Somethings are worth waiting for….
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF JIM HENSONS CHARACTERS OR ANYTHING FROM THE LABYRINTH
Chapter 8.
Sooooo sorry it has taken me this long to get this out there. As always there might be wibbly wobbly stuff but I really just want to finish this now so I'm writing how it feels it should be. Next chapter is going to be my very first lemon so please be nice ❤ and thank you for my supporters here and on LFFL/LFA 3
After exhausting what felt like plan number one million, Jareth flopped down onto his throne. Twisting his hand slightly, his riding crop appeared and he started tapping it angrily against his left boot.
"Um, Sire, there are a few more suggestions, if I may?" Westley said. He was apprehensive about mentioning them because the behavior that the Goblin King was now exhibiting was a step away from pure rage and anyone who pushed him that last step ended up in the bog, no matter who you are to him.
"Name them!" Jareth snapped, tapping the crop faster.
"Well, perhaps marrying the Lady Clairissa wouldn't be so bad." Westley said, flinching as the crop stilled as if he had been struck by it.
"Are you insane, man?" Jareth bellowed, making goblins scatter for cover.
"Now, hear me out, your Majesty. Firstly, you think that if you refuse then King Maxian will declare war on us. But if you agree, he would pay you handsomely. Secondly, you would be envied throughout all of the other kingdoms, not just because of your title but because of your new bride."
"Not if they already know her, they won't" Jareth interrupted him.
"Thirdly" Wesley continued as if he hadn't heard him "Think of the heirs you could potentially produce, if you were blessed that way. I know it would be nothing short of a miracle but you are both handsome and fair haired. The Kingdom would become known for its beautiful royalty too."
Jareth sat, listening ad still tapping. It was true that if he would refuse then King Maxian would most likely declare war and no matter how much they annoyed him, he couldn't put his beloved goblins in such danger. It could also be true that if he accepted then the King would offer up something precious seeing as he was so desperate to marry her off. He was already envied for so many things, did he really want others to envy him over a wife? The answer was yes, vain as he was. But he had always imagined a brunette, a certain brunette, for his wife and Queen. A child, that had its mother's hair, chocolate brown…
"It's simply out of the question, Westley. I cannot possibly marry her. I can't even stand the sight of her or hear her high-pitched whining voice. You expect me to try and produce an heir with that? I'd sooner see the Kingdom fall to ruin" Jareth said.
Westley expected it as much. At least Jareth hadn't bogged him…yet.
"What was the other suggestion? It can't be as bad or utterly ridiculous as that last one" Jareth said, continuing with his boot tapping.
Ok, time to reveal the truth and test the waters (Bog water!) all at once.
"What of the Lady Sarah?2 Westley asked quietly.
Jareth continued to tap, not giving anything away. Westley started to wonder whether he had heard him and was just about to repeat himself when Jareth spoke.
"What of her?" He asked evenly.
"Well, Sire, human she may be but she is our champion and therefore, according to our law, that gives her royalty status. You could name her your bride and no one could challenge it, not even King Maxian" Westley said simply.
Jareth closed his eyes and stopped tapping again. Could he dare hope for, dream that Sarah could become his bride? Forever, eternally. Fulfill the prophecy?
What had she said earlier? "Even if this doesn't work out, we will always be friends". Who better to have as your wife and ruler of your Kingdom than a friend?
Wesley waited with bated breath. The longer he waited, the more convinced he as that he was going to bogged any second now for suggesting such a thing.
After a few minutes, Jareth sighed and said, "I will not deny that hat you have suggested has been my dream, my wish, for the last 10 years."
Westley was momentarily shocked at how open his King was speaking to him.
"Can you remember the old prophecy, Westley? Jareth asked suddenly.
Westley thought for a moment then his eyes widened. Of course, he did, everyone in the kingdom knew of it in some way.
The prophecy, or the tale of the Goblin King, as it was also known, depicts a time when a human girl will wish her brother away, she would take the Labyrinth challenge and she would win but she would also win the heart of the fearsome Goblin King. If he managed to make her his bride then the kingdom would thrive and prosper. It would be the best in all underground. Not only would she be his equal in everything but she would also bring peace and happiness throughout the kingdom.
"I believe that Sarah is the one mentioned in the prophecy" Jareth continued quietly.
"Well then, Sire, what are you waiting for? Go. Go back Aboveground and claim your Queen" Westley said excitedly.
"Do you really think it would be that easy?" He asked doubtfully.
"Your Majesty, I don't think anyone's tale of true love goes easily but she called you, after all these years. That's got to mean something."
Jareth stared at Westley for a second then suddenly lept up from his throne.
"By the gods, you are right! Alright, I will make my way back Aboveground to my beloved Sarah. But first, I must take a quick detour to my chambers. I must look the part at least." Jareth said and, charging past Westley, left the throne room.
Westley watched him go then collapsed into the nearest chair, fanning his face and taking his glasses off to wipe them on his sleeve but grinning from ear to ear.
Meanwhile, back in the Aboveground…
Sarah was getting ready for her all-day Monday shift at the store. She hadn't seen or heard from Jareth since Saturday when he had to return to the Underground. She wasn't fussed though. She figured he must be doing something important to be away from her for so long (yes, two days is an eternity to some) As she brushed her hair, she smiled, thinking about all that had happened these last few days…
Kirsten had taken Sarah's news quite well too. "As long as he makes you happy and doesn't break your heart, so that I don't have to break his face, then he can be The Hoff for all I care" she had said, giving a surprised Sarah a massive hug,
Leaving the apartment and walking the short distance to work, Sarah arrived at the store with five minutes to spare. She walked through the store, out through the warehouse, punched her cad and went and out her bag in her locker.
She had barely been on the shop floor for 10 minutes when she heard her name being bellowed.
"SARAH! There you are! Where have you been? You are fifteen minutes later" Markus yelled at her, his face red and a vein in his temple throbbing.
"But, Markus, I punched in on time and…"
"I don't want to hear your excuses! You're on cleaning duty for the entirety of your shift. Maybe that will teach you to be prompt in future!" Markus spat.
"Bu…but, Markus…" Sarah stammered, slightly alarmed at his temper.
"That's Mr. Walken to you, Miss Williams" He empathized the "Miss". With a face like thunder, he marched off towards the dairy aisle.
Sarah watched him in complete shock. She walked in to the warehouse and grabbed the cleaning trolley. Pulling on marigolds, she cursed Markus. What a jerk, she thought.
After a long, trying day where she had to clean up spillages and general mess, plus the added bonus of Markus following her and breathing down her neck, Sarah finally finished her shift, went home and flopped down onto the sofa. Kirsten must have gone out for the evening, she had left a note warning she might be late and not to wait up, babe.
Sighing, she settled down and contemplated opening a bottle of wine whilst replaying the day through her mind. She couldn't understand what could have made Markus so hostile to her all of a sudden but she did have a feeling it had something to do with Jareth.
…Jareth…
I wish he was here with me, Sarah thought, sighing again.
No sooner had she thought it, she felt gloved hands on her shoulders, massaging them. She melted into them for a second before jumping up from the sofa with a squeak.
She turned and saw Jareth standing behind her sofa. Her mouth fell open as she took in what he was wearing, He was wearing the bejeweled blue jacket ensemble, the same one he wore in that peach dream she had when she was in the Labyrinth all those years ago. He looked exactly the same, right down to the blue glitter tints in his hair, except that this present Goblin King had a completely different demeanor than that of the peach dream Goblin King.
This Goblin King was shaking slightly and looked nervous. Something must be wrong.
"Sorry, Jareth, did I accidentally call you again?" Sarah asked.
Jareth just shook his head slightly, not taking his eyes off her.
"Then, how…" Sarah started but Jareth cut her off.
Walking around the sofa to face her, he twisted his hand and a crystal appeared.
"Sarah, I…" he shook his head and started again. Sarah stood, transfixed at the well-remembered scene playing out in front of her.
"Darling Sarah, my precious thing" he said as he held out the crystal to her "I've brought you a gift" the crystal popped in a shower of silver glitter and in its place, was a chestnut red wooden box with stars intricately carved into the wood with gold filigree. Sarah wasn't stupid, she knew, or rather, she hoped she knew what was inside that box
With a jerk of Jareth's hand, the lid of the box flew open to reveal the biggest emerald Sarah had ever seen. It was set into a silver ring band. There wasn't just emerald though, around the main Jewel was a circle of smaller blue sapphires and, connecting to the silver band was two diamonds either side.
Taking a deep breath, Jareth said "Sarah…please, say you will be mine, forever?"
Sarah's heart soared as she gasped. She launched herself bodily at him. Jareth only had a millisecond to register her beaming smile before he caught her, before her lips was on his, kissing him deeply.
He crushed her to him and, picking her up so that her legs wrapped around his waist, he held her as he stumbled backwards towards her bedroom, never breaking the kiss.
End of Chapter 8.
