XXVII
Sarah flitted down the corridors of the Goblin Castle, intent on finding her husband to confront him about the Master Jedi's story. As she rounded the corner near the nursery she slammed to a halt. Light spilled through the open door and there was the softest echo of children's laughter. Closing in on the doorway, the light grew brighter and the sounds louder.
Jareth sat in the rocking chair in the farthest corner of the room casting a spell that would allow him to see the children's memories that remained within the room. Before him, the golden ghosts of Luke and Leia laughed as they chased each other wildly around the room, jumping on the beds, crawling on top of the large armoire. There was no malice, no fear, only childish bliss. He watched the memories over and over, sadness settling in his heart.
Sarah watched the scene from the doorway, once more the tears began to fall. Never had she seen such a bleak expression on the Goblin King's face. Silently, she crept along the cool walls of the nursery until she came to rest behind him. She slowly reached out a hand to lay it on his shoulder. She cringed as he tensed in response.
He could feel her unease and before she could pull her hand away he reached up and laid his hand on hers, pressing it into his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Jareth," she managed. He could hear the emotion in her voice, feel the conflict that raced through her. He said nothing as he recalled he children's memories. The room fell dark and silent. He stood, removing her hand, and turned to face her. "You don't trust me," he accused softly as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "How can I?" She pushed his hand away and started to move back toward the door, but his hand shot out to grip her wrist and pull her back.
"We were so happy before all of this. You trusted me then. What's happened here is not my fault. I only performed the duty my position commands. The same pathetic argument you used the first time is invalid! I only do as I am asked and as I have said before, trying to live up to your expectations of me is exhausting. Think about this from my position, Sarah. Knowing the power of the questor was unstable would you send the person you loved most into a maze that could collapse at any moment? And when that person goes and enters the maze any way, how would you make sure they made it out alive! I've been driven sick with worry, regret and fear! Then when I finally figure out a way to keep everyone safe, you turn on me like I'm the villain! Sometimes I think you forget that even immortals can reach a breaking point." Jareth released her so suddenly she stumbled back, bracing against the wall to steady herself.
"Why were you watching the children?" She whispered as he turned his back to her. He hesitated a moment before responding. "In all honesty, Sarah, I'm afraid if I tell you it will be one more thing you use against me to try and escape my realm." He hung his head and shuffled back to the rocking chair. "How can you say that?" Her voice was almost inaudible now. "Don't deny the truth Sarah! Since the day you returned here you have been looking for an excuse to leave. This whole debacle has just proved that hypothesis! If you truly want to return to realm, then go! I'd rather rule alone anyway." He snapped cruelly as he sank into the chair.
Instead of retreating footsteps, as he expected, her footsteps grew louder until she appeared in front of him, kneeling at the foot of the chair. "You're not going to get rid of me that easily, Goblin King. I took an oath to your kingdom and to you. If you've learned anything by now it's that the woman you married does not break promises." She laid her head upon his knee. "I love you, Jareth, and I intend to remain at your side for as long as I live." She turned to look up at him as he pulled her into his lap. Locking her arms around his neck, she kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Shall we call a truce?" She whispered teasingly into his ear. "A truce, my precious Sarah, means you still intend to fight me and we cannot have that. No, I command your unconditional surrender." He smiled wickedly before carrying her from the room.