Persephone: The Sequel to The Labyrinth

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Sarah sat with her friends around a small table set on a patio in a garden. Hoggle and Sir Didymus were happy to find that she was unharmed. Ludo was just happy to see her. Sarah glanced around the beautiful garden. It was surrounded by stonewalls covered in ivy on three sides. It almost looked like the very garden in which she had been kidnapped from.

Sarah looked at her friends. Hoggle was barely eating his food, and he was mumbling. Sir Didymus and Ludo ate very happily.

"Hoggle, what's wrong?"

Hoggle looked up from his plate. "This ain't right, Sarah. I still don't understand how he can take you and the High King allows it."

"The High King?"

Sir Didymus sat down the small piece of food in his paw. "The High King is the highest level of authority here."

Sarah thought about it for a moment. "So he can tell Jareth what to do?"

Sir Didymus nodded. Of course, I have never heard of a son not doing as his father bid him."

"WHAT?" Sarah took a breath. "The High King is his father?"

Hoggle glanced over at Sir Didymus. "You weren't supposed to tell her." He looked back at Sarah. "Yes, that rat Jareth is the next High King."

Sarah thought over what her friends had just revealed to her. So Jareth was not just a king, but he was also a prince.

Sir Didymus glanced at Hoggle. "I am sorry, Sir Hoggle. I did not think we could not tell M'Lady."

Sarah smiled at the two of them. "I think it'll be fine."

Hoggle sighed. "I hope so. Jareth didn't tell us we couldn't tell you."

Sarah thought over that. "Well then I don't see how he would do anything." Then she realized, "Oh, wait a minute. I forgot who we're talking about. Of course he'll do something to you."

"Of course, I will and it would do well if you do not forget it."

Sarah, Hoggle, and Sir Didymus all turned towards the voice. Hoggle tried to look brave, but he was shaking. Sir Didymus began to shake as well, but he did a better job of hiding it. Ludo only looked on. Sarah glanced at her friends as she stood up.

XOXOX

Jareth stood in the doorway leading out into the garden. How dare they reveal who his father was. He had planned to tell her himself. Of course now he would have to punish them. Yes he had not told them they could not, but he also had not given them permission to tell her.

"Well it seems you four have had your fun. Now you three are to leave. I shall send for you once I've decided what to do with you."

Sarah moved in front of her friends. "But they didn't do anything wrong."

Jareth looked over at her. She wore a soft green gown. He so longed to run his fingers through her downed hair. "Sarah, I am their king. They revealed personal information about me without my permission."

Hoggle, Sir Didymus, and Ludo stood up. Hoggle followed after the other two out the door, leaving Sarah alone with Jareth.

As soon as the trio was inside, Jareth slammed the door. He then turned back to Sarah.

"I thought Agatha had explained to you how you are to address me."

Sarah gave a half smile. "Actually she said I'm doing just fine."

Of course she would. That is why he had made Agatha Sarah's maid. She knew him well.

Sarah moved a little closer to him. "What are you going to do to them?"

Jareth placed his hands on his hips. "What ever I wish to."

Sarah looked shocked. "But they didn't do anything. You didn't tell them they couldn't tell me. There is no reason for them to be punished."

"True, I did not tell them they could not tell you, but I did not say they could."

Sarah sighed. "What's wrong with me knowing that your father is the High King?"

"Sarah, the point is they gave information without my permission." He watched as Sarah walked towards on of the ivy-covered walls.

She turned and looked at him. He couldn't see her eyes. "You said you weren't heartless."

He began to walk towards her. "And you said you didn't believe me."

"Here's your chance to prove me wrong. Leave them alone."

Jareth stopped a yard away from her. She was right. If he proved to her that he did have a soft side, then there would be a better chance of her agreeing to marry him. Of course she still didn't know he planned to ask her.

"Very well. I will allow it this once."

Sarah nodded. "Good. Now what do you want?"

Jareth smirked. "What makes you think I want something?"

"You don't seem to show up unless you want something."

Jareth took the smirk off his face. "I came to see if you have realized how I was able to bring you here."

"I don't think that's it."

"Oh, really. Then why did I come?"

"Jareth."

God he loved hearing her say his name.

"It was the peach. Now explain to me what's so bad about me knowing who your father is."

Jareth sighed. "Because you see I may be his son, but he does not see me as his heir yet. I must do something to become the heir."

"What?"

Jareth smiled. "I am sorry, Precious, but I can not tell you that."

Sarah shook her head. "I get that you were able to get me here because of the peach, but why did you bring me back?"

He moved closer to her. "Sarah, did you forget the dream? You know very well why I brought you here."

Sarah stood her ground. "I won't be a fling, Jareth."

Jareth stopped barely from her. "I know that, Sarah. I want more than a fling."

She looked up at him. "What do you want?"

He bent his head down. "For now this." Softly he kissed her. He didn't touch her except for his lips. Even though he knew that she would not fight him, he wanted to go slow. Even if it killed him.

After a few moments, he pulled away. "I will see you tonight at dinner, Sarah." Then he was gone leaving Sarah alone in the garden in a daze.