Chapter 5

Sarah lingered by the bedchamber door, unsure of when Jareth would be back. He had left five minutes earlier to attend to the basic needs of his kingdom, which from what she understood, was all he attended to anymore. The Labyrinth was practically in shambles! She had not let him come any closer to her since their last confrontation and Jareth had obviously realized she needed some space to think.

Everything was simply too strange. She had no idea why or how she had acquired some of Jareth's magic but she was glad she had it now. It was the source of her protection from his rage. She realized shortly after he explained its protective nature that had she been without his magic he very well may have killed her. It was a frightening concept. She was only twenty! She didn't want to die at such a young age. It was strange to see the Goblin King act in such a violent way.

When she had first come to the labyrinth, while he was the villain, he certainly wasn't violent toward her. He would play mind tricks and other pranks to catch her off guard and make her forget what she was doing, but he never once physically harmed her or acted in such a violent manner. Had she been asked five years ago if the Goblin King would try to kill her she would have answered no.

Now, she wasn't so sure. He seemed to flip moods like a light switch. One minute he was his normal self and the next he was seething and ready to rip her head off. Yes, something was definitely wrong with Jareth and she felt like it was connected to her somehow. Silently, she vowed to try and find out what was causing his drastic mood swings.

Jareth signed off on the last order for supplies and sighed heavily. He was tired. Tired of all the strain and tired of simply being tired. This matter with Sarah only added to his responsibilities and it was weighing heavily on his mind and heart. He had never expected to see her again. His fantasies of torture and torment were simply that, fantasies. Oh, he had hoped that she would have called his name and returned, but it was a long time ago and the circumstances had been much more sorrowful.

Rubbing his temples he closed his eyes and rested his elbows on his desk, his head supported by his fingers. He felt a headache coming and he really wished he knew how to stave it off. They never ended well; usually with many of his goblins in pieces all over his throne room. He could feel the agitation start to seep into his mind and he opened his eyes, almost in panic. It had been far too long since he had last felt peace, and that had only occurred while he was in her presence. Suddenly, he knew exactly where he needed to be and only hoped he could get back to the bedchamber in time to dissipate his growing irritation.

It had been a little over an hour, by Sarah's estimation, and she found herself back on the bed, the book she had been reading before Jareth stormed into the room back in her hands. It really was a good story. She was half way through the book now, and the Fae woman was sneaking off nightly to visit her human lover. What the woman didn't know was that her father had hired a spy to trail her and report back to him of her whereabouts. It hadn't taken long for her father to find the two lovers and try to slay the human. Thankfully, he escaped, but the father locked his daughter away in his palace, never letting her roam free again.

She was so engrossed in her book that Sarah nearly jumped out of her skin when Jareth came rushing through the door and jumped onto the bed next to her, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her tightly against him.

"Jareth! What the hell?" she screeched.

Jareth moved one of his arms to gently wrap around her front and he nuzzled his face into her neck, breathing deeply. Sarah sat, frozen. She wasn't sure what was going on and she was afraid to move.

"Forgive me, but I was beginning to lose myself." He said quietly, keeping a soft, but strong hold on her.

"I'm not sure what you mean." Sarah all but stuttered.

"I began to feel agitated and it was slowly growing worse. It started with a headache and those never go over well. I had an idea and I wanted to see if my theory was correct."

"And that would be?" She asked, trying to turn to look at him.

He held her still and sighed, rubbing her hip and her arm with his thumbs. He could feel the anger leaving his mind and for the first time in such a long while he felt calm; peaceful.

"Well?" She asked him again when he didn't answer her the first time.

"If I remain close to you I feel better. If I'm touching you it all but leaves, but when I hold you it's completely gone."

"It?"

"The anger," he replied softly, still not releasing his grip.

"Well you can't stay attached to my hip all the time. So, what do you propose we do?" she asked, finally relenting and relaxing into his arms.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps, when I feel that my irritation is getting too strong I can simply hold onto you?" He asked, his voice a gentle purr, the vibration running down her spine.

"You make it sound like it's that easy." She said, shivering lightly. He really needed to remove his face from her neck.

"It is, Precious. I have proved it."

Again, his voice seemed to vibrate through her. She shivered again and began to pull herself away from him. Instead of letting go, however, he simply held her tighter. Giving up, she relaxed against him again. There really was no use in fighting him. He was much stronger and she couldn't get away unless he let go, which he didn't seem to want to do at the moment.

Nothing more transpired between them, but Jareth held her for what seemed like eternity. Albeit, a very comfortable, and somewhat pleasurable, eternity.

Five more days passed with Sarah no closer to figuring out why she was suddenly transported back to the labyrinth. Jareth spent almost all of his free time searching various archives and tombs but there were only vague allusions to soul mates in myths and legends. He was no closer to an answer than Sarah was. By now, Sarah had finished her fairy tale of the Fae woman and her mortal lover. It was a happy ending, with the woman and the man married and living their lives together at last. However, she was now bored out of her mind.

She found herself pacing the room for the hundredth time that day when Jareth came back from yet another unsuccessful search. His trips were beginning to be slightly shorter than normal and he had been spending a bit more time in her presence than he first did. Sarah contributed it to his "flare ups" as she now called them for lack of a better term.

"No luck?" Sarah asked, already knowing his answer by the agitated look on his face.

"No…" he replied, seeming more distant than usual.

Sarah walked over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder causing him to turn his attention from the wall, which he looked like he wanted to smash to pieces, to her. His brow softened and he seemed to relax into her touch.

"Sarah… would you like to join me for a walk outside these walls?" he asked, catching her off guard.

"Of course!" She almost shouted, a little too eager to do anything else but stay in the bed chamber any longer. "I mean, yes, I would like that."

Jareth chuckled and placed his hand over hers. It had only just crossed his mind that she might be getting a touch of cabin fever. She had been cooped up for a week, with nothing much for entertainment except the few books he had brought up for her. She was probably itching to get out from behind the walls of his bed chamber. In an instant they were outside the castle and in a spacious garden. The plant life was sparse and the sky was cloudy but Sarah was just glad to get outside. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, enjoying the fresh air and the gentle breeze that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. Things were definitely strange in the labyrinth.

"I'm sorry it isn't up to par, but there is nothing for it I suppose." Jareth said, lowering his hand from hers.

"No, it's fine. Really." Sarah said, trying to sound reassuring. She dropped her hand to her side and took a good look around.

The trees that used to bear fruit and flowers were all black and twisted – the branches completely barren. The grass was dead and brown and the weeds were all that flourished in the cloudy light. It was a very despairing atmosphere. She could only imagine what this little garden had once looked like when it was luscious and buzzing with life.

"There's no need to, what is it you humans like to say? Ah yes, sugar coat it. My lands have seen much better days." He said, stepping up to her and lacing his fingers between hers.

Sarah almost jumped and the Goblin King grinned from ear to ear.

"Dear Sarah, so jumpy." He all but laughed.

"Well, you can't really blame me can you?" she asked, looking up at him, one eyebrow raised to emphasize her question.

"No," he said glumly, his grin fading away, "I can't."

He began to remove his fingers from hers when she tightened her grip and stepped closer to him. He looked at her, curiosity painted on his features.

"You said yourself you feel better when we are touching. I do not intend to have you go off on a rampage while I'm outside of the castle walls." She explained quickly, to cover up her actions.

The truth was she was growing fond of having him close to her. Granted, constant contact wasn't something she was aiming for, but she liked the idea of holding his hand while they walked through the garden. It gave her a sense of normalcy that she wasn't ready to let go of just yet. A sense that he wouldn't fly off the handle and try to harm her or anything that got in his way. She could still smell the burning skin of the goblin that had brought her dinner later than expected the third night of her stay. She had locked herself in the bathing chamber after that and didn't come out until morning, and only after Jareth practically begged for her forgiveness and promised through clenched teeth- because he was very upset at the time- not to incinerate any more goblins in her presence.

They walked quietly for a time before Sarah worked up the courage to finally ask him what had been plaguing her mind as of late.

"Jareth… what happened to the Kingdom? I mean, why is it so…"

"Dead?" he finished for her.

Sarah nodded in response. Dead was a good a word as any for the way it looked. The walls were in shambles and everything was dark and decaying.

"It's… complicated." He said, as if that were the only answer there was to give.

"How complicated?" she asked, trying to pry the information out of him.

"Very."

The finality of that statement made Sarah close her mouth on the next question that was bubbling to the surface. He had made it very clear, without actually saying so, that the discussion on that subject was over.

After what seemed like ages Jareth sighed and stopped walking, looking down at Sarah.

"I'm sorry. It's just… a long and depressing story. Not meant for this time or place. I'm not even sure I'm ready to tell you just yet." He said, his voice softer than usual.

She looked up into his eyes and they were clouded over, hiding whatever emotion might have been lurking in their depths. Whatever it was, it was something he was very uncomfortable talking about with her.

"I understand. Or at least, I would like to think I do." She answered, trying her best to show some moral support, even though she was dying to know the story behind the destruction. Her curiosity would get her killed one day, she was sure of it; best to let sleeping dragons lie and all that nonsense. Not for Sarah though. She had to be the one to poke it with a stick just to see what would happen.

"You will tell me though, right?"

Jareth gave her a tight lipped smile and squeezed her hand gently. He could tell she had so many questions. They practically danced over her head in bright lights. She was never very good at hiding her thoughts or emotions. She wasn't when she was a child and she wasn't now. That was one trait that hadn't changed.

"In time, perhaps, but for now let's just enjoy the moment." He said as he began walking, tugging her softly to get her to follow him, and so she did, in complete companionable silence for the rest of the walk.

Once they were back in the bed chamber Jareth informed her that he had some business to attend to and that he would be back by dinner. With that, Sarah was left, alone in the room. Sighing, she decided now was as good a time as any to take relaxing bath. Once she was immersed in the soothingly warm water she closed her eyes and let herself fully relax. So much so that she slipped into sleep without ever realizing it.

Everything was silent around her. The world was dark; so dark she couldn't see her hands in front of her face. She didn't dare take a step forward. She had no idea where she was and it frightened her. Something brushed past her legs and she jumped in spite of herself. Instinctively, she began to look around; trying to spot whatever it was that touched her even though she couldn't see anything.

Someone, or something, ran its fingers through her hair and she spun around as quick as she could, nearly tripping over her own feet. Her hastened breathing was the only sound she could hear. She reached out with her hands but didn't feel anything in front of her. She closed her eyes, not that it mattered, and took a deep breath trying to steady her breathing. She felt a cool breeze on her face and she immediately opened her eyes.

She was standing in one of the sections of the labyrinth. It looked just like the rest of the expansive maze; crumbling and dead. The sky was clouded over and the air was growing colder by the minute. She started moving in what she thought was the direction toward the castle. After walking for what seemed like hours and getting nowhere she slumped against what was left of a stone wall. A few minutes later she heard humming. The tune was very familiar to her. She stood from the wall and began to follow the gentle sound.

Rounding the next corner she came to she spotted Jareth lounging on a stone bench, dressed in the same clothes he wore when she first laid eyes on him. He spotted her and stood up, placing his hands on his hips. Sarah stared, wide eyed, as he stalked toward her the way a predator stalked its prey; slow and calculated.

"Sarah…lovely to see you again." He said, a feral grin spreading across his features.

Sarah gulped, trying to step away from him as he closed in. Her body wouldn't move.

"J…Jareth." She stuttered, very aware of how close he currently was.

Jareth laughed, a cruel sound, full of ill intent.

"You poor girl. Lost in my labyrinth again are you?"

"No… not really." She lied, wanting to turn and run in the opposite direction.

"Ha!" he spat harshly. "You're not a very good liar, love."

He reached up and brushed a lock of her hair away from her face and leaned down close enough that their noses almost touched. Roughly, he tangled his hand in her hair and held tightly, tilting her head sideways.

Sarah gasped and tried desperately to get away. The more she pulled the tighter he held, causing a searing pain in her scalp. She stopped struggling rather suddenly when he leaned in and claimed her lips with his, a fierce and bruising kiss. It only lasted a few seconds and then he was back to staring her directly in the eyes.

"I can see why he mourned over you for so long; such a beautiful girl with such an innocent spirit."

"He… but… you're…" she muttered, not quite grasping what he was talking about.

The man she assumed to be Jareth laughed again, a darkness dancing in his eyes. Not just a metaphorical darkness either. True darkness, as black as night, swirled around in his eyes, distorting the beautiful blue color; tainting them. It was hypnotizing and terrifying at the same time.

"Sweet, innocent, little Sarah. He hasn't told you yet. I'm not surprised. It's too bad; I was so looking forward to all the fun things we had planned for you. Just what is it about you that made him go so soft?"

With one more crushing kiss he released her hair, stepped away from her and faded in to nothing. The world descended in to darkness once more and she was blind.

Sarah woke with a start, sitting straight up. The water was still warm, so she hadn't been out long, but she was still shivering. Standing, she got out of the tub and wrapped a towel around herself. Once she was dry she dressed and went to the bed, crawling under the covers to try and calm her nerves. The smell of Jareth helped soothe her. He still wasn't back and she wasn't sure if she was happy about that or not. After the dream she had, she wasn't sure about anything anymore, not that she was one hundred percent sure of anything to begin with.

One thing was certain though. Once Jareth returned he had some serious explaining to do and she had plenty of questions to ask him. She brought her fingers to her lips and closed her eyes. They were sore to the touch.

Post AN: Luuucy! You have some 'splainin' to do!