Ten
1
She was in the Labyrinth. She knew this before even opening her eyes.
Afraid that if she did open her eyes she would chase away the figments of the dream, she lay still. A light wind blew over her. She could smell a faint spice and feel her long night gown slightly fluttering. The ground beneath her was hard, yet supportive, it was not uncomfortable. She was supposed to be laying here. On the wind she heard her name, softly in a chorus of small voices, and she opened her eyes.
The sky above her was diamond encrusted with millions of stars. They twinkled and shone full of brilliance. She could even make out the Milky Way, its thin membrane threading its way from horizon to horizon. From where she lay she glanced around- she recognized the court yard of stones and hedges as the place where five years ago she had met the Wiseman and his talking hat. The place had been more or less the center of the maze.
Sitting up she breathed deep and sighed dreamily. It felt good to be within the Labyrinth again. She realized she was lying atop a sort of toppled granite chair; its back portion now reclined and its seat was skewed to one side. Off to her left Jareth stood. He seemed to have a pale glow about him in the soft light of the stars and moon. Around his neck his sickle pendant shinned. To her eyes he was ethereal and haunting, yet beautiful. And, Sarah realized, he was supposed to be standing there.
2
Just outside the city gates Jareth stood with Sir Didymus. Before them the Labyrinth began its course, winding deep into shadowy curves and twists. Both of them surveyed the elusive patterns, looking for the path that would lead you to your destiny. Like the journey of life, the path of the Labyrinth was often invisible until you reached your end goal. The two men of the Underground understood that.
Sir Didymus' mustache twitched as his nose smelt the night air. Something hovering near by, holding to the very atmosphere made his nostrils tickle. He lived by his sense of smell; he should know what this scent was. He sniffed again, deeper raising his snout. What was it? He looked at his king- his eyes were narrowed intently studying the horizon. "Sire, something comes," said Didymus cautiously.
The land was crowned with the stars of heaven. Jareth saw this display and was pleased. The creature, his Labyrinth, was worthy of honor. The years of drought had been rough on the land, pulling it tight and leaving it unyielding. At least in the light of the stars and moon she still had her glory. He too smelt the change in the air. "Aye good knight," he replied. "Something indeed comes." Without another word he started of into the maze, to implore answers and listen to the voices of the creature he so loved.
3
He moved to stand in front of her, leaning against the remains of the chair's arm rests. Sarah felt her heart come alive with anticipation with him so close. She could clearly see his mismatched eyes regarding her intensely. He seemed to teeter between his desire to lean closer or run to the opposite side of the court yard. Reaching out she covered his gloved hand that gripped the arm. "The rain will come," she said.
"Soon enough?" he pressed leaning closer.
4
With a sound that at one moment was like air being sucked through a straw and then a bubble being popped, Jareth disappeared and reappeared following his invisible path through the Labyrinth. He first found him self at the doors of the riddlers Ralph and Alph, who guarded his passages to his oubliettes and castle respectively. Both were sound asleep.
Jareth waited listening to the night.
Alph mumbled in his sleep, "…bears water and air, while springing from the ground."
Startled Jareth glared at the guard. Alph snorted and he realized that the guard was talking in his sleep.
"The place," exclaimed Ralph loudly. He too was sleep talking. "The place where the head detaches it's self!"
What were these two guards going on about? Something that bears water and air, while springing from the ground- what could that be? He considered what Ralph said and it made far greater sense to him. The only place where heads could be detached was in the Forbidden Forest among the Firies. Those crazy orange creatures were the only dwellers of the Labyrinth who did such odd things with their body parts. Suuuck-POP! He disappeared from the guards and reappeared in the forest.
The Forbidden Forest was hardly a forest any more. The grass had dried up and been worked into a fine dust, which clung to his shoes as he walked. The trees were nearly bare. Their sparse foliage was turning shades of yellow and brown. The Firies had gone into nearly full seclusion, seeking out the last few bushes to hide in. Here was perhaps the worst example of the damage his kingdom had suffered.
Examining a few leaves he felt his frustration rising. He had been stupid to bring Sarah near his home again. He hated that little bit of hope he carried for her. This is what she had done- was that what the Labyrinth trying to tell him? See you silly fae king! See what your darling fascination did!
"Is it her fault?" he suddenly demanded the air. "Give me a clear answer! No more riddles; no more seeking; no more aimless living- just a simple answer. Please, I implore you!"
From the distance a woman's scream could be heard. The sound resounded inside him, causing his very blood to shudder. Sarah was in danger.
5
Jareth had kissed her. Lying there, feeling the wind, safe and secure in the curves of the Labyrinth she had let him kiss her. His advances were welcome, were wanted. She put a hand in his hair wondering if it was the equivalent of touching moon light. Then he exhaled, his warm breath washing over her skin. Something was wrong with his breath though. She tasted something earthy in her mouth. That was not Jareth's scent.
Dirt. This man smelt like dirt.
With a gasp Sarah bolted up right in bed. The smell of dirt still clung to her and she feared that her experience was not a dream and she screamed into the night. Her attacker was in the room! Her attacker was back! She screamed again.
Jareth appeared in the room. He was at the bed side calling her name. She was rambling about someone being the room and how he was going to hurt her. "Jareth you must protect me," she said clinging to his shirt. "He will hurt me!"
He glanced around just to be sure- not another presence was to be found. "Ssshhh! Sarah, no one is here, but you and me. No one is going to hurt you," he soothed her. He held her in his arms. "It was just a dream."
Sarah breathed deep- cloves and cinnamon. This was the scent she knew and took comfort in. "Don't leave me," she then said when he attempted to move away.
She looked positively panicked. "I'll stay," he said. "Lie down."
"No!" She tensed. "I don't think I will be able to sleep again, not tonight."
He considered his options. "Come back to my study with me. I can manage a fire and perhaps a cup of tea." Pulling a blanket from the bed he wrapped it around her shoulders, and they went to the study.
She sat huddle on the sofa. He glanced back at her as he bent over to set the wood in the hearth. Her shoulders were hunched and her head was drawn down. With a snap of his fingers, sparks leapt from his skin, and the wood caught fire. "Handy," he heard her comment. He smiled. "Magic can be quite convenient," he said. "Though I must admit my resources are running a bit low at the moment."
She looked quizzically at him.
"I'm tired," he explained. "and stressed. It's hard to perform consistently when I'm not fully rested."
"Well, why don't we skip that tea offer then?"
Dusting off his hands he moved to sit near her. He chuckled. "Fine, but more importantly, how are you doing?"
She pulled her blanket closer. Only a few hours ago she had been behaving with bravado, taking her frustrations out on the Goblin King. Now she felt small and vulnerable. "I keep expecting to smell him, you know?" she finally said. "As if I am going to discover some trace of him here."
"That won't happen- he is not here." He ventured to touch her shoulder and squeeze in comfort.
"I know. You-you smell right." She put her hand over his.
She looked so fragile. He had come to her, without her even calling his name. Shifting he put his arm around her shoulders and drew her near to his chest. "I shall do my best to always keep you safe."
After a moment she said, "I'm-I'm sorry I got so mad at you earlier."
"Quiet Sarah," he replied. "There is no need for apologies. I," he paused. Why did he take such pleasure in her nearness? Clearing his throat he continued, "I owed you an explanation, and the lack thereof left you to come to your own conclusions about me. And you're right Sarah, I am a sore looser."
The fire popped and sputtered. Beginning to feel drowsy Jareth maneuvered the two on the sofa and leaned back against the side cushions. She lay still and warm against him. "What did happen after I left?" she suddenly asked.
"The Labyrinth grew quiet. It became far more elusive then it had ever been. Then the rain ceased, and thus began the painful, slow deterioration of the land."
"Did it say anything tonight?"
He half yawned and half sighed. "No."
"Has it said anything about me since I've returned?"
"No, it hasn't."
She lay there considering that for a moment. "So I haven't made things worse at least."
He was now fighting to keep his eyes open. "No dearest. Go to sleep." He patted her arm.
She dared to ask one more question, "Has it ever said anything about Miss Wimberly?"
"No. Now, don't force me to use a sleep enchantment to make you cease these questions."
Hidden against his chest she smirked. "Cruel bully," she quipped.
"Irritating meddler. Now be still."