It's Only Forever

Paradise

 Sarah opened her eyes to sunlight flooding in through the open curtains of the windows surrounding the room. She thought she remembered them being closed the night before — but, then, she figured the goblins would have been up early to open them.

Sighing, she sat up and threw the blankets off to walk over to the windows. The pajamas she wore were soft, blue fuzzy pants with a cotton white tank top. She felt like a guest of royalty with everything she'd been given, and was so refreshed she almost believed the events of the previous day were ages ago. It was almost like the Labyrinth was far away, and she didn't happen to be right in the middle of it.

After a bit of squinting, she smiled in awe at how much more beautiful the fields were in the daylight. Bright sunlight shone across the meadows and the multitude of different flowers were spread across lush green grass.

"Madam," she turned to see a goblin holding a sundress. "Your change of clothes."

Sarah took it and looked it over. It was white with patterns of roses twisted throughout. No pockets. "Thank you, but do you also have a pair of shorts I can put on underneath this? Preferably with pockets?"

The goblin nodded, bowed, and scurried from the room, returning about a minute later with white jean shorts. Upon handing those to her, she expressed her gratitude before the goblin bowed once more and left her so she could get dressed.

She did so quickly, putting the ring in a pocket of the shorts and opening up the bedroom door to see Autumn sitting obediently outside it. The Shakana panted excitedly at the sight of her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked with a laugh, scratching her chin.

Autumn purred contentedly.

"Hey, do you want to go outside?"

The Shakana responded by bouncing around with excitement.

Sarah smiled ecstatically, "Race you!"

The two of them bolted down the staircase and, after a bit of fumbling with the handle on the front door, ran out into the sunlight. The soft, wet grass underneath her feet reminded her that she was barefoot, but she relished the refreshing touch as she and Autumn raced around the meadow. Flowers let off a strong, beautiful fragrance that filled Sarah's senses, blanketing her whole self with a carefree energy.

Autumn let out a playful growl as Sarah spun around with a smile on her face, then jumped right on top of her. Sarah laughed as they went tumbling to the ground.

After a bit of squirming to get away from Autumn's tongue, she heard, "Autumn — fetch!"

Autumn pounced right off and ran after something. Sarah propped herself up on her elbows to see Jareth standing there in a white cotton shirt and black pants. He held out his hand to help her up, and she readily took it, allowing his hand to wrap around hers like a perfect glove as he brought her to her feet.

"What did you throw?" she asked as she looked in the direction that Autumn ran to see her playing around with something in her mouth.

"A rock," Jareth replied half-heartedly. "I thought about using a stick, but I couldn't find one."

Sarah laughed. "It is a meadow. I suppose Bjorg is usually very careful about rocks and sticks on his land?"

He nodded, a content smile on his face as he asked, "Would you walk with me?"

"I can't think of anything I'd enjoy more," she replied, purposely pompous with her tone. She entwined her arm in his, starting a slow, leisurely walk. "So..." she started out, "Are you going to tell me what's so different about Bjorg that you left him this mansion?"