~The magic word~
As they descended further down, Sarah could hear herself crying out as they were both jolted at what she thought where the sides of the abyss they fell into.
But as they seemed to stop and suddenly break free again, she realised, that like before, helping hands where attempting to grab them and slow their descent. Managing to catch glimpses here and there, the hands had become a lot more scarce than before.
It was no wonder they were not staying aloft and in one place for long, the hands could barely support both their weights!
Sarah had no time to glance down as Jareth loosened his grip around her and she clung onto him, scared to let him go.
Feeling his other arm around her was a relief, but a sudden flash of white light and the sensation of landing on something soft but stretchy was unusual and she knew he'd used his magic again.
Laying, now horizontal with Jareth, she looked down to see long strands of what looked like cotton wool around them, when she attempted to stand up, she could feel solid ground below them and realised, the substance had slowed their descent down to a safe speed.
Pulling herself from Jareth, she realised that it was not cotton wool, but in fact a giant spider's web.
"Oh god." Groaning and looking around desperately to see if this was the web of a spider who currently lived in the depths.
"Fear not my dear,"Jareth pulled himself away easily, though seemed to retain a couple of strands of web to his arms and the back of his hair, "the creatures have left to fight in battle now. None lurk here...at least, none that I have encountered."
Offering her his hand, she pulled herself up and willingly allowed him to help her free herself of the spider's web attached to her.
"That's a relief." She said, a little bite to her voice as she reached behind Jareth and pulled away an annoying strand from the magnificent mane of his.
"A little web shan't hurt your beauty, pet." He playfully winked and held her shoulders.
"Jareth...you can let go now." Sarah made to step back, but he kept a firm grip on her.
"Just checking for injuries." Jareth pulled her closer and she willingly went.
Allowing his eyes to scan over her and his fingers to trail over her shirt clad arms was exhilarating, especially when it seemed his fingertips left a tingling sensation in his wake.
And a very pleasant tingle at that.
"Nothing that can be seen at first. But dearest, are you sure you're fully conscious. What is it you mortals call for when in desperate need to give life?" Jareth' face loomed closer and though she knew now was not the time or place, she didn't want it to stop, "the kiss of life?"
The gentleness of his lips on hers was a surprise for Sarah, especially since she was expecting a whirlwind of passion from this man.
But this kiss was amazing in itself.
She hated to describe it, but all her thought was lost as she felt a pulse of warmth and what felt like, soft electricity soar through her.
Her arms went voluntarily around his shoulders, and it was she who deepened the kiss, urging him on as he hungrily began to claim her.
He shuffled her backwards and it was a few feet before she felt herself pressed up against the wall behind her.
And though it was VERY nice to be sandwiched against that and him, it was also a wake up call and she put a reign on her hormones.
"Wow, steady," she pulled her face away from his, using one arm to keep him from doing delightful things to her, "Time out."
"Time in." Jareth huffed out and moved to kiss her again. She turned her face away from him, but he merely switched attention to her slim neck and began nibbling delicately, her skin tingling as his sharp teeth glided over it and he sucked on it tenderly.
"T-Time out your majesty," This time, getting a good grip on his hair, she gave a tug, "we've got bigger fish to fry. You get us out of here and we can concentrate on this later."
Jareth, albeit reluctantly (and with a disgruntled noise) pulled away from her.
Casually placing one arm next to her head and leaning over her, she suddenly felt 14 again, with a very real (and very aroused) Goblin King.
"I'll take your word for it Sarah," his gloved hand stroked the hollow of her throat, one finger trailing downwards towards the edge of her shirt, "and you'll have my word my full concentration will be on you."
Sarah, feeling extremely hot and desperate for some distraction, still felt like getting the last word in.
"Promises, promises. Now Goblin King," she carefully slipped from him and looked around their surroundings, "Anyway to get us out of here? Can you magic us a door like Hoggle?"
Jareth, seemingly returned to normal by what had just passed between them, approached her, looking very stern.
"Unfortunately my dear, the limit on my magic usage has diminished all the more," moving his hands to his shirt, he pulled apart the fabric to reveal a familiar pendant with a long, hairline crack running down it, "my magic is my own, but every time I used it, I opened myself up, not only to exhaustion, but to the dark magic being used against us. The amulet has been a talisman to ward off the evil."
"So," Sarah' breath caught in her throat at the horrible realisation, "you're vulnerable to the magic. It's not safe for you."
Jareth reached forward and took her hand in his own.
"Not completely precious, but more so than I was," his eyes darkened momentarily, "Sarah, from this moment on, anything I do with my magic opens us up to dangers even I cannot predict. If I use my magic...then there is a chance it could seep into my mind. The worst case scenario is, I be driven mad. There could be traps. We must survive on wits and instincts alone. But I know I can do it with you here, by my side."
Unexpectedly, Jareth fell forward onto one knee. Sarah had thought at first he had collapsed, but his hand still clasped hers and he bowed his head to kiss her knuckles.
"I'm here to serve you, to guide you, but Sarah," his head raised and his eyes looked at her, piercing her heart, "I need you."
A throb begin in Sarah' heart and she could feel her blood pulsing through her body as he stood back up and continued to stare down at her, his eyes imploring her not to mock him.
He had never been so earnest before with her and Sarah knew, that even if he had spoken the words, 'I love you', they probably would not have meant as much in his meaning, as when he had said that he needed her.
"I won't leave you," she repositioned her hand so their fingers interlocked, "I need you also Jareth. I'm not just here for my friends, I'm here for you."
The smile he gave her made the 14 year old in her mentally giggle and somersault around. She slipped her fingers from his and looked around again.
"I think I saw a tunnel over here, but it's a bit dark," she glanced over her shoulder at him, "I know no magic, but you don't happen to have an equivalent to a flash light up your sleeve, do you?"
"Maybe..check your pockets," Jareth smiled at her and winked, "I felt that, just encase, you may need some provisions."
She did as he prompted her and was surprised to find plenty of contents inside.
Sarah pulled out: A lipstick, a lighter and small, rounded seeds that she had never seen before, at least, none that existed in her world.
And that had only been the one pocket. She would check the other one later.
"Trusting me with a lighter," Sarah admired the old fashioned silver flint light and flipped the lid, "you must think I'm all grown up and responsible now."
"Definitely older, but none the wiser," he chuckled at her disapproving gaze, "well, you were just...how do you mortals say it...sucking face? With the king of the Goblins. In a dark tunnel. With no adult supervision."
"Behave." She flicked the flame and walked towards the tunnel, hoping that her blush would be unseen in the darkness.
Her hand grasped the edge of the tunnel and was pleased to find, that it was in fact tall and deep as she had hoped, but unfortunately, it winded around a corner and there didn't seem to be a light appearing any time soon.
As they walked in comfortable silence, something dawned on Sarah, a question that she just had to ask.
"Jareth...you said...you said the magic would effect your mind," Sarah turned her head slightly to look at him, "is that just with you, or every inhabitant of the Labyrinth?"
"Everyone within this realm is effected one way or the other," he ducked as a low bit of tunnel threatened to mess up his hair, "luckily, each one has been given a precautionary talisman or magical family curse for such a situation."
"Everyone?" Sarah stopped and threw her hair behind her shoulder as she creased her brow, "Even...even me?"
For the first time, Jareth looked stunned.
He grabbed her face, his hands warm against her cheeks as his smile became practically predatory.
"You clever, intuitive girl!"
The flame flickered out as she was caught off guard by the sudden (and very well received) kiss he planted on her lips.
Though she wanted it to continue for a lot longer, as soon as he had done it, he pulled away and she had to turn the flame back on to see the smile on his face.
"You're the key! If there is a way to defeat this magic, it IS you!"
Sarah shook her head, rolling her eyes.
"Calm down Jareth, maybe the magic just isn't aware of my existence here yet."
Jareth' chuckles let her know she was very, very wrong.
"I may not know why you're immune to the magic, but you are Sarah. You're more special than you're realise. Come along precious, there is work to be done!"
He made his way ahead of her, and it wasn't until she saw the light ahead, did she realise that Jareth had completely distracted her from spotting it first.
And of course, when they spotted the ladder, she lost both ways in having to climb up behind him and watch him slowly (and purposefully) climb the ladder.
'Stupid Goblin King.'
