Breaking Barriers (Chapter 28 up)

Curlique followed Sarah into her chambers. Though Sarah wanted some time alone to think about what she had just experienced with Jareth, she knew a conversation with the curious little goblin would be unavoidable. As soon as the door to her bedroom closed Curlique swung around and faced Sarah with a wry smile on her lips.

"So you were "practicing" were you, Sarah?" the little goblin teased.

Sarah was a little surprised at Curlique's suggestive expression. It seemed that the goblin was more perceptive than Sarah had first thought. Sarah supposed maintaining precedence right now was pointless, and with a sigh she collapsed onto her bed.

"Well, if you must know, Curlique, no, we were not practicing..." Sarah paused, "... Though I'm not exactly sure what we were doing..."

"Well," Curlique stated as she hopped up next to Sarah, her small legs kicking, "If you ask me it looked like you two were makin' out."

Sarah blushed at this statement. Yes, much more perceptive, indeed.

"I suppose you two like eachother now, don't you?" Curlique said in a sing-song voice, batting her eyelashes.

Sarah hesitated, feeling out of sorts.

"That's just the thing, Curlique..." Sarah murmured, "I'm not so certain Jareth does like me..."

"Sarah..." the goblin said after a moment or two, "I hope you don't mind me saying this, but don't you think he made it pretty obvious that he does?"

Sarah blinked, then looked at the little goblin with new eyes. If this girl... this child, really, could see that Jareth held some regard for her, why couldn't she? Then she remembered, a hint of anger joining her already hopelessly convoluted emotions.

"Curlique," Sarah sighed, feeling a bit defensive, "You didn't hear what Jareth said to me after... that happened..."

"You mean after he kissed you-?"

"Yes," Sarah apprehended, "Yes, after we kissed... Jareth said that we shouldn't have."

Sarah sighed again.

"And I'm afraid to admit that I almost agree with him."

"But Sarah-!"

"You don't know all that we've been through, Curlique," Sarah stated firmly, "I still don't trust him."

Upon saying this Sarah realized the honesty of that statement. She didn't trust Jareth. For a moment, Sarah almost regretted what she had said to Jareth earlier... that all he had to do was ask. How could she have made such a careless promise to someone she didn't even trust?

Curlique was pouting. Apparantly she didn't seem to see what the problem was.

"Well I think he likes you, and you pretty much told me that you like him so I don't see what all the fuss is about. You two should just get married so I can be with you forever."

Sarah couldn't help but smile at Curlique's words. If only things were that simple. Sarah stroked the goblin's tawny hair. Then, Curlique turned, seeming to hit inspiration.

"Is there a way you COULD trust him, Sarah?"

"I don't know..." Sarah hedged. But Curlique's question got Sarah thinking. What WOULD it take for her to be able to trust Jareth? If she could find a way, then Sarah wouldn't feel such misgivings about... possibly moving forward.

"One of the reasons I don't trust Jareth is because...I'm pretty sure he's spying on me," Sarah murmured.

Curlique looked up at Sarah with a confused expression.

"Why do you think that, Sarah?"

"Oh!" Sarah exclaimed, standing up, "I can't believe I forgot to show you!... I've been... doing a lot of thinking lately, Curlique..."

Suddenly Sarah knelt down in front of Curlique. She would need the goblin's complete trust to show her the oubliette she'd been hiding from Jareth. Not to mention all of Sarah's plans to discover the secrets in Jareth's crystals. Sarah looked up into Curlique's face with a serious expression.

"There's something I want to show you, Curliqe, but you must not tell Jareth about it..." Sarah grasped the little goblin's hands, "Can I trust you, Curlique? I know you're very dedicated to the Goblin King..."

Curlique seemed to consider this for a while, then shoved off the bed and stood before Sarah as if taking a solemn vow.

"Sarah, I would follow you any day before I would follow the Goblin King," suddenly the little goblin's eyes filled with tears, "You're the only friend I've ever had in this place... and though his Highness hasn't been especially cruel to me... he DID take me away from my home... and... he turned me into... this monster..."

"Oh, Curlique," Sarah's heart gave a lurch. She pulled the goblin tight into her embrace.

"You're not a monster, Curlique. How could you think such a thing?"

The goblin let out a few muffled sobs and quiet sniffles.

"You just need to remember who you are... You're a gifted, intelligent little girl with so much live for. And right now... you're my only friend too..."

Sarah's soothing words seemed to calm the goblin a bit. After a moment or two the goblin pulled away, smiling a tearful smile.

"So... what was it you were going to show me?" she asked.

Sarah got up, feeling a silly excitement run through her veins. She hastened over to the tapestry. Curlique followed, curious.

"It's right over here. I don't know how it even got here, but it's amazing!"

Sarah moved aside the night stand and flipped over the tapestry, smiling when she heard Curlique's gasp of delight.

"It's a door! A tiny... door!" she exclaimed excitedly, "Where does it lead to?"

"Here... let me show you..." Sarah grasped the key from around her neck and unlocked the door leading to the oubliette. When Sarah pushed the door open she heard a faint "Ohhh!" escape Curlique's throat. Sarah gestured at the little goblin.

"Hurry up inside!"

Grinning, Curlique acquiesced. Sarah quickly followed her and after pulling the nightstand back in place, locked the passageway behind her.

"Why did we need to hurry, Sarah?" Curlique asked.

Sarah hopped down and retreated to the boulder, sitting almost comfortably on the hard rock.

"Because remember I mentioned how I think Jareth is spying on me? I don't want him to see me entering or exiting this place. He'll get rid of it for sure if he discovers it."

Curlique looked about herself, taking in the glistening cavern in amazement.

"What is this place, Sarah?" Curlique murmured, awe-struck.

"It's an oubliette... but the funny thing is... I have no idea how it got here... or how I even managed to discover it..."

Sarah looked around herself as well, immediately feeling the relaxing powers of the mysterious oubliette working on her. She sighed. Curlique wandered over to the boulder and sat down beside Sarah, scooching in close.

"Another strange thing is... is that I feel... at peace here. Do you feel it too, Curlique? I feel... so secure down here."

Curlique nodded.

"It's also feels quite magical, don't you think Sarah?"

Sarah quirked her head at this. How was it that Curlique could feel the magical undercurrent of the cave yet Jareth couldn't?

"It's funny you should mention that, because I discovered this place in quite an... extraordinary way..."

Sarah proceeded to tell Curlique how she had found the oubliette... how the key she had discovered when she first came to the Underground unbelievably matched the tiny keyhole, and the magical connection she had felt between herself and the oubliette. Then she told her how Jareth had burst in her room the other day demanding to know where Sarah had gone when she had been in the oubliette. She told Curlique how she was convinced Jareth was spying on her through the use of her mirror somehow. If he had known where she was he surely would have gotten rid of the oubliette immediately.

"And not only that..." Sarah continued as the goblin listened with rapt attention, "... I know this may sound... silly... and I'm not even sure why I'm mentioning it... but..."

Sarah paused, shaking her head. She knew she shouldn't be getting the little girl wrapped up in the thoughts that had been plaguing her of late.

"But what, Sarah?"

Sarah hesitated, then finally continued with a sigh... it was already too late to keep the goblin in the dark when she had already showed her her secret hiding place. Besides, she still wanted to ask Curlique about Jareth's mysterious crystals.

"Well... the night before I found this oubliette was the night Jareth... it was the night of the ball. I know I acted as if what had happened that night wasn't a big deal... but the truth of the matter is that I was really upset. Jareth scared me that night, Curlique."

Curlique nodded her head in assent, appearing to remember how terrifying Jareth had been at the time.

"Anyway... after Jareth left... I made a wish. I know it's absurd, but I wished with all my heart that there was a hole somewhere where I could hide and feel safe. At the time I thought it was simply coincidence... but the more I think about it..."

Sarah shook her head again, still unable to believe the idea that was inexplicably forming in her mind.

"You think that you somehow... created this place, Sarah?" Curlique ventured, looking thoughtful.

"I know it seems ridiculous... but yes. Especially because Jareth doesn't seem to sense this place with his magic."

Curlique seemed to think on this for a while, then blinked, looking a bit confused.

"Well of course you did," Curlique said this as if stating the obvious, "After all, you have magic. Why shouldn't you have?"

Sarah sat as Curlique's words sunk in. Then she turned toward the goblin, completely stunned.

"What did you say?" Sarah whispered.

"You have magic, Sarah... I've sensed it around you ever since you came here."

Sarah opened and closed her mouth in amazement. Curlique noted her expression and returned her gaze, bewildered.

"But... didn't you know that Sarah?"

Sarah finally found her voice. It came out shaky and was full of disbelief.

"No... no! No I did not know that...that I..." Sarah's voice trailed off.

"Possessed magic?" Curlique suggested.

Sarah's brow furrowed in consternation. She couldn't believe it.

"How could you know such a thing?" Sarah questioned, "Why... why didn't you tell me...?"

"Sarah, you know I can perform enchantments. Even though I don't have NEAR the same amount of potential you do I am still able to sense when others have magical capabilites. I thought you already knew..."

Sarah put her head in her hands as the room seemed to spin around her.

"If I knew I had magical powers... not that I truly believe such a thing yet... don't you think I would have done something more about my situation with Jareth?" Sarah sputtered.

Curlique pondered.

"Well, yes... I suppose you're right..." the little goblin said as if realizing this for the first time.
Sarah sat in silence for awhile, her mind whirling with this new revelation. How on earth could this be? How could she have possibly possessed magic all this time without knowing it? Yes she knew what her book of the Labyrinth had told her... that Jareth had given her certain powers... but how would she have known to take a seemingly insignificant play seriously?

Perhaps the better question was why hadn't she? Sarah suddenly thought. Everything else that had occurred in her play had come to pass... why should this one element have been excluded?

She'd just never thought it was a possibility. Especially with all that Jareth had done to thwart her while in the Labyrinth. She wondered briefly if Jareth knew of her powers, then realized immediately that if Curlique could sense her magic, then Jareth certainly could.

That is, if she believed Curlique.

After the duo sat in silence for a time Sarah turned to the little goblin.

"Curlique," Sarah said, "You asked me if there was any way I could ever trust Jareth."

Curlique nodded at this.

"Well... I think maybe if I had a window into his life, as he apparantly does to mine," at this Sarah had to control the urge to roll her eyes, "Maybe I would be able to trust him a bit more."

Curlique brightened at this. Sarah knew the goblin truly wanted her and Jareth to get together, as impossible the idea seemed to Sarah right now.

"What I mean to ask you is this, Curlique," Sarah addressed, "Do you know what Jareth's crystals are for? I thought maybe he had used them to spy on me when I was in the Labyrinth but I don't think he is using them right now for whatever reason."

Curlique's eyes grew wide. Very hesitantly, she nodded her head.

"Yes, I do... well... by reputation anyway."

Sarah's brow wrinkled.

"What do you mean?"

"Well... I've spoken to other goblins around here. I've heard stories... most goblins consider them nothing more than folk tales, but a few that I've spoken actually claim to have been around the time you were here last."
Sarah looked expectantly at the little goblin.

"And what did they have to say, Curlique?"

"They say... that His Highness used his crystals to watch you while you were in the Labyrinth... and that he used them quite often to aid his magic when you were there..."

Sarah wondered at this.

"Do you really think that's true, Curlique?"

Curlique again nodded hesitantly.

"I have always believed that there is always some truth behind rumors."

Sarah nodded in agreement, then a thought came to her.

"It's strange though... ever since I've come back here I haven't seen him use them once. I wonder why."

Curlique looked like she was about to say something, then, having second thoughts, closed her mouth. Sarah noticed this and encouraged the goblin to speak her mind.

"It's just that... I have sensed where they are, Sarah-"

"You have?!" Sarah exclaimed excitedly. If Curlique knew where Jareth kept his crystals perhaps Sarah would be able to get hold of one and discover how it worked.

"Yes... and I believe he might be keeping them as far from you as possible because of your magic. They're in his secret chamber... I'm pretty sure they're hidden somewhere under the floorboards..."

Sarah thought about this for a moment. She knew how to get to Jareth's secret chamber from her little excursion with 'Hoggle' earlier... but she wasn't sure how she would be able to get there. But perhaps... if there was some merit to what Curlique had just told her... that she might... possess magic... Perhaps Sarah could figure out a way to get there. Maybe she could create a distraction of some sort. Already Sarah's mind was racing with the possibilities. If she could get hold of just one of his crystals she could try and see the truth behind these magical powers of hers. Maybe she'd find a way to get out of the castle. Or, a better idea, maybe she would even be able to get home. Then she wouldn't have to do the play at all. The thought was certainly an encouraging one.

After sitting in silence for a while the companions ventured back out of the oubliette and Sarah bid the little goblin goodbye.

Sarah had a lot to think through before her rehearsal tomorrow. She wasn't sure what to expect after what had happened between Jareth and herself. In a way she almost hoped he had forgotten her promise. If she could find an opportunity to get home she knew she would have to take it. Getting involved with the Goblin King would certainly not help the situation. With a shiver Sarah remembered how intense the kiss had been... how undeniably... passioniate the Goblin King had been. She had never seen such an intensity of emotions from him as she had today. Sarah felt a wave of desire sweep through her. She knew she had to keep her head around the man, especially with her newfound sense of magical powers, but she couldn't forget how incredible it had felt to have Jareth's burning kisses across her neck, his leather-clad hands on her bare back. She knew her body wanted to continue. But her heart...? That remained to be seen. Sarah didn't know what she was getting herself into. And again she wondered at Jareth's actions. It was all just so confusing... Jareth always acted as if he was fighting against something. For those moments he had kissed her and the previous moment at the first rehearsal it seemed that he had broken away from whatever was hindering him. Sarah didn't try to understand the inner-workings of the Goblin King, undoubtedly being much more complex than her own emotions, but she couldn't help but wonder just what was going on behind those mismatched eyes of his.

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A/N I am SO unbelievably sorry for how long it has been since I have updated D: I think I may have mentioned this before, but I just got a job and am still trying to figure out how to balance life, school, homework AND a job D: Hope you guys aren't too upset with me :(

In an attempt to reconsile I have written an incredibly long chapter ^_^ Re-reading the last chapter I have to say that I agree that Jareth was way too angsty... so I'm thinking about editing it a bit. But the gist of it will stay the same.

Thanks for reading, and again, my sincerest apologies ~TheArtist