Breaking Barriers (Chapter 28 up)

Sarah awoke feeling incredibly rested and, although she hated to admit it, incredibly luxurious. The satin bedsheets felt amazing against her bare skin. She felt slightly guilty at this. She resented the fact that the Goblin King was responsible for even this small pleasure. Well, there was nothing that could be done for it, she thought, climbing out of bed. Besides, she obviously wasn't looking at this in the right light. He OWED her after what he had done to her, and this was the only thing she had received from him so far in recompense. The least she could do was enjoy the moment while it lasted. Feeling slightly chilly, she wrapped a sheet around her form. She walked over to the window that used to overlook the balcony and drew open the curtain. Bright light poured into the room temporarily blinding Sarah. Yet another gorgeous day...why couldn't his courtyard be as ugly as the rest of his kingdom? It was the least he deserved. Such a contradition to what actually inhabited the palace, thought Sarah, bemused.

Upon opening the window Sarah noted a tray on an end table that had not been there before. Apparantly servents were going to be providing her with rations. Well, that was one thing she could not hold against Jareth: he had always kept his word. Even when he had nothing to lose. For an instant, Sarah had another flashback:


"You asked for the child to be taken; I took him. You cowered before me; I was frightening. I have re-ordered time. I have turned the world upside down and I have done it all for you!" A wave of sadness swept over the usually indifferent mask of the Goblin King, "I am exhausted from living up to your expectations of me... Isn't that generous?"


She supposed she did feel a bit guilty looking back. It was all true. Every word. But to get back at her like this? Sarah looked at the tray full of food. It really looked quite delicious. What were his motives? Why kidnap her then treat her like a princess? Why humiliate her in conversation then act like a decent being behind closed doors? It didn't make sense. He had to have some reason for bringing her to the Underground, but so far nothing seemed to connect. Now she had to wait another three days in order to receive some sort of answer. It was ridiculous! Why should she be made to wait? And no doubt that evening would be chock-full of humiliation. The fact she was forced to wear that obsene dress did nothing to help her nerves either. Yes it was to be entirely degrading, there was no doubt about that. At least she had a few days to mentally prepare herself for what was to come.

Sarah sighed as she inspected the breakfast that was given her more closely. The oatmeal was still luke-warm and surprisingly tasty; and the assorted fruit was as fresh as any she'd ever had. Amazed at herself, she ate every bite. Then again, yesterday had been a trying day. No wonder she was famished.

Just as she was finishing there came a knock at her door. Startled, Sarah quickly stood up and looked around for... for what? She had no clothes to speak of other than the ones she had torn off last night in a fit of anger. The sheet would do. After she shuffled to the door, Sarah realized she would be unable to admit anyone, as the door was locked from the inside. How annoying. Sarah called out to whoever it was to come in praying that it wasn't Jareth. She didn't think it would be, however. Certainly Jareth would be too self-absorbed to knock before entering a room.

As suspected it was not the Goblin King who entered her room. Instead a very squat and very brown looking female goblin entered her room. (Her sex determined only by the fact the creature was wearing what appeared to be a shapeless dress.)The goblin had white wispy hair drawn up into a tangled mass above her head that Sarah supposed was a bun. The tiny being smiled a large, toothless grin and scurried up next to Sarah, gesturing to her empty dishes. Trying not to be rude, Sarah broke her stare at the odd woman. She may as well give the goblin a fair chance. Not everything was as it seemed in this place.

"Um, yes," Sarah handed her the tray, "Thank you very much. It was delicious."

Grabbing the empty tray, the goblin nodded graciously as she headed for the door, then stopped, noting the pile of dirty clothes in the corner. She gave Sarah a questioning look.

"Yes, they're dirty, I know...-" Then, a thought.

"Could you- that is... Are these able to be cleaned?"

The creature nodded vigorously.

"You could wash them then?"

Another nod.

"Is... is there some way I could wash myself?..."

Sarah tightened the sheet around herself, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"I-I didn't want to get the bed dirty by sleeping in my clothes... but I'm afraid I'm almost as dirty as they were..."

The little servent simply nodded again with a pleasant grin on her face. Without pause, she gathered the small bundle of clothes into her free arm and exited the room.

"Thank you!" Sarah called after her.

Sarah supposed the servent was mute, but she appeared to understand Sarah well enough. Sarah almost found it difficult to believe that the Goblin City had borne yet another decent being. She hoped the little goblin was able to bring some sort of supplies for Sarah to clean with. Right before collapsing into bed last night Sarah had opened what had appeared to be a broom closet. Instead she had discovered a small wash room and pump yielding frigid water, but Sarah was hardly able to bathe in that fashion. Even a bowl and a bar of soap could get her somewhere. What she wouldn't give for a hot shower right now.

Just when Sarah was beginning to worry about whether the little woman was going to return, there came another knock at her door.

"Come in!"

The servent entered followed by two younger, sturdier looking young female goblins bearing a large tub heavy with steaming water. Another servent followed behind them with a white robe made of the softest terry cloth. The servents set the tub down before her. They curtsied in unison then left the room single file.

"Thank you! Oh thank you!" Sarah exclaimed as they left, eyeing the steaming tub appreciatively. Bubbles formed at a surface that smelled of lavender and a wash rag hung on the side. Gingerly Sarah sank into the tub sighing in pleasure and wondering if she had ever felt anything quite so good before. Steam rolled off of Sarah's face as she breathed in the heavenly scent.

And again Sarah resented the fact that the Goblin King was responsible for causing her pleasure... but she was beginning to find it easier to accept.

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After a largly sleepless night the Goblin King fairly leaped out of bed with a growl. All through the dark hours he had fought many fearsome battles; most of which he had failed miserably. Battles against what he had accidentally witnessed the night before. In a blind rage he threw on whatever garments his servents had lain out for him to wear for the day and flew out of his bedchambers without the usual detailed inspection in the looking glass. Jareth practically ran through the halls of his castle and any goblin that wasn't fast enough soon regretted it. After a good fifteen minutes of storming and brooding Jareth finally slowed his pace. It was another minute or so before he realized he had somehow ended up on the very outskirts of his courtyard. It took another five before rational thought kicked in.

The woman was exceedingly dangerous, and she had not a clue. Not only was she powerful in the ways of magic, she was also devestatingly attractive. Together they were a deadly combination for the Goblin King and it was something he could no longer deny. If just the faintest of glimpses in the darkest of rooms had rendered the Goblin King so... weak... well, Jareth did not wish to know what would happen should he make such a terrific error in judgement again. With that thought he hardened his heart. Such an error would NOT happen again. What if Sarah had discovered what had occurred? His resolve to appear strong before her would have been destroyed completely. She would again return home in triumph and he would be left to pick up the pieces of another failure. All hope for his kingdom would be lost. Is that what he wanted? To continue ruling the most pathetic kingdom in the Underground? It had been an accident, true. But a few more of these "accidents" and he might as well kiss his ideals goodbye. No more! He would remain vigilant from now on. He would know at all times where she was and what she was doing even if he had to hire one of his idiot goblin servents. Disgracefully, he could not trust himself to that matter. If he ever had the need to use his crystals or the mirror he would know in advance whether it was safe to view her or not. He wished it didn't have to be this way, and he knew that because of this he was putting himself in danger, but Sarah had to be treated with the utmost care and he knew he would be in much more trouble if something like this were to happen again. The fate of the Goblin City was more important to him than anything, no matter how attractive the alternative was.

Finally certain he was completely resolved on the matter, Jareth set aside the subject for the time being. He trusted himself to follow through with his new methods. He had only himself to rely upon for judgements... of that he had realized long ago.

He wondered what Sarah's reaction would be to his "reason" for keeping her in the Underground. It was really quite a pathetic excuse compared to enormity of the true reason, but what choice would Sarah have? She'd have to accept whatever he threw at her despite how ridiculous or unfair it seemed. But knowing his little Sarah she would be only too eager to swallow whatever fodder he came up with. She loved to try his patience and seemed to thrive on injustice towards her. Her favorite phrase was justification enough for that. As Jareth walked along the cobblestone trail he became lost in a distant memory:


"And you, Sarah..." Jareth leaned against the wall of the dank tunnel, covering Sarah's body with his own. His mere presence made the girl nervous. He loved it.
"How are you enjoying my Labyrinth?"
The stubborn girl looked up into his eyes.
"It's a piece of cake," she said defiantly. Jareth knew it was a lie.
"Really?" he said in a seductive tone, "Then how about upping the stakes?"
As he said this, the clock with thirteen hours appeared along the tunnel. Jareth pointed to it and magically spun the hands two hours forward.
"It's not fair!" said Sarah incredulously.
"You say that so often," Jareth walked passed her, "I wonder what your basis for comparison is."


Well, fair or not fair, Jareth believed that after Sarah got over the initial shock of what he was proposing she would readily accept. In the meanwhile he would continue weaving a web of enchantment that Sarah would eventually succumb to. He would only be able to repair his city if he had her complete devotion. And this time he had more than a masquerade ball in mind.

Mask of indifference in place and the battle for control finally won, Jareth set off to locate the goblin that would be his eyes and ears from this point on.

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A/N So it appears the mirror idea was not as fool-proof as Jareth had previously thought *snickers* And he's resorted to relying on a goblin for help... I wonder how that will work out?

And Sarah is beginning to enjoy her stay in the Underground... ;)

I'm so happy to see I have finally received some more reviews! And that not all of them are from kookookitty XD lolol. Thank you all so much, each and every review is very much appreciated. Thanks again for reading ~TheArtist