Chapter Twelve: Sad Love
Gildan's Note: Rewatched the ballroom scene for this chapter (all the feels) the story will probably end within the next two or so chapters - heads up!
Sarah returned to Warrick's castle during the night. Everyone was already there waiting for her, however.
"Sarah, are you alright?" Warrick asked, looking her over.
"I'm fine. Warrick…I'm sorry, but I can't love you." She said quickly.
Warrick sighed and looked to his feet. "I suppose I understand, or…I have to anyway. But…"
"But I'll still be at the ball, I mean, if you'll still have me for it. I don't want all those preparations to go to waste."
"Of course the ball will still happen, you're still my most honored guest, Sarah Williams." He smiled halfheartedly.
Sarah smiled sadly back, he was so nice, but he just wasn't the man for her, and of course she still valued his friendship.
"I'm afraid though, that I can't invite Jareth…the barrier is back up, stronger now…and…"
"It's okay." Sarah said, understanding Warrick's reasons, even the ones he didn't share with words.
The ball was tomorrow evening, and Sarah actually felt excited. She went to bed that night feeling very content, and slightly giddy at her confession to Jareth earlier, and the kiss of course.
Over in the Goblin City, Jareth was pacing around the throne room. His heart was skipping beats all over the place, and he just couldn't believe that Sarah had actually come back, and had professed a love for him. He sighed nervously, anxious about it all. He was suddenly a bumbling mess, but he was also a very excited mess.
But what about the ball? He had to get in somehow, but even from here he could tell Warrick's barrier was four times stronger than it had been before! He immediately rushed over to the old book he had consulted before. Yes, yes, he could do this now.
…
The next day Sarah had just finished trying on her gown, yet she was still not allowed to see the ballroom. She was secluded for most of the day, and when the evening arrived she was finally ready to join the party.
When she entered the room she noticed two things.
1. The room was gorgeous
2. Everyone was wearing a mask except for her
Why didn't anyone tell her it was a masquerade?
"Sarah!" called a man in a white traditional mask.
"Warrick?"
"Yeah, do you like everything?"
"I love it, but how come no one told me to wear a mask?" she asked.
"Well I thought since we're honoring you, you'd be the center of attention."
"Oh geez…" she looked around nervously.
"I-I'm sorry, I mean, I could get you a mask…" he stammered.
"No no, it's fine, I just didn't expect this…" she looked around. "I was just thrown off because…it seems so familiar…"
"Would you like to dance?" he asked.
"Sure." She smiled and they began to dance, but she was distracted the whole time, she couldn't help but think that-
"There's such a sad love, deep in your eyes…"
Sarah looked around sharply.
"What's wrong?" Warrick asked.
"Uh…nothing." She stammered.
"I'll paint you mornings of gold, I'll spin you Valentine evenings, though we're strangers till now…"
"May I have a chance to dance with the girl of the evening?" a voice cut in, a man in a mask with horns.
"Sure." Warrick obliged the masked man and left.
"Jareth?" Sarah whispered.
"There's such a fooled heart, beating so fast, in search of new dreams…a love that will last, within your heart."
"It's me." He whispered back.
"How did you get…" her eyes widened. "Oh my God."
"You forgot didn't you?"
She looked up at Jareth. "Yes, I did. This was when you tried to-
"But I would never anymore. I will never trick you like that again, Sarah. I swear to it. I love you."
"I love you too."
Jareth and Sarah danced slowly for a while more, and then he was gone.
That night Sarah went to bed, but she felt a little sad. She wanted to be dancing with Jareth again, and she could still feel his hand on her waist.
The next morning she woke up and stretched. She sat up, and discovered something was very wrong.
...
She was back in her bedroom, back to her normal life. The cupcake wrapper was still on her nightstand.