Please Read First
okay this chapters up really early since I can't sleep so i thought I'd type it up. But before you start i just wanted to say thanks to everyone who's been reviewing, Your positive feedback really does make me update quicker :) I also want to thank the people who PM about Spelling glitches, I have dyslexia which makes me very self conscious about my spelling, but it's nice that you PM with the correction rather than do it in a review because it's seems more like your helping me and not highlighting all my mistakes for everyone to see. Also i just wanted to say that it's useless asking me to answer questions about whats going happen in the story YOU HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE no spoilers I'm afraid. And lastly I've had a complaint about the structure and layout of my story so I'm going to say now why it's set out the way it is and why i won't be changing it. Do to my Dyslexia i find it easier to set it out like this, i first started writing this for a friend who's dyslexia is even worse than mine so i uploaded as it was so she could read it easily. I'm not going to change the structure because I'm on Chapter 25, I'm not changing it halfway through the story. If theirs anyone out there who is really bothered by the story layout, you don't have to read it :) And thanks to Kayleigh J for always making sure i update :) Alright enough of me. please enjoy ch 25
Chapter 25
Sarah's P.O.V
Sarah turned and glared at Jareth.
"I thought I told you to stop doing that!" Sarah shot angrily.
Jareth laughed as he strolled over to her, his dark cloak fluttering in the slight breeze.
"Really Sarah, you should be used to it by now. You really shouldn't be so jumpy. Someone might think you are have something to hide." Jareth said lifting her hand and placing a soft kiss on the back of her fingers.
"What do you want Jareth?" Sarah snapped, pulling her hand from his grasp.
"Many things precious, but right now I only wish to spend the afternoon with my future Queen. And I've heard a great many things about this new game you've been teaching my Goblins. Apparently the number of floods and fires in the Goblin city has halved since it's commencement. I really had to come and see for myself just what exactly has the Goblins so captivated. "
"I don't see why a a child's game would be of any interest to you?" Sarah said.
"On the contrary anything that stops my subjects from destroying the City is of great interest to me." Jareth insisted. "Besides this way I also get to spend time with you which will make it all the more pleasurable."
Here was her chance to throw Jareth off her sent. The Goblin King liked to confuse and mislead, well two could play at that game!
"Your welcome to stay and watch the game, you can even join in if you like. I'm sure the Goblins would love that. But actually I was just leaving so you'll have to excuse me."
She noted with satisfaction a flicker or surprise cross the Goblin King's face. Sarah turned and started to make her way through the piles of Junk. In a flash Jareth was in front again. She frowned in annoyance, it really was irritating the way he could just appear and of thin air.
"Leaving so soon precious? I thought you liked coming here? After all you have spent the last few days here." Jareth said moving close to her, halting her in her tracks.
Sarah thought fast, she needed to convince him that she had no interest in the Junkfields whatsoever.
"Well the Goblins wanted to play treasure hunt and needed someone to make sure they didn't cheat." Sarah explained.
"I see," Jareth said raising an eye brow, "and who is going to enforce the rules now then?"
"Barnaby is. I've told the Goblins that he's in charge when I'm not here. Anyway they know the game so well there's no reason for me to be here. I thought I'd explore the Labyrinth some more."
"No reason?" Jareth asked, smirking, "Are you quite sure of that my dear?"
Sarah did her best to look confused and innocent.
"Of cause I'm sure. Why would stay here any longer? It's not exactly the nicest place to be." Sarah pointed out, look disdainful at the junk surrounding them.
Jareth studied her for a moment, searching her face for any hint that she was hiding something.
"Your right it's not the pleasant of places in the Labyrinth but it is not the worse, which is why I shall accompany you. That way I can be assured that you won't end up lost."
Sarah didn't exactly want to spend the rest of the day with Jareth but she couldn't pass up the opportunity of getting his attention away from the Junkfields.
"Alright, but you're going to miss out on a lot of Goblin fun." Sarah said, stepping past Jareth and heading towards the edge of the Junkfields. Naturally he was by her side again in seconds.
"I'm sure I'll get over it." he muttered, taking her arm in his, she noticed the frown of irritation on his face. She smirked, it gave her a feeling of satisfaction knowing that she was out smarting him. Thought it would be easy to figure out my secret didn't you?
She glanced over her shoulder as they neared the borders of the Junkfields, Meep waved encouragingly at her and she smiled. Maybe pulling the wool over Jareth's eyes wouldn't be as hard as she'd thought.
x –
Jareth P.O.V
Maddening woman! Jareth fumed silently as they walked through the Junkfields. He had been so sure that she was up to something here, but now he wasn't so sure.
He'd been so confident when he'd arrived that he'd be able to figure out what she was up to but now he was just confused. Sarah hadn't acted at all like he had expected her to. He thought she'd be jumpy and angry at his presence, but while she had been initially angry at his sudden appearance, she quickly had became calm and unconcerned. It puzzled him to no end.
She didn't seem bothered at all that he would discover her plan. She seemed so sincere when she said her only reason for being there was to supervise the Goblins. He'd then thought that she planed something elsewhere in the Labyrinth but was shocked again when she hadn't objected in the slightest to him joining her.
Sarah was a perplexing creature, she was frustrating and stubborn yet enchanting and desirable at the same time. Confounding woman! He knew he should be concentrating on finding out what she was planning but all he wanted to do was pull her close and kiss her senseless!
He briefly wondered how she'd act if he kissed her. She certainly seemed more amiable today. Jareth mentally shook his head. She was acting amiable towards him to deflect him from discovering her secret. The annoying thing was that it was working. He didn't like that Sarah was besting him, again. It made him uncomfortable. He smirked, lets see how long you can keep this up, Sarah mine. He was the Goblin King after all, he'd find out her secrets eventually, might as well take advantage of Sarah's willingness to be civil to him, even if it was only to distract him.
Lets see if I can crack that calm facade of yours. He thought wickedly.
"It won't work you know." He said confidently, as they left the Junkfields and entered a section of the hedge maze.
Sarah glanced up at him, confusion in her eyes.
"What won't work?" She asked.
"Your little charade to distract me from uncovering your scheme." He answered, his voice laced with amusement.
Fear flashed across her face before she steeled her expression. That's right Sarah,it's not as easy as you thought it would be to distract me.
"I don't know what your talking about." She replied stubbornly, turning her head away from his.
He chuckled quietly.
"Have it your way then."
They walked in silence for a while, Jareth watched Sarah closely looking for signs that she was nervous. He was rewarded when he saw her biting her lower lip worriedly. He smirked, her true feelings where starting to show. You can't hide from me Sarah.
"Did you have anywhere in particular you wanted to visit or shall we continue to wander aimless around the hedge maze?" He asked flippantly.
"I've been here under a week, The only places I know are the ones I visited when I rescued Toby, and they were bad enough the first time." She said angrily.
Arhh, there was the Sarah he knew and loved.
"So your plan was to wander aimlessly around the Labyrinth then? What a fortuitous thing then that I accompanied you, otherwise you would have got hopelessly lost."
Sarah growled under her breath and Jareth retrained himself from chuckling out loud.
"Fortunate indeed." Sarah mutter tersely, trying to tug he arm from his without much success.
Again they continued in silence, before Jareth took pity on her.
"I might know of a better way we could spend our day." Jareth stated.
Sarah shot him a look that could have curdled milk and withered flowers.
"No." Sarah said firmly,
Jareth smirked.
"Actually, that wasn't what I was referring to, but now that you mention it..."
"No" Sarah said again.
"Come now Sarah, I promise you'd enjoy yourself." Jareth said cheekily, watching Sarah expression
"If you can't come up with a sensible suggestion as to how we spend the day, you can just leave." Sarah snapped.
"You were the one that brought it up Precious. My thoughts were entirely pure to start with. Besides do you really want to wait until our wedding night? Wouldn't you like to get a little practice in first?" He said teasingly.
Sarah flushed crimson, with anger or embarrassment Jareth couldn't tell, but it was a lovely shade on her.
"You'd better tell me this suggestion Jareth or I'm going to strangle you!" She hissed angrily.
"Tut tut Sarah threatening to murder is treason you know." Jareth said wickedly, shaking a finger at her.
"Jareth!"
"Alright, alright. I was going to suggest I take you to one of the more picturesque spots in the Labyrinth. But I have to say I like your suggestion even better."
"It wasn't a suggestion!" Sarah cried.
Jareth smirked and winked at her. Sarah scowled and crossed her arms, or tried to since she they were still walking arm in arm.
"Where did you have in mind?" Sarah asked sullenly.
"I was thinking that perhaps the Mystic Grove might be a good place to start."
Sarah perked up at that."
"What's the Mystic grove?" She asked interestedly.
"It's one the most beautiful spots in the whole of the Underground, one of the most magically too." Jareth informed her as he began to steer her through the twists and turns of the Labyrinth, " It's also the perfect place for romantic rendezvous." he added teasingly.
Sarah gritted her teeth but didn't say anything.
Jareth quickly led Sarah through the maze, her green skirt swished around her ankles and Sarah was glad that Greta a chosen one of the lighter simpler dresses instead of one of the heavy brocade ones. As it was the tightness of the dark green velvet bodice was making it difficult to breath as she hurried to keep step with Jareth. Underground woman fashion my be pretty but it wasn't always practical.
They turned a corner and came face to gargoyle face with a door. This one had a face on it like the others but no knocker.
Jareth waited impatiently as the gargoyle cleared it's throat. He'd forgotten he'd replaced the door knock on this door with a gargoyle. The original door knocker had been refusing to let people through after they knocked, so had been relocated to the Bog.
"Three riddles I shall ask,
Give three answers is your task.
So you best think fast,
If you truly want to get past."
The Gargoyle stated proudly.
Jareth rolled his eyes, There was only meant to be one riddle, But Gargoyles never stuck to the correct rules, they loved riddles to much.
"I suggest you get a move on or your be joining you predecessor in the Bog."
"Yes your Majesty, sorry your Majesty," The Gargoyle stammered, before clearing his throat again, "What is tall when it is young and short when it is old?"
Jareth sighed.
"A candle. Really your meant to try and prevent people from passing through. The next two had better be harder." Jareth scolded.
"Erm...I know! What hurts without moving. And poisons without touching. Bears truth and lies. But is not judged by size."
"Better I suppose.. the answer is" Jareth stopped as Sarah tugged on his arm.
"Can I try?" She asked.
Jareth grinned down at her.
"Of course Precious." He motioned towards the door with a gloved hand.
Jareth watched as Sarah turned her attention to the door.
"Something that hurts but can't touch? And can be true and lie." Sarah thought for a few minutes, repeating the riddle over and over.
"Come on, don't have all day!" The Gargoyle said impatiently.
Jareth shot him a deadly look.
"Rush her again and I'll send you somewhere far worse than the Bog!" He growled.
The Gargoyle gulped but said nothing.
Sarah pondered a moment more.
"Words?" She asked hesitantly.
Jareth smiled down at her.
"Very good Sarah."
He turned back to the door and waited for the third and finally riddle.
"What asks but never answers?" The Gargoyle asked.
Jareth smirked broadly and turned to Sarah.
"Can you answer this one too my love?" he asked.
Sarah thought for a minute before shaking her head.
Jareth turned back to the door who waited expectantly.
"An Owl."
The door swung open, revealing the dark tress of the Forbidden Forest, unconsciously Sarah stepped closer to Jareth as the entered the gloom of the forest.
Jareth looked down as he felt her grip on his arm tighten, she was glancing around warily.
"Something the matter Sarah?" he asked, enjoying the feel of her small frame pressed so closely to his side.
"No, it's just the last time I was in this forest I got chased by a bunch of Firies that wanted to take my head off!" Sarah explained.
Jareth chuckled.
"Oh yes, I remember now, the Goblins and I found it most amusing to watch."
"It wasn't very amusing for me!" Sarah cried indignantly.
Jareth patted her arm.
"You were never in any really danger Sarah. Besides there are far worse creatures to be found in these woods than Firies."
"Like what?" Sarah asked cautiously as they made there way deep into the Forest.
"Well the Forbidden Forest is home to many creatures, most commonly Firies but there are a good number of Night Trolls as well."
"Night Trolls?" Sarah asked nervously.
"Don't worry Precious, Night Trolls are some of the most sweet tempered and friendliest beings you'll find here. Actually the bigger the creature the safer you'll be. As for the arachnids and insects...well I'd stay away from them if I were you."
"Good to know." Sarah murmured.
He led her deeper and deeper in the forest taking care to make sure she didn't fall into any traps. The last thing he needed was for Sarah to fall into any of the tunnels and end up in an oubliette or worse, the wasteland on the edge of the Bog.
"Are we almost there?" Sarah asked, as he helped her over an old fallen tree trunk.
"Almost. Wait here." Jareth said, stepping ahead to remove some branches from there path.
X –
Sarah's P.O.V
Sarah waited as Jareth disappeared into the undergrowth. She didn't move for fear that she would get lost, the forest was unchanging unlike the rest of the Labyrinth, but it didn't have many landmarks by which she could navigate should she lose her way. They had trekked throgh the forest for what seemed like hours.
She kept a wary eye out for spiders and Firies alike, not wanting to run into either.
Something soft touched her hand and she started, but it was only Jareth taking her hand, she sighed in relief, he really was quite, she hadn't even heard him return.
He pulled her gentle forward, and pulled back a curtain of low hanging vines for her to pass through. What Sarah saw next had her gasping, she had never seen a place more beautiful.
Tall twisted oak reached high towards the sky, the canopy was so dense that the light that shone through was a dappled green. Long vines dangled down from branches, the small white flowers that bloomed on them had a heavenly scent. Snaking across the ground was a stream, with small water falls and water as clear as glass.
Bright lights no bigger than an egg darted through the air, at first she thought they were fairies, but the fairy that had bittern her outside the Labyrinth hadn't glowed. Will-o'-the wisp Sarah though watching as the lights danced and twirled across the waters service.
Sarah spun around trying to take it all in. She was vaguely aware of Jareth leaning against a nearby tree watching her but she didn't care. Standing here she felt all her troubles fall away.
She walked over to one of the hanging vines and brought the white flowers up to her nose and inhaled deeply. The smell was so fresh and sweet, she didn't know how best to describe it.
A flash of white and movement caught her eye and she turned to see a creature she'd dreamt about seeing since she was a little girl.
It's coat as white as snow and It's mane the color of starlight the unicorn was a magnificent sight to behold as it trotted into the grove. It went to the stream and lowered it's head to drink.
Sarah slowly took a few steps towards the Unicorn, carefully, so as not to scare it away. The unicorn raised it's head to eye her cautiously. Tentatively it took a step towards Sarah and then another, and another until it was right in front of her. The unicorns black eyes staring into her green ones.
Sarah raised her hand and gently stroked it's head, below it's horn, that like many things in the Labyrinth sparkled with glitter. When she touched the Unicorn, warmth spread from her fingertips throughout her body, and with the warmth came a sense of complete happiness and joy. She couldn't remember the last time she had been this happy, she felt weightless. Everything felt right with the world.
She let out a peal of laughter that sounded musical even to her ears. The Unicorn snorted and turned. The sense of happiness and well being lingered though and Sarah watched as the Unicorn made it's way out of the grove. As it entered the dense part of the Forest Sarah took a step forward, into the stream, just so she could have it in her eyesight for a few seconds more. After it was gone she just stood there and smiled to herself, not caring that she was standing a stream and the hem of her skirt was soaked. What did it matter? She was happy, in fact she couldn't remember why she wasn't always so happy.
"Sarah." A quite voice called.
She didn't turned but continued to look at the spot where she'd last seen the Unicorn. a soft chuckle came from behind her and hands grasped her waist gentle turning her to face the Goblin King
"You can't spend the rest of the day in the stream Precious." He gentle chided. Sarah stared wide eyed at him, she knew he was handsome but she'd never really released just how good looking he really was till now. How can anyone be sad when their a people as beautiful as him in the world? she thought.
She reached up a hand and slowly traced the side of his face. He watched her carefully eyes never leaving hers. Her mind was fuzzy, she felt completely relaxed but something was niggling in the back of her mind, desperate to be remembered.
Without warning the Goblin King swopped down and captured her lips with his. All attempts to remember whatever it was that wanted to be remembered were abandon as Jareth crushed her body to his. Pleasure shot through her as she kissed him back, Sarah entwined her fingers in his hair, desperate to ensure that the kiss could not be broken.
She'd thought before when she'd touched the Unicorn had been the happiest she'd even been but she'd been wrong, it was here and now, wrapped in the Goblin Kings arms and being kissed more passionately that she'd ever dreamed of being kissed. That niggling feeling got stronger, something wasn't right. She'd touched the Unicorn? And had felt happy, blissed even. And now she was kissing the Goblin King. The Goblin King! She thought frantically as reality came crashing down on her.
Oh no! She thought, The Goblin King is kissing me and I'm kissing him back! She immediately removed her hands from his hair and placed them on his chest pushing at him. He pulled away from the kiss but didn't release his grip on her. She began to struggle.
"I can't!" She cried, tears streaming down her face, "I need air! Let me go!" She broke free of his grasp, lifted up her skirt and ran pushing aside brambles and branches, not care where she was going just so long as she put space between her and Jareth.