Through the maze

Oh my god. Sarah’s mouth went dry, and her heart raced when Jareth turned to face her.

“Why Sarah, don’t look so surprised. The girl called and I answered. Although I must say I’m surprised you didn’t realize this would happen.”
Meanwhile, the audience was enraptured, believing it all to be part of the play.
‘That…that….bastard! He must have planned this, he had to have!’

“Jareth, don’t! He’s not her responsibility, it’s my fault, make me go trough the Labyrinth again, but you can’t take him!”
“You know the rules Sarah. What’s said is said, and she has to rescue the baby.”
Before she could stop herself she said, “But that’s not fair!!” Without missing a beat, Jareth countered with “And you still say that so often, my dear.”
My dear? This was starting to look really bad.’
“Then again, you are right. She is simply an actor, doing her job and what you tell her to do, therefore you will face the Labyrinth once more.”
Before Sarah could give a slight sigh of relief, he added “But this time it shall be your fate at stake, not a baby’s.” And with a flick of his wrist they were gone, leaving a stunned audience.

****


Sarah shielded her eyes from the sun as they stood on the hill overlooking the Labyrinth. It was just as she remembered.
Suddenly Jareth was breathing in her ear, “Gorgeous isn’t it?” Sarah jumped about a foot before replying. “I supposed it is, but then again it hasn’t tried to kill you multiple ways before, has it?” He just cocked his head and gave her a smile. “Don’t expect your friends to help you this time; they are currently imprisoned in my castle till your task is over, and the time length remains the same. I’ll be waiting for you to admit defeat.” Jareth turned around to walk off but Sarah grabbed the edge of his cape.
“Wait a minute, why do I have to stay this time, if I don’t defeat you and not the baby?”
Jareth faced her and lifted a finger slowly stroking her cheek bone. “My dear Sarah, to put it simply I need a queen. You meet the requirements and that’s all there is to it.” Sarah gaped and turned red and before she could speak, he spoke again. “I find you most attractive and you cant deny your feelings for me, I heard you yourself say last night that you fantasized about me and be assured, the feeling is mutual.” And with that he kissed her forehead and disappeared, leaving a stunned Sarah.


*****


‘Her? A queen?’
It was too much, too fast, and what about her play?
She most decidedly had to best the labyrinth this time. Being a queen might actually be fun; it wasn’t like she’d be leaving behind the greatest of lives, but being married to Jareth? He was a cradle robber, literally! The biggest factor was she didn’t even love him. Lusted, maybe a little. Ok maybe a lot but still, how could she marry a man she didn’t love, or even know for that matter?’
Her wandering feet brought her to the small maze made with stone walls. Well she would just have to guess, since she didn’t have a tube of lipstick this time. ‘Not that it did a lot of good.’ She thought wryly. Before she knew it, she was standing in front of the Lying Doors.
Inwardly Sarah groaned.
“You again? Don’t see many people around here, and certainly not twice once they’ve gone through.” Voiced the blue door.
“Yes” said red door, “The king must really have it in for you.”
‘Not quite, it might even be easier for me if he disliked me again, then I wouldn’t have to worry about being seduced by a goblin king’.
Sarah started off by asking if they had moved since her last way through, and by a little bit of logic, she picked the door on the right, and regretted it. She was grabbed and pinched by several, blue creepy hands.
“OUCH! Not so hard!” she cried.
The Helping hands said, “Would you rather us let go then?”
“No now take me back up!”
“Too late…..” and down she fell, only to be greeted with the blackness of the oubliette.
“Ohhhhh note to self, don’t insult the hands.” She sat up and rubbed her head.
‘There’s got to be a way out of this thing.’
She searched every nook and cranny, and still Sarah found nothing. She sat back down to think. 'I'm wasting too much time down here, and I can't remember how I got through the rest of the Labyrinth.' Wincing, she took off the high heeled dress shoes she had donned for opening night. ‘Better keep these, just in case I have to cross the Bog of Stench again. Now, where is Hoggle and a door when you need him?'
All the sudden the hairs on the back of Sarah's neck stood up. She definitely wasn't alone anymore when a voice from the darkness said, “My my my, look what I’ve caught in my wonderful oubliette. Perhaps I’ll keep it.” And then he emerged from the shadows, grinning like a cat that’s caught a mouse. Sarah then decided ‘If I live the rest of my life without seeing that smile, I’ll die a happy woman” She stood up to face the goblin king.
“We need to talk Jareth, you see I can’t, I mean I won’t, marry you.” Jareth’s eyes turned hard as he spoke. “And that would be because….?” Sarah trembled slightly as she said “Because I- I don’t love you” His short bark of laughter was unnerving. “Sarah, I’m very persuasive and I WILL change your mind.” And with that he crossed the short distance of the oubliette and lightly grasped her shoulders, only to lean down and give her a soul searing kiss.
'Oh this is wrong’ Sarah's mind screamed. It wasn't her fault her hands lightly rested on his shoulders or that she couldn’t push him away. All thoughts then flew out the window when he licked her lips and gained entrance. Sure she'd had two serious boyfriends, one she thought she had loved till he left after the first time they slept together, but none of their kisses compared to the Goblin King’s. Slowly, she started to return the kiss.
Jareth didn't know how long he kissed her, but it would be so easy to just take her now. 'No' his conscience said, 'She might regret it, its too soon.' Reluctantly, he released her.
Her eyes met his and her face broke out into an uncontrollable blush. She was speechless and he didn't give her time to protest when he said, “I will return and release you in 5 hours, Sarah. It will give you time to think about our life together that’s waiting." With that he left leaving a small blanket and pillow.
Sarah sighed. 'Well, I sure told him.'