierys alike were paused in this culminating battle of loyalty. Sir Didymus was lunging with his sword brandished at the nearest fiery, and directly above the flamboyantly red creature a goblin was frozen mid-air with its' stubby arms outstretched for attack.
Mouth gone slack from the obvious suspension of time, Sarah was pulled back from the observation of her surroundings when she felt the ground pulsate beneath her legs.
A light lit from below the surface grew brighter until the very stalks of grass shone with its' brilliancy. Emanating from the patch of land Sarah and Jareth were lying on, the strange glow expanded and branched off, lighting up the Labyrinth floor as it went.
Sarah watched with amazement as everything the otherworldly light touched rejuvenated itself. Dying trees and foliage transformed into healthy specimens. Withering leaves plumped back to their original size as the colors of the forest took on deeper shades. Ever so slowly, the glittery sheen that Sarah had come to associate with the Labyrinth returned. Once the light had finished with the plants, it switched directions and crawled towards the frozen inhabitants. The illuminated tendrils creeped up the fierys' bodies and where it touched, the matted hair became vibrant once more. As the light lit their still forms, Sarah was reminded of the care-free animals they had been the last time she was here. No longer were their eyes haunted and deranged, mischievous glints replaced the darkness left by a deteriorating home.
"The Labyrinth's healing itself.." Sarah thought as she witnessed the giant change in the atmosphere.
Softly, a whooshing sound could be heard as the glow rushed back to the spot it originated in. As the last of the healing light faded away, silence was replaced with the buzz of noise.
Time was restored to its' original tempo, and distantly Sarah could hear the now playful voices emitted by the fierys. Confused and confounded were the mass of goblins as they saw the vibrant and upbeat fierys instead of the matted brown monsters they had been fighting.
Looking around for an explanation to the sudden change in appearance and demeanor, her friends, the goblins, and the fierys stood in shocked silence as they viewed the restored environment surrounding them. A hush settled over the group as their attention was drawn to Sarah, and the fallen Goblin King.
Minutes passed, and more nothing happened, the more Sarah's eyes dulled. Loss darkened her beautiful features, and Sarah had to turn away from grief.
'He's really gone.' was the thought that ran unbidden through her mind like a stream of shrapnel cutting her to the core.
Just as she was about to stand up, a strong arm wrapped itself around her waist and flipped her onto her back. Lips crushed onto hers as Jareth held her close. Recovering from her shock, her arms wrapped themselves around his neck as she pulled him ever closer.
Behind them, a cheer erupted from the goblins and her friends.
Breaking the kiss Jareth smiled down at her lovingly.
"Just where did you think you were going precious?" He asked.
Catching her breath as she heard the melodious voice she had thought was lost to her forever she replied voice shaking with unrepressed emotion.
"I thought you were gone...Jareth, I was so scared that you had left me."
"Gone? The Goblin King?" He asked with a scoff. With a fierce love, he gazed into her green eyes and finished intimately, "Besides, I would NEVER leave you precious. I love you too much."
Eyes softening with his heartfelt words, he leaned down to lose himself in her kiss. Not wanting this moment to end, Sarah was loathe when she broke the kiss to look once more into his enchanting mismatched eyes.
"Jareth..." She whispered.
Features contorted in confusion at her breaking of their kiss, Jareth hovered above her waiting for her to continue.
"Yes Sarah?"
Drawing her hand up to run through his fine tawny hair, Sarah smiled at him with adoration shining in her eyes.
"I love you." she said as she pulled his head back down to kiss him again. At her declaration, a light blazed in Jareth's eyes and unapologetically, he kissed her senseless until they were both breathing heavily.
A throat was being cleared above them, and with a frustrated growl, Jareth tore himself away from Sarah and glared at the one that had intruded on his reunion with Sarah.
"Hedgewort-"
"Hoggle!"
"Yes..." The king drawled. "What is so important that it can't wait a few more minutes." He ground out dangerously.
Unperturbed by Jareth's anger Hoggle continued. "Yer majesty, begging yer pardon, but what do yer want us to do with these...things?" he asked gesturing to the unfazed fierys.
"What about them?" Jareth asked not comprehending what on earth Hoggle was talking about.
"Well, yer majesty, they DID sack the Labyrinth, the goblin city, and your castle. Not to mention they threw Sarah out of the tallest tower window, so excuse me for imagining they might receive some punishment for their actions." Hoggle angrily bit out, furious at the group of red creatures standing feet from him.
Jareth's eyes darkened as he heard of each crime committed, but it wasn't until he heard that they were the ones responsible for Sarah's plunge that he showed any outward signs of his enormous displeasure.
Standing up, the Goblin King looked frightening as he passed sentence upon the fierys. "As traitors to the Labyrinth, the crown, and the champion, I hereby sentence you all to hang by you ears over the Bog of Eternal Stench for the period of one year. After such a period to reflect upon your heinous actions, you will be allowed to return to the forest, where you WILL remain."
Before any complaints could be spoken, Jareth snapped his fingers, and the fierys were gone in a poof of glitter.
Turning towards the goblins he continued, "and for you all, as a reward for you unwavering loyalty, I decree today as a holiday. The local taverns will be open all night long for the drunken revelry I'm sure will commence." This order was received with many cheers and shouts of joy from the cutlery clad goblins. With a wave of Jareth's hand, they too were whisked out of the clearing and presumably to the center of the city.
Lastly, Jareth fixed his attention on Ludo, Sir Didymus, and Hoggle.
"Now what to do with you three.." he stated amused.
"It is no worry, your majesty. Now that we know our sweet Sarah is safe, we will return to the castle to meet with thee later." Came the high-pitched voice of Sarah's foxy friend.
"Yeah. Besides, I's still gots to take care of all the fairys..." Hoggle mumbled grumpily. Turning towards Sarah, a friendly spark lit up his eyes. "But if you need us..."
Sarah smiled and gazed at her three dearest friends with tenderness. "Don't worry, I'll call." she finished with a smile.
Nodding his head, Hoggle cast one more look at Sarah and Jareth before he turned in the direction leading out of the forest. Ludo and Sir Didymus were hard on his heels as they too cast supportive glances at their friend before leaving the clearing.
The last thing Sarah and Jareth heard before they had truly gone was Sir Didymus speaking to Ludo about finding where Ambrosius had gone off to.
Chuckling at her thoughts, Sarah didn't notice the Goblin King behind her until his voice found its' way into her ear.
"And what, may I ask, is so humorous?" he murmured.
Jade eyes shining with laughter Sarah told him what was on her mind. "I was just laughing at myself. And to think, both me and Laura thought I was going to have a boring, uneventful summer."
Hands wrapped around her hips and Jareth turned Sarah around so that they were facing each other.
Lost in the intensity of his eyes, Sarah asked breathlessly, "So what happens now?"
Smiling crookedly, Jareth answered. "Now we have forever."
Face shining with merriment, Sarah couldn't help but tease the Goblin King. "I don't know Jareth...forever is an awfully long time."
Smirking at her reply, Jareth muttered lovingly, "Oh but that's where you're wrong precious. You see, forever's not long at all."
Slowly, he brought their lips together, and once more, they lost themselves in their kiss.
Alas, all good things must come to an end! Please please please PLEASE review and let me know what you thought of my 1st fic!
Ps. My new fic should be posted by Wednesday, so be on the lookout! (I'm soooo excited!)