Five Years 4

Sarah almost didn't hear the tapping at the window over the squealing of her four silly friends. The group was camped out in her bedroom oohing and aahing over the latest issue of Teen Beat magazine.

"Look at Tom Cruise! He's so fine!" gushed Jennifer.

"I know," chimed in Stephanie. "He's such a talented actor, too!"

The two girls dramatically sighed and Sarah rolled her eyes. She didn't really see where Tom Cruise was that talented or good looking, but she didn't let on to her friends.

A soft rapping sound came from the window and Sarah looked up to see the familiar white owl perched in the tree outside. She glanced at her friends who were sprawled on the floor, engrossed in the magazine, and then back at the window where the Goblin King waited. She knew she couldn't let her friends see him, but she also knew that he was not going to just sit there and watch much longer. Scrambling up from the carpet, Sarah addressed her giggling girlfriends.

"Who wants sundaes?" she asked.

Her friends all squealed again at the same time and Sarah winced at the high-pitched sound.

"You guys go on down to the kitchen and I'll join you in a minute, ok?" Sarah told her friends as they abandoned their magazines and made a dash for the door.

She closed the door behind them and listened for a few moments as they made their way downstairs, chattering all the way. Sarah locked her bedroom door and then rushed to the window to let in the white owl. He flew in and landed lightly on her bed. Sarah watched in wonder as his creamy feathers melted into golden hair, a silver silk shirt and painted-on gray breeches.

"Good evening, Goblin King," Sarah said, giving him her best attempt at a curtsy.

He waved off her awkward try before folding his arms over his chest.

"Is it?" he asked sarcastically. He pulled at one of his dark gloves and glared at her. "While you've been drooling over those ridiculous boys," he paused and pointed toward the teen magazine, "I have been fielding accusations from those three pesky pals of yours."

"Accusations?" asked Sarah. "What do you mean?"

"Hedwig,"

"Hoggle"

"Whatever," grunted the Goblin King. "He seems to think that I've been keeping him and Sir Didymus and the walking throw rug from seeing you. Of course, I haven't, but he and the others are convinced. Now, why would they think something like that?"

Jareth raised an eyebrow at Sarah waited for an answer. Sarah swallowed and shrugged.

"I don't know," she said, not meeting his gaze. "Hoggle can be overly dramatic at times..."

"Perhaps," replied Jareth with a smug smile. "Or perhaps it's because you haven't called them in almost two weeks. Hmmm?" He leaned forward and cocked his head to the side as his accusation met its mark.

"I... I've been busy," Sarah mumbled. She turned away from the cold glare of the Goblin King and began to pace around her room. "Surely they understand," she continued. "I have other friends that I like to hang out with. Girls my own age that I can talk to and laugh with and tell secrets to."

"Yes," Jareth said, nodding. "I suppose you've told that group of silly things downstairs all about your little adventure in my labyrinth."

"Well, no..."

"No?"

"You know I can't tell them about that."

"No, I suppose not," replied Jareth. "You hide quite a bit from them then, don't you?"

"What are you getting at, Your Majesty?" Sarah asked, putting her hands on her hips.

Jareth smiled. She only used that title when she was angry. He had definitely hit a nerve.

"Nothing," he told her. "I just think it's a pity that you've chosen the company of shallow girls with whom you have so little in common over the company of those who seem to genuinely value the true you. A group that has sworn loyalty to you above their own king."

Sarah started to argue, but found herself unable to make a valid point against him. She knew he was right. She had been purposely avoiding her Underground friends, but she knew Jareth couldn't possibly understand what an undertaking it was to have secret friends from a magical world. She felt at times like an undercover superhero, trying to keep her super identity secret. It was a lot to ask of a sixteen year old girl.

"Why are you so concerned anyway?" she asked Jareth. "You have no love for Hoggle, or for anyone for that matter."

Sarah's words took him by surprise and he had to bite his tongue to keep from saying too much.

"I don't appreciate being falsely accused," he answered finally. "Your friends think I am responsible for them not being called to you. I think you owe them an explanation and me an apology."

Sarah plopped down in her vanity chair, sulking a bit though she knew what the Goblin King said was true. Her three friends from the labyrinth were the truest friends she had ever had. With them, there had never been a need for her to pretend to be anything more or less than what she was. They loved and respected her as a champion and she'd carelessly brushed them aside in favor of the silly twits she'd taken as her friends. (Okay, so maybe Jennifer wasn't so bad, but the rest of them were ridiculous.)

"I'm sorry, Jareth," Sarah told the Goblin King softly. "I'll apologize to the others as well. I know I've behaved badly."

Jareth stared for a moment at the dark-haired girl. No, not girl, he thought. She was definitely becoming a young woman. She still had moments of selfishness and indulgent theatrics, but she was quick to admit her wrongs and offer apologies.

"Thank you, Sarah," Jareth told her. "I would appreciate it if you would explain the situation to that moronic bunch as soon as possible. I can't get a moment's peace without tripping over the knight or being assaulted by the dwarf or having pebbles pinging off my armor from the rock caller."

"And you haven't tossed them in the bog?" Sarah asked incredulously.

Jareth shook his head and gave her a devilish grin. "No," he replied. "However, once they hear the truth from you they'll be falling over themselves to apologize to me and walking on eggshells in fear of what I'll do to them. That will be delightful to watch." He chuckled wickedly and Sarah couldn't help but smile.

"You really are terrible, you know that?" she told him.

"Yes, and don't forget it," the Goblin King answered, pointing a gloved finger at her.

Sarah started to say something else, but a knock at her bedroom door interrupted her.

"Sarah?" called the muffle voice of one of her friends. "Aren't you coming down? What are you doing in there?"

"I...um...I'm cleaning up a bit," Sarah called back. She looked pitifully at Jareth. "What am I going to do with them?" she asked, motioning toward the door.

Jareth shrugged as he stood and walked toward the window.

"You'll have to figure that out on your own, Sarah," he replied smugly. "Unless you want me to dump them in the bog."

"No thank you," Sarah answered. "I'll make do for tonight and then just maybe drift away from them. Except for Jennifer. She's kind of cool."

"Very well," Jareth said with a wink. "Of course, if you change your mind I believe I have an oubliette that's currently empty."

"Jareth..."

"I'm going. Don't make yourself sick on too much junk food."

"Sarah? Who are you talking to?" asked the voice on the other side of the door.

"I'm talking to myself, Stephanie. I'll be right down!" Sarah answered.

"Goodnight, Sarah," Jareth said before dropping out of sight out the window. Sarah watched him soar upward into the dark sky, the moonlight shining on his snowy wings.

"Goodnight, Jareth," she whispered to the night.


A/N:

Woot! We're having a party 'cause this week marks my first Labyversary! I posted my first Labyfic a year ago. Come on in, make yourselves at home. Ellen Weaver brought the glittery pants cake. Leave presents in the box marked "Comments." Choke down as much fluff as you dare without hurling. If you don't get enough here, go nibble on "Bits and Pieces" by Whyndancer. It's delicious! Thanks, err'body! :)