A Forgotten Love

Chapter 25


Once Sarah was finally asleep, Colvin stormed out of her room, rage welling up inside of her. Her fists were clenched so tight that her fingernails were digging into the flesh of her hand. She could see a door slightly ajar further up the hallway as she steadily moved towards it. He had to be in there...

Colvin kicked the door open with full force sending it flying open and bouncing off of the wall behind it. She set her sights on Jareth and immediately began her verbal attack.

"You sick, twisted FUCK!...how DARE you play games with my friend's heart!! She is the most selfless and sweet person I know, and no matter WHAT you THINK she *did* to you in the past, I assure you she was not thinking about herself or you. She did what she felt NEEDED to be done, despite her own feelings. You are such a selfish ASSHOLE! I swear...if you EVER make her cry again, or even make her the slightest bit unhappy...I will rip your sac off like a paper towel!!"

Jareth listened to Colvin's tirade in complete and utter shock. Surely he had missed something...was Colvin THREATENING him? The realization that a MORTAL dared to threaten him consumed him in a rage.

"You would do well to hold your tongue...you have no idea how much of a perilous mistake it is to mock me, girl."

"What? You think I should be scared? Sorry pal, I have lived four years of my life in L.A., it'd take a LOT more than a guy wearing tights who tosses glitter around to scare me."

"You INSOLENT fool..." Jareth twisted his wrist and a very large Tarantula appeared in his hand.

Colvin gasped in fear...she hated spiders.

"Oh my, Colvin...I have appeared to have struck a nerve...See something a little more frightening than glitter? Hmm? We'll see just WHO is scared..."

Jareth hurled the tarantula at Colvin as she turned her back in an attempt to run away. Jareth's aim was all too accurate and she felt something land on her back...Colvin screamed and began to flail wildly in h of of getting it off of her before it decided to bite her. In the next instant, the sensation was completely gone, and Colvin realized that it was all just an illusion. She glared dangerously up at Jareth.

"Don't test me Colvin...In fact, get out of my sight."

Jareth waved his hands and banisColvColvin from his study. A few moments later, she ended up in the courtyard, alone. Colvin dropped to her knees in the grass seeing for the first time what Sarah had meanout out the Goblin King being cold and manipulative. If what Sarah told her was true, Colvin knew her friend was in a lot of trouble. A single tear slid down her cheek as she looked up and saw a rather large owl swoop away from the window and fly out of sight.

***

Valerian appeared in Colvin's room a few hours later to find Sarah curled up on Colvin's bed staring blankly towards the window, her eyes red and swollen from crying.

"Sarah? What has happened? Where is Colvin?"

"I don't know. She was gone when I woke up. It doesn't matter any more, nothing matters anymore."

"What? What are you talking about? Sarah, what's the matter?"

"Jareth...it was all a lie...a lie that I fell for. It was all a game to him."

"What was?"

"My heart."

"Sarah, did Jareth say something to you?"

Valerian feared that Jareth may have felt guilty after their talk earlier, and decided to tell her anyway.

"No...he said something to you...don't play dumb, Valerian, I know you know."

"Sarah...were you...listening?"

"I was going to surprise him...I...I heard you talking. He doesn't love me, does he."

"What?!? Sarah, NO! He DOES love you...very much...why would you think..."

"I heard him...he said, 'If she only knew that I intended to seduce her and hurt her the way she hurt me so many years ago' I think that abouts its it up don't you?"

"Sarah...what else did you hear?"

"I heard you ask him how he would've done it...something about parading his whores in front of me...that was all I needed to hear. I couldn't bear to hear anymore."

"Sarah, Jareth does love you. I think there is something you need to see. Come with me."

"Why should I?"

"Because, I think if you see this, you will understand."

"Well, ok, but I swear...if this doesn't work, and the whole thing isn't any better, I will be looking for Goblin Divorce Court."

Valerian smirked, at least she had a sense of humor...or maybe it was just her way of dealing with pain.

Valerian took Sarah's hand and led her Jareth's private study. After checking that the coast was clear, and there was no sign of Jareth, Valerian pulled Sarah inside.

"What are we doing back here?"

"There are security crystals in every room of this castle. Originally they were put in place in the event that the castle was invaded, but as you can imagine, they aren't needed very much due to the protection that the Labyrinth provides."

"That is wonderful, Valerian, but what does that have to do with me?"

"These crystals are like our version of your aboveground video cameras. Except, these are much more useful. These crystals capture everything that goes on in a room from the time they were installed, constantly. They are seeing us right now. In fact, I could even askto sto show you what happened in this room, on this day 200 years ago, and you will see everything as it happened."

"Ok, so how will this help me? I don't want to hear what Jareth said all over again...it hurt enough the first time around."

"Well Sarah, it seems to me that you only heard a small part of the conversation, and I think it would help you to understand if you saw the entire thing."

"Ok...so what do I do?"

"Valerian pulled down the small crystal from the top most corner of the room, and handed it to Sarah.

"Ask it to see today's events, then all you have to do is watch and listen. I will leave you for now. I have to seek out Colvin. If you need anything Sarah, anything at all...Call me and I will be here. Good luck, and remember...He DOES love you."

Valerian left Sarah alone with the crystal and disappeared.

Sarah slumped down at Jareth's desk and gazed into the crystal's depths.

"Show me today's events in this room."

Almost immediately the crystal began to swirl and it seemed to mesmerize Sarah. She felt like she was being sucked into the crystal. Moments later, she was standing in Jareth's private study, watching as Jareth was looking out the window, not seeming to notice her presence in the room. He had the most peaceful happy look on his face, as if all was right with the world.

Sarah saw Valerian materialize inside Jareth's private study and watched intently as their conversation began to unfold before her eyes.

"So, Jareth how was your first night with your new wife?"

Sarah cringed, waiting for Jareth's answer...

"Everything I could have imagined, and more. She is everything I have ever yearned for - She gives me strength I never thought possible...Speaking of...how was YOUR night last night? Valerian...what in the Underground are you drinking?"

"Oh this? It's a dunkachino, want to try it?"

"Did Colvin talk you into that?"

Of course she did! Sarah thought with a sad smile...her friend was always known for her persuasiveness.

"She introduced me to it, yes...but once you try it, you're hopelessly hooked!"

Sarah suppressed a giggle at Valerian's comment. As forlorn as she felt, Valerian had the ability to raise her spirits...even if only for a short while. Sarah kept watching to see what was so relevant to her problem with Jareth. She felt a tinge of guilt that she was watching this personal exchange between Jareth and his best friend, but nee needed to know...

"You also managed to cleverly avoid my question I see."

"Hmm?"

"I asked you how your night went...I sensed both yours and Colvin's presence was not here in this caste last night."

"Right...I took her to see some of my kingdom. She was quite afraid when I showed her my power animal, but I convinced her she had nothing to fear from me."

Power animal? I wonder what he means by that?

"Yes, I haven't exactly talked to Sarah about the owl yet. I know she has seen it, but I don't know if she made the connection yet."

What connection? I'll have to find out more about this later...

"I suspected as much."

"So what ELSE did you and Colvin do last night?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Oh...only because you had quite a large smile on your face when you got here..."

Sarah had to smile, even Colvin left out some details when she had talked to her this morning...

"Well, ah...she is giving me lessons in Aboveground culture."

Lessons? What kind of Lessons I wonder?

"Oh? Like what?"

"She gave me something she called a "Hummer" last night."

Sarah's jaw dropped and she couldn't believe she had just heard Valerian utter the word "Hummer"...

"A What?"

"Ask Sarah...surely she can explain it to you."

Valerian! What a wicked man! I can't believe he just said that to Jareth!

"No, Valerian, I want you to explain it to me...I asked you."

"I don't think so Jareth...Trust me, you need to ask Sarah...I am NOT showing you what it is."

Sarah had to laugh at Jareth's persistence...He would be mortified that he asked Valerian about it once he finds out what it is...IF he finds out what it is...

"I'll have to remember to ask her then."

"So, Jareth, there is something else I have been meaning to speak with you about."

Oh God, Here it comes...

"Yes?"

"Your marriage to Sarah all happened so quickly. She truly feels as if you have always been madly and hopelessly in love with her. Don't you think you owe it to her to tell her the truth?"

Sarah's hand flew to her mouth, feeling that all too familiar nausea creeping back in...

"Valerian, I would walk through fire for her, swim across the deepest ocean, and die a thousand deaths for her to look at me the way she did last night."

What? He would do that for...me?

"The fact is, if she knew that I only intended to seduce her and hurt her, the way she had hurt me so many years ago, she would never look on me that way again, and I can't take that chance."

"What would you have done? Left her? Married her still? Married her and then ignore her? No, better yet, marry her and parade in front of her with your sexual conquests?"

"No, Valerian, you know me. You know that all of my anger towards her was born out of love. I was ANGRY that she didn't choose me over her baby brother 6 years ago...I was angry, and I wanted her to know what it felt like. Only, I never could have gone through with it. When I saw the love in her eyes as she looked upon me, that look was all it took to melt my heart. When she finally told me that she loved me...I realized that was all I ever really wanted from her."

Sarah felt relief wash over her in tidal waves as she heard him divulge his true feelings to Valerian...Valerian was right...Jareth really did love her. In fact, he seemed more in love with her than she had thought.

Sarah whispered softly to herself, "How could I never have realized? Oh Jareth, please forgive me for ever doubting you...I forgive you for wanting revenge, I suppose I would have wanted the same...but if you only knew that I DID love you then, and I didn't WANT to reject you...I HAD to reject you. God, I am so sorry for the pain I have caused you..."

"I see your point. If you both are TRULY happy, I see no need to disturb that. Well, I wish you both happiness and good health, I take my leave of you now."

"Good day Valerian, and thank you my friend."

Sarah watched as Valerian transported himself out of the Study. Jareth took a deep breath and picked up some paperwork that had to be done for the Seelie court.


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Chapter 26


Valerian materialized in the courtyard and found Colvin plucking that a single flower that she was twirling around ben hen her fingers. She looked up when she saw Valerian standing in front of her.

"I let her down. I thought I could protect her from him, but I was wrong. I was so wrong."

A single tear fell silently down Colvin's cheek as Valerian kneeled on the grass in front of her. Valerian cupped Colvin's chin and pulled her face up so that she could look into his eyes.

"Am I wrong to assume you are aware of Sarah's dilemma
\
"That's right, I am aware...in fact, I was so aware that I wanted to make Jareth as aware as I was...big mistake."

"What happened?"

"I put Sarah to bed, and I went down there to give him a piece of my mind...She is my best friend, and I wasn't going to just stand idly by and watch him destroy her...not without a fight."

"Well, I just spoke with Sarah and I think all will be put to right by this evening. It was all a big misunderstanding Colvin, Sarah overheard only PART of a conversation Jareth and I were having. Had she heard it all, she would have thought differently on the matter. So, tell me, what did you say to Jareth?"

"I went off on him...I was out of control. I only succeeded in making him mad, and well, he went all Goblin King on me..."

"What?"

"He became cold, just like Sarah said he could. I was shocked, I didn't think he could be that cruel."

"Jareth is a proud and powerful King, Colvin. He lashes out hard when he feels that his position is being threatened, and his pride usually outweighs his common sense. He was probably angry because you challenged him. When Jareth is challenged, he does not like to lose."

"Tell me about it...he threw a huge spider on me."

"He did? Do you want me to challenge him? You know that I would do that for you, don't you Colvin?"

"You...you would do that for me? But he is your best friend!"

"Yes, but I would do anything to protect the woman I Love."

Colvin smiled, realizing what Valerian had just said.

"You're in love with me?\ Val Valerian blushed. He'd never been one to blurt out his feelings, but he did think it was important that he was open and honest with Colvin from the start.

"Yes, Colvin, I have fallen in love with you. You have captured my heart in a way I never thought possible...You're everything I have ever dreamed of...I will love you and protect you until the end of time if you will let me."

"Oh, Valerian, How can you be so romantic and so perfect all at once? I have completely fa for for you too... I appreciate your devotion to me, but I don't think it will be necessary to challenge Jareth. I got carried away, and I did say some terrible things to him...I was just so mad. I think we both just needed to blow off some steam."

"Very well. I think perhaps we should stick around until after dinner to make sure those two can make amends."

Colvin gave Valerian a smile, and took his hand as he helped her off of the ground.

"I'll go wait in my room and see if Sar is ok. Maybe you should try to find Jareth. He was quite upset earlier."

"I will. I'll see you at dinner, my beautiful one."

Valerian gave Colvin a kiss and vanished before her eyes.

"Man, I need to learn how to do that..."

***

Sarah placed the crystal back in its place in the corner of the room. She never even noticed the owl that had been perched on the windowsill watching her for the last few minutes.

Sarah took a deepath ath and decided she needed to find her husband so that they might talk about things. She needed to apologize to him for rejecting him 6 years ago. She needed to make him understand that she NEVER wanted to leave him...but that she had an OBLIGATION to her baby brother from her parents. She whispered quietly to herself, "I need to find Jareth..."

Suddenly, as if on cue, the owl swooped towards Sarah and transformed in front of her into her husband.

"Jareth!"

Jareth looked at her with a look of utter pain in his eyes. He still didn't understand what had transpired to make Sarah upset with him, but he knew that somehow, he had hurt her.

"Sarah, I am sorry I caused you pain...Colvin came to me and...s has harsh with her. She attacked me, and I didn't know what was wrong. What did I do to cause you pain Sarah?"

"Jareth, I overheard part of your conversation with Valerian this morning...I wasn't eavesdropping, I was going to surprise you. But then I heard what you were saying, and I felt my world slipping out from under my feet. Jareth, I thought you were telling Valerian that you never loved me and it was all for revenge."

Jareth visibly paled at the words Sarah spoke. So, she knew. She had heard him say out of his own mouth that he wanted revenge. His heart seemed to stop beating for a minute when the realization occurred to him that Sarah might push him away if she thought he didn't love her.

"Sarah...I"

Sarah put her fingers to his mouth to quiet his words. "Let me finish."

"I ran to Colvin. I needed someone to talk to. She was there for me. I felt as if I would die, having to be married to you, and love you for the rest of my life, knowing that I was just a big joke to you. Just when I thought things were hopeless, Valerian came to me and took me here. He asked me to watch the conversation in its entirety so that I might understand what had happened."

Jareth looked up into her eyes wa hoa hopeful expression as a tear glided down his cheek, "And?"

"I realize now, more than ever, how deep your love for me is. I also wanted to apologize to you for causing you pain 6 years ago. I know that you wanted revenge on me for a long time because I had rejected your offer. I realize now that you just simply didn't understand my motives...you see, I NEVER wanted to reject you...quite the opposite. I wanted to embrace your offer and be with you. I knew thoughat hat I couldn't. Not then, because I had an OBLIGATION to my baby brother. My parents trusted me to watch over him, and I wished him away. Since it was my fault he was taken, I had to face the responsibility and get him back. You will never know how hard it was for me not to die in your arms in that ballroom. It took every ounce of will power for me to leave you. I am so sorry Jareth...I hope you can forgive me."

"Oh, Sarah, Of course I forgive you love...I...never knew how you truly felt about me until the day you called me. The day we first made love. Promise me you will never leave me..."

"I promise..."

"I also want you to know, Sarah, that I would never have been able to bind myself to you unless my feelings were true. The magic that bound us together has made us one. My heart beats only for you. You are all I ever needed..."

Jareth pulled Sarah into a tight embrace and kissed her more passionately than she ever thought possible. His kiss set every inch of her body on fire.

"Since things seem to be reconciled between us, would you mind giving me a hummer?"

"EXCUSE ME??!!"

"What? Valerian told me to ask you about it!"

"Yeah, so I saw...I can't believe you just asked me that!"

"Why? Tell me what it is then!"

Sarah leaned towards Jareth and whispered what it meant into his ear. Jareth blushed harder than she had ever seen him blush, and he burst out laughing.

"My, I am SOOO Glad that Valerian refused to show me what that was!"

"Yes, I noticed you were quite persistent too!"

"Well, let's just not tell anyone about this, deal?"

"Oh alright...I suppose I have one little bit of bargaining material with you now!"

"By the way, you never actually told me about your power animal...you can change into an owl whenever you want?"

"Yes, but I think we should continue this conversation later...right now, I think I should speak with your friend Colvin. I left her quite upset this afternoon."

"Yes, she is definitely someone you want to stay on her good side...she is a force to be reckoned with..."

"Yes I know!" Jareth laughed.

***

Sarah and Jareth appeared in Colvin's bedroom. Colvin was sitting by the window when she felt a slight breeze and the presence of someone else in the room with her. Colvin turned and saw that Sarah was with Jareth, and things seemed like they had been smoothed over somehow.

"Colvin, I wanted to apologize to you for the way I acted this afternoon. I had no idea what the problem was, and I lost control when you began berating me. I should never have scared you like that. It will not happen again."

"I am sorry too. I was way harsh with you this afternoon. It's just that I tend to be a little over protective of my best friend. She has always been so kind and selfless that I can't stand it when someone hurts her. I realize now it was all a misunderstanding. If she is happy, I am happy."

Sarah gave her friend a hug, "Thank you. I don't know what I would've done without you today. I love you Colvin."

"I love you too, Sar."

Valerian appeared in the midst of all the forgiveness and said, "Well, looks as if my job here is done..." He threw a sidelong glance at Colvin and raised an eyebrow. Colvin caught the hint and latched onto Valerian as they disappeared giggling to each other.

"Looks as if they really are quite taken with each other."

"Yes...Valerian gives me the impression he is finally experiencing Love. He has had many liaisons, but he has never been I Love. I think your friend has finally tamed h"
"

Sarah smiled and said, "Yeah, I think you are right...Colvin finally found her prince...and I... well, I have a King..."

Jareth looked deep within Sarah's eyes and scooped her up into his powerful embrace. Sarah gasped in surprise as Jareth Transported them to his bedroom. He gazed lovingly at her and kissed her softly on the lips.

rah,rah, my love, I will love you forever."

"Jareth?"

"Yes, love?"

"How long is forever?"

Jareth sang the words softly into her ear as he nibbled her earlobe, "Not long at all..."


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Chapter 27 - The finalfronfrontation


Sarah finally managed to pull her eyes away from the crystal that Jareth held in front of her. Her thirteen hours was just about up. She knew that it was now or nevf shf she was going to save her brother. She could still faintly see the images of him holding her so tenderly in his arms, caressing her as his beloved wife. She looked at his intimidating form across from her dressed in his flowing white cape and white breeches. Ironic how angelic he truly looked.

"These dreams you offer me, are they real?"

"As real as the Underground."

Sarah realized looking into the crystal orb how happy she could be with him. But what about Toby?"

"I have to save Toby...I..."

"Stop, Sarah, look what I am offering you...your dreams!"

"Before I answer, there is something I need to know..."

Jareth just looked at her waiting for her to continue.

"If I say the words, I know I will get my brother back. But what will happen to you?"

"That is up to you, Sarah. You hold the power within you to fulfill your own destiny. I live in the hopes and dreams of those who believe in me. Sarah, please...I ask you, just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave..."

She looked up into his eyes painfully and said, "You have no power over me."

She watched as the crystal floated up into the air like a bubble and came down into her hand. She only hoped that she truly understood the meaning behind Jareth's words. The clock struck midnight as she turned from her front hall and ran up the stairs towards Toby's room. The child was fast asleep in his crib.

She caressed his cheek gently as he slept and whispered, "Toby...never forget how much I love you..."

Sarah ed ied into her bedroom and sat in the chair in front of her vanity table. She looked longingly at the statuette of the Goblin King, and a tear slid down her cheek. This was the moment of truth...

She looked into the mirror of her vanity and she called him, "I need you Jareth"

She saw his reflection form behind her, his face an indiscernible mask of emotion and before he could say anything she spoke...

"I wish the Goblin King would come and take me away right now...to love me and cherish me as much as I truly and deeply love him."

Sarah watched him holding her breath until Jareth finally answered her.

"Your wish is my command, Love" as he winked at her. She felt the sensation of being whisked away. When she opened her eyes, she was in Jareth's bedchamber in the Underground. He held her tightly in his arms as he planted a soft kiss on her lips.

"Is this real?"

"Yes, Love, this time it is real."

"Will everything be as it was in the crystal? Are Colvin and Valerian real too?"

"Shh...tonight is for us...Colvin and Valerian are very real I assure you, you can see them in the morning."

"Jareth, we are not really married though, are we..."

Jareth gestured for her to look down upon her hand where she saw a familiar large sparkling diamond on her finger.

"You are my true Queen, Sarah..." He whispered hoarsely into her ear.

"I love you, Jareth."

"Sarah, my love, I will love you forever."

"Jareth?"

"Yes, love?"

"How long is forever?" Sarah said with a smile.

Jareth laughed at the familiarity of her words and sang the words softly into her ear, "Not long at all..."

Sarah kissed him back passionately and knew in that moment that Forever was indeed not nearly long enough...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THE END~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~