Jareth could hardly bare to teach Sarah about magic without touching her. She had improved her concentration problem after they had kissed. A kiss that stayed warm on Jareth's lips. He would occasionally, and subtlety, touch Sarah's hand lightly just to be in contact with her. Just that, was enough to make Jareth want to pull her into his arms again. After a while he left Sarah's garden, on his own, she wanted to practice using magic and explore on her own. And, even though he didn't want to leave her side ever, Jareth respected her wishes and left her. He returned to his castle and sat down in his throne. He felt content and happy. He was a little surprised that it was that easy to convince Sarah of his sincerity and to make her trust him, but he didn't question it. All he cared about was that she finally cared for him too.
The labyrinth had a few goblins that read. It wasn't that they couldn't, but most did not see a point to it. And try getting a goblin to sit still long enough to read a sentence, let alone a whole book. The few goblins that found reading a worthwhile activity became library goblins. They were in charge of the labyrinth's library, which was located in the Goblin City's center. The only visitors they got were Jareth and inhabitants of the labyrinth wishing to learn how to lift or place a curse. Sometimes there would be the occasional recreational trip, but usually no one came in unless they needed to. So, to pass the time they spent in the library, library goblins would spend their time reading through the prophesy books. Every prophesy that had been made in the labyrinth had been recorded in large tomes. The library goblins spent many hours trying to see which ones had come true, which ones were relevant to any current situations and which ones were in a different language and needed to be translated. The prophesies were sorted daily Jareth to inspect at the front desk. If a prophesy was found that a library goblin found especially important, they would deliver it to Jareth personally, per his request.
All of the labyrinth knew of Sarah's return by now, and most suspected her to be made queen soon. Why else would a mortal, who had not wished someone away, be in the labyrinth? With all this in mind the goblins in the library searched their tomes for prophesies about queens. They had made a pile of all the prophesies and were busy sorting through them.
Most of the prophesies about queens were very general, having babies and being beautiful were common themes. The ones that were different than the regular ones were put into Jareth's book for him to read. As the library goblins were sorting one prophesy caught their eyes.
"This should be shown to Jareth right away!" one library goblin said. The other goblins agreed that this was something that needed Jareth's immediate attention.
The library goblin that had been chosen as the messenger approached Jareth's throne and bowed.
"We have found a prophesy that we feel you should read, your majesty," the library goblin bowed again and held the prophesy out for Jareth to take.
Jareth let a smile form on his face, he was fond of the library goblins and he tended to treat them with more respect that the other goblins. It was mostly the fact that they were not afraid of delivering bad news and never skirted around the question. "Thank you, I will read it immediately," Jareth said taking the prophesy.
The library goblin stood where he was, waiting for the prophesy to be returned back into his hands so that he could return it to its proper tome.
Jareth's light smirk faded as he read the prophesy.
Once already she defeated
Our great King – in this kingdom,
She has a plan, which must not be completed,
On which side holds wisdom?
Not of faerie but mortal blood,
Is she who would destroy the throne,
To become our queen she would stain with mud
The home of our king – make it her own.
However, should the king win her heart
Great happiness and peace will overcome our land.
To win such stone is no small part.
Such Joy! Such fertile land! If she would accept his hand.
Beware! For if her trust shall not be won,
We goblins will be doomed, every one.
Jareth eyes flamed as he turned on the small library goblin. "And what makes you think this applies?" he snarled. Not wanting to think this could be true, that the library goblins were joking, something.
"Well, Sire… She's mortal, and she has defeated you once… Like, like it says…" The library goblin fidgeted, obviously not used to Jareth's rage being turned onto himself, nor indeed expecting his rage.
Jareth narrowed his eyes. And re-read the paper he had been clenching. The library goblin was correct; it did have several key elements that seemed to indicate that this prophesy could at some point become true. Jareth grit his teeth, trying not to think about it. He handed the prophesy back to the library goblin and excused him, and all the goblins from his throne room. He needed time alone.
He sat slumped in his throne and tried to think what this prophesy could mean. Obviously, the main idea was what he had thought himself the whole time that he needed to make Sarah his Queen. But if he didn't win here heart? Would she really betray him, and try to take the throne for herself? Jareth doubted that she was capable of that sort of thing, besides, how could she find any way to take his throne, she had no assets. Except, a little voice in his head said, what you just gave to her today.
Jareth shook his head, trying to clear his doubts that way. A silly piece of paper could not dictate the future for him. He was the Goblin King. He would make his own future.
Sarah sat in her garden, besides her stood Hoggle, who looked a tiny bit uncomfortable.
"Hoggle, I need you, Sir Didymus, and whoever else, to gather up all the goblins that do not like Jareth. I need their help," she looked up absent-mindedly at the castle that loomed in the distance.
"But, Sarah, if Jareth hears of what you're doing… You could be in real danger," Hoggle tried to reason with Sarah.
"That's why you have to be careful to talk to the right people, Hoggle. And don't worry about me, I can handle Jareth," she replied as confidently as she could.
"What about your friends, Sarah? Can they handle him?" he muttered as he walked away from Sarah.
Sarah laid down on the grass and looked at the clouds in the sky. Was she making the right decision? She bit her lip, and turned her gaze towards the castle again. Perhaps, she should just enjoy her time here? Her mind wandered back to the memory of Jareth's kiss. It had been quite wonderful. But, could she trust him?
She had to make plans of her own incase she couldn't trust him, to be sure.
