It's Only Forever

Complications

 "What in the world did you tell them?" Sarah asked, stunned by the way her father and stepmother were waving to her with a mixture of pleasure and sorrow as she walked out of the ballroom with Jareth. "They acted as though I'm about to become famous." In other words, tears had been shed and congratulations had been given without any context clues for her to work off of.

"That's unimportant when you won't be returning."

His words felt like a knife to her chest. No visiting home? No seeing her dad or Toby again? It gave her the resolve to do all the research she could in his Labyrinth in order to gain herself an escape from his act of tyranny. For now, though, it seemed she had no choice but to follow along. "Fine, then," she growled.

He glanced at her. It was such a look that she thought he was about to comment on her anger. "You aren't wearing your ring."

"That's a wonderful observation," she replied sarcastically, reminded of the fact that she still held it in the palm of her hand.

He merely frowned in response.

"Look, it's obvious you've given it back to me as some sort of engagement ring, but I would like you to do me a favor before I put it on."

He stopped walking, turning to face her. "And what would that be?" He seemed offended.

"Just give me a few days," she said, glancing away from his pointed gaze in discomfort. "I need that much time to let this... deal of ours sink in.... Speaking of which, can I see for myself that my friends aren't in a cage above the bog anymore?"

Jareth's smile, as she turned back to look at his face for approval, was one that Sarah had never seen from him before. It seemed kind, and somewhat loving. "Here," he made a crystal appear from behind his clasped hands, and they both watched the scene. Her friends were out, but something was wrong.

They and Jareth's goblins were being rounded up by ogre-like creatures holding wooden clubs.

Sarah looked up to see that Jareth's reaction was dark. He was as surprised as she was.

"We must hurry," he said suddenly, grabbing her hand and running to the double door exit of the hotel. She never thought she would ever see him run, let alone drag her along with him.

The doors opened out into the desert area just outside the Labyrinth, right where Sarah had first started out in her journey to save Toby.

"Jareth... what's going on?" she asked nervously. She looked down to see that her outfit had changed to blue jeans and a white, billowy shirt. Is everything about to be like it had been when I first went here? She reached into her handy pocket, dropping the ring in there for safekeeping.

Jareth's clothes had changed to the usual black boots, sparkly black jacket, baggy shirt, and the large black cape that had always made her think of him as somewhat of a bat rather than an owl. He wasn't surprised by this — had likely done it so often that she wondered if he ever physically did anything for himself with magic on hand at all times. New clothes always just appeared on him, and he could transport anywhere. In fact... why were they outside of the Labyrinth instead of where her friends were?

Sarah could see his frustration, and was interested to note to herself that he wasn't throwing a tantrum or cursing. He looked so conflicted that she wasn't sure what else to say in order to get some information from him about what was wrong. Rather, she watched him stare at his Labyrinth with heavy contemplation.

He finally spoke. "There's a reason I usually don't stay in your world for more than a few hours."

"Why's that?" she asked, leaning against a lone tree nearby.

"There are always repercussions with those I leave in charge while I'm away."

Sarah wasn't sure what that meant. 'Who did he leave in charge? What is happening?' She settled with asking, "What are you talking about?"

"I spent all that time trying to bring you back here.. I didn't think to check on my subjects..."

'So...' she deduced thoughtfully.... 'He left his goblin subjects alone and that allowed for someone, or something, to take over his throne?' It seemed like the kind of oversight he shouldn't have made with the fate of his kingdom in the balance. "Can't you just teleport us into the Labyrinth and win it back?"

"Don't be naive, Sarah," he said sharply, looking over his shoulder at her with slight contempt. "The magical abilities I have — had — come with control of the throne. I was able to use the last bit of magic I possessed to get us here... and now we're stuck."

"So, you're trying to say that I'm the reason we're in trouble now?"

"If you had just accepted my proposal five minutes earlier, we wouldn't be in this predicament."

Sarah nearly laughed at how he had turned their whole situation around on her. "If that was true, then this is the first time I feel like I've been doing something right all night."

Jareth scowled, turning his gaze forward toward his Labyrinth again.

"Well.. it looks like you and I will have to make our way through the Labyrinth the hard way," she mused.

He shook his head, "We'd need an invitation in order to get in. Anyone in power of the throne has to give permission in order for outsiders to get in."

Sarah snorted. "Didn't look like that stopped whoever took over your throne." She then proceeded to stand up, and make her way down to the Labyrinth much as hopeful of a good outcome as she had been the first time around. 'Come on feet...'

She'd hardly gone fifteen feet before Jareth called out her name. He was still at the top of the hill.

"I can't hear you!" she called back with a small laugh. Just because she took his deal didn't mean she had to be obedient. That was the old deal.