whats said is said

Give me the child

Sarah moved  gently away from his strong arms holding her so close that she couldn't breathe..she slowly opened her eyes..scared of what she may see..as her eyes slowly took in her surroundings..she saw she was in a large room, one side was all Windows ...with the deepest red curtains all tied back so she could just make out the view in the evening twilight..there were beautiful sumptuous sofas in the Palest cream and antique wooden furniture carefully placed around the pale dove grey room with unusual ornaments and vases of the most exotic red and black roses she knew she would never see in her world. Surprisingly she thought it had a relaxed slightly homely feel as well as incredibly regal.....

"Welcome to my humble home "he declared..he had moved  so he was leaning against a bookcase that she noticed held many original copies of the  classics .."this is my study..private quarters..whatever you want to call it,you are welcome here at any time sarah...this Is  your home now...I want you to be comfortable"raising an eyebrow as he waited for her response he found himself nervous...for centuries only goblins..imps..many a beautiful fae female had been permitted in his own space....never a human,especially one that had  managed to infuriate him...test him ...deny him and  now made him feel a whole new set of emotions. Thankfully his brother and his wife were not around...they were most likely in their own quarters or being entertained by other rulers of the underground..but for now it was just them and he planned to make the most of that.

"It's not what I expected"he heard her say as she moved round the room.taking in everything.."and pray what exactly did you expect?..goblins passed out in the corner..the odd beast on a chair goading a chicken ?" He smirked...she let out a small laugh.."no..I don't know..I just..I expected it to be like what I can  remember..not this " waving her arms around at all his things.

"Sarah....you saw the labyrinth..you saw the throne room..Well one of them" shrugging ,he sat on a chair and placed  his leg over the arm casually.."I may rule the goblins but I'm still a man..Well a kind of man..this is what most people don't see, my home....I have a lot to show you sarah ,I'll show you where you will sleep if you wish ?" She couldn't help smile at his eagerness.."ok....jareth,am I the only human here?"

"Yes..the only one for a very long time...I have been alone for a long long time sarah...your company will be unusual..apart from my goblins I only mix with other fae.." his face looked sad for a few minutes as he seemed to be deep in a thought..just when sarah wanted to ask why...he sprung up from his chair ans stalked towards a door."come..don't stray too far as we find your room it is easy to get lost..." his command was much cooler than before..and sarah meekly followed him..she figured for some reason it was best not to ask.

They followed the corridor... rich tapestries placed at all a angles ,a stark contrast to the sandstone walls..delicate chandeliers lit the way to a door a few minutes along that opened up to a room so pretty she gasped...it could have been made for her..the  Palest green with white furniture..a king size bed in the middle with satin sheets in white and pale rose pink..one wall was covered in bookcases..and  on the other side, the same Windows as in the kings study..but with lace curtains hanging from each one...on a  small table she gasped as she noticed her labyrinth book and a photo of her family..a trinket box she recognized a  hers was also there..."how...??"" She stammered.."I brought them here sarah...my crystals know what your comforts are..I'm not so cruel that I wouldn't have thought you need some reminder of home" he spoke softly as he stood in a corner..enjoying her happiness at what he had created for her...the room had been waiting for her from the minute she stole his heart in the labyrinth...he had created a room as beautiful as the girl that he dreamed would sleep in it..the wardrobe she opened full of opulent gowns..rich in colour and exquisite in cut..he saw her awe at them all...he couldn't help but feel smug at it all . "Is this all for me ?"sarah almost whispered, "yes...I always hoped one day you would stand here and enjoy it all "...he hadn't meant to be quite so honest...Damn him...yet the shy blush on her face assured him she wasn't disturbed by his statement.

" sarah...through the door near the bookcase leads to your bathroom...through that is a room for Toby..I hope you will approve.." he stopped as she saw him magic a crystal and stare into it.."look...the goblins are fetching Toby..do you want to see?"He raised the Crystal for her to see.. she moved slowly over,puzzled as to what would be shown between the purple glow in the Crystal she saw a group of goblins hidden in various places in what seemed to be her brothers bedroom,with a flick of his wrist..jareth changed the view to that of her young brother sleeping peacefully in his bed..surrounded by stuffed toys..and her old Lancelot bear that was squished under his arms, the goblins looked unsure of the plan ...stealing looks around  the room and  hissing messages to each other.."enough!" Declared their king into the Crystal...the goblin  all looked up "what Is the problem...you should have him by now..?"  Narrowing his eyes he glared at the squirming creatures.

"Your majesty...the boy is right here..however his parents are here..they are  holding us up.."the biggest troll stammered not wishing to anger their  cruel leader...another goblin piped up "she knows master...the woman she sees us..she is waiting for us  to take him...she spoke when she entered" it fretted not daring to look at their leader. "And what did she say?..don't tell me a  mere woman is scaring my brave soldiers"came his sarcastic response...

"she  said....she said she knew we were coming and that you would not take the child"it's voice laced with fear,

"Impossible"he roared..."a mortal could not know.." jareth nearly shook the Crystal in a sudden rage.....turning to sarah he groaned..." i will have  to join them....I will be gone minutes  in our time ...a most unnecessary journey ,but they do make mistakes..sometimes I have to oversee a collection..I was hoping not to have to this time..it should have been easy" he tutted , sarah stood looking at the floor..she didn't want to be left alone ..his presence was reassuring in this strange world..yet she longed for her brother..the goblins must have heard wrong...her stepmother couldn't know? "Will you leave me alone?" She whispered turning her green eyes up to him making him want to stay and soothe her...but this was a way to gain her trust...a reason for her to stay..and little Toby would be happier here...the little boy could have a home.."I will leave you with Nissa..she will become your helper anyway..no time like the present" with those words he blew the Crystal at the door and a girl fae entered..."nissa..I have to leave for a short time.. I trust you have prepared the boys room, this is Sarah she will be staying here..would you please help her with bathing and a fresh outfit for my return ?"..the maid simply smiled at his orders and turned to sarah.."this way Madame...I'll look after you till they return" her lilting voice instantly calming her nerves.

"I will be back very soon ...please do not worry" were the goblin kings last words as he dissolved amidst a bloom of smoke his eyes searching hers to comfort her.

Sarah followed nissa ..no words were exchanged ,she was lost in thoughts of what would happen ,nissa sensing the kings guest was concerned..how nice she mused..someone the king seemed to care for..a welcome change from how he had been for so long.

In the darkness of the boys room jareth hushed his goblins and reached for Toby...the child stirred.however he didn't scream at the stranger ..he sleepily rubbed his eyes and peered at him..."you're Sarah's friend "he mumbled half asleep..."can I see her "his face brightening as jareth nodded..holding his finger to his lips to get the  little boy to keep quiet " yes Toby...you can see sarah..I just need to leave your parents a little gift.." he started to say as the door swung open , his mother was stood there.." and What gift Is that ...a present to remove my memories oh goblin king" she hissed her face contorted in pure fury..."you have the girl...but you WILL not take him " she splutterd out as she stalked towards them..her arms reaching for him "give me the  child Jareth..." she commanded.

"How is it possible you know anything about me woman.."came his smooth reply..he would not back down to this thing who had mistreated his sarah..separated her from her brother...tore her world apart "  he struggled to remain calm as he pulled Toby closer,the little boy whimpered..tangling his arms in jareth long hair "don't leave me..i want sarah "he sobbed into his ear..stepping back he put a hand out to stop her.."I am taking him...there are forces unknown to you that you have no power over..he belongs with his sister..and away from your  ways...he is a child..you would do well to remember that" he started to magick the pair away as she screamed lunging for them " do this jareth..and I will hunt you and your family down..i will bring your world to pieces..you have  no idea who you are playing with!" Her incensed eyes flashing a brilliant shade of purple..her hand grabbing at Toby..as he pulled him as near as he could...a wind swirled up and forced her hands away whilst the goblins started to attack her ...she was screaming hatefully as the boy vanished from her grips....