Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth, and sadly still, any of the characters.
Chapter Two
Rose of the Devil's Garden
Within seconds Jareth and Sarah appeared in the same goblin infested throne room, only this time, it was not so over run with goblins. Sarah shook away the vertigo that came from their magical transportation and looked around. The place didn't look half bad with out the chickens and dirty little goblins causing havoc everywhere. Jareth watched her as she examined her new surroundings, waiting for her to say something.
"Where will I be staying?" Sarah decided that if she was going to be staying here for three days, she should have her own room.
"Follow me," Jareth said commandingly. Sarah briefly thought of what would happen should she disobey him, thinking that it may in fact be slightly humorous with no ones life on the line. Deciding that she would avoid conflict for tonight, Sarah followed him quietly out of the throne room.
Despite the state of the room the goblins clearly in habited, the rest of the castle was absolutely gorgeous. It was like the castles Sarah had always dreamed about as a little girl. The hallways were large, the floors made of marble, and beautiful silken tapestries wafted lightly in a breeze of which the origin was unknown.
"This," Jareth said, pulling Sarah out of her daze, "will be your room." He opened a door to the right, and Sarah gasped. The bed was covered in a dark green satin comforter. The bed itself sat atop what looked to be a few marble stairs surrounding the mattress. The floors where made of beige marble with streaks of dark brown, giving the room with its emerald green wall hangings a very earthy feel. There was a dark wooden vanity, along with closets and dressers full of all the things Sarah would ever or could ever need.
"Jareth… this room is… perfect," Sarah breathed out walking over to two glass doors that were gilded in gold that led out to a balcony. Swinging the doors open and stepping out into the cool breeze; she was surprised to see the rather large garden below. From the front of the castle, it wouldn't appear that there was a garden anywhere in the vicinity. Nothing's what it seems here, remember? Sarah thought to herself.
"I thought you may like it," Jareth replied moving to stand behind her, resting his gloved hands upon her shoulders. "Your first day will begin tomorrow, for now you should get some rest." Sarah turned out of his grasp and gave him a look he hadn't expected to see; gratitude, longing, and affection; such a strange display of emotions. He could hardly fathom how she managed to hold so many feelings in just one look.
"Good night," Sarah said with a shy smile.
"Sleep well, Sarah," The Goblin King said with a grin that could only be described as arrogant; before disappearing out of the room.
Looking through the closet, Sarah found some sleeping attire and walked up the marble platform to sink in the comfortable sheets. She didn't know what this mattress was made of, but she wasn't about to complain. It was almost too easy to fall asleep in this bed as she snuggled up with the pillows.
Jareth watched through a crystal with a troubled visage as Sarah slept.
"Your Majesty?" Jareth chucked the crystal over his shoulder, allowing it to shatter into diamond like pieces on the floor.
"Dydimus?" Jareth did not turn to face the fox like being behind him.
"I am glad that your initial plan of getting the Lady here was successful, but do you think that she will agree to stay?" Dydimus sounded more curious than anything, not wanting to upset his King.
"She has to," Jareth said somberly. Sir Dydimus waited a moment before bowing and excusing himself. "…for me… and for everyone," he whispered once sure that the knight was far from ear-shot.
Sarah awoke the next morning feeling really rested. She had not slept so well in a long time. Stretching out, she nearly fell out of the bed once the events of last night had come back to her. Sitting up quickly, she smiled gently to see that she was still in the beautiful earthy room.
The bright sun light filtered in through the balcony doors. Getting out of bed, she spotted a door that was to the left of her dresser. Wandering over, she found it was a beautiful bathroom, towel racks, mirrors, all gilded in the same gold as the balcony doors. The towels in every size were all of the same emerald green color of her bed. The tub itself was large enough for five people, set into the marble, with a seat carved out for just about anywhere. Lining the tub were several soaps, bath oils, shampoos, and conditioners of every scent.
The facet and curled handles were also gold. Turning on a mixture of warm and cool water, Sarah poured in some lavender scented bath oil. She briefly wondered how it was possible that there was hot water, but decided she could ask Jareth about it later. Slipping out of the white silk night gown she had slept in, she waited until the tub was filled with steamy water before lowering herself in. She closed her eyes breathing in the aroma. After soaking for a few minutes, she grabbed a wash cloth and proceeded to get cleaned off. Lastly, she shampooed and conditioned her hair. Deciding that she was indeed clean, she pulled the gold chain that attached to the plug to the drain, and stepped out as the water slowly emptied.
Drying off, Sarah found a robe of the same color as the towels and wrapped it around herself, a cloud of steam following her as she left the bathroom. She was surprised to see that her bed had been made, but didn't dwell on it long as she made her way over to the wardrobe. Inside there were many, many dresses, some more casual than the others. Some of these dresses are modern… Leave it to the Goblin King to keep in style. She thought with slight amusement.
Looking outside, it appeared to be a warm summer day. With this mind set, Sarah picked out a spaghetti strap summer dress that fell short just above her knees. Sitting below all the dresses were matching slippers. Sliding them on, Sarah went to sit at the vanity. There were several jewelry boxes and make up of all kinds along with different style and sized hair brushes. It was as if Jareth had read her mind about the clothes she liked as well as everything that was set before her. She felt a bit wrong wearing the jewels, so she let them be.
Sarah's hair had almost air dried by now, which was unusual, it usually took forever for her hair to dry. Brushing through her dark locks, she reveled in the feel that they were as silky smooth as the night gown she had slept in and poker straight. "Damn, I wish my hair would be this tame everyday," she said quietly to herself.
Sarah had decided on a more natural make up look, not putting on too much. No sooner had she finished this that there was a knock at the door. Standing up, she looked herself over in the mirror once more and deemed her appearance acceptable.
"Coming," Sarah called brightly. Opening the door, she smiled as she say her good friend Dydimus standing there. "Sir Dydimus!" She bent down and wrapped the little fox like creature in a hug.
"My Lady, it's so good to see you!" Dydimus returned her hug as best he could with his little arms. "I was sent to bring you down for breakfast. The King is waiting for you." Sarah nodded and followed her small companion down to the dining hall, babbling on about all that had happened since she had last seen him.
Once they reached the doors, Dydimus opened them and allowed Sarah entrance. Jareth was already seated at the head of a long dark wooded table.
"Good morning, Sarah," Jareth said to her kindly. "I trust you slept well?" It was unusual for her to hear him speak this way. He had only talked to her like this at the very end of the Labyrinth, when he was trying the last he could think of to get her to stay.
"Good morning, and yes, I did sleep very well." Sarah smiled nervously as he stood and pulled the seat out to his right allowing her to sit down. There was a large array of breakfast foods before her. There were fruits, pancakes, sausages, ham, bacon, toast, jellies, it was enough to feed the whole Goblin City. "Do you always have this much food, I mean, to eat alone?"
"Yes, but more often than not I have more guests around," Jareth replied coolly. Making sure Sarah ate something, he helped himself to some of the delicious looking food as well.
Once they had both finished, Sarah looked around the extravagant dining hall. The room was very large, it had to be to fit this giant table in it. There were many windows going down along the side of the room with dark red curtains that were pulled back by none other than gold strings to allow the sun light in. There were two other doors on either end of the room, the one she had entered in being on the side opposite the windows.
"What would you like to do today Sarah? Anything you've ever wanted to do, just ask and it will be yours," Jareth said airily. Sarah thought for a moment, before an idea came to her. The gardens... She had a perfect view of them from her balcony, but she had wanted a closer look.
"Will you take me through the gardens, I mean, if you're not too busy that is?" Sarah suddenly felt bashful; it was awkward considering their past encounters left no room for such an emotion. Why was she so nervous around him now? This is just absurd. She mused. Jareth smiled; that same devilish smile that always made her feel at a loss for words. He hesitated watching as she mentally scolded herself.
"Of course Sarah, I have set aside these three days only for you." Rising from his chair, he pulled Sarah's chair out for her, and offered her his arm. Hesitating only a moment, Sarah smiled and accepted.
That was the way the couple could be seen, meandering along the long paths of the large garden. Occasionally Sarah would question about what a certain flower was, and Jareth would answer her. He showed her all through the garden, down all the different paths, many of which led to a small lake towards the center.
It was at the lake that they stopped to rest. With a small flourish of his hand a small picnic appeared before them. Jareth led Sarah over to the light blue blanket and watched as she took a seat, watching a few mystical looking fish jump out of the water. Watching her there, Jareth thought she looked like she belonged. A blooming rose among all of the color and greenery around them. The most beautiful sight he had seen in a long while.
"Is it really lunch time already?" Sarah looked to the basket, and blushed as her stomach gave a growl. "I hadn't realized just how long we had been walking around. It's so beautiful out here."
"That it is," Jareth replied sitting down beside her. They had spent almost three hours wandering the garden. They talked and laughed as though they were the best of friends; getting into little squabbles about this and that as though they were a married couple. To the outsider's eye, it was quite amusing and endearing to watch.
Jareth ate nothing, but watched as Sarah helped herself to the sandwiches he had the kitchen prepare.
"Mmm!" Sarah had taken the first bite of what appeared to be nothing more than a turkey sandwich with lettuce and some sort of dressing on it. "These are delicious, you really should have one," she said offering one to her companion. Jareth was never one for lunch, but couldn't bear to tell her no as he took the sandwich and ate it. She had been correct, the food was quite good.
After their little picnic, Jareth cleared the blanket and food with a wave of his hand, making it appear as though it had never been there.
"Come, I will show you the rest of the Castle," Jareth said, taking Sarah's hand. Since she would be staying here for another two days, he didn't want her to be completely lost. It took only a few minutes to return to the castle. He started at the entrance telling her where each individual hallway led, and only leading her down the ones that she would be using most often.
It had taken most of the after noon, but finally he stopped at two large wooden doors, carvings of mythical beings, flowers, and vines all over it.
"This, dearest Sarah, is my room." Jareth did not open the doors, nor did he give any indication that she would be seeing the inside of it on this tour. "Should you ever need me, I will mostly likely be here, though I doubt you will need to worry. I would be able to sense your distress and come running." Sarah tilted her head slightly as she smiled and nodded. He had shown her the library and a few private studies among many other strange rooms.
The castle was so unlike anything Sarah had ever imagined. Seeing it from the Goblin City, she never would have imagined that there would be this beautiful.
Putting his hand to the small of her back, Jareth led Sarah down a few hallways back to her own room.
"If you would like, there are a few hours til dinner, I thought you might like some time to yourself." Jareth smiled as she looked almost disappointed to be out of his presence.
"Yes, actually I would," Sarah said, smiling back. It was true, she would like some time to mull over her feelings and thoughts.
"Then I shall send for you, dinner is at seven." With that said, Jareth turned to leave, but Sarah quickly grabbed him by the wrist, her gaze fixed at the floor as he turned to look at her.
"Jareth, all of this is wonderful. You've been so kind to me, and I just… just thank you, for everything…" Jareth gave an honest smile, as he lifted her chin with his free hand. She released her grip upon him, and had a sharp intake of breath as he moved very close to her. Resting his hands on her shoulders, he tilted his head down to whisper in her ear.
"There is no need to thank me Sarah. Everything I've done I've done for you," Jareth said, almost singing as his lips brushed her cheek in a light kiss before he disappeared in a cloud of glitter. Sarah, having been left in his sparkly wake, put her hand to her cheek where he had kissed her, and retreated to her room with her mind buzzing.
Author's Note:
Jareth is definitely trying to win Sarah over, but for what reason exactly? Sarah is wondering the same thing. Keep reading and as always please review and let me know what you think, it really helps motivate. Thanks!