Labyrinth- Jareth's Return

5 - Conflicted Encounters

**Character images courtesy of Lisa AI description generation. Dracius pictured above**

A dark thick fog surrounded Sarah as she inched her way through it. Where am I? What is this place? As she walked forward, her hand caught hold of a bush. She trailed her fingers along it as she walked down the side of the bushes. "Sarah.." A familiar voice echoed softly in the air. "...Huggle?" Sarah stopped to look around. "Huggle, is that you?" She yelled out. Shortly after she caught a glimpse of something shiney moving away from her as it seemed to turn a corner. "Wait!" She started to run in the direction of the object and found the corner it turned around and stopped. She saw glitter glistening down next to the figure with the shiney object. "Huggle? Is that you? Why are we by the fountain? Where have you been?" Sarah approached Huggle slowly but he backed away. "Sarah, stay out of the garden. It isn't safe." His voice was soft and faint. He continued to back away disappearing in the fog. "Huggle wait! Why is it not safe? Come back! I have so much to discuss!" Sarah ran up to the fountain and looked around, the fog cleared slightly showing the steps to the castle. She kept turning in circles trying to find her friend but she was the only one around.

"Huggle!" She yelled becoming lightheaded. Before Sarah could catch herself, she fell over onto the steps of the castle.
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Sarah jolted up in a cold sweat, deep breathing as she held her chest. "Ughh.." She clenched her eyes closed and gripped her head. Jareth jolted up from the couch and came to her side. "Easy, you must lay back. You hit your head really hard." Sarah layed back looking up at Jareth then to the little goblin next to him. She hobbled over placing a cool cloth on her forehead as Sarah relaxed.

"W..wwhat happened?" Sarah scrambled to get the words out. Jareth stroked her hair away from her face. A bandage wrapped around her head where a gash above her eye finally stopped bleeding.

"My gaurds alerted me that you were in the garden late at night and took a fall right outside. What were you doing out there?" Jareth stared at her concerned. Stepping aside for the goblin to change her bandage. Sarah raised her hand to her head to feel her gash and flinched. "I... I don't remember.." She took a deep breath. "I... I thought I was sleeping.. I remember going to bed but.. I can't remember anything after that." She looked up at Jareth with worried eyes. "How long have I been out?" Jareth hardened his fave and stood up to look outside. "A few hours now." Sarah looked up at her canopy in shock. The goblin finished her bandage and left the room. What happened to me.. Sarah closed her eyes trying to remember what happened but nothing came. Her head started to pulse. Jareth turned back and kneeled beside her. "Just try to relax. Your safe now, that's all that matters. You must try to drink and eat." Sarah looked back at Jareth. There it is again. That expression. He's so concerned and...afraid? "Why are you doing this for me." Jareth was taken off gaurd as her green eyes stared softly into his.

"You are my future bride. Did I not promise you my all?" Sarah slanted her eyes toward him. "Promising me is one thing, but why are you really doing this? Why promise me in the first place? I can see your concerned about me, but why?" Jareth gritted his teeth slightly. I can't tell her now. It's not the right moment. But what do I say? Is my true intentions not as true as I think they are? Could it really be something else... Something... More? Jareth stroked her cheek and kissed her forehead. Sarah's eyes widened as she felt his warm lips against her skin. "You are not in the right state to ask, you need rest. You took a hard fall." Jareth's words were soft and warm. He's...never spoke to me like that before. Jareth held out a goblet of water and helped her drink, wiping away the water that dripped down the sides. Her lips were dry and chapped, the water felt cool and silky against them. Sarah stared up at Jareth and smiled softly as she layed back down. "I like you this way." Her words caught Jareth off gaurd, his eyebrows crunched up as he gave a faint smile. "And what way is that?" He asked sitting the goblet down next to her. Sarah looked over to him, her eyes getting heavy as she spoke softly. "Not as intimidating but gentle....Sweet.... Almost....... like..... you....." Her voice trailed off as she fell back asleep. Jareth smiled and brushed her raven hair softly. "Rest easy my love." he whispered as he lifted the bandage up and kissed her head. The wound slowly healed completely as he covered it back again.
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