"Again" he howled. Astrid quickly got up on her feet and attacked again, stricking forward, sideways he dodged, moving to his side.
She took this opportunity, turned around and struck at his left side, he used his sword to block hers and took two steps back. She continued attacking, he retreated, few steps backward, till she was very close to him.
She struck her sword again, aiming for his chest this time, he dodged it and shifted his body a bit to her right hand side. With one swift move, Jareth held her hand and bent it back, so the sword was on her neck.
Using his free hand, he held her other hand tight within his grasp, in front of her stomach. Astrid stopped moving, realizing she had lost to him, again!
He didn't move, neither did she, her chest heaved up and down with every breath she took. Both of them stayed silent for a minute, his breathing was a little bit scattered, but not as erratic as hers.