Sarah opened her eyes. It took a few moments for her vision to clear, and longer for her eyes to adjust to the inky blackness that surrounded her. She sat up slowly, cautiously checking to see if anything had been broken in the fall. Her knee was skinned, and she had a few scrapes, but she was otherwise unharmed.
"Hoggle?" The girl asked hoarsely, steadying herself against the wall as she got to her feet. There was a groan a few feet to her right. She made her way toward it, and soon discovered the dwarf rubbing his head.
"Are you okay?" Sarah asked, offering a hand to help him up. He coughed some dust from his lungs.
"Leija…where is Leija?"
"I don't know," the girl admitted, and called out, "Is everyone alright?"
She felt a tug on her nightgown and looked down. It was Turnok, about as battered and bruised as usual. The goblin looked distraught. He was clutching his dagger feverishly.
"Leija! His Majesty! Where are they?! What happened?!"
"Easy, easy," she said, bending down, "We fell down an Oubliette. They have to be close by."
Hearing this, the goblin calmed down a little, and reluctantly sheathed his blade. Sarah stood back up and looked around, searching the darkness. Suddenly, she saw them. The three hurried to their side.
Jareth was lying against a wall, still holding Leija in his arms. The Goblin King stirred as they approached; he adjusted much faster than Sarah had, and immediately turned his attention to his small subject.
"Leija...Leija, wake up."
She opened her eyes slowly and blinked groggily.
"Milord…?"
"Are you alright?" He asked. The concern was evident on his face, and he made no attempt to hide it.
"I-I think so…" The gnome replied uncertainly. Memory returned, and she sat up abruptly. "The fairies! Hoggle and Turnok protected me! Are they…?!"
Jaereth nodded towards them. Seeing that they were safe, Leija put a hand on her chest.
"Thank goodness…" she sighed.
As blond-haired Fae went to put her down, he winced, putting a hand on his leg.
"You're bleeding!" Sarah exclaimed, bending down to get a better look. His leg was worse up close. There were two rows of puncture wounds, all deep, and bleeding profusely.
"God, that looks awful!" She gasped, "We should…!"
"No, we don't have time," Jareth interrupted, "We must get moving, and find a way out."
"But your leg…!"
"I'm fine," He said firmly. But as he went to stand up, his knees buckled, and he had to lean against the craggy wall to keep from sliding back down again.
"No, you're not!" Sarah accused. Her expression softened, and she lowered her tone, "Look, just let me stop the bleeding for now."
"I will scout ahead, sire," Turnok volunteered.
The Goblin King hesitated, but eventually gave in.
"Alright, but have your wits about you. There are rather unpleasant things that roam these oubliettes."
"Have fun, ye idiot," Hoggle snorted, "I wouldn't go wanderin' around these catacombs fer all the jewels in the…"
"I'm coming as well," Leija said, following the goblin.
"…aye! Ye ain't leavin' me behind!" Hoggle recanted quickly, and chased after the pretty gnome girl.
Sarah watched the threesome disappear ahead before turning her attention back to Jareth. She untied the raincoat from around her waist, and unbuttoned the liner from the inside.
"I know this isn't exactly sterile, but I don't have any gauze," The girl apologized, "This is probably going to hurt…a lot…"
She began tightly wrapping the fabric over his leg. He gritted his teeth, but said nothing. The cavern was quiet as the girl bandaged his wound. Sarah finished, and sat back to examine her work. It wasn't very neat, but it would have to work.
"You could have acted as if it was a hard decision, you know."
Sarah looked up in surprise. Jareth was starring at the wall, refusing to make eye contact. For a while, she didn't understand; but seeing his forlorn expression caused her to remember their last words before she returned aboveground.
The girl lowered her gaze.
"It would have been, if you had actually meant it."
The Goblin King turned his head to stare at her. Sarah took a deep breath and continued.
"I know what you were doing, Jareth. You were trying to stall me. Just like you had been doing the whole time. The masquerade dream…what you said to me…they were all distractions. And you figured a teenage girl couldn't possibly be able to turn down someone as handsome as you, but you were wrong, weren't you?"
Jareth just gaped at her. At first, she thought that calling him out had rendered him speechless, but that theory was quickly put to rest. A boyish grin spread itself over his face.
"So I'm handsome, am I?" He asked, triumph ringing in his velvety voice.
Sarah colored. She hadn't meant to say that. She had definitely not meant to say that.
"I didn't…that isn't what I…!" The girl protested feverishly, the blush on her cheeks getting more pronounced by the second.
The blond Fae leaned forward, resting his arm on his knee.
"Do you think that I'm charming as well?"
"That's not…I-I…!" she sputtered, flustering for words.
Jareth's smile broadened.
"You do, don't you?"
"….oh, go to hell!" Sarah finished angrily, shoving herself to her feet. She quickly marched out of the cavern, leaving the Goblin King alone.
She didn't think that I meant what I said, he thought to himself. He rose slowly from the ground, putting his weight on his uninjured leg. That's why she didn't pay attention. That's why she could refuse me so easily.
He could not yet convince himself that that would have changed her answer, but, as she herself had admitted, it would have been a harder choice. Because she did think he was attractive. And charming.
There's still a chance, then…
Satisfied, and still grinning, Jareth sauntered after the brown-haired girl, reminding himself to bring it up again later, when his servants were present.
Hearing footsteps behind them, Hoggle turned to find a furious Sarah fast approaching them. He quickly stepped out of the way. Leija and Turnok saw her as well, but didn't exercise the same caution.
"Lady Sarah!" The gnome girl said, running over to her, "You've finished already? Is milord alright?"
"That man will never be alright!" She growled, not even bothering to slow down, "It'll be a miracle if someday he's half decent!"
Turnok had to jog to keep up with her seething pace.
"Where are you going?
"Away from him!"
Leija and Turnok slowed to a halt, watching in confusion as Sarah stomped her way into the next chamber.
"Didn't mi'lord say that dangerous things live down here?" The gnome worriedly asked her companions.
"Aye, he did," Hoggle replied, rejoining the group, "An' God help any monster that stumbles into the path a' that one."
A little later, Jareth himself arrived. He wouldn't elaborate on what had caused Sarah's foul mood, but the devilish grin he wore was proof enough that he was the culprit. They didn't see a trace of the girl for more than ten minutes, until they came upon a strange chamber.
Unlike the others, this room was square; its walls of gray brick, and copiously clean. An unadorned pair of stone doors were set in the wall. Sarah was in front of the doors; she had been forced to grudgingly wait for the Goblin King, so he could tell them if it was an exit, or a gateway to decapitation. Although, at this particular moment in time, Sarah wasn't sure if decapitation was worse than having to bear the blond Fae's newly-amplified ego.
I knew I was going to have to face him some time or another, she thought bleakly. Sighing, she forced herself to turn around.
Jareth recognized the entrance almost immediately. The grin he had been wearing vanished. He knew that the Edorin wouldn't have trapped them in an empty oubliette, but he had been sure that the Troll Lord didn't know about the Well. However, there was no mistaking those menacing doors.
"What…what's wrong?" Sarah asked, "Isn't this the way out?"
"Yes, it is. But it isn't that simple," he said grimly. He turned to face everyone. "Listen to me closely. Behind these doors, you are going to see, and hear, and yes, even feel things that aren't real. This place feeds on fear; the more panic you feel, the more vivid the delusions will become. Try to find the exit as fast as you can. A staircase, a ladder, anything you can find to climb out. We probably won't be able to see each other until we get back into the Labyrinth. Remember; it's not real."
Jareth walked up to the doors, and grasped the handles tightly. Turnok unsheathed his sword; Sarah was certain he wouldn't find it useful, but gripping the blade seemed to comfort him. Leija pulled her cloak over her arms. Hoggle looked at the gnome's frightened expression, inched over, and took her hand. She gave him a grateful smile; he just blushed.
Jareth fixed his eyes on Sarah's hazel ones. She saw in surprise that they held glimmer of uncertainty. But in seeing the determination on her own face, his eyes seemed to regain some of the confidence they usually contained, and the Goblin King pulled open the doors.
Instantly, Sarah found herself alone. She swallowed, and began walking. The inky blackness of the cavern began to change. Abruptly, the walls gave way entirely, and soon the girl found herself walking down the main street of her own town. Bewildered, she stopped in her tracks.
But…but how…?! She thought, staring at old book store she so often frequented. Could this…all this…really be just a dream? It seemed so real. She could feel the cracks in the pavement. She could smell the flowers that were blooming in the planters along the street. Sarah could even see her school in the distance.
But it's not real, she reminded herself, Jareth said this would happen. I have to keep moving.
She forced herself to resume walking. Gradually, Sarah began to notice that something was off. She couldn't tell what at first. Everything looked completely normal. Except…
"Where is everyone?" Sarah asked aloud.
The normally busy streets were bare, the shops deserted. No cars drove down the street. No men walking their dogs, nor women pushing strollers. There were no birds singing or squirrels running up the trees. All was still. Not even a passing butterfly could be seen.
She was alone.
Completely alone.
Sarah felt panic rise in her chest. Her pace quickened. Ever since her mother had left her as a child, she had hated being by herself. Even being alone in her bed at night used to frighten her. That's why she was so fond of dolls and stuffed animals. You could never be alone when you were surrounded by "friends". As she had grown, she had gotten better. But being in this horrible, completely deserted town brought all her childhood fears rushing back.
Calm down, Sarah, she told herself, Don't lose your head. It isn't real. This isn't real. Jareth said to find the exit. It has to be around here somewhere.
Heart racing, Sarah began anxiously looking. She didn't see any mysterious staircase, or a rope hanging down from the sky. Unless the exit was supposed to blend in. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something. It was an old fire escape attached to a café. She walked over to it, casting a critical eye on the rusty ladder. It couldn't possibly be the exit. It didn't even reach the top of the building.
Don't take anything for granted, she repeated to herself, Nothing is as it seems.
Grasping the first wrung in her hands, willing herself to be strong, Sarah began to climb. Nothing changed. The empty town remained below her. She kept climbing. As her fingers took hold of the last rung, a burst of wind hit her face, forcing her to close her eyes.
When she opened them, she gasped. No longer was she climbing a fire escape; she was now climbing an iron ladder. A bright circle of sunlight was above her. Sarah thrust her head out.
Never had she been so happy to see the Labyrinth's ivy-covered walls, or the orange and pink sky overhead. The girl sighed in relief.
"Sarah!"
"Mi'lady!"
She turned to see a familiar looking dwarf and gnome hurrying over to her, followed by an unnerved-looking goblin.
"Hoggle! Leija!" she said, "Turnok! Man, I'm glad to see you guys!"
"Are ye alright?" Hoggle asked earnestly.
The girl smiled and nodded. But, after a few moments, she noticed that someone was missing. Her smile faded.
"Where is Jareth?"
"His Highness hasn't come out yet," Turnok replied nervously.
With a start, Sarah remembered the Goblin King's wounded leg. What if it had made climbing all but impossible? What if the bleeding hadn't stopped? As the moments ticked by, Sarah's worries grew, until she could no longer stand it.
"I'm going back," she said firmly. Before they could stop her, she began climbing back down the ladder. Hoggle poked his head over the side.
"What?! Ye can't go back in! Ye'll never find him!"
"Lady Sarah, please! Come back!" Leija cried.
But Sarah paid them no attention, and before her friends' eyes, vanished back into the Well's inky depths.
Jareth's nightmare had been quite different. Within a few footsteps, he had found himself on one the balconies of the castle. The Goblin City was in ruins, its buildings set ablaze. Dozens of goblins lay slaughtered in the streets.
It's not real, he repeated to himself, stepping over one of his dead guards, It's not real.
But how did he know? The Troll Lord had taken the castle, and the city along with it.
I will purge this realm of the chaos you have caused, even if I must cut down every last goblin to do so.
A convulsive shiver ran up his spine. Edorin was cruel and ruthless; the Fae knew this well. He had meant what he had said. Jareth could only pray that a scene such as this did not await him back at the Goblin City.
The Goblin King tried to force his fears from his mind, but found he could not. He could only continue on through his ravaged castle, and try to find a way to escape. Through room after room, he went, trying not to look at the carnage around him. He arrived at the throne room.
His throne was gone; in its place was an intricately carved stone sarcophagus. Jareth's heart began to race. He wanted to turn and leave the room immediately, but he found he could not. As if possessed, the Fae found himself walking slowly towards the coffin.
Up until a few weeks ago, he had rarely thought of death, much less feared it. But the loss of his powers had reminded him how fragile he truly was. Jareth knew what he would find in the sarcophagus.
This isn't real, he thought furiously, None of this is real!
He reached the side of the stone sarcophagus. Trembling, Jareth looked down, prepared to see his own dead body. But what he did see was much worse.
It was Sarah.
Her beautiful face was expressionless and pale; her hands were folded over her chest, a single lily placed beneath them. A garland of white flowers had been lovingly strung across her brow.
Jareth couldn't breathe. He clutched the sarcophagus's side in a white-knuckled grasp, trying to tear his eyes from the sight of her cold, silent body.
No…no…not her…not Sarah…
Tears welled up in his eyes; he slid to his knees, and placing his head against the stone, he despaired. Dark coils of magic began to spread up his legs. Soon they would fully ensnare him, and he would be trapped. Even so, Jareth could not pull himself from the delusion. Hopelessness had seized his heart. All he could do now was wait for the Well to claim him.
Jareth…
The Fae opened his eyes. A voice. Someone was calling to him.
Jareth…!
It was getting louder, stronger. Suddenly, someone grabbed his hand.
"Jareth!"
The illusion shattered. The Goblin King soon found himself starring into a pair of concerned hazel eyes. It was her.
"S-Sarah…?" He whispered. Jareth reached out and touched her face. It was warm.
The girl looked surprised, but quickly shook it off.
"We need to get out of here! Come on!"
Coming to his senses, Jareth nodded, and they both began to climb. He didn't let go of her hand until they had both safely emerged into the bright daylight.
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…so tired…O_o You guys may have noticed my updates aren't as frequent as they used to be. The reason is that I have been working on my novella as well. Add in work, sleep, and a couple hours o' free time and you can probably understand why it takes a good week to crank out another chapter (-_-' I really wish I could write faster…!) Anyways, thank you so much for being patient with me, and don't worry, I'm still gonna keep pumping out more chapters, but don't expect them as fast as they used to be. THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEWS! I CAN'T BELIEVE I ALMOST HAVE 100! I should throw a party when I get my hundredth one! =3 Anyways, PLEASE CONTINUE TO REVIEW! I LOVE YOU ALL, YOU WONDERFUL PEOPLE YOU!