Disclaimer: I don't own Chilly Down. It belongs to David Bowie.
The Fire Festival was in full swing and the Labyrinth forest looked absolutely marvelous.
Hundreds of fire crystals hovered in the air, casting a soft orange glow on the trees.
A huge bonfire roared with life in the middle of the clearing surrounded by a mass of goblins and Fireys, all singing and dancing to the loud, source-less music. Outside the boisterous crowd, others sat on a ring of large rocks, scarfing down meat and guzzling copious amounts of goblin ale.
About fifty yards away, on a grassy hill overlooking the festivities, Sarah sat beside the Goblin King watching the Labyrinth's rambunctious inhabitants with amusement.
It had been such an enjoyable evening.
The chicken and ham had been grilled to perfection, though she and Jareth had been the only ones to actually have their food cooked.
Little Sish had been crowned the Fire Princess in honor of her arrival.
Oh and the dancing!
Sarah blushed as she remembered how Jareth had spun her around effortlessly, singing songs in, what she guessed, was fey tongue.
Unfortunately, the moment was broken when the Fireys arrived at the clearing and started removing their limbs.
Noticing her unease, Jareth had quietly escorted her away to the hill where they ate their meals in comfortable silence.
Chilly down with the fire gang
Think small with the fire gang (It's the only way)
Bad hep with the fire gang (A smile a day keeps the doctor away)
When your thing gets wild
Chilly down
"The Fireys are much more tolerable at a safe distance." Jareth commented. "Wouldn't you agree?"
"Oh yes, definitely." Sarah laughed, glancing at the fey male for a bit longer than necessary.
He looked as handsome as ever dressed in a blood-red poet's shirt with silver leggings. The tattered edges of his black leather cape with the high back-collar was spread out around him on the ground.
Thankfully, she wasn't feeling self-conscious about her attire this time.
Gookie had chosen a beautiful purple renaissance-style dress for her with a square neckline, elbow-length belled sleeves and a black ribbon trim that ran in a crisscross pattern down the bodice.
She remembered how Jareth's eyes had gleamed like the moon when he saw her and told her how breathtaking she looked.
Her train of thought changed when her gaze fell on the pendant on his neck.
On a whim, she reached out and traced her fingers over it. She stilled when she felt him flinch slightly at the contact, but when she looked up to read his face, he was staring intently at her hand.
She immediately leaned away.
"Sorry." She muttered.
"I was just wondering what that thing means. You wear it all the time so…" She trailed off with an embarrassed shrug.
"It's alright." He said quietly. "You don't need to apologize. I can understand your curiosity."
He picked up the necklace between his thumb and forefinger.
"It's a symbol of my power."
She turned to him, intrigued.
"Oh, like a crown? It represents your status?"
Jareth dropped the pendant back against his chest.
"Not exactly. It doesn't represent my power here." He explained, nodding towards the clearing. "It represents my power here."
He held up his gloved hands.
Sarah stared at him for a moment, puzzled before realization dawned on her face.
"Y-you mean your…magic power?"
He nodded.
"That's what this swirl carving means." He said pointing to the center of the necklace.
"Cool." The human declared after a quick inspection. "Do all fey have a pendant like that?"
The Goblin King looked away.
"No." He replied dryly. "Just me."
"Why just you?"
He didn't answer.
Sarah lowered her head.
Don't force him!
"I'm sorry," she whispered, "I didn't mean to pry."
Jareth grabbed her hand.
"No, you have a right to know." He sighed heavily before continuing. "I am the only fey that bares this emblem, because no other fey has power equal to mine. This symbol means I have unmatched power."
Sarah was stunned.
"So, wh-what are you trying to say? That y-you're the most powerful fey in the whole Underground?"
"Yes."
She was shocked.
Utterly shocked.
Questions swarmed around her head like angry bees.
How can that be true? And if it is, why is he here in the Labyrinth, surrounded by goblins? If he's so strong, why doesn't he live with the other fey? Wouldn't they need his magic? Why wouldn't he like the Fey Council if his power is so great? Would they not let him be Fey King or something? I don't understand!
"Sarah? Sarah!" Jareth called waving his hand in front of her face.
She shook her head to focus.
"Um…uh, s-so, you've got…more magic than anybody else. That's…uh, that's neat." She managed to say.
He raised an eyebrow at her in surprise.
"You think it's…neat?"
The woman's cheeks bloomed.
"W-well, yeah. I think it's awesome. Why wouldn't I?"
Jareth stared at her for a long moment.
There was an odd expression on his face. He almost looked…frustrated?
He fixed his gaze on the celebration below, remaining silent.
What was that look about? Should I think it's a bad thing that he's so strong? She wondered nervously.
Suddenly, she got an idea.
"Hey, I'd like a demonstration."
Jareth turned to her, slightly perturbed.
"You'd like a what?"
"A demonstration," she repeated, pretending to look unimpressed, "if you're so magically gifted, why don't you prove it?"
Ha! There's no way he'll pass up a chance to show off!
He blinked at her for a second, until her words truly sank in and that trademark devilish smirk appeared. He abruptly stood up, pulling her to her feet as well.
"Close your eyes, precious." He commanded gently and Sarah didn't have to be told twice.
"Open up! Here comes the fairy! Buzzzzzzzzz!" Gookie cooed as she fed Sish the last spoonful of diced pork.
"Who's a cute little Fire Princess?" Fip gushed, playfully pinching the goblin babe's cheeks before hoisting her up onto his shoulders.
"Hee hee! I am! I am! I am!" Sish squealed with joy as Fip rushed into the dancing crowd, galloping like a horse.
"Oh isn't she the most adorable thing ya ever saw?" Gookie said admiringly, giving the gloomy dwarf beside her a nudge.
"Huh?" Hoggle looked up, confused.
"Oh yeah," he murmured. "Whatever you say."
"Ugh! Are ya gonna be a sad sack all night?" The gobliness groaned in exasperation.
Hoggle just grunted.
"Be of good (hic) cheer, Sir D-dwarf!" A quite drunk Sir Didymus encouraged from his right. "Our Sady Larah is of a (hic) kind and nnnnnoble heart! She shall forgive (hic) thee!"
"SAWA FWIEND!" Ludo bellowed from behind the trio, bits of tree bark falling out of his mouth.
"Here, (hic) here!" The knight concurred, taking another needless swig of ale from his mug.
Hoggle stared dismally at the new bracelet on his wrist.
Being a loner for most of his life, he didn't have much experience with apologies. Even the apology he made to Sarah fifteen years ago had been half-assed, but that was only because he'd been afraid of rejection.
His fear had gotten the better of him tonight.
He'd been too apprehensive to approach Sarah and that fact that she was on Jareth's arm the whole time didn't help boost his confidence.
What if I make her cry again? Gookie's right. I am such a coward.
Said female bumped his shoulder again.
"Don't worry about it right now. Tanight's about havin' fun! Ya'll know what ta say when the time comes. Now, buck up and dance with me!"
With that, she grabbed Hoggle's hand and pulled him into the frolicking mob.
Sarah felt the rush of air and heard the tinkling sound of chimes all for a brief instant, and when she opened her eyes, they were standing together on the flat roof of one the castle towers.
The Fire Festival was a flickering light in the distance.
Before she could fully get her bearings, Jareth cupped her face in his hands and stared deeply into her eyes.
"I do this for you and you alone." He stated in a husky, earnest voice.
He turned and stood in the center of the space and raised his hands to the night sky.
"Watch me move the stars for you, Sarah."
Sarah felt her jaw drop open in pure, unadulterated awe as the stars above unfroze and swirled around in the air.
They dove down from the sky and raced around her like glitter, before rising again into the air. Multiple colors bled into the midnight-blue clouds creating images that reminded her of the photos taken by the Hubble Telescope, only a thousand times better.
He conducted the sky like a true master, everything reacted to his movements.
For the finale, The Goblin King spread his arms wide and as he slapped his hands together over his head, the heavens crashed together in majestic supernovae.
The ethereal fireworks flashed and sparked with such magnificence, Sarah almost fell to her knees.
A gentle shower of sparkles floated down from the now-calm darkness above her. They drifted in a spiral pattern like fireflies.
When she finally looked at Jareth, she was captivated.
He was staring at her with such heated passion she couldn't remember how to breathe.
Without a single word, he crossed the short distance between them. Clasping her tightly in his arms, his warm lips descended upon her own in a searing kiss.
A/N: Whoo-hoo! Finally, am I right? Review, review, review and there'll be more sweet Jareth and Sarah lovin' in the next chappy! :D