At the edge of time and space

She woke up feeling the cold of the stone against her back.

‘Did I just dream that whole episode with Jareth?’ she thought to herself. ‘Perhaps I’m in some weird
Silence of the Lambs thing. Anywhere but with Jareth, anywhere but with the Goblin King. ’

But her eyes disappointed her as she opened them to reveal a huge room. She was in the Goblin King’s
castle.

“Dammit,” she muttered to herself, getting up and looking around to see if anyone was around. She was
alone in the room. Looking up, she noticed the intricately carved designs of goblins chasing fairies and
nymphs up in the high ceiling.

“How are you liking my castle?” an elegant voice purred. Looking around frantically, she saw no one.

“Where are you?” she asked angrily.

“Oh...I’m around,” the voice said, “But I daresay I shouldn’t reveal myself lest I end up ruining this
wonderful moment. You do look especially beautiful when you’re frightened, you know.”

“I am NOT frightened,” she growled, still looking around, but less frantically. “Now get me out of here
right NOW. I beat the Labyrinth. I beat YOU. I won, for heaven’s sake!”

“Ahhhh, but you make enemies sooo easily, don’t you?” he laughed at her. “That girl wished you away
to me. I am only doing what I am told.”

“This was some kind of trick!” cried Sarah, “You set her up. You set it all up. Are you that sore of a
loser?”

“Oh but Sarah, don’t you see?” he laughed. “In the end, I never lose.”

There was a pause and then ,”But I speak the truth when I say that the girl wished you away without
my persuasion. Perhaps it is only a coincidence that we both have a great dislike for you, Sarah.”

“Shut up,” she muttered and slumped down against the wall.

“But do not get too upset, dear girl, “he purred seductively. “There is much that awaits you. Boredom
will be the least your worries.”

“What are you talking about?” Sarah asked and suddenly jumped as she saw a door appear in the
stone wall. She stood up and walked towards it, but then stopped as Jareth reappeared in front of it.

“Let’s play a game,” he smiled devilishly at her and she shivered slightly as she felt his eyes pass over
her body. In his slender hands was a crystal ball and he played with it smoothly.

“I don’t want to play games,” Sarah growled. “I want to go home!” She was getting very
frustrated.....or more so than before.

“Why, you didn’t even let me finish,” he said innocently. “I suppose even if this game meant that you
can go home, you still probably wouldn’t listen.”

“What do I have to do?” sighed Sarah. She wanted to just get it over with and play and then she would
go home. He smiled triumphantly at her submission.

“It’s really quite simple,” Jareth smiled as the crystal ball disappeared with a snap of his fingers. He was
leaning against the door. “This door is your escape back to your room.”

“How do I know that it’s not an illusion that you created?” Sarah asked slowly.

Smiling and moving off the door, he said, “You don’t. But I assure you that it is not and you have no
reason not to trust me. I never lie.”

Sarah hesitated. He was right. He had never lied to her, but he was still an ass.

“So what do I have to do to get through it?” asked Sarah and backed away as Jareth started to walk
slowly towards her.

“You must get past the challenge within 20 minutes,” he said, gazing at her in a way that made her heart
beat faster. With a snap of his fingers, an hourglass appeared in midair.

“And what is the challenge?” she asked, warily eyeing the hourglass and keeping an eye on the Goblin
King at the same time as he advanced slowly. She stopped and decided to face him, but he did not.
Suddenly his face was right above hers and his mismatched eyes glared into her own.

“Me,” he whispered and Sarah swiftly moved away from him.

“I have you get past you?” cried Sarah, looking and sounding quite nervous, “But you.....you have
magic.”

“I’m giving you one last chance to escape,” the Goblin King smiled as he moved towards her once
more. “Take it or leave it.” He seemed to be calm and sure of himself, but Sarah knew she had to get
past him. She moved to the right and so did he, but as she did she suddenly spun off the to the left and
dodged past him, running at full speed towards the door. She flung it open only to have it suddenly
slam. She pulled at the door knob frantically but the door wouldn’t budge. She looked up to see a
gloved hand on the door and then was spun around and slammed hard against the door.

Groaning at the sudden pain, she thought she saw a look of concern in Jareth’s eyes, but it disappeared
as quickly as it appeared and was replaced by his usual cold demeanor. Her eyes moved to the
hourglass. She still had a good amount of time left. Struggling against him was no use. He was fae, after
all, and had strength that was definitely beyond her capacity. She had to try another tactic.

“Please let me go,” she said in a soft voice. Jareth responded by tightening the grip on her wrists.

“Listen, as you probably know, I’m really not that great to be around,” Sarah said, “I mean, I can be
really obnoxious and rude and once every month, I’m in a terrible bitchy mood. You really don’t want
me here. What would you do with me here? I can’t even do housework.”

“I can think of plenty of things I can do with you here,” he said, suggestively as his hips pressed against
hers and he moved closer against her. She gasped and blushed.

“You....you wouldn’t...,” she said quietly, not looking at him.

“And why wouldn’t I?” he smiled. “I would only be taking what is mine.”

“Stop talking like that!” Sarah squirmed under his iron grip. His presence was starting to suffocate her.
“Let me go!!! Now!!!”

“Now now Sarah,” the Goblin King smiled down at her weak attempt to escape, “That is no way for a
house guest to act.”

“Well you’re not exactly the greatest host,” she growled at him. She stopped struggling. There was no
use. He looked at her as someone would look at a disobedient child.

“I’m tiring of this game,” said Jareth finally and the hour glass disappeared. “Now, there’s you, me, and
we’re in a castle alone. Is there nothing we could do?” he purred in her ear. “Nothing you could think
of?”

“Uh-um,” stammered Sarah, “n-no.”

“I have quite a few ideas,” he whispered huskily and suddenly she was dropped onto another hard
surface.

 

“Dammit!” she cursed, looking up to see a bed in the room, “You couldn’t have dropped me onto
that?!”

“Gladly,” Jareth smirked and suddenly picked her up and tossed her onto the bed.