Easy Come, Hard to Go

AN - Well, the story begins to come to an end, I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for sticking with me this far. I am happy that you liked it, and I am happy that I got a chance to do this. I could be nothing without all of you and I look forward to all the comments to leave for the coming chapters.

Chapter 32

The air in the room stood do still, that even if someone weren’t Jesus, they could walk on it. The tension just added to the mixture of feeling inside the room. Everyone stayed in place. No one moved an inch as the brothers stared each other down. It was inevitable, someone was going to die. Someone would not walk out of this room alive. Perhaps more than one person wouldn’t. That was not for certain, but what was, was that one of the brothers was going to have a bad day, if the day could get any worse for one, then he would really like to know what it could be.

“You waste my time, Jareth. I have neither the time, nor the passion to spend quarreling with you and your pathetic attempt of a band of people.”

“I would watch your mouth, Micheal. Sick bastards like you always get what is coming to them. It’s seems to me that you are way over due for some ass kicking.” Siress hissed.

Micheal turned and looked that the fae. A smile slid across his face and he laughed a little. “Like you have any room to talk. You, a fae, living up in the Aboveground with the mortals. Heh. You mean nothing to our society anymore. Just like my father, and apparently my brother, you have no respect for the pure blood faes anymore. You and all of the others should be put to death. Giving some mortal your precious blood. Why in the world would you ever think to mix their intoxicating blood with yours?”

“Speaking of blood,” Crystal turned and looked at Micheal, a smile playing across her lips, “I recall you spilling some blood earlier, and then licking it up?”

Micheal rolled his eyes and scoffed. “So what? All in the fun of torture and in the essence of pain.”

“Yes, but this putrid blood you speak of, doesn’t it have iron in it?” Findore caught what Crystal was getting at.

“And don’t faes have an allergic reaction to iron?” Toby added to the group.

Micheal stared at them wide eyed. He looked awe struck and then, he began to chuckle. The chuckles turned into laughing, and laughing turned into scoffing.

“You think I would be that stupid? Like her blood could have that much iron.”
Jareth sighed and nodded to Crystal. It had been a good attack. Trying to make him think that her blood could have poisoned him, it could have weakened him some how. Too bad he was a little more cunning than that.

“Then, my true blood brother, we fight?” Jareth asked, his magic flaring and the room grew brighter.

Micheal nodded and smiled. “You even think there will be a fight?” His aura pumped up as well.

The glowing in the room was eclectic. Jareth, encased in a red glow, was not smiling. He actually looked a little shaken. But, who could blame him? He just found his ought to be wife, laying covered in blood, and something missing from her that should not have been. All the grief that they had went through.

*You better not die. You still owe me that punishment.*

Sarah’s voice ran through Jareth’s mind. He turned and looked and she was still laying on the floor where he had left her. He smiled and nodded. He did still owe her that punishment. And damn him if he did not get to dish it out.

Micheal, surrounded in a dark green light, was still smiling that shit eating grin he had on before. His aura, more noticeable than Jareth’s, seemed to be growing. No one doubted that he was powerful. Everyone knew what he was capable of, and no one even wanted to know what he was planning to do to anyone in the room.

Everyone was on their feet. Everyone, except Sarah. The angst grew and more emotions than anyone had ever imagined grew inside the room. It clung to the air and went in with every breath. Sadness, anger, distraught, hope. Hope seemed to linger even the darkest of hours. Hope was wall they had left. Hope and dreams.

“So, what now brother?”

Jareth sat quietly across from Micheal. Both in battle gear. Almost identical. The twins never looked away form each other and neither one wanted to. Letting your guard down now could the biggest mistake that anyone could ever make in their life. And, that life was precious to both. Life was precious to them all. The magic grew and grew. Soon, the light was very bright and the colors meshed.

Red burned into green. The colors blended and instead of being a nasty brown, a faint pink was made.

“What’s going on?” Toby asked.

“They are sizing up each others magical abilities.” Crystal said excitedly.

“Who’s winning?” Findore asked.

“Jareth, surprisingly.” Siress said looking happy.

“Why is that surprising?” Zach questioned.

“Well, Micheal has always been more evil. Evil harnesses powers that some can not obtain unless they are in the darkness with it.” Siress answered.

“And what about good people?” Findore asked.

“The same goes for them also.” Siress continued.

“Good always conquers evil.”

The group turned and found Sarah sitting up. She looked weak, and probably felt like shit. Her eyes were still blood shot and she clutched at the necklace around her neck. She smiled at them and nodded. Siress moved to help her up and when she stood, the light grew brighter.

“You were saying.” Zach smiled at her.

“Good always prevails.” Sarah nodded in the direction of the growing light.

“Not always.” Findore sighed. “Sarah, this is not a story. Sometimes evil comes out on top, even when it shouldn’t.”

Sarah shook her head and with a heavy sigh, looked her in her eyes. “I said, good always wins.”

The group, unsure of what Sarah meant, turned back to watch the magic get up. The pink was growing more darker and the mood had changed. Jareth, was now smiling. Micheal, he looked a little more distraught. Micheal began to shake, and with a loud roar, the magic snapped. A loud popping noise was heard, followed by a large crash. When the dust had settled, Micheal was dusting himself off, and climbing out of the rubble from the wall Jareth had thrown him through.

“Very good, brother. You have harnessed your power well.” Micheal smiled and cracked his neck. “But I am afraid we are just beginning.”

“I did not think it was over.” Jareth said turning and looking at the group. His eyes met Sarah’s and he grinned.
“She is nothing special.” Micheal said, again walking in range of Jareth.

“Speak not of what you do not know.” Jareth said, joining him the circling game. He reached in the air and pulled out his sword. “Arm yourself.”

Micheal did the same.

“The swords are identical.” Toby said amazed.

“They are twin brothers, my father gave them both equal things. Their power is what will make the difference.” Crystal answered.

Both of them charged at each other, and the sound of metal upon metal clang to the air. Flashes of light, sounds of metal. Groans and moans of strain and favor. They moved with speed and precision. Flashes of flesh here and there. No one could tell what was going on.

“They are moving too fast. How are we supposed to tell who is who and who is winning?” Findore asked.

“Believe me, when something happens, you will know.” Zach held her tighter as they watched the blob of movements.

The blurs soon slowed and soon the two came back into focus. Both of them stood on defense. It was a rest both needed. Both chest rose and fell heavily. The air seemed to stream in and out of them. Blood, cuts, nicks, and gashes covered both of their bodies. Micheal’s old scar was open again, and blood flowed from it freely. Jareth, who seemed a little less cut, had only one major gash on his knee.

“We... are getting... no where.” Micheal heaved.

Jareth looked at him in awe. “Are... you conceding?”

“No.”

The two of them looked at each other. They were getting no where. Both of them were excellent with the sword. They were equally matched. The only thing that they could fight with, and would make a difference, was their magic alone.

“Then so be it.”

Jareth nodded and they both hid the swords and armor. The time had come for all the petty games to end. Nothing was going to make a difference. Now was the time that everyone was waiting for. Things before this had been easy. Nice and normal. Sword play was fun and at times could cause major pain and damage. But to two fae princes, both kings of their kingdoms, sword play was of no sport. They longed for a truer meaning. Something that would be permanent.

The blood on Jareth’s knee had begun to heal. The blood flowing from Micheal’s face however, was still going strong. It seemed, that for some reason, the healing power was taking a little longer than normal.

“What’s wrong Micheal? Can’t get that gash to heal?”

Both of the men turned and looked at Sarah. She was still as shitty looking as ever, but something in her eyes glinted, scaring Micheal, and raising suspicion on the others.

“Hold your tongue, you wench.” Micheal snapped at her.

Sarah held her hand up to Jareth as she walked into the circle.

“What is she doing?” Toby whispered to the group.

“Being incredibly stupid if you ask me.” Zach said, gripping onto Findore, just incase she thought to follow.

“What’s wrong? Don’t like your women stronger than you are?” Sarah mocked him, moving in front of Jareth.

“No, he doesn’t.” Findore smiled.

“You should hold your tongue.” Zach imitated.

The group laughed and Micheal’s blood burned.

“I have a proposition for you, Micheal.” Sarah said as she closed the gap between them.

“Sarah, I”

Sarah held her hand up to Jareth and shook her head.

“This is between Micheal and I.” She said sternly.

“The hell it is! It is between all of us!” Crystal yelled.

“I said,” Sarah turned and looked at them, “that this is between Micheal and I.”

The group, stunned into numbness, all nodded together. No one moved and everyone tried to breath as slow as possible. Something was up, and no one wanted to miss it.

“Tell me, what could you possibly offer me that I wanted?”

Sarah smiled. But, the smile was not the usual heart warming, jaw dropping smile. She smiled almost wickedly. Her teeth, they looked more pointed than normal. And her eyes, they seemed to flash with something that no one could put their finger on.

“Something you could not pass up.”

“And that would be?”

Sarah looked back at Jareth. His eyes connected with hers and his smile faltered.

“Sarah, don’t.”

“It would be me.”

The group, still numb from the shock of what was happening, all gasped together.

“Sarah, what are you talking about?” Toby screamed.

“Your insane!” Siress yelled at her.

“Jareth, your not going to stand by and let her do this, are you?” Crystal asked, walking to her brother’s side.

Jareth looked at Sarah, the only woman he had ever really loved. All that she had went through, and all that she had taken, and now she wanted to give herself to the very man that caused over half of his grief? Over his dead body.

“Jareth, I am going to do this with or without your approval, though with would make it easier.”

Micheal smiled and laughed a little. He had to admit, getting his brother’s other prized possession would be priceless. He could have great fun with her, and all the things he could do with her were streaming into his mind. He was liking it more and more. And now, the fact that Jareth did not want her to do it, meant he wanted it even more.

“You really expect me to sit back and watch you throw your life away? Your insane.” Jareth said, reaching out and grabbing her arm. He shook her with desperation. She was crazy and now she wanted his blessing to be so?

“Jareth,” Sarah said ripping her arm away from him, “you have no say in this. You are not my master and you have no power over me.”

Jareth looked at her stunned. Did she just say what he thought she did?

“Micheal, I am offering you me in return for the other’s safety.” Sarah said walking to him. “You take me and use me, abuse me, do what you wish. But you must make a solid vow, with our magic, that you will let the others be as long as I live.”

Micheal smiled on the inside. This was getting better every time she opened her mouth. At first, he had seen nothing in her that he had wanted. But every time he thought of her beneath him, screaming in pain, he got more and more interested. And now, she had the nerve of telling him only to leave them alone until she was dead. This was an offer he could not refuse.

“So be it.” Micheal nodded.

“No.” Jareth said, reaching for her, but missing as she dodged his grasp again.

“Please, understand.” Sarah said as she turned from him.

He faced Micheal and with a flick of her wrist, her hand was glowing a soft pink. She raised it up and looked Micheal in the eye. “I solemnly swear, by my magic, that this contract is binding.”

Micheal smiled. He raised his hand, it glowing in his dark green, and took her hand in his. “As do I”

The bright flash blinded everyone in the room. When it had subsided, everything had changed. The group of them were no longer inside the dungeons, but outside the castle. Micheal stood at the top of the entrance stairs, a changed Sarah in his arms. She wore a pale green dress, her hair up in a high ponytail, her make-up done to perfection. Her arm was locked in Micheal’s willingly and she had a regal smile on her face. Micheal, standing next to her, in an open poets shirt with boots and pants to match, grinned at the group below him.

“You heard her. You are safe, until she dies.” He said in a sickly tone.

Jareth, Crystal, Toby, Zach, Siress, and Findore could do nothing but stare. Tears were on the verge in everyone’s eyes. No one was supposed to be the hero. Everyone was supposed to come back together, and no one was supposed to die. Everything had gone wrong, and nothing had been the way it was supposed to be.

“Be gone.” Micheal said with a wave of his hand. He turned, taking Sarah with him, into the castle.

“What are we supposed to do now?” Findore asked particularly no one.

“We wait.” Jareth said, turning and leaving.

“For what? For her to die?” Toby said running after him. “You are just going to stand there and do nothing? And you say you love my sister.”

Jareth stopped dead in his tracks. He turned and looked at the whole lot of them. His eyes were not angry, they were not worried. He looked, on the other hand, relieved.

“I trust Sarah, and if she thinks what she is doing will help, then I am not going to stand in her way.”

*And please, by the gods, may she know what she is doing.*

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sarah sat in the window ledge looking over the dragon kingdom through her newly healed eyes. They had been swollen shut for some time now. Six days at least. She was thankful that Micheal had taken her proposition. The pain she had been through in the last three months was worth it.

Too many times had he gotten carried away. The first night she had been in his possession, he wasted no time in taking advantage if her small and fragile body. He payed no attention to the fact that she was neither in the mood nor was she wet enough for him to enter her. He grabbed her hips and dipped his dragon self into her, with one swift motion. He had broken her pelvis that night. It took three weeks for it to heal, and it probably would have healed faster, except for the fact that each night was almost the same.

He beat her, fucked her, used her to his every whim. Not only did he do it at night, but he did it through out the day. And in front of the people of his kingdom. No wonder he was such a feared ruler. Sarah had once thought that Jareth was a little cruel to his kingdom, but now after being with Micheal for this short amount of time, she was sure that Jareth was a saint.

The only thing that kept her going was her goal. And it was working perfectly.

Every night and each time that bastard would take her, she would bleed. And he would lap it up like it was the very sole thing keeping him alive. She smiled to herself as the black cat jumped into her lap. She pet it’s long figure, and scratched behind his ears. The cat stood on it’s hind legs and began to lick her newly open eyes. The bruising was going down, and the little blood that was still left was taken off by the little saint, the one person who made the difference. He was doing a wonderful job of redeeming himself.

“It is almost time.” Sarah said scratching his chin. “Everything is starting to take effect. He is slowing down and whether he notices it or not, I do not know.”

The cat meowed and purred it’s approval.

“I would say, maybe three days or so.”

The cat jumped from her lap and stalked to the bed. He crawled underneath it and Sarah knew that Micheal was making his way to her room. She smiled a little. Her room. She was starting to get used to the way things were going. She was surprised how fast the time had gone by. She jumped off the ledge and went into the bathroom. She filled the tub with hot water, to relax her muscles more, and waited for him to come and find her. She fingered the chain of the necklace she was wearing. The crystal was gone. But she put it somewhere that was safe. And it’s power grew with each day.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Jareth sat at the table in the dinning hall with his extended family. The sound of laughter was few and far between during the time that had fallen on the kingdom ruled by him. The plants didn’t seem to grow as tall or as bright. And the Labyrinth was falling apart. The mood in the land had certainly diminished from what it used to be. The link that was missing, no on had any knowledge of when it was to return.

“I would say soon, m’lord.”

The clinking of silver wear died as the spy reported to the crowd.

“How soon?” Toby said standing up.

The spy shook his head and pondered the question. “His lands are growing dry and unfertile. Something is wrong with make up of his power. It seems to be, well, drying right up. I would say the vegetation would be gone in two or three days, and when the vegetation dies, someone will attack or take advantage of the situation.” He paused and looked at Jareth, smiling a little. “I am not the only spy running his forests, either. Others have seen the demise in his power and he has many an enemy.”

Findore smiled and looked at Zach. “She’s doing it.”

“And you were worried.” Siress called to Toby.

“She’ll be back before we know it.” Crystal joked.

Jareth smiled a little and then cut the rejoicement off. “Now, don’t get ahead of yourselves. As much as I would like to think we are in the clear, don’t count your goblins before they hatch.”

“But Jareth, even other people are noticing it. Something must be going on.” Siress mentioned.

“I know. But let’s not jump the gun here. We will know that everything is ok, when she is back here, safe and sound.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sarah felt her muscles fully relax as she breathed deep. At least when she did this before, she didn’t have so much trouble adjusting to his size. Sex, if you could even call it that, with Micheal was almost an adventure. Each night he found certain ways of new to fuck her, beat her, or make her scream. And she did. She gave him his pleasure of hearing her in pain. She faked it good, and she knew he believed it. He came faster when she whined more, and knew exactly when to rotate her hips to send him over the top. As much as it was a game for him, it was for her. A game she might not have enjoyed, but liked playing for the pleasure of beating him at his own game. She reached down and touched herself, letting her arousal fill the room so when he entered, she would already have the upper hand.

The door swung open and she closed her eyes and whimpered a soft moan.

“Sarah, tell me what is happening to me.”

Sarah turned around in the tub so she was facing her adversary. She rolled her head to the side as she slid in a finger and moaned a little louder. “I don’t... mmm.. I don’t know what you mean.”

Micheal felt his arousal grow inside his pants. Why did she have to act like this right now? He as trying to be serious, something was seriously wrong with him. He couldn’t breathe right and is magic wasn’t working like it was supposed to be. And he would be damned if he didn’t find out what was causing it.

“Don’t play stupid with me,” he moved to the side of the tub, “you know what’s going on. Now tell me or I’ll”

“Or you’ll what?” Sarah asked, moaning a little louder again. “What are you going to do to me? Not kill me, I hope.”

Micheal had had enough. Something was going on and the little bitch knew what it was. He reached into the tub and grabbed her by her shoulders. She winced in pain as her shoulders flared with old wounds.

“Tell me, tell what is happening to me.”

Sarah smiled and made a kissing face at him. She clenched her fists closed as she hit the wall opposite the two. As she slid down it, she laughed a little, getting to her feet. She was not going to take this laying down anymore. Now was the time to strike. She pulled a sword out of the air and smiled.

“You think you are going to hurt me with that?” Micheal laughed a little as she moved closer.

“Oh no, the sword is not for you, but for me.” She smiled a wicked smiled and slit down her arm. The blood came flowing from her and with a speed she had always possessed, but never showed, she wrapped her arm around Micheal’s head. The cut was right on his mouth and her blood flowed into it, in ungodly amounts. “Drink up baby, drink up.”

Micheal, choking on the blood seeping into his mouth, finally found his air and pushed her off of him. He swallowed the rest that was in his mouth and then he pinned her with a glare.

“What are you doing?”

Sarah smiled as she got to her feet. She cracked her neck and with the magic of a true fae, healed the slash on her arm. “I am killing you. It may be slowly, but surely.”

Micheal really did laugh now. He laughed so hard, that he started coughing, and then the coughing just did not stop. He had been doing that lately. And he was getting tired of the blood he was coughing up. A little fell from his lips as he covered his mouth. After the coughing fit passed, he looked up at the girl. She was doing something. But, what could she be doing that would make him feel so, well sick? Fae’s did not get sick, unless they were going to die. And the only way to really kill a fae was by...

“You wench. You think that your blood is doing this to me?”

Sarah smiled as she stood.

“You know nothing girl. There is not enough iron in your blood to do that. A mortal doesn’t have an excessive amount in them or anything. I would have to drink almost all your blood for you to have ANY effect on me at all. You stupid little bitch.”

Sarah again smiled. She nodded in agreement with the fae prince.
“You are right. A mere mortal human has iron in their blood, but not nearly enough to hurt such a high and mighty fae. On the other hand, do you know what happens to women, every so often?”

Micheal looked at her confused. What was she getting at?

“We get an excessive amount of iron in us. Some women, even die from getting too much iron in their systems. It’s called ‘preeclampsia’ . And when women get pregnant, a lot of women get it.”

“You feebleminded girl. Do you not remember what happened mere months ago? My not so more faithful servant ripped your chances from your very body. Or do you need me to refresh your memory?”

Sarah laughed now. She smiled and laughed, more than she could ever remember.

“You think that I would sit by and let that happen?” Sarah reached for the chain on her neck and fingered the chain. A bright light emitted from her and when the light dimmed, she was different. She had a stomach, and she was a little chubbier than he had ever seen her. “You see, when you locked me in the dungeon, I couldn’t sit by and let you rip from me something so important. So,” she rubbed her tummy as the small child moved, “I used the rest of magic I had left to take the child from me, and encase it in a crystal.”

Micheal started feeling a pain in his stomach. Something was very wrong.

“So, with the crystal hanging from my neck, your little apprentice came in and did your dirty work. Or so both of you though. Little did anyone know, that the child lay safe, hanging around my neck, safe from any harm.”

Micheal coughed again and sighed. His head was pounding.

“You... sly little fox.”

Sarah walked over to him, her stomach moving again as the child felt the distress from his uncle. She let her hand follow the scar on his face and she smiled.

“I pity you, really.” She pushed him backwards and he hit the floor. “You make such a good play thing, thinking is obviously not one of your strong point.” She gasped as she felt something rubbing her leg. She bent down and picked up the black cat, kissed it’s head and let it back down. It changed, and the young man stood beside her.

“Nerk, you... you trader.” Micheal spit at him.

Nerk looked at Sarah. She was the closest thing to a mother he was ever going to get. She had been so kind to him, even though he had been such an evil person to her. She understood his situation and took him in as if he was her own.

“I don’t even care what you think. I belong to Sarah now.” Nerk said as he watched him over his surrogate mother’s shoulder.

“You feel that pain in your gut and that blinding headache? That is the iron, rusting in your blood. Feels great, don’t it?” Sarah smiled and crinkled her nose. “I bet it does. And it only gets better. See, your blood can still flow, and the rust will take at least another three months to get all the way through your system. You have a long, slow, and painful death a head of you.”

“And you deserve every minute of it.” Nerk spit at him this time.

“Nerk,” Sarah said warningly, “you have no room to judge.”

Nerk hung his head and nodded.

“Now, Micheal. We have some packing to do. Let’s just make sure you can’t get anywhere.”

With a flick of her wrist, she bound him to himself. Ropes, chains and shackles.

“I am sure he will like that too much mother.”

“You are right.” Sarah nodded. She waved her hand again and a box appeared. “This can be your cage. A clear box, so everyone can see you suffer.” She lifted him up and encased him in the box. She bound it with her magic, and with a soft sigh, she turned to the door. The box magically followed her, a shadow almost in her path.

“Come Nerk, I am tired. This charade has gone on long enough. Let’s go home.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

AN - Ok, so there you go. The next installment. Now, the iron in the blood idea, with it rusting and such, was not all my idea. I must give credit to my faithful doggy girl, MinnieMay. Thank you for your reviews, and until we meet again, I hope you enjoy.