At the edge of time and space

 ‘Such a pretty child you are,’ Jareth thought as he looked at her. Her eyes were closed in slumber and
her eye lashes fluttered slightly, signifying that she was dreaming. Her arms were still above her head,
shackled. An angel held captive.

‘My angel,’ he thought, ‘Soon, I will tear off your wings and rip your halo.’

 Without so much as a second glance from him, the shackles came lose and she fell into his arms. He
picked her up slowly and handled her as if she was to shatter into many pieces if he dropped her. She
still slept, heavily into her dream. He held her close as he carried her out of the small room. He knew
that with the snap of his fingers, he could move her in a second. Yet the feeling of her warmth against
him made him decide to do it the mortal, non-magical way.

As he lay her down gently on the bed and tucked her into the covers, he hoped she was enjoying her
dream. He certainly was.

*************************************************************************

She looked around the snow covered field. Oh goodness she was so cold and there was nothing
around. Just pure white. Everything was white, even her dress. Her breath came out in dancing white
wisps.

Sarah started to walk. Where she was going, she did not know, yet she was determined to go
somewhere, anywhere.

And then he appeared. A perfect contrast to the blinding background. All black, yet his skin almost
matched the snow on the ground.

Fear seized her and she stood still, trapped by his presence.

“Get out of my dream,” she heard someone say. Was that her talking? She couldn’t move.

“It is your restless mind that called me,” he answered.

“That’s impossible,” she heard herself say. Yes, she was talking. That was indeed herself. Relief swept
through her. “I would never call you. You’re the last person I would ever call for anything.”

“But then you are dreaming and I am merely an image,” the Goblin King smirked. “I cannot harm you
here. Here is the only place I have no power over you. You may even kill me, if you wish it.”

Sarah swallowed hard. “I don’t want to kill anyone,” she whispered into the air. “I just want to be free
of you.” But then she found herself very close to him suddenly. His eyes were narrowed as he stared at
her.

Her hand reached up and stroked his face. It felt soft and his skin seemed to beckon to her. She
wanted to touch him, to hold him and she wondered if even in her dreams he would reject her. Yet he
stood motionless, still staring with that same cold expression. Her fingertips trailed over soft lips and
danced around the sharp beautiful features of his face and then slipped down to his neck.

“Sit down,” she whispered to him and he complied. Her heart skipped a beat as he sat down, one leg
stretched out and one leg bent. His expression never changed.

What was this? Why was he listening to her? What kind of dream was this? She could make him do
anything she wanted. She could do anything she wanted to him....anything.....

“Sit cross-legged,” she commanded and then laughed as he did so. She swiftly sat down in his lap. He
still stared at her.

“Don’t look at me,” she said and his eyes traveled out into the distance. Slowly, she turned his face
towards hers. He was still looking away. 

She giggled slightly and then told him to look at her. She stroked the perfect skin of his cheek and then
ran her thumb along his lip. Her heart was hammering in her chest.

Gently, moving her face to his, so that their lips were almost touching, she whispered, “Kiss me.”

And woke up.

Her eyes sprung open and she sat up, looking wildly around. When the realization of reality hit, she felt
a twinge of regret that she woke up too early. But wait, did she want to kiss him? He had been
so....submissive. That was the kind of Jareth that she could learn to like.

‘Yes, the kind that could never and would never exist,’ she thought.

 Rising out of the canopy, she looked around at the lavishly decorated room. Everything was a splash of
silver and blue and the floor was wooden, some parts covered by thick intricate carpets. Her arms felt
sore, but she felt much better than she did last night.

Images of her and Jareth kissing passed through her mind and she blushed. How could anyone make
her react like that, with a strip of leather meant for an animal? She hated that he could do that to her
and know the way he made her feel.

“Was it good for you too?” his laughter made her shiver.

“Why the hell was I in your bed?” she spun around to face him. He lay propped up on one elbow,
black leather pants hugging his slim waist and legs and a loose white shirt, halfway unbuttoned..

“You fell asleep and your arms were starting to dislocate, so I decided to be generous,” he grinned at
her. “And I can be generous Sarah.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Besides, what makes you think this is my bed?” he smiled at her. “Hmm?”

“Well...” she started, but he shook his head.

“Didn’t I already tell you?” he rose from the bed and advanced upon her, backing her to the wall.

His voice lowered. “You are not worthy to be in my bed.” His fingers traced a line down her jaw.
Sarah’s gaze did not lower as it usually did. Instead her eyes narrowed and she pushed him back.

“Oh, but anywhere else is fine,” she spat.

“Precisely,” he laughed at her and she felt like she was fifteen all over again. He always knew how to
make her feel like a little girl, but then that was probably all she was to him. A little child to play with. A
little child to seduce.

“You have no power over me,” she said softly. Her eyes glaring into his own.

“But I do, Sarah,” he smirked. “The greatest power. You can say that story book catchphrase for
eternity. It won’t make it true.”

“It was worth a try,” she sighed and leaned the back of her head against the wall. “Eternity is a long
time, Goblin King. Are you sure you won’t get sick of me?”

“If I do, there’s really an easy solution to that problem,” the Goblin King smiled. Sarah did not question
it.

“You will grow tired of me,” she said, her voice assuring. “You will get bored.”

“Then it’s off to the dungeons for a few centuries until I seek interest in you again,” he said. He did not
smile at the distressed look on her face. It was a necessary evil to start out so cruel. She would fall for it
in the end.

Sarah’s heart beat painfully in her chest. For that moment, it hurt to think, to breath, to exist. She closed
her eyes, trying to shut everything out, but his voice pierced through the silence.

“Do you want breakfast?” he asked softly. She opened her eyes, surprised that he would ask such a
thing after all he had said. Nodding her head, she let him lead her to the dining hall. He watched her eat
silently and then led her back. It was one of the most awkward moments Sarah had ever been in.

An hour before he was scaring and haunting her with his words and then he fed her. She did not
understand his logic. He did not hate her enough to kill her, yet he hated her enough to be cruel to her.
Her head spun at the very thought and as he bowed to her, she managed to choke out a “thank you.”

He took her hand in his and kissed it.

“You are most welcome,” he said in a voice that made her shiver and then disappeared. She could still
smell him in the air, that refined aristocratic scent.

Sarah was surprised to find that she had been holding her breath and let it out, her fingers digging into a
plush velvet chair that was near the fireplace.

She was smart. Oh yes, he knew she was smart. Maybe too smart for her own good, yet she grew
suspicious of this new treatment. Not that she didn’t enjoy it, but Jareth was not one to be so
benevolent. Either way she knew she did not have much of a say in any plan he had for her and decided
to block it out of her head. After all he already had his chances to starve her, beat her, rape her, and
although he tried a mild version of the first two, he certainly did not do the last. He couldn’t be so bad
then, right? Right?

‘I mean, what could possibly be worse than any of those things?’ she thought. After all, it seemed like
the worst was over. He had given her a bed with clean sheets, new clothing, food, drink, books. What
else could a girl ask for?

Later on at dinner.....

They sat quietly in the dimly lit room. She did not remember it being so dim before yet she had to squint
to see his face. It reminded her of the light in the dungeon where he kept her.

And he knew it did. He specifically chose this lighting.

Fear me, love me, do as I say and I shall be your slave

Sarah shivered as he left the room.. Moving onto the bed, she wondered what had suddenly come over
him.

Had he realized the errors of his ways and decided to treat her kindly?

Was he planning something devious?

Had he found religion and decided to be a good Christian/ Buddhist/ Hari Krishna!?!??

The last one seemed unlikely.

Yet to the first two questions, there was always a possible ‘yes.’ She hungered to know what he was
up to. 

**********************************************************

Jareth plucked one of his favorite books from a low shelf in his enormous library. The book itself was
worn from wear over the centuries, but was in pretty good condition. He smiled to think what she
would think of it.

She had been suspicious of him, yet she gave in so easily. Perhaps this whole task would be easier than
he thought...

She was so very lovely and his blood flowed faster as he thought of how she felt against him, chained,
cold, scared. He relished in her pain and her pleasure. He thrived off of it and he wanted more. The
most thrilling part was that he knew she was attracted to him and what female would not be? What
human female would not be attracted to him? He was beautiful to them all. He knew and it only fed his
ego. He was perfection and he knew how to use it. With every move, every word, every touch, he
could make her shiver and perhaps even make her let him have his way with her right there on the rug.
He smiled to imagine such an act and by the time he had arrived at Sarah’s quarters, he was grinning.

She sat up and looked at him, returning the addictive smile. The book floated towards Sarah and she
caught it, looking at the title.

‘Well this explains a lot,’ she thought to herself as she read the title aloud. “The Marquis de Sade.
Wow.”

“Original copy,” Jareth said, “I knew him very well. Perhaps better than I should have.” Sarah did not
wish to know the implications of the King’s words and did not ask any questions. Seeing the look on
her face, he sighed, “Not like that Sarah. Your mind needs a good scrubbing, I daresay. I meant that I
had been the audience in his many...performances.”

“And did you enjoy them, these performances?” she asked, her eyes narrowed. She had read the book
before. She was no stranger to its darkness.

The Goblin King merely grinned at her disgust. “If you wish, you may go see them for yourself,” he
said, “He hasn’t had a young maiden in years, merely works on anything unfortunate enough to come
too close to his home. He lives on the outer edges of the a swamp about a mile from here. I am sure he
would enjoy your company greatly.”

“Of course, and if I ever go there, I’ll send your regards to him,” she said sarcastically and sat down on
a chair nearby. Jareth bowed submissively and left the room. She had already read the book and was
quite disturbed by it, but there was nothing else to do and so she would have to settle for this. Yet by
the 300^th page she was already asleep. The problem with the damned book was that it was such a slow
read.

Jareth watched the steady rise and fall of her chest as she slept. He wondered if she had caught on to
his plan. He gently took the book away from her and picked her up, carrying her to the bed. He tucked
her in as a parent would do to a child and brushing her hair out of her face, gave her a chaste kiss on
the cheek.

******************************************************************

Opening her eyes, Sarah watched the goblins set up her meal for her by the table on the other side of
the room. When they ran out, she stood up and walked over to the delicious smelling breakfast and sat
down to eat. Looking around the room, she spied a set of towels and a new dress with (to her delight)
undergarments this time! Walking into the bathroom and securely locking it behind her, she slipped into
the already steaming tub of water and took the most relaxing bath that she had ever remembered
taking. After getting dressed into the beautiful velvet green dress that fit her perhaps a bit too well, she
picked up the Marquis de Sade once more and started to read.

The book dropped from her hands. How had she gotten into bed last night? She fell asleep! The
realization hit her that Jareth must have carried her to bed. Her mind was left swimming. Why would he
do such a thing, such a ‘generous’ thing? She internally warned herself to be on guard at all times, just in
case he tried anything.

Jareth watched her from behind, already aware of what she was thinking. He almost laughed at the
thought of her thinking that she could outsmart him. He forced himself to clear the smile from his face. It
would be of no use to be arrogant or confident in this. He merely needed to keep his calm and he
would surely win.

The Goblin King cleared his throat and watched as she turned in surprise.

“Good morning,” he said softly and walked over to her. He took her hand and pulled her up gently, but
forcefully. “You look stunning.” His gaze caressed her body and she blushed, murmuring a ‘thank you.’

“You are most welcome,” he smiled.

“I’m sure,” she smirked.

“Why must you be so difficult?” mismatched eyes narrowed.

“I am not difficult,” she growled. “I just don’t see what the hell you’re playing at. You don’t fool me for
a second, Goblin King. You’re up to something and I want to know what it is!”

He merely blinked. “So..my attempts to be generous have been in vain.”

“Cruel intention veiled by generosity is not generosity in the least bit,” she said,”I want to know why
you’re doing this.”

“I don’t follow,” he raised an elegant eye brow.

“What do you want from me?” Sarah asked softly.

Your submission, your love, your fear, your pain, your trust.

“Nothing,” the Goblin King answered. “What could I possibly get from you that I couldn’t get
anywhere else?”

She flushed at this. He had a point. And he also had that beautiful woman. For some reason, Sarah felt
the slightest twinge of jealousy. True, the King terrified her and tormented her to no end, but that did
not mean that Sarah was blind to his appearance. He was illegally handsome.

“Besides, would it not make both our lives better if we called it a truce?” his gloved hand extended to
hers. She watched it carefully and then shook it.

“Truce,” she smiled meekly. She was still on her guard and he knew it. But this was the first step.

“Truce,” he purred. “Now then, let’s go take a walk in the garden. I’m feeling rather in need of
exercise.”

“Oh yes, nothing like a walk in the garden to get that cardio workout,” Sarah said sarcastically. She
was still suspicious about his motives. Yet she knew that if he wanted to try something, he would have
done it a long time ago. So for the first time, she relaxed in the presence of the Goblin King.

Trumpets of victory blared through Jareth’s head as he saw her relax as they descended down the dark
stony staircase to go out to the gardens. 

“Oh, it’s beautiful,” Sarah said in awe as they stepped into the garden. Ancient stone arches wrapped in
vines stood tall and strong as they walked under them. All around was a rainbow of colors. Every sort
of flower one could ever imagine was placed here, so carelessly yet so beautifully. It all seemed like a
blur. “It’s like a painting.”

“Perhaps it is,” said Jareth.

“You mean this isn’t real?” Sarah looked back at him, a somewhat saddened look on her face.

“I mean it is what ever you wish it to be,” said Jareth, “I specifically made this garden to fit the wishes
of those who enter it.”

“Then you must see something completely different than me,” Sarah stated. Jareth nodded. “What do
you see?”

“Why should I tell you?” he smiled.

“I’ll tell you if you tell me,” Sarah said, looking especially child-like. For a moment, he caught a glimpse
of her former self, her younger self and felt enthralled with her, this woman child. She captivated him in
every way. The way she moved, the way her hair was tossed so carelessly in the breeze, the way she
spoke, her voice, her scent....

“Well?” his thoughts were interrupted harshly.

“I don’t really care to know what you see,” he said in an arrogant voice, “It’s probably all roses and
daisies to you.”

Sarah looked around. There were a few roses and few daisies, but it wasn’t ALL roses and daisies.

“I think,” said Sarah, “that you know very little about me.” She started to walk away when Jareth
grabbed her. Their eyes met.

“Careful,” he said, “you were about to walk into a plant that eats young female virgins.” Sarah rolled
her eyes and tugged herself away from him.

Oh she was indeed stunning and so adorable as well......

‘No!’ his mind snapped, ‘No! She is NOT adorable or stunning. She is neither. She is a parasite,
diseased she is......’ He could not falter now. Not when everything was so perfect, so organized. He
watched as she wandered and sniffed at the dragons which tried to bite off her face as she sniffed at
them. Yet nothing happened and she smiled and carried them with her around the garden as she looked
from flower to flower.  

So happy she was. And deep inside it made him happy to see her smile in his presence. For a moment,
he imagined her as his queen, always out in the gardens, always happy. Yet such opportunities were
long past. Reality hit him. She had rejected him. She had rejected his offer of eternal happiness.

‘How good you are, Sarah,’ he thought,’ to give up so much for someone who will not even remember
you.’

She was walking back to him, a bouquet of assorted dangerous plants in her hand. He stared at the
monstrosities in her pretty little hand. How wrong his world was for her. She clashed with everything.

And he didn’t want her any other way.

************************************************************************

The harsh reality hit him as he woke up from a very vivid dream involving Sarah and a bed of roses. In
the dream, he had lured her to his chamber with a trail of petals and when she sat on the bed he
appeared and watched her as she snuggled in the covers. He wanted to reach out and to touch her, but
every time he tried, a horrible pain prevented him from doing so. He realized she was covered with
thorns and roses and they were quickly growing over her as she slept. They were starting to cover her
and he wondered if she would be able to breath. Ignoring the pain, he had swiftly started to tear at the
thorns, trying to save her and then he saw her eyes wide open, staring at him.

“Stop it, “she had pleaded, “You’re killing me.” And he had obeyed and let the growth overwhelm her.
He had awakened as Helen kicked him in her sleep. He pushed her off the bed, ignoring her anger and
turned away from her.

He could not sleep now. It was all too much. What had the dream meant? Jareth hated these horrid
moments when he had to deal with reality. Everything was so much better when he could alter
everything around him. But he couldn’t alter HER.

No, she was too stubborn to submit to his will. Why her? Why the one that doesn’t listen, that rebels?

He climbed out of bed and walked down to his throne room. Guards jolting awake as he approached,
they ran to open doors for him. He sat on his throne and told one of the guards to awaken his advisor.
The guard bowed and ran to do so.

Soon, a sleepy man with snow white shoulder length hair and half open blue eyes appeared in his night
robe.

He bowed and waited for his king to say something.

“I want you to see what she’s thinking,” Jareth said.

“Your majesty, I cannot do such a thing when one is sleeping,” the man yawned.

“I want to know her thoughts right now,” the Goblin King demanded.

“Sire, I cannot do such a thing when one is sleeping,” the man insisted, “and I cannot do it while she is
awake either.” 

“Cannot or will not, Sebastian?” the King glared.

“Cannot,” Sebastian said, “I doubt I will be much help to you if I am dead, which is what will surely
happen if I try to pierce the mind of a human.”

“Why is this so?” Jareth asked.

“Because their souls do not allow it,” the older man explained. “And you cannot have a mental war with
a human soul. You are guaranteed to lose.” Jareth nodded.

“What do you plan for the girl, if I may ask, your Majesty?” Sebastian inquired meekly.

Jareth snapped his fingers and a puppy appeared in his lap. He held the small whining creature up to the
old man.

“Do you see this puppy?” the King said. “It is such an innocent, weak little thing.” The old man watched
warily.

“If I wish to own it and have it be loyal to me, I must train it, you see,” the Goblin King mused. “With
my hand, I will feed it, pet it, comfort it and it will grow to be strong and loyal.” A piece of meat
appeared in his hand and he fed it to the puppy. It wagged its little tail vigorously as it gobbled up the
meat. He then rubbed the stomach of the puppy and pet it so that it was happy and still wagging its little
tail.

“But in order to have it be loyal to me, I must discipline it so that it may be loyal to me and only me and
that it does whatever it has in its right to please me,” the King continued. Putting the puppy down, he
snapped his fingers and an expensive looking vase appeared. The puppy sniffed at it and then
proceeded to try and climb in, knocking over the vase and smashing it to pieces.

Jareth was quick to discipline and the dog gave out a horrified yelp as Jareth’s hand connected with its
backside. The puppy ran to one side of the room and then came back to Jareth’s feet and started to
whine.

“So you see?” Jareth laughed, picking up the puppy and petting it. “It is all really as simple as that.
Dogs and humans have very little differences in the means of obedience.” The old man stared at him,
horrified.

“Do you really think it will work?” he asked.

“It has been working so far,” Jareth smiled.

***********************************************************************

A/N: It has been taking me a while to write this up because I really don’t know how I want this story to
turn out.

Anyways, I never wrote a response to that annoying feminist. I hate it when people try to fight for a
cause when there is nothing to fight for. This story is obviously about submission and dominance ( as a
lot of S/J fics are) and it was funny how she read all the way up to chapter 7! And I can probably bet
that she read chapter 8 and will probably read chapter 9 as well. For the record, this in no way has to
do with women being dominated. If you have a problem with that, go and bring it up with Disney. They
do that a lot more often than anyone else.