The temple within the mountains...

The sun was warm and felt refreshing in contrast to the previous day's rain. Sarah rode Velvet behind Jareth and Esperance and the packhorse. There was so much beauty to see out in the wilderness of Jareth's kingdom that Sarah sometimes forgot that they were escaping from a tyrant. The trails they rode on now, were not too steep but she could see up ahead that the trail was becoming treacherous. Sharp, jagged rocks reached for the sky. The trail narrowed. One false move and a horse and rider would go tumbling to the bottom to certain death.

"Sarah stay close to the side of the mountain. Velvet is sure footed but you can never be too careful." She nodded gulping as she looked down.

They rode a short ways before a small flat clearing appeared and Jareth rode to it, stopping for a much needed rest. Sarah noticed that he looked exhausted. Although the terrain was deadly, it was the horses that should be tired, not their riders. Sarah's muscles ached from sitting in the saddle for hours at a time, but no more then they usually ached when she rode Velvet all day. She watched as Jareth dismounted slowly and took a seat on a flat rock. She jumped down off of Velvet and went to the packhorse grabbing something to eat and drink for them both. He was leaning back, his eyes closed and a trace of sweat lining his brow. Glancing ahead at the trail and then back at Jareth, she knew that they were nearing the iron.

She offered him some bread, which he refused. "Jareth, you need to eat something. We've been riding for hours and you've eaten nothing."

He smiled at her concern. "I'm fine. I'm exhausted and food isn't a concern right now. I will eat before I return to my castle." Sweat trickled down the side of his face and Sarah wiped the liquid away with her hand.

'The iron. It has that much of an effect on you?"

"Yes. And the iron in these mountains is raw and untouched. Its very presence is enough to effect me. We have already journeyed far enough that my magic is nearly useless. I'm completely vulnerable here and we must get you to the temple so I may leave."

Sarah flashed him a look of concern and fear and he reached over to stroke her face with the back of his fingers. "Fear not love, things will turn out all right."

"But what if they don't? What if something goes wrong and I lose you? Jareth I don't want to lose you." The thought of losing him brought her near tears and he gave her a sad smile.

"Things happen for a reason, didn't you say that. Only time can tell what will happen." He stood and went to Esperance, swinging himself into the saddle with ease and he refused to show her that the small leap had cost him much of his strength. He had to be strong for her even if he couldn't be strong for himself. He would never admit to her that the thought of leaving her behind and the thought of engaging Farris in battle scared him out of his mind. "We should go." She nodded and slowly walked to Velvet. She leapt into the saddle and they traveled on.

The sweat was trickling down the sides of Jareth's face and he was shaking by the time they made it to the temple. It was a small stone building with columns and barrel vaulting nestled in the jagged rocks of an unforgiving mountain. There were statues and reliefs carved into the exterior walls. It reminded Sarah of something built by the ancient Romans. Jareth dismounted Esperance and immediately his knees buckled and he fell to the ground. Sarah rushed to him and grew concerned.

'I can't stay here much longer. I need my strength for the battle." Sarah nodded, cursing this temple for being her protector and for driving away the man she held dear to her heart. She wanted nothing more then for Jareth to stay with her, but she knew it couldn't happen. Jareth got to his feet and straightened himself. "You must speak to no one of this Sarah. I can't appear weak in front of anyone." She nodded and followed him to the temple. Horses were outside and a wagon. Riley, Metta and the goblins must be inside. They entered to find a fire already roaring in a fire place and the temple was divided into living quarters. Riley and Metta came forward bowing before their King.

"Yer Highness, everything is prepared and the goblins surround much of the perimeter of the temple." Riley told him.

"Excellent."

"Everything is prepare for Lady Sarah. I have brought many of her things from the castle." Metta bowed and Jareth nodded.

"You must all protect Sarah, for your lives depend on it. You should be safe here, from Farris and his men. I don't think he knows of this place and he wouldn't dare venture to where there is raw iron. I shall be back in a few days time to escort you all home, when the threat has passed. Guard Sarah and yourselves well." Riley and Metta bowed again and Jareth took a hold of Sarah's arm, steering her out of the temple quickly. His grip was tight and she knew his strength was failing him, but he refused to buckle before his subjects.

They walked to the gates of the temple and Sarah looked up at Jareth with tears in her eyes. "Don't cry. Please don't cry." He told her and he pulled her into his arms. The minute her face met his chest the sobs escaped from her body and she gripped him tightly. "Shhh. Please Sarah. You must be strong, we have to remain strong for each other and never give up hope." She nodded against him and he pulled back from her, still holding her but looking into her face. She noticed his eyes glazed with tears and the worry nearly drowned her.

"You have to promise me that you'll be careful. That you'll beat that jerk and that you'll come back for me. Promise me Jareth. Promise me you'll come back." She gripped the collar of his white shirt tightly.

"Sarah, I can't promise you that, as much as I want to. I don't hold fate in my grasp, but you know I will put everything I have into defeating Farris and returning to you." She reached up to touch his face, tracing his jaw line. He smiled and captured her hand, kissing it with his warm lips. "Your love has made my will to live strong and I'll be damned if I let Farris take away what we both deserve. Happiness with each other."

"You'd better come back." She said smiling through her tears and slapping him playfully on the chest. "You said you wanted to bed me and I plan to hold you to your words."

A devious grin spread across his face and he pulled her to him, his lips hovering mere inches from hers. "I always keep my word. When we return to my castle I will ravish you beyond your wildest dreams." His lips fell upon her and the light kiss he meant for her became much more when she responded and wrapped her arms around his neck. Only when Jareth felt his strength continue to weaken did he pull back, gasping for breath. 'I must go." He whispered pushing back stray locks of dark brown hair from her face. She nodded and they released each other.

Jareth leapt onto Esperance and trotted him to the gate. He stopped there and turned in the saddle to catch a final glimpse of Sarah. Her dark hair billowed around her and she looked like an angel. *I love you Sarah. * The voice was within her mind and she knew he had somehow used his magic to tell her. She nodded to him and mouthed the words 'I love you' back to him. Esperance reared and he and Jareth disappeared around a corner. Sarah turned back to the temple, unaware of the dark shadow watching from the doorway.