Chapter Eleven: Gazebo Girl
Gildan's Note: Sorry for the long hiatus, but I'm back and prepared to finish this story, probably by 15 chapters. I actually wrote some of this back in July, but vacation screwed me up...for a while apparently. Sorry guys! Hope you enjoy this long awaited chapter.
Sarah marched back up to Warrick's castle, where he stood flustered in the lobby.
"Sarah! Sarah! Are you alright?" he asked worriedly, but she walked right past him.
"Yes, I'm fine." She muttered, heading up to her room. She grabbed a spare bag and immediately started packing.
"Sarah, where are you going?" Warrick asked at the door.
"I have to go back." She said.
"Go back? Go back where?" By now Hoggle, Ludo, Didymus and Ambrosious had piled behind him.
Sarah walked up to them, they were in her way.
"Back to the Labyrinth." She declared with confidence.
…
"Sarah-Sarah-Sarah-think about this. Be rational." Warrick exclaimed, following closely behind her.
She turned around fast, "I am being rational. In fact, this is the most rational decision I've ever made in my entire life. I have to make things right with him, or else I will always regret it.
"…" he sighed. "Ok. But you should take Hoggle with you-Didymus-Ludo!"
"No…I have to do this alone, just like before." She walked down to the bridge. She could see the entrance to the Labryinth.
"Jareth must teleport to and from…or fly…" Sarah said to herself. "Well…here goes everything."
She walked across the bridge and headed towards the door. But once inside the memories of being in the labyrinth returned.
"This will be a piece of cake."
But it was far easier than that. For once inside not only did her memories return, but it also became clear to her that the labyrinth itself…was deserted.
…
There was a stillness to the labyrinth, and there were no goblins or other creatures in sight. And…there were doors and entryways everywhere, as if Jareth didn't feel like trying to stump anyone.
Sarah ran through the labyrinth in minutes, heading straight the goblin city. When she arrived the doors were already open.
'How strange.' She thought, but then again, you can't take anything for granted.
The city too was empty. Pots and pans and other homey items littered the streets. Sarah walked up to the steps, ready to push open the two large doors, but they too were already open.
…
Meanwhile, inside, Jareth laid on the small steps near his throne. He was too depressed to move, and he ordered everyone inside and away. The crystals were scattered around the room. The sound of footsteps echoed through the hall.
"Who's there? I said to leave me alone!" he called angrily.
There was no answer.
"Didn't you hear me? I sai-
….
"Sarah…"
"Jareth…"
Jareth sat up slowly, Sarah stood about ten feet from him.
"I…" she began, but why was she here? Did she…really…love him?
"I thought you hated me now." He said.
"No…" she looked at her feet, but she soon re-met his gaze.
"Sarah…I'm sorry…"
"Jareth…I know that…it's just…I think…I love you." She said, with all the fear in the labyrinth.
Jareth's eyes widened, and he scrambled to his feet, completely thrown off.
"W-what?" He stepped down from his spot on the steps.
"You heard me." She said, and marched over to him and kissed him.
Her mouth met his suddenly, and he hadn't registered it yet. Her lips were soft, and it was all he had imagined and more. His hands met her hips, and she placed hers on his chest.
Even in the moment they had both imagined, Jareth still pulled away.
"What about Warrick? I thought…"
"Although it's true he doesn't trap me in labyrinths and steal babies, it turns out I'm not a gazebo type of girl." She responded.
"Not a gazebo girl? What kind are you then?" he asked, smiling.
She kissed him passionately again and gave a deep, happy breath. "Easy, I'm a goblin girl."
"Goblin girl? You're kissing the wrong Hedgewart." He teased.
"Hoggle, and stop-you know I'm talking about the king."
"I hear he's kind of a prick to pretty girls sometimes."
"I also hear he tends to make up for it most, if not all, of the time." Sarah laughed, and kissed the goblin king once more.
"What is to become of Warrick though?" he asked.
"I have to go back, I do, I can't miss the ball he's throwing. I do…love you…but I'm not going to be mean here you know …he spent so much on this party. I'm sorry, and Hoggle, Ludo…I can't completely leave them."
"I understand, and I don't mind." He smiled.
"Thank you."
"No need."
Sarah smiled and turned around, heading out of the Goblin City, but not for the last time. Her heart swelled, everything had changed.
But one memory was still missing, one, somehow, even more important than their first kiss just now.