Continuing Tales

The Debt

A Labyrinth Story
by Corrie McDermott

Part 16 of 24

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The Debt

The Great Escape...

Aiden was surprised to see Jareth awake at 5 'o clock. The Goblin King was standing with his back facing the King of Noross. Dressed in a leather jacket with a high collar, most likely a white shirt, beneath it. He wore black pants and black boots. He was standing on one of the balconies looking out over the land as the sun began to rise.

"I didn't expect to see you up this early." Aiden told him. Jareth didn't say anything and Aiden walked to his side gazing up at his friend with concern. "Are you all right? Nothing bad happened between you and Sarah last night after I left I hope." Jareth shook his head, his blond hair settling against him. After a short silence he sighed.

"I told her." He said softly.

"Told her what?" Aiden lounged against the marble railing..

The Goblin King inhaled deeply and let out the breath slowly. "I told her about Cyla."

Aiden's eyes widened. "Seriously? My word Jareth, you have that much trust in her?"

"Yes and then some. It was only fair." He looked at the King of Noross. His friend was leaning against the railing, dressed in a cranberry frock coat with gold trim, a white shirt beneath that, black pants and black boots. "The night before, out on the road she told me everything. She told me of how unwanted she felt, and about a young man she fell in love with. The bastard hurt her badly and yet she still loved him. She told me of her family life and how difficult things had been for her. We are more alike then I ever dreamed. I knew there was something about her that drew me to her besides her beauty. I finally discovered what it was that night."

'Two sides of the same coin didn't I say that?"

"Yes my friend, you did."

"The poor girl. So you told her about the court and the betrayal?"

"Yes. And I told her about how I became the Goblin King."

Aiden gave a bright smile. "So you told her everything then." Jareth nodded. "What was her reaction?"

"She cried and it was nearly my undoing. She held me and I.." Jareth let his words trail off.

"You what?"

Jareth lowered his voice. "I cried in her arms like a baby. I haven't cried like that since I was a child. I didn't even cry when Cyla left me."

"No when Cyla left you, that's when you became bitter and always angry." Aiden's smile widened. "The old wounds are finally healing."

"Yes. But I'm frightened Aiden."

"You frightened? That doesn't seem like you."

"She hasn't made her decision yet. There are 2 weeks remaining before she decides. What if she chooses to leave? I will not be able to survive if she denies me a third time. I've already lost so much of myself to her, if she leaves there will be nothing left."

Aiden gave his friend a hardy slap on the back. "She knows what you've been through now, just as you know what she's been through. It seems to me that you're both starting to heal. You've put forth trust and honesty between you. It's only a matter of time before things finally happen as they should. You two are destined to be together. She'll realize that, if she hasn't already. Let her have time, let her come to you. Don't push her away, but don't smother her either. Let her choose the pace. She knows what you feel for her, now she has to decide what she feels for you."

Jareth nodded. "I'm afraid I must go. Official business. Hang in there." He gave Jareth another pat and left the Goblin King to digest his words.

Jareth was still standing on the balcony when Sarah found him. She was a little hesitant to approach him after what had happened the previous night. She'd never seen a grown man cry and Jareth was the last person she ever thought she would see break down. He turned when he heard her approaching him and he gave her a sad smile.

"Did you ok sleep last night?" she asked. Seeing dark circles under his eyes worried her. She reached up to touch his face and let her fingers gently slide over his high cheekbone and along his jaw. He reached for her hand and put a gentle kiss on the palm, making her shiver.

"I didn't bother trying. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep." He smiled and released her hand.

"Are you all right?" The concern in her voice was genuine.

'Yes. I'm feeling much better. It actually felt good to talk about what happened. I feel like I'm at peace with myself now."

"That's how I felt after talking with you. I mean talking didn't change the past, but it made me feel better about it. I feel stronger. " He nodded.

"I approached everything so wrong last time." He let out softly.

"What do you mean?"

"When I offered you your dreams, offered you everything when you beat my Labyrinth. I was foolish enough to think you would accept my offers. Everything about the time we met was wrong."

"I wouldn't change it for the world." She told him taking his hand in hers and squeezing it. "Things happen for a reason. We don't always know what that reason is but we figure it out eventually. Jareth I was too young to love you back then. I was only 15 and I still had so many of my own problems to sort through and I needed to grow up."

"And you matured quite nicely." He told her, kissing her hand again. " I take back everything I said about you being a spoiled little child. You possess more knowledge and wisdom then some 2000 year old Fae I know. But you were too young. I realized that after I lost you. I rebuilt my Kingdom and I spent the last 10 years just thinking. Thinking of how you beat me, how I could have let you go so easily, how to get you back. I should have been thinking how to bring you back without making the same mistakes as the past."

"Hey there was no harm done. I've learned a lot of things about you that I would never have guessed in a million years. Everything happened as it should have. I wouldn't change the past for anything. No regrets here."

He nodded. 'You're right. I would change nothing. No regrets."

She smiled sweetly. 'Good." She slipped her arm through one of his and leaned against him. "Jareth, I-" she started nervously. She would have continued but one of Aiden's guards came rushing up to them.

"Your majesty, my lady, King Aiden wishes to see you both at once in the audience hall. He says it is urgent."

"Yes of course. Come on Sarah." Jareth took her hand and they quickly followed the guard to the audience hall. As soon as they entered, the doors shut behind them and a frazzled looking Aiden rushed to them.

"I was worried when neither of you were found in your rooms. Jareth you and Sarah must flee and quickly, I've gotten wind of some serious news."

"What? What is it?" Jareth practically barked. He sounded like the old Goblin King that Sarah remembered.

"Farris knows about Sarah. He's heard rumors of her existence in the underground and he will stop at nothing to have her. He has gone to the courts to plead his right for revenge. They did not answer his plea and left the matter up to him. He is gathering a small army as we speak. He wants Sarah. He believes having her will be sufficient revenge."

"No!" Jareth's cry was half anger and half anguish.

"Why does he want me?" Sarah asked.

Jareth spun to face her, grabbing her shoulders. "Because he's sick and twisted. He wants revenge against me for trying to embarrass him within the court for his actions over 400 years ago."

"The mortal women." Sarah's eyes widened.

"Yes! He has no doubt learned that you were the one who defeated my Labyrinth and that you are close to my heart. He's somehow learned that you are here."

"We have a spy in our midst's." Aiden realized horrified.

"We must have one. It's the only way that he could know all he does."

"What will happen? Jareth?" She grabbed his arm, suddenly afraid. She was powerless against someone with magic.

"Farris won't stop until he finds you and has his way with you." Sarah swallowed and Jareth gripped her tighter. "I won't let it happen. I promise you."

"Elbon has saddled two of my fastest horses. I've already sent word to your castle and they are preparing fresh horses as well as packing food and other necessities." Aiden told them.

"Where are we going?" Sarah asked bewildered.

"To hide in the mountains. There are veins of iron in the far mountains, although they will weaken my magic by being near them, it will also weaken Farris'. He's more fearful of iron then I am and he will stay away. It will give me time to prepare a small army."

"No, you two will take cover and I will prepare the army."

"Aiden, I could not ask you to do such. You would risk too much."

"You don't have to ask, besides I offered. Any risk is worth it for a good friend. One who deserves happiness with the woman of his dreams. Elbon must have brought the horses around front. Go quickly. I will gather an army while you hide Sarah from danger."

Jareth stepped forward and clasped Aiden's hand tightly. "I owe you much my friend."

"In friendship, we owe nothing. We are both equally blessed. Now go!" "We must hurry Sarah." Jareth took a last look at his friend and rushed down the halls, with Sarah holding his hand tightly.

The ride back to the castle beyond the Goblin City took only a day. Sarah and jareth rode their horses hard and made incredible time. When they arrived, the castle was a buzz with what was going on. Jareth's white horse and Velvet were saddled and ready and one pack horse, packed with food and other provisions was already waiting. Sarah changed quickly into her riding clothes and paced by the door, waiting for Jareth. He rushed down the stairs, dressed completely in black, fastening a belt with a long scabbard on the right side, around his waist. Sarah was going to ask what it was for but her question was answered. Jareth reached the end of the stairs and smashed a glass case that was there. He pulled a long bladed, iron sword from the case and put it in the scabbard.

'Jareth, what is that for?" Her eyes were full of fear. He moved to her quickly and placed a kiss on her brow.

"I'm not taking any chances. If Farris so much as looks at you the wrong way, he will wish he hadn't." he took her hand and pulled her out the door. They mounted their horses quickly and started off. Sarah took once glance back at the castle, praying that everything was going to be all right.

To those who are interested check out my cast page! http://www.geocities.com/cormak3032/labyrinth/thedebt.html let me know what you all think!

Also if you have a real player installed on your computer and would like to hear the entire song 'Night Ride Across Caucasus" by Loreena McKennitt from the chapter "Avyar" check out this link. http://free.freespeech.org/cw/ram/nightrideacrossthecaucasus.ram

The Debt

A Labyrinth Story
by Corrie McDermott

Part 16 of 24

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