Good evening. Yes another long break I know…I do apologise like I always do but I cant even explain how hectic reality has been, to the point of I have had lack of motivation, sort of been in a rut. Anyway I had real doubts with this chapter so I hope you like it. Once again I must thank my most amazing beta ILikeCheetoes for her amazing work, even though she is knackered she is still up for helping me out. Thanks hun.
So please review and let me know what you think, it will give me more motivation to carry on writing :D
Disclaimer: Okay don't dampen my mood, too late I am reminded constantly that I do not own Jareth or the Labyrinth.
20 years before Sarah ran the Labyrinth…
Her long red hair swirled around her shoulders in the wind, as she looked up at the castle. He stared through his crystal, as she got closer to his domain. He had decided she was actually quite pretty, she had the cute face of a child; he still couldn't believe she was nearing 24. Any man with a brain would try to grab her before she got away; she was a tall and slim red head with piercing blue eyes, yet something stopped him from pursuing her.
He continued to stare through his crystal.
She had finally made it to the castle, she walked up the large stone steps to the grand door and saw that is was open. Puzzled, she slipped through and made her way up the winding staircase and out of sight.
Jareth continued to watch her until he heard her footsteps reach the entrance of the throne room, where he was sat lounging on his throne. He looked up at the clock, she had a couple of minutes left, she had completed the Labyrinth in the 13 hours set. He was impressed as she was the second in all of his reign to complete the Labyrinth in the time. But... something didn't feel right about her winning, he wasn't sure what it was but as long as she took her screaming sister home he didn't care to know.
The child would not stop crying since she had been wished down here. Jareth tried everything! But nothing, not even a sleeping spell would settle the child. Just as long as she took her home he would be grateful, almost in her debt! Yes, she was one of the prettiest girls to run the Labyrinth and yes he was still looking for a Queen. The only problem in finding his Queen was he wanted a relationship, a partnership and, (he can't believe he admitted this to himself,) love. He never wanted a marriage of business agreements, never! But that was all that royal marriages were, just business agreements. Sadly, time was moving quickly and the pressure he received from the High Court and his mother, of all people was getting too much for him to bare.
He heard her push open the door and the footsteps leading up to the throne, he looked down on….what was her name again? Oh yes Tiffany. She smiled up at him; her smile was not that of triumph or even relief of making it in time, the smile showed a hidden agenda. He rose up from his throne and walked over to the pit in which the little sister was sitting with a dummy in her mouth. Silly human invention, it was more effective than a spell, he was still amazed. He picked her up and walked back over to where Tiffany was standing.
Thoughts of arranged marriage and love thrown aside, the Goblin King character back into place. "Well Tiffany, I must say you cut the timing very short, for a moment I thought she would become one of us. What a pity. She would of made a lovely goblin."
He gave his usual smirk before handing the child over, he was glad to get rid of her. He walked back over to his throne and produced a crystal at the flick of his wrist. He felt the tiredness creep over him, he wanted an early night sleep, he just had to send her home; when he suddenly caught sight at what she was doing.
Tiffany had placed her little sister on the floor and was making her way over to where Jareth was sitting. He didn't know what she was doing, so he waited with a small confused look.
She still hadn't said anything yet she carried on walking until she reached the two steps upon where Jareth's throne sat.
"Do I get a special prize for finishing the Labyrinth with time to spare?" Her voice had become dark and sultrily. She took the first step up to his throne, a flirty smile on her lips. She was very pretty but was that enough...
It would put a stop to the hassle he was receiving.
"And what prize are you hoping for, my dear?" he decided to play along to see what her plan was.
She took the next step up so she was now level with him, he was still sitting down with arms crossed looking down at Tiffany. With her finger, she reached out to trace a small pattern across the Goblin King's gloved hand before she replied, "I think you can guess, your Majesty."
Still playing along he replied "No I don't think I can." She was beginning to play a very dangerous game she just didn't know it yet.
She took a step closer to him and she reached forward…before he knew it Tiffany was straddling him. His hands had been moved to around her waist and her hands were tracing their way up into his hair. He knew this was completely inappropriate yet he hadn't pushed her off, his heart was screaming to him saying this was not right, but his mind was running over the last conversation with his mother.
'Jareth, its not about love, no marriage in royalty is from love.'
'I know, but that still doesn't change what I want or feel Mother!'
'As long as she looks the part of Queen its fine, its always about image, Jareth you should know this by now. I should have taught you better. I just knew that all of those stories of the Aboveground would get to your head one day...'
Jareth sighed in defeat.
She kissed him.
Her hands wrapping tighter in his hair, he closed his eyes but didn't pull away. He let her just carry on, his hands motionless at her waist.
Soon he felt her lips trace along his jaw line, to his ear lobe. Her hands had left his hair and had found themselves positioned on his chest. She was trying to take his shirt off. He let out a small moan as she shifted herself on his lap, of which he soon regretted. His mind was reeling, should he throw away his ideas of what he wanted for some pretty girl who he felt nothing for?
Sense finally kicked in, 'what in gods name is wrong with me? She needs to leave now!'
She was surprised when he disappeared from under her and was now standing behind her. He was now thoroughly angry with her; himself especially. He had let it gone too far. How could she treat him like this, she didn't see him for the man he was but the title he had… the word 'King'.
She had got up and was slowly making her way back over to him, the seductive smile on her lips. 'You want to play games, your Majesty?'
'It is time for you to go home Tiffany, you have offended the King and therefore shall be returned home…immediately!' The last word was said through hatred.
She simply giggled and replied 'It didn't sound like you were offended to me your Majesty, in fact...'
'Enough!' Jareth's voice shook the walls of the throne room, it made Tiffany take a step back, he could sense the fear in her rising…good! He would not be made the fool, and to make sure no one knew of his foolishness he threw a crystal to Tiffany, she caught it with no difficulty.
'See I would make a perfect Queen for you.' Just as she had finished speaking a bright white flash came out of the crystal. 'Whaaa…' But Tiffany and her sister were gone.
Jareth had erased her memory along with the small child's. He sat back down on his thrown, his face in his hands, and took deep calming breaths trying to clear his mind. It was there at that moment he decided no one was to ever make a fool of him ever again. Luckily no one knew of this foolishness, but luck may not be on his side next time... if so there would be no next time. He decided to remain Queen-less, he had no need for one, no matter what the High Court or even his mother may have said. He would find an heir from a suitable wish away child.
All was quiet for the next 20 years, Jareth had told his plans to the High Court who accepted his proposal of a wish away child to be the heir of the Goblin City. So the days dragged by and nothing short of anything special was recalled in Jareth's memory. It was then on a, not so special day that the words were uttered, and little did Jareth know that this was when his world would be turned upside down…
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Present day...
He looked into Sarah's eyes waiting for her response, he had told her his tale of Tiffany, leaving out the kissing details and how much she had hurt him. All Sarah knew was that Tiffany had tried to use him and that is the way it would stay.
Sarah struggled to speak, she didn't know what to make of this; Tiffany, she had used him so easily and she sounded so heartless. She gazed up to meet Jareth's eyes boring into hers. His face was the cold mask she had seen so many times, but yet his eyes were betraying his own self, they looked hurt. Sarah realised there was probably more to the story than he had told her, Jareth was all about pride and she knew that he did not want to seem weak, especially in front of her; another winner of his labyrinth.
She didn't know why but she had the feeling of anger towards this girl. She was meant to hate this man, this King. It said he was the villain in her book, he'd taken her brother those years ago, and yet she didn't find hate. She looked away from his gaze and down at her hands. His hand was close to hers but not touching. She took a deep breath and placed her hand over his, he didn't pull away, so she entwined her fingers with his. She looked up to meet his gaze.
'I know she hurt you, Jareth…'
Jareth's lips twitched for a moment, maybe a brief smile and too soon had it gone and he pulled his hand from hers. He sneered, 'Sarah, I don't need your pity. You asked a question and I answered, a lot more detailed than I thought necessary.'
His mind was screaming 'What in the underground are you doing? She took your hand, you're making progress and you pull away?!' His pride had taken over…again.
He looked back over to where Sarah was sat. Her hands were in her lap, she was gazing out across the gardens once more. He had upset her; he knew that much and he knew he shouldn't have spoken to her like that. Yes, Tiffany had hurt him more than he cared to admit even to Sarah, but then she was only being her caring self. 'Urgh! I'm such a fool.'
He sighed, 'Sarah…'
'I'm sorry I upset you.' She quickly replied with her gaze still not meeting his. She really didn't know what to think anymore. She had given up on her pep talk back in the bathroom. They all flew out the window in a flash and yet she had never met a more confusing creature than the Goblin King. She gazed down to her fingers still not meeting his gaze. She didn't want him to get angrier with her so she decided on no eye contact. He called her name out again, yet her eyes did not move from her hands.
He sighed again, this time he spoke her name he reached his hand out to hold on to her hand. Her fingers stopped twiddling, her hand was soon held by his.
'Sarah, look at me.' She noticed his voice was not of anger but of something else. She took a deep breath and looked up. His face showed remorse, maybe he was sorry?
'Forgive me Sarah, I did not mean to be so harsh on you, its just…' he paused and sighed. It's just what? Even now he couldn't explain it. He had gotten over the Tiffany incident a few months after she was sent home and yet he realized he did not want Sarah to see or know he could be hurt. But why?
Sarah gazed at his face with understanding, she didn't know the full story but she wouldn't breech the subject again, as Jareth clearly wasn't happy discussing it in front of her. His eyes caught hers once again. They were beautiful, she thought. She could imagine being lost in those depths like swimming in a deep ocean, she smiled up at him and he smiled back.
'Of course I forgive you.' His smile widened at her reply.
Maybe he wasn't so evil after all.
Her hand was still in his, she could feel his thumb tracing small circles on the back of her hand. Still gazing at her, he reached up and moved a few strands of hair behind her ear. He slowly bought his fingers down her neck, and she hadn't realised she was leaning in to his touch. His fingers were now entwined with hers, his other hand still slowly caressing her neck, bringing it round to trace along her jaw and his thumb skimming over her bottom lip. He leaned in and she followed as his hand moved to her neck again, bringing her even closer to him and he could feel her breathing heavily; starting to feel unsettled.
His lips were so close that she could feel his warm breath tingle across her skin. She couldn't believe what she was about to do, but yet she wanted it.
He wanted it, he was so close to her now. He saw her eyes flutter close as he too, closed his eyes. As he was closing the gap between their lips...
'Your Majesty!!!'
Please review :D I'll give cookies out :D I want to know where you would like the story to go... Until next time x