Undone

Sarah stood on the hill overlooking the Labyrinth, where she had stood when she had first taken up the challenge.  It looked different now, as if it had forgotten how to be a Labyrinth.  The walls seemed dark and foreboding as if something dark had taken over.  She walked down towards the entrance and placed a hand on the wall.

“Hey hey hey!!!” Came a rough and familiar voice.  Sarah smiled, all too familiar.  “I knows dat this place may looks like it be out of order and straight for the takin, but it aint for anyone to be comin in or goin out!  Jareth, he ordered no one in and no one out and that means you.  He’s in mournin’ and aint seeing nobody or nothin’ so youse can jus turn your body around and……. Sarah?” Sarah turned to stare at Hoggle.  The anger she had felt at Jareth’s abandonment of her melted as she looked at the state of the Labyrinth and heard the words of her dear friend.

“Mourning?” Sarah asked, her voice shaking.  “Mourning for what, Hoggle?”

“Sarah…” Hoggle’s voice was almost a whisper.  “You came back.”  The little dwarf stared at her in utter amazement, as if she was a figment of his imagination.  “Jareth said dat he…dat he….dat you was too sick to be here….dat we’s, dat dis place, dat HE killed you.” Hoggle was biting his lip hard, fighting back tears he hadn’t shed since the news that his Sarah had died.  Relief and confusion muddled his features and he ran headlong to her, hugging her leg.

“Hoggle, I don’t understand.” Sarah said, “I’m not dead, was never dead.  Jareth didn’t do anything to me, he just…”

Hoggle stepped back and looked Sarah up and down, “It don’t make no sense.  Jareth came out here days ago and makes this big announcement to everyone and says that the Labyrinth is closed, dat all exits and entrances are to be blocked, dat his Chosen has passed a’cause of what he done and did and he will admit nobodys, no nothins, not friend, not enemy.  Then he goes into the castle and closes the doors an not nobody seen him sinse.  We all was figurin’ a’cause he loved you so much dat Stark was da one that done taken you aways from us, not Jareth, but dat he blamed hisself for it.”

Sarah stared at Hoggle, “He doesn’t love me anymore, Hoggle.  Jareth sent me away.  I didn’t “pass”, he just abandoned me back on Earth.”  There was a lump in her voice and she was shaking.  The only reason her mind could fathom that he had abandoned her, was that she was not fit to be his chosen after what he had seen in Stark’s manor.  The thought pulled at her heart and angered her as much as it caused her to want to fall to her knees in tears.  Couldn’t he understand that what she did was all for him?  All to escape?  All of it, just to be beside Jareth….

“Now I know you don’t believe that, a’cause I don’t believe that.  I’ll show you.” Hoggle took Sarah’s hand and the two entered the Labyrinth.  The walls were covered in blackened moss and the entire place reeked of rotting plants and decay.  Some of the walls were crumbling and the life that once abounded on the walls and underfoot was nowhere to be seen.  Everything seemed to encompass a sense of remorse and depression.  They walked in silence for what seemed like twenty minutes, Hoggle leading Sarah with a defined purpose, moving partially fallen walls and shooing lethargic creatures in his path.  Hoggle broke the silence after rounding a corner into what seemed to Sarah to be the most incredible part of the Labyrinth she had ever seen, and so far removed from the murk of the rest of the Labyrinth.  The walls were an iridescent marble and light blue and deep red flowers hung from the most green vines Sarah had ever seen.  Small faeries floated by and tended to each of the flowers and the each of the corridors seemed alive with love and beauty.  Each corner proved more and more beautiful, “A few days after you left the first time, he comes back and tells me that I am the new caretaker of the Labyrinth and he done tell me to make this place,” As the two rounded the corner, Sarah gasped.  The grove was astonishing, a perfectly pristine cove.  In the center, on a raised dias, were two statues, holding hands facing one another, gazing into one another’s eyes, a look of the deepest passion carved into the faces.  One was of Jareth in all of his regal splendor, the other was her, dressed as queen in a long flowing gown and a simple circlet adorning her head, its center matched the crest he wore around his neck.  Both looked as regal as her imagination could have conjured.  Sarah’s knees were weak, and she felt her heart tear again.  Hoggle led her to a bench and stood in front of her, his wrinkled face showing that he was confused and concerned for her.  “It’s the only place in the Labyrinth he hasn’t touched.  The only place in his heart, too.”

With tears brimming in her eyes, Sarah looked at Hoggle and whispered, “What do you mean?”

“The Labyrinth reflects its King’s deepest feelings.  The Labyrinth is dying everywhere and mimicking his sorrow a’cause Jareth is mourning so much for you.  Here, this place, I figure it’s kinda like his soul.  His love for you must still be strong and bright, otherwise this place would have crumbled and gone dark too.”

Sarah shook her head “This is a monument to what he thought I was, not what he thinks I am.  I can’t explain Hoggle, but he left me up above because I am not this,” she cried, gesturing to the stature. “I have to see him.”  Anger and hurt replaced her awe and sadness.  The only explanation she had in her mind was that he saw her as Stark’s whore and was therefore unfit to be his Chosen, that is why he abandoned her, that is why he didn’t fight for her when she had passed out.  Steeling herself, she stood.  “Thank you, Hoggle.  I have to go, but I promise to see you again before I leave.  I will meet you here.  Tell the others, if you can find them, that I miss them and love them.  I need to hear from his lips, that he doesn’t want me.”  She kissed the top of his head and then was gone.

Hoggle sat confused and disheartened on the bench and kicked a faerie as is floated by.  “Aw hell.” He muttered.

Jareth sat on his throne staring into the murky nothing.  All of the goblins had been banished from the castle, and the walls themselves seemed as though they would crumble with the slightest breath.  Two dark shadows hung over each of his shoulders.  One looked as though it could have been Sarah’s Shadow, whispering in his ear.  The other hung over his head.  The room was dimly it and the once proud King of the Goblins looked as if he had been cast into an oubliette and forgotten.  He neither moved nor spoke as the Sarah Shadow moved out from his side to take shape in front of him of his Chosen. Clad in flowing white gowns of gossamer, the Shadow was radient to Jareth’s eyes.  He had created her to wear the gown that the real Sarah would have worn upon their Joining,  Jareth sat up and reached to touch her, the creature laughed, just as Jareth had heard Sarah laugh, moving just out of his grasp.  He sank down into his throne once again, sinking deeper into his despair each time.  He watched his Sarah Shadow with detailed attention while the other shadow whispered his failures into his ear.  This was a private hell that Jareth had created for himself to constantly remind him of his failure into eternity.  The dancing Sarah Shadow, so beautiful and refined, always out of his reach, and his Conscience Shadow, reminding every moment how he had failed the woman he loved, left her in the hands of Stark, and nearly killed her.  All he could do was stare at Sarah, his lost Sarah, and remember how he had failed her.  Time and again the Sarah Shadow danced within his grasp, an exact replica created from his memories, and time and again she turned her back to him and danced away.  So perfect was his grief, that he didn’t notice the small white falcon sitting in his window watching, nor did he notice when it flew into his chamber and landed behind his throne.

Sarah had watched the dancing shadow transform before her eyes into her dancing twin, dancing and swaying and laughing to unheard music, and always smiling.  To Sarah, it was all the more justification that he had once loved her, that she had somehow become stained in his eyes, and now, only some creation from his mind could take her place.  Time and again she replayed the events in Stark’s manor and time and again she came to the same conclusion, she had not betrayed him.  She thought to herself of explaining to him what had happened, of pleading with Jareth to see her side, but felt he never could.  She would not disgrace herself by groveling for his forgiveness.  But a part of her had to hear the words from his lips, had to hear him say he didn’t love her, needed to see the words form from his heart.  A part of her still wanted desperately to believe that he would reorder time for her, that he would move the stars for her, that he loved her.  In her mind, though, it made no sense.  If he loved her, why did he abandon her back on earth, once again stealing her memories?  Sarah knew what had to be done, and she steeled herself against the upcoming emotional battle before her.  She silently flew into the room, landing quietly behind the throne and waited for the shadow to dance behind the throne and towards her.  She banished it, leaving the other one, with quick spell and took its place, and with a thought, she was clad in the flowing white gown and her hair played loosely about her shoulders.  She danced from behind the throne and stopped in front of Jareth. 

Even in this state of despair he was regal.  Sarah’s heart cried out for her to run to him, to comfort him, he looked as though the world had ended.  His features were taught and his face more pale than usual.  Dark circles rimmed his eyes, eyes that once held a cunning and intelligence, but were now dull.  His hair laid unkempt upon his shoulders, and even his dress was dull and little care had been taken its choosing.  He looked up at her, his eyes narrowing.

“Are you waiting for my command shadow?” Jareth asked, his voice soft and barely audible.  Sarah nodded, doing her best to impersonate the shadow.  “Then I command you to tell me you love me, that you forgive me, and that you will never leave me.”  Jareth’s voice trailed off towards the end of his sentence and he rested his head in his hand, shoulders slumping, as the Conscience Shadow whispered that she could never love him, nor forgive him, and that he had lost her because of his failures.  Before Sarah could open her mouth to meet his command Jareth spoke again, “Sarah,” he half laughed, more of a cough, “I know you are not my real Sarah, but I beg you to forgive me, please,” he raised his head and looked at Sarah, still believing her to be his Shadow creation, and too consumed with grief to see that it was not, “I tried to spare you from Stark’s prison, but I was too late.  I couldn’t save you the pain he inflicted, and I couldn’t wake you from your sleep, I tried, and if I went to you now, you would not even recall my name.”  He paused, and shaking with anger continued, “You MUST BELIVE ME THAT I TRIED!”  Jareth stood on those words, throwing his head back and shouting to the nothingness above him, “I TRIED!” And sinking to the floor he continued, “I tried and failed you.  And now I have lost you forever.  How could you even look at me, knowing that I couldn’t save you.  I cannot even look at myself.  I don’t know why you wouldn’t awaken, I only hope you are safe and happy now, removed from me and this place.”  Sighing and lowering his head again, the Conscience Shadow once more taking its place on his shoulder whispering his failures, Jareth sank deeper into his hell and whispered, “I love you my Chosen.  I am so sorry.”

Sarah stood in stunned silence, tears pouring down her cheeks.  She had always known Jareth to be proud and strong, it never occurred to her that he would consider himself a failure, the very thought seemed absurd.  His admission of love and his request for forgiveness had been too much, and her emotions overcame her.  She walked shakily towards him and banished the Shadow on his shoulder.  She sat beside the King of Goblins and stared at him, until he looked into her eyes.  He never faltered in his gaze only stared at her, wondering how his Shadow could cry.  So immersed was Jareth in his grief and confusion, the he did not even notice that he and Sarah were no longer in the castle, that they now sat at the base of the statues in the soul grotto.  Jareth looked around and realization flooded his senses.  He slowly inched back from Sarah, his grief stricken expression, replaced by confused concern and hope.

“There is nothing to forgive.” Sarah began, her voice cracking and tears still falling, but her eyes never leaving his.  “I love you, Jareth, I always have, even before I knew it in my mind, I knew it in my heart.  Nothing can change that, and nothing ever will.” She took a breath to steady herself for what she was about to say, “I, I thought you banished me.  I thought that because of what I did, what happened with Stark, when I was trying to escape, I thought you thought me unfit to be yours.  I thought you abandoned me.  I should have known that you never would have.  I should have had more faith, I should have….” Sarah was stopped short as Jareth’s lips encompassed hers, his hands cupping her chin and his body moving desperately to meet hers.  She met his assault with a hunger of her own, her body starving for his touch. Slowly, Jareth pulled back, his eyes questioning.

“How can you be here?  This place was killing you.  The magic in the air seemed to feed the sleep that had overtaken you.  I took you back so you could heal.  I tore you away from my side and I made sure you wouldn’t remember this place.”

“This place wasn’t killing me.  When I was imprisoned by Stark, my mother came to me.  She passed on to me all that she was, her magic and her essence.  She made me whole, made me Fae.  My body needed time to take over those changes, to fully assimilate all of the magic, I think.  I had to use it to escape Stark, and it drained me.  I would have awakened in the same time and in the same manner had I remained.  I was healing and becoming what I am now.”  Sarah’s explanation left Jareth’s head spinning.

“You are Fae?”

“I was always half Fae.  But my mother, she somehow gave me her magic, made me more complete, made me Fae.”

Jareth smirked, and quietly laughed, “I suppose that is how you were able to come back here so quickly?”

Sarah nodded, never taking her eyes from his. “I thought you hated me, I thought because of Stark….I thought….”

“Shhhhh, enough of that.  I loved you all the more because of the strength you used to fight Stark.  Sarah,” Jareth began, kissing both of her hands as he held them close, “I love you.  I will love for as long as I live.  I am asking you now, to stay here, with me.  To stay beside me.  To be my Chosen.  You are half of my soul, and all of my life.  I bare my heart to you now, and beg you to take me as your Chosen.”

“You’ve always been my Chosen One.” Sarah replied, staring deep into his eyes. 

“Aw hell, I suppose now they are gonna kiss or something disgusting like that!” Hoggle grumbled.

“Shhhhhhh, stop it, Hoggle!” Aeryne put her hand over his mouth, but it was too late, as giggles had broken out throughout the small gathering that had formed to witness the King profess his love.  Jareth and Sarah turned to be greeted with warm smiles from Aeryne and Xaven as well as Hoggle, and several faeries.

“And I suppose I have you to thank for this, dear friend, for bringing my Sarah home to me.” Jareth asked, turning to face the smirking Aeryne.

“Her magic just needed to remember where home was.  As my dear friend William once said, ‘The course of true love never did run smooth.’  I was simply making sure you, both of you, knew that.”

“Thank you,” Sarah said, embracing her friend.

“Thank you, Sarah, for bringing the Labyrinth back to life.  The instant he saw you, the Labyrinth was restored.”

Jareth and Sarah turned and looked at eachother, silently vowing their love.

“And now,” Aeryne interrupted, taking Sarah’s hand “Sarah and I need to discuss your Joining ceremony.  I assume you want it to happen as quickly as possible?  We need to plan a dress, and the invitation list, and…..”

“There are other things that need to be attended to first,” Jareth said.  And in an instant, Sarah and Jareth had disappeared.  Leaving a mildly irritated Aeryne with only a small cloud of glitter to voice her discontent at.

“That would figure.  I knew he wouldn’t……” Aeryne began and was summarily cut short with a kiss from Xaven.

“I think Jareth realized that there are a few things more important than planning,” and with a devilish smirk, Xaven and Aeryne were gone as well, leaving Hoggle amidst a muddle of giggling faeiries.

“Aw, hell,” Hoggle muttered, but even he could not hide the smile and happiness he felt inside knowing that the Labyrinth would soon have a queen.

Alone in Jareth’s chambers, the King stared deep into his Chosen’s eyes.  She met his gaze with all of her heart, knowing that the world she had always longed for, and the man she had always desired, were hers, and nothing would ever separate them again.  No apologies or words were spoken between the two, they simply shared a kiss, there alone together in the King of the Goblin’s chamber.  A kiss that spoke more than the love of a thousand life times, a kiss that promised an eternity of love by one anothers side, a kiss that spoke of untold pleasures, and a promise for the future. 

Fin.