A Necessary Deception

by Scattered Logic

Disclaimer: Jareth and Sarah belong to Jim Henson. Everyone else is mine.

Author's Note: Very special thanks to Sara McGee, a wonderful beta!

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Nine years ago

The white barn owl perched on the stone pillar and watched the performance unfold. He had observed the girl rehearse this scene many times. He had, in fact, been watching her for weeks. It was her absolute belief that had attracted his attention. He had not felt human belief this strong in centuries and the words in the last confrontation between heroine and villain were exactly those he needed. This particular combination was the key necessary to unlock the constraints that had been plaguing him for far too long.

As the clock began to chime and the first raindrops of the storm fell, she began running toward her home.

Soon, it must be soon, he thought. His patience was failing.

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Present Day

It had begun three weeks ago with blinding headaches and wracking nausea. Now, the slender, dark-haired woman sat in front of the doctor's desk, clasping her hands together to prevent them from shaking as the doctor read over her file.

Closing the folder slowly, he took a deep breath. "I'm afraid the second MRI shows that the tumor has progressed. The growth is not as rapid as it could be, but it's not as slow as we'd like."

"You're sure there's nothing you can do." The woman looked at him, despair in her eyes.

"I'm sorry," the doctor said apologetically. "I realize you were hoping for better news but I agree with the initial diagnosis. The tumor is located within your cerebellum. An operation to remove it would invariably prove fatal and, unfortunately, this type of malignancy moves so fast that chemotherapy and radiation have little effect."

"How long..." Her mouth was so dry that the words were inaudible. Swallowing hard, she tried again, "How long do I have?"

"It's very difficult to be completely accurate, but I'd say four to five months." The doctor spoke quietly. "Probably no more than six. I'll give you a stronger prescription for the headaches. I'm afraid you'll probably have a constant headache from now on, but the medication should help keep it fairly mild. I'll set up an appointment for next week. We'll reevaluate the drugs at that time."

"How will it happen?" she asked, her voice quivering.

"There's really no need to go into that at this time." The doctor's brow furrowed in concern.

The woman glanced up at him, her voice suddenly sharp. "I want to know."

She listened in horrified silence as he described headaches and nausea that would increase in severity, progressing to the systematic shutdown of vital organs until finally she would die. Nodding her head, the woman rose to her feet somewhat unsteadily and turned to go.

The doctor took in her shaking hands and stunned expression. His professionally detached manner softened.

"Sarah, isn't there someone I can call for you? Someone you'd like to come and take you home?"

"No," her voice was barely a whisper, "my father is promoting his latest book in Europe and my brother and stepmother are with him. My mother..." her voice trailed off. "My mother is an extremely busy woman. We rarely speak."

"A friend, then. I'd be glad to call anyone you--"

"No," she interrupted. "There's no one."

Returning to her apartment in a daze, Sarah mechanically changed her clothes and then sat in the darkened living room staring blankly at the walls. She felt numb. She tried to think of exactly what the doctor had said, but her mind skittered away from his words. Feeling the need to do something, anything, she gathered up her cleaning supplies and began to clean the already spotless apartment.

It was later, as she was on her knees scrubbing the kitchen floor that his words came back in full force.

Four to five months, she thought as terror shot through her. She viciously dug the steel bristles of the brush into the tile. Probably no more than six.

She threw the brush across the kitchen and it struck the refrigerator with a sound like a gunshot. She jerked in surprise as the shrill ring of the telephone cut through the apartment. Staggering to her feet, she went to the phone, taking several deep breaths to calm herself before lifting the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Sarah? I can barely hear you." Her father's voice sounded metallic.

"Daddy? Oh, I'm so glad it's you." Sarah's voice shook and tears filled her eyes.

"Honey, I've got wonderful news," he said. "I couldn't wait to tell you." Before Sarah could speak, he continued, "Your step-mom and I are buying a home here in England."

"What?" Sarah asked, confused.

"The book's selling very well and my publisher's offered me a three-book deal. The signing bonus alone will take care of the down payment." Her father's voice was bright with happiness. "We've found a little house just outside of London. It's just beautiful, Sarah. But that's not all, we think we can get Toby into a really good school here."

Sarah stood stunned, pressing the receiver tightly to her ear. She didn't want to tell him about her illness over the telephone.

"That's...that's great, Daddy." She forced her voice to remain steady. "When do you think you'll be back in the United States? When will I see you again?"

"Oh honey, not for five or six months, I'm afraid. I've got to finish the book tour and then we'll have to set up the new house and get Toby settled. Just think, Sarah, you'll have a built-in English vacation. Any time you want, you can just hop on a plane and visit."

"Five or six months," Sarah repeated hollowly.

"Honey, is everything okay?" Her father sounded concerned.

Sarah stood silent for a moment and then made her decision. "Everything is just fine, Daddy. I'm so happy for you. Um, is Toby there? Can I speak with him?"

"Sure, just a minute." She heard her father calling Toby to the telephone.

"Hey, Sarah, did Dad tell you?" Her brother sounded excited. Sarah's eyes filled with tears at the sound of his voice.

"Hey, kid. Yeah, Dad told me. It sounds wonderful. Toby, these calls cost a fortune so I'm going to be really quick. I just wanted to say something."

"Sure, what is it?"

"I know it's hard sometimes for brothers and sisters to get along. If I ever said or did anything to hurt you, then please forgive me." Sarah's voice was quiet.

Toby laughed, "Jeez, Sis, what's with you? Don't worry about it. Sometimes you're a pain in the butt, but what's the worst thing you ever did? You backed over my bike once, but I know you didn't do it on purpose."

"No, I didn't do it on purpose." Sarah smiled. "Actually, the worst thing I ever did was wish that the goblins would come and take you away." She laughed quickly, "They didn't, of course, but I've always felt bad for even thinking it."

Toby chuckled. "That's funny. For a long time when I was little I had a dream about goblins. I'd have that same stupid dream almost every night. I don't remember all of it, but you were there and some guy with strange eyes and long blond hair was always there, too."

"What?" Sarah's knees threatened to give way.

"Like I said, don't worry about it." Toby began whispering to someone else in the room. "Hey, Sarah, I gotta go. Dad's taking us out to dinner. I'll talk to you soon, okay?"

"Toby," Sarah cried, "Wait!"

"I'm here," he said impatiently.

"I love you. No matter what happens, don't ever forget that." Sarah said clearly.

"Aw, Sis, I love you, too," Toby said, sounding embarrassed. "I gotta go now. Bye." And with that, he hung up the phone.

Sarah stood, the receiver still pressed against her ear, listening to the silence. With a moan, Sarah sank to her knees and began to cry.

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After her crying jag abated, Sarah sat huddled on the floor, arms locked around her knees, until the sunlight completely faded from the room. When it finally registered that she was sitting in the dark, she rose and switched on a lamp.

She made a cup of tea and carried it out to her postage stamp-sized balcony. It was the reason she had taken this particular apartment. The tiny area, just big enough for two chairs and a small table, had added an extra $200.00 a month to the rent, but it gave her a place to breathe fresh air and watch the sunset.

Tonight it gave her a quiet place to think. Perhaps she was wrong in deciding not to tell her family about the cancer, but what would happen if they knew? They couldn't help her and that inability would make them feel helpless. No matter what they tried to do, they would still be forced to watch her die. Sarah shook her head slowly at the thought. She wouldn't do that to them, especially not to Toby, she'd always tried to protect him.

'Not always,' her conscience mocked. "That wasn't real," she said fiercely. "That was my imagination." But how could Toby know about the goblins? She had been far too ashamed of that idle wish to ever tell him of it.

"You were there and some guy with strange eyes and long blond hair was always there, too." Toby's words came rushing back to her. The Goblin King. For a moment Sarah felt dizzy, and then the explanation came to her. She had kept a diary at the time and she'd scribbled down all those fantastic dreams. Toby must have read it, she thought in relief. Didn't she still have all those old diaries?

In her apartment, she rummaged around until she found the diary she was looking for. She leafed through the pages she had written nine years ago. It was strange to see her childish scrawl and a ghost of a smile touched her lips as she read the melodramatic phrases she had been so fond of as a teenager.

Her smile faded as she read the account of her first encounter with the Goblin King. Her initial description of him had consisted of two words: "He's gorgeous." Uneasily, she resumed the narrative. But as she read through her diary, she became more unsettled. It was as if she had known she wouldn't forget him, for she had never described his appearance in detail.

How then could Toby know what the Goblin King had looked like in her imagination? The Underground, her friends and her adversary had seemed so real at the time, but she had dismissed it as fantasy almost right away. It had all been fantasy, hadn't it? Shaken, Sarah once again read over her adventures. The events described were as she remembered, but they also were not. When she reached the section describing her defeat of the Goblin King, a sickening jolt went through her as she read his words.

She read those words over, hoping they would change. Was this what he had said? Casting her mind back, she was forced to acknowledge that she had quoted him correctly. Oh my god, Sarah thought, he was right. How could she have missed it? Had she been that blind? No, she thought, not blind, just far too immature and overprotected to truly understand what he had been saying.

Everything that had been done was done to meet her expectations. Even the "dangers untold and hardships unnumbered" had been relatively mild. The worst danger had been facing his army and she had to admit that it had been spectacularly ineffective.

Shaken, Sarah was surprised at her thoughts. When had she started thinking of him as real? But, if he were real, why did he allow her to win? As soon as that thought crossed her mind, she remembered the beginning of the story she had told to Toby that night.

"The King of the Goblins had fallen in love with the girl and he had given her certain powers..." Sarah recalled aloud.

That's what he meant when he said I was cruel, she thought, horrified. I was cruel. Sarah was suddenly filled with the absolute certainty that the Goblin King existed and that she was guilty of doing an unforgivable thing to him.

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She tried to sleep but gave up at 1:30 a.m. after only tossing and turning. Sitting cross-legged on her bed, she made lists of things she had to do. She should begin packing her things so her family wouldn't have to do it later. She'd need to talk to her insurance company and to her boss about taking a leave of absence.

'He offered himself to you.' Sarah caught her breath as the thought slipped unbidden into her mind. Pushing it away, she wrote, "make out a will" on her paper.

Just fear me, love me, let me rule you and I will be your slave. Shuddering, Sarah tossed her list on the nightstand. Even if she had accepted him, she had been little more than a child. She hadn't understood; he had been talking in adult terms. If she had understood him, she would have been terrified. 'He was so beautiful,' her mind whispered. "And so coerced," she said sadly. "It must have been torture for such a powerful creature to play that role for a spoiled girl."

Sarah knew she could never make it up to him. But at the very least, she could apologize. Perhaps if she told him that he had been right all along, it would give him some sense of vindication.

'Or,' her mind taunted, 'he could turn you into a goblin.' "Shut up," she hissed. "I'm dying anyway. What do I have to lose?"

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She pulled on jeans, t-shirt and sneakers and made a cup of instant coffee. While the water was heating, she thought about what she would say to him. 'If I'm not insane.' Sighing, she carried the cup out to the balcony.

She sipped the coffee, grimacing at the taste. She'd only had instant and she made a mental note to add ground coffee to her shopping list. Oh for pity's sake, she realized, I'm just putting this off. She drained the cup and placed it on the side table. Taking a deep breath, she said the words that had been shoved to the darkest part of her mind for so long.

"I wish the Goblin King would come and take me away right now."

Those weren't quite the same words but perhaps they would work. She waited, holding her breath, and then exhaled slowly when nothing happened.

In a moment, she began to laugh. She was losing her mind, believing in fairy tales again, she thought. She should just go back inside and try to get some sleep. She was reaching for her cup when the wind began to rise, whipping her hair into her face and momentarily blinding her. She heard the beating of wings and as she frantically brushed her hair back, she realized she was no longer alone. A splinter of fear shot through her.

The Goblin King stood before her.

With a gasp, Sarah backed away, knocking into the table. Her cup wobbled, then fell and shattered at her feet.

"You're real," she whispered.

He was dressed very simply in white shirt, dark breeches and boots. His long black cape billowed in the wind and his wild blond hair gleamed in the moonlight. He stood with hands on his hips, regarding her coldly with those intriguing eyes she remembered so well.

"Well, if it isn't you again." His voice was icy. "But it isn't a baby you've wished away this time, Sarah. I don't usually claim adults, but in your case I am willing to make an exception."

Sarah stared at him, astonished. He was just as formidable and just as beautiful as she remembered. She quickly pushed that thought from her mind. "I want to talk to you."

He arched an eyebrow.

"I want to apologize," she said.

"Apologize?" For a fleeting moment, the Goblin King seemed surprised.

"I'm terribly sorry for what I did to you. I refused to see that you were telling me the truth the time that we last...spoke. You were right. You only did what I wanted but I was too selfish to realize it." Sarah's voice was shaking and she nervously cleared her throat.

"The worst of it is that I think I may have forced you to feel things that you didn't choose to feel. If I had known...I would never...I just hope you can forgive me."

Jareth was stunned at her admission, but carefully schooled his features into an expressionless mask.

"And to what do I owe this sudden contrition?" he asked, his arrogant demeanor surfacing.

Sarah looked away and shrugged. "I've recently discovered that I don't have the luxury of wasted time. If I'm going to make amends, I have to do it right away."

"Explain," he demanded.

"Well, considering what I did to you, you might find this funny," she said, trying to force a hint of humor into her voice. She failed and her voice shook. "I have cancer. I only have a few months to live."

"The physicians of this world cannot heal you?" he asked, eyes narrowing.

"No," she said wearily. "Medicine won't cure it and if they try to cut it out of me, I'll die on the operating table."

"And so you called me thinking I would heal you?" he asked.

Sarah looked at him sharply. "No, I'd hoped that you would accept my apology. There isn't anything anyone can do about the tumor; the doctors have made that perfectly clear. You know, I'm not even certain you're actually here. This thing in my head may be making me see you. You may just be an hallucination caused by regret."

He locked eyes with her and said softly, "The things you've apologized for, Sarah, are they all you regret?"

She bowed her head briefly. "I regret a lot of things," she whispered, her voice breaking. She quickly scrubbed at her face with her hands and when she looked up, her eyes were clear. "That isn't what I wanted to talk about. Will you accept my apology?" she asked.

"I haven't decided," Jareth's expression was closed. "But I have decided to accept you."

"Me?" Sarah squeaked.

"You wished yourself away to me." Jareth smiled faintly. "I accept."

"Wait a minute," Sarah's eyes widened in alarm, "I just wanted to apologize to you. I didn't mean the whole 'wishing away' part."

Jareth stepped closer to her. "Oh, you didn't?" His smile turned mocking. "Now, why does this conversation sound so familiar?"

Sarah flinched, but held her ground. Gathering her strength, she lifted her chin defiantly. "You've already said you don't take adults."

"I said usually. I also said that I am willing to make an exception in your case." Jareth's expression inexplicably turned thoughtful.

"But...but I can't go with you. I have things I need to do. I have a doctor's appointment next week." Sarah's voice began to rise. "I don't want to be a goblin."

Jareth didn't reply. He simply turned his wrist and a crystal appeared on his fingertips.

Sarah saw the crystal and jerked, turning to run. He saw the panic that filled her eyes and before she could take a step, his hand shot out to grasp her firmly by the wrist.

"There's no point in running," he murmured. "Where would you go, after all?" At that moment, the crystal burst and she felt light-headed. Blinking, Sarah found herself standing in an unfamiliar place.

The Goblin King released her.

Sarah frantically looked down at herself. So far, it didn't appear that she had changed.

"When does it happen?" She asked apprehensively.

"You're not going to become a goblin," Jareth said, becoming irritated.

"Then what is going to happen?" she asked, quite confused. She glanced around but didn't recognize the room in which they were standing.

Jareth didn't answer her, but merely called out, "Dorenil, you are required."

After a few moments, an older man rushed through a side door, tying the belt to his long dressing gown and dragging his fingers through his unruly gray hair. He stopped abruptly at the sight of them.

"Your Majesty," he bowed. "How may I serve you?"

Jareth gestured toward Sarah. "She's ill."

The man looked at her with distaste. "She is human, Your Majesty."

"I'm aware of that," Jareth snapped. "Can you cure her?"

The man regarded Sarah intently and for a moment it seemed his eyes glowed faintly. Sarah watched him warily. Were his ears pointed?

"How can he cure me?" Sarah spoke up. "He doesn't even know what's wrong with me."

Jareth didn't spare her a glance. "Well?"

The healer walked over to Sarah, a grave look on his face. He reached out and lightly touched a finger to her forehead. Sarah jerked back. The healer glanced at Jareth.

"She has a malignancy growing there. I know little of human physiology," he looked back at Sarah speculatively, "but I believe I can heal her."

Dorenil continued, "I'm not sure how long this will take, Your Majesty. She must remain with me."

"Very well." Jareth turned to go and then glanced back at Sarah. "Do as he says. I'll speak to you when this is finished."

She opened her mouth to protest, but the Goblin King had already stalked from the room. Dorenil looked at her as if she were a laboratory rat. He gestured toward a chair.

"Sit down, woman," he said in a disgusted tone. "The sooner I get this over with, the sooner I can go back to sleep."

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Jareth returned to the room he used as his office, adjacent to the throne room. He hadn't expected to see her and he certainly hadn't expected the surge of anger he'd felt. His mind in turmoil, he struggled to calm himself. He idly picked up a small marble box from his desk and studied it as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world. It had been a gift from... Jareth's mind went blank and the thoughts he fought to keep out flooded through his mind. His eyes darkened and he threw the box against the wall where it shattered into fragments. Before he could gain his composure, his aide, Ethain, came into the room.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

Jareth shook his head. "What are you doing still awake?"

"I was reviewing the budget. I'm meeting with Brennan in the morning and he's sure to want more supplies." Ethain looked at the Goblin King with concern. "You haven't answered my question, Jareth. What's wrong?"

Jareth smiled slightly. He knew when his old friend began addressing him by his given name, there was no hope of distracting him.

"Sarah is here." Jareth said, his voice tight.

"How?" Ethain asked, surprised.

"I brought her. She asked to be taken." Jareth laughed humorlessly. "She wanted to apologize to me. She thought she would apologize and I would conveniently ignore the fact that she wished herself over to me."

Ethain looked at his friend steadily. "Why didn't you? You know the consequences of bringing her here." Suddenly Ethain's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Where is she?"

"She's with the healer."

Ethain looked puzzled. The Goblin King slumped wearily into the chair behind his desk.

"I had to bring her, Ethain. I had no choice. She's very ill. She would have died there."

Ethain sat across from his friend. "She asked you to heal her?" His voice was casual.

His nonchalance didn't fool Jareth. "No." He said shortly. "She had no ulterior motive. She doesn't even believe it can be done. She actually did want to apologize."

"And are you going to accept this apology?"

"I haven't decided."

"You plan on punishing her, then?" Ethain stretched his legs out before him.

"No," Jareth said, exasperated. "I don't know. I haven't had time to think. This has been somewhat unexpected."

Ethain nodded, his tone noncommittal, "She must be a grown woman now."

Jareth shot him a cold look. "That's not why I've brought her here."

"You know her presence will cause certain...assumptions...to be made, particularly by the Seelie Court."

"Your concern over this matter is unwarranted. She wished herself over to me. They know the rules."

"Yes, but inevitably some of them are going to come sniffing around. You'll have to protect her."

The King's eyes narrowed and his face became expressionless. "Are you implying that I cannot?"

"Of course not, none of them are fool enough to make an outright challenge. But a bit of anger and a few careless words on your part could do a great deal of damage."

Jareth waved a hand, dismissing Ethain's concerns. "It's not as if I'll have much contact with her. We'll find her quarters here in the castle. It's a large place; surely we can keep out of each other's way."

"She'll want to go home." Ethain kept his voice neutral. "And she's bound to have questions about the changes she will see here."

"I'll deal with her." Jareth said briefly.

Ethain looked at his friend carefully. His reunion with this woman had stirred up emotions Jareth usually kept hidden. They were clear in his eyes where anger fed off a deeper pain.

"Jareth, she was little more than a child when she was first here. Obviously she has matured or she wouldn't have apologized, and you are not the man she encountered here last."

A cold smile crossed the King's face. "Aren't I? I certainly wouldn't want to disappoint her. Sarah has always had such high expectations of me."

Ethain sighed to himself. This had the potential to go very, very badly.

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As soon as Jareth left, Sarah began backing away from the healer. "I don't know what you plan to do, but you just stay away."

"Young woman, what is your name?" His tone was curt.

"Sarah." She said, eyeing the door.

"What I plan on doing, Sarah, is healing you. That's what the King has commanded and that's what I shall do. Now sit down!"

Sarah thought if she could edge around him, she could be out the door and running before he could catch her. The healer wasn't fooled.

"You do understand that you're dying, don't you?" His tone gentled somewhat.

Sarah froze. "Yes," she whispered.

"Do you want to die?"

Her breath caught in her throat and she slowly shook her head.

"Then sit down." He pointed toward the chair again.

Sarah sat and watched him remove a large leather-bound book from a bookcase along the wall. After reading a few minutes, he turned back to her. He placed his right hand lightly on her forehead and used his left to cradle the back of her head. He began speaking in a lilting, musical language she'd never heard before and a warm, light sensation flowed through her. After a few moments, it concentrated in her head, becoming more intense. Just at the point of discomfort, the feeling ceased and the doctor removed his hands.

Dorenil leaned down to peer at her intently and Sarah saw that his eyes were indeed glowing. The glow gradually faded and he said, "Yes, that's working. How do you feel?"

Sarah sat silently and then said, astonished, "I don't have a headache."

"Of course not. I want to see you again tomorrow afternoon. Now, stay here." Without waiting for her to reply, he simply walked from the room.

"But I don't plan on being here tomorrow." Sarah whispered.

The healer returned with a large goblin dressed as a guard in tow.

"The King wished to speak with you when I had finished. The guard will escort you."

Sarah looked at Dorenil and softly thanked him. She wasn't sure what he had done, but at least he had relieved that constant headache. He merely nodded his head and waved her away.

As the goblin led her out of the room, Sarah heard Dorenil mutter, "A perfectly good night's sleep ruined. She wouldn't have died before the morning."

She followed the guard through winding hallways lit by torches. She recognized the throne room as they passed through and was surprised to see that everything seemed very neat with none of the litter and trash that had been evident on her first visit.

They entered a short hallway and stopped at an oak door. The guard knocked and Sarah heard an unfamiliar voice call, "Come in." The guard pushed open the door and gestured her forward. "The King will see you."

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As Sarah entered the room, she saw the Goblin King sitting behind a desk. A dark haired man who had been sitting in front of him rose to his feet. He was dressed in the much the same manner as the King, but his clothing was entirely in shades of gray.

He smiled at her and bowed slightly from the waist. "You must be Sarah."

"Sarah, this is Ethain, my aide." Jareth said lazily. "Ethain, may I present Sarah.

She glanced over at him and nodded jerkily.

Sarah looked at Jareth warily. "What do you want?"

His tone was insolent. "Want? You summoned me, as I recall."

"I called you to apologize, an apology you haven't accepted. I didn't want to come here." Her arms had gone rigid at her sides.

"Coming here is exactly what you asked of me." Jareth rose to face her, his eyes flashing.

Ethain said hastily, "Sarah, I understand that you were ill. Has Dorenil finished with you? Are you feeling better now?"

Dragging her eyes from the Goblin King, she looked at Ethain. He was not as tall as the King and his stocky frame seemed sturdy. Dark brown hair brushed his collar and his brown eyes were kind.

"Yes, my headache is gone. He--he wants to see me again tomorrow, but I need to go home." She appealed directly to Ethain.

He looked away from her.

Her heart sinking, Sarah turned back to the King. His face was now expressionless. She had the dizzying sensation of being 15 years old again. Quickly, she shook it off. She was far too old for tantrums and tears.

Taking a deep breath, she spoke quietly. "Thank you for what you've done for me. I appreciate it, I truly do. But I'd like you to send me home."

Jareth smiled faintly. "I can't do that."

"Why not?" She struggled to seem merely inquisitive.

"I can't send you back because you've already been back."

"I don't understand." Her tone was puzzled, but still polite.

Ethain felt a flash of admiration for her. She was obviously confused and more than a little frightened, but she was pushing it down to deal with Jareth calmly.

"A mortal may leave the Underground once, Sarah. If they return again, they must remain." Jareth said.

"But...but there must be some way around that. You certainly seem to come and go as you please."

Jareth looked amused. "I'm not mortal, but there are laws to which even I am bound. I couldn't send you back if I tried."

"Or wanted to?" Sarah said hotly. "You said you don't usually take adults, but you made an exception in my case. Why? You had to know that I'd be trapped here."

"You were dying there." Jareth's eyes had gone flat.

"And that mattered to you?" Sarah snapped.

Jareth's eyes narrowed and some emotion swept through them so quickly that Sarah was unable to identify it. Then it was gone and he began to walk toward her slowly.

His voice was like a lash. "Then let us say that you are here at my whim. You summoned me. You gave yourself over to me." He closed in on her and his gaze deliberately drifted over her body. He reached out and before she could react, twisted a hand in her long hair, pulling with just enough force to tilt her head back and compel her to meet his cold eyes. "This is not the Aboveworld, Sarah. I am King here and you are now subject to my will."

Sarah felt like a rabbit caught in the gaze of a hungry wolf. Terror shot through her like ice and some dim part of her mind hissed, 'Why didn't you consider this?' She struggled to catch her breath and she wondered frantically if those old words would work a second time.

As if reading her mind, Jareth smiled triumphantly. He whispered, "Don't bother saying it. I do have power over you, and by all that's sacred, one of us will die before I give it up."

The moment seemed to stretch out forever and the only sounds she could hear were his harsh breathing and the pounding of her heart.

Ethain cleared his throat and Sarah jumped as if shot and closed her eyes. She felt the Goblin King release her.

"Your Majesty, it is very late. Perhaps this conversation would be better continued after you have rested. I'm sure you're both very tired."

She opened her eyes again and saw that Jareth had moved away and turned his back to her.

"Yes," Jareth said remotely. "Show our guest to a room."

Wordlessly, Ethain quickly ushered Sarah into the hallway. Blindly, she followed Ethain. They didn't speak until, as they began to climb a staircase, she felt her legs buckle. Almost falling, she clumsily sat on a step.

Ethain stopped. "Are you all right?" Genuine concern colored his voice.

"Just the inevitable adrenaline crash. Give me a minute, okay?" Sarah looked up at the dark-haired man standing over her. "Have you known him long?"

"For most of my life." Ethain said.

"Then tell me--just how close was he to hurting me back there?" Sarah asked.

Ethain looked troubled. "I don't believe he would harm you, but I've never seen him quite like that before."

"I must bring out the best in him." Sarah rose, her legs still shaky.

"Sarah, don't judge him too harshly." Ethain's expression was serious. "There are many things you don't know."

"Yeah, I'm starting to figure that out." Sarah said darkly.

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Early the next morning Ethain found Jareth in the dining room, ostensibly eating breakfast, but actually just pushing the food around on his plate.

"Is it not to your liking, Your Majesty? I'll have the cook prepare something else if you prefer." Ethain knew the food wasn't the problem, but he was obligated to ask.

"No, I'm not hungry." Jareth said. Throwing his napkin down, he said abruptly, "I'll be gone all morning. I'll be back in time to hear grievances this afternoon."

"You deliberately frightened her." Ethain knew no explanation was necessary.

Jareth stopped at the doorway. Ethain understood that he was on dangerous ground, but he had to continue.

"It is, of course, your right as King to order any woman you wish into your bed, but you've never been that sort of man. Why did you give her the impression that you are?"

"Fear can be a highly effective motivator. She'll stay as far away from me now as possible." Jareth's voice was like ice.

Ethain knew enough to let the subject go. "Before you leave, Your Majesty, I thought perhaps it would make the transition easier on Sarah if she had a few of her own things here. Also, with your permission, I'd like to have a maid assigned to her. She is unfamiliar with our ways and I believe a maid could be a comfort to her."

Jareth nodded briefly. "See to it."

Jareth left as quickly as his dignity would allow. He had to get out of the castle. He'd walked the floor most of the night trying to decide what to do about Sarah. He should simply have accepted her apology and left her there. Taking her had been an impulse, but leaving her to die had been unthinkable.

Outside in the open courtyard, Jareth transformed into an owl and flew high over the castle, past the Goblin City and the labyrinth. The luxurious freedom of flight had always calmed him and today was no exception.

The beauty of his kingdom was extraordinary from the air and he felt a surge of pride as he looked over lush fields and towering forests. He came to rest beside a clear lake and took his human form again.

It was obvious from her apology that Sarah had come to realize the pain she had caused. What troubled him was the amount of pain she might still be able to inflict. Her impromptu addition to the story about the Goblin King falling in love with the girl had been unexpected and devastating. As hard as he had tried to fight those emotions, they had become overwhelming. At the end, he had stood before her genuinely hoping that she would accept what he offered.

He had known she wouldn't, of course. Her trip through the labyrinth had ended as it should, but that knowledge had not dulled the pain he felt when she refused him. He wouldn't go through that torment again.

Romantic love wasn't an emotion he was comfortable feeling. Liaisons among royalty were almost exclusively based on either lust or societal maneuvering. Marriages were certainly for political advantage. Deep affection was the most that one could hope from such an arrangement. Sarah had, with her careless words, turned his world upside down.

And now she was back and it shook him to feel that emotion stirring. He'd thought it dead and buried, but it was alive. Some part of him still loved her, but he refused to give in to it this time. It wasn't a real emotion, merely a lingering side effect of the momentary magic he'd granted her to gain what he had truly wanted. 'Are you certain?' His mind whispered. 'That spell would have faded long ago.'

He banished that thought viciously. If playing the cold, cruel Goblin King would keep her at arm's length then it was a small price to pay to prevent being hurt by her again.

--------------------------------

Sarah slowly woke, disoriented by her surroundings. As the memory of the previous night's events came back to her, she sat up hurriedly. Looking around at the stone walls and unfamiliar room, she knew that it hadn't been a dream and she thought back on the events of the previous evening.

After Ethain had left, she'd lain on the bed attempting to comprehend her situation. A few hours ago she had been trying to come to terms with her imminent death. Now she was back in the Underground, taken by the King of the Goblins and trapped here for the rest of her life; which would be much longer than she had anticipated if the healer was correct.

She had been badly frightened by the actions of the Goblin King in his office. Viewing her first visit here through the eyes of an adult, she remembered him as manipulative and seductive but never truly threatening. Had her perceptions changed or had he?

She'd turned these things over and over in her mind until finally, exhausted, she'd drifted off to sleep.

Getting off the bed, she realized she still didn't have a headache. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror hung on the wall, she grimaced at her appearance. Her clothes were badly wrinkled and her hair hung in tangles down her back. Dark smudges stood out starkly under her eyes.

A large pitcher and bowl stood on the table underneath the mirror and she poured out water to wash her face. Straightening, she wiped water from her eyes and looked around for a towel. Nothing. Sighing, she dried her face on hem of her t-shirt.

Feeling somewhat refreshed, she looked around. The only door was the one she'd come through last night. However, there was a large ornately carved screen in the corner. Peeking behind it, she found a rudimentary bathroom. Looking dubiously at the tub, she saw it had no plumbing.

She opened a drawer on the table under the mirror and found a comb and mirror. Other than the bed, there was no other furniture in the room, so she sat on the edge of the bed and gently worked the tangles from her hair.

As she finished, there was a knock on the door. Jumping up, she felt her heart leap into her throat. Plastering what she hoped was a confident look on her face, she opened the door. An older goblin woman stood there, holding a tray. She was taller than most of the goblins Sarah had seen when here before, but still very short. Her eyes were shiny black in her dried-apple face and she looked at Sarah curiously.

"Ah, good," she said, "You're up already. I've brought your breakfast."

Sarah stepped back and the goblin came in. She set the tray on the bed and looked Sarah over critically, frowning at her jeans and t-shirt.

"Your clothing is odd."

Sarah laughed softly, thinking of how the Goblin King and Ethain had been dressed. "It's common from where I'm from. I'm Sarah, who are you?"

The goblin woman looked surprised. "Well, I know who you are. His Grace told me. I'm Twylla. I'm to be your maid."

"His Grace?" Sarah asked. Was this some other way of referring to the King? And what was this about a maid?

"Yes, Lord Ethain. He's the one who sent me up with your breakfast. He said he'll be up to fetch you shortly." Twylla looked around the room, obviously ticking off a mental list of things to do. "I'll get your linens and have the room cleaned and some furniture moved in here. Goddess knows, we'll have to get you measured for clothes. You can't be going around looking like that, you'll shame us all."

Twylla bustled toward the door and Sarah said, "Wait. Do you know where the King is?"

Twylla looked incredulous. "Him? He's been up and gone for hours."

"Oh, well...thank you." Sarah said. At least she wouldn't have to face the Goblin King right away, but she knew that sooner or later it was inevitable. Sighing, she began to eat her breakfast.

--------------------------------

Ethain knocked on Sarah's door and waited. In a moment, she answered. He could see shadows under her eyes and she appeared tired.

"Good morning," he said. "I've come to see if there is anything you need. You have had breakfast, haven't you?"

"Yes, Twylla brought it. She's my maid?" Sarah asked, questioning to make sure Twylla wasn't mistaken in her instructions.

"His Majesty thought you would be more comfortable with someone to attend to your needs."

"He did?" Sarah was skeptical.

"Well, he agreed to it, anyway." Ethain smiled.

Sarah couldn't help it. She laughed softly. "You must be very persuasive to convince him to make me comfortable."

Ethain decided it best to ignore her comment. "Then perhaps I can convince you to take a tour. I've some free time and I would be happy to show you the castle and some of the grounds."

Sarah nodded, "Yeah, let's get out of here."

--------------------------------

Ethain's tour of the castle was thorough, naming off each room as they passed, but Sarah became quite lost after the first few twists and turns. Goblin servants scurried through the hallways, always bowing or curtsying to Ethain. He made certain to point out areas that Sarah should consider off-limits.

There were, surprisingly enough, only two: the King's private office, where she had been taken the night before, and the King's bedchambers. Sarah snorted in an unladylike fashion.

"You don't have to worry. I have absolutely no desire to go either place."

She'd been on the brink of asking him why everything seemed so neat and clean when they stepped through a doorway into what Ethain referred to as the sparring room. She gasped. Swords, staffs and other instruments of battle were displayed on racks along one wall. She immediately gravitated to the rack holding the swords. Foils, epees, sabres, broadswords and other blades were on gleaming display.

Ethain walked to her side and said, "Pretty, aren't they?"

Sarah grinned and gestured toward one of the swords. "May I?"

"It isn't a toy, Sarah," he cautioned. "Be careful."

She took an epee from the display reverently. Grasping the hilt, she moved several feet away from Ethain and drew it through the air. "It's beautifully balanced."

Ethain was surprised. "You know something about swords?"

She grinned, saluted him with the epee and moved into the en garde position. "A little."

Ethain grinned back, astonished. "You fence?"

Sarah dropped into a lunge and then stood. Returning the sword carefully to the rack, she turned to face Ethain again before speaking.

"I took lessons for about eight years, including all four years in college. I haven't fenced in months, though. Not enough time and not enough money. I miss it." She looked at him and noticed his dumbfounded expression. "I take it women in the Underground don't fence?"

"No," he said, "they don't. I wasn't aware that women in the Aboveworld did. Perhaps you'd like to resume your lessons? Once a week, Brennan, our garrison commander, spars with us. I think he'd be delighted to have another pupil."

"Us?" Sarah said warily.

"Yes, Brennan spars with both Jareth and myself."

"That's the first time I've heard you call the King by his name."

"Ah, I try not to do that. It must be the room we're in. Here we try to be just friends. Not monarch and subject."

"I'd like the lessons, but I'm not sure about the King part." Sarah made a wry face.

"I'll talk to Brennan and see if he has time to take you on as a private pupil if you like."

Sarah smiled. "That would be great."

"Why don't we go down to the kitchen and get something for lunch. It's a beautiful day. We can take our food outside and I'll show you some of the grounds."

--------------------------------

They took their sandwiches into a well-maintained garden. She recognized roses, gardenias, and lilies, but there were many more varieties of flowers and plants that she didn't recognize all organized into tidy beds.

"Everything is so neat and so clean. This isn't anything like I remember. What happened?" Sarah asked.

Ethain said, "That's for the King to explain. He wishes to speak to you after dinner tonight. I'm sure he'll answer your questions at that time."

Sarah frowned, but nodded. Her face brightened, "I had friends when I was here before. Are they still here?"

Ethain hesitated and Sarah's heart dropped. "Are they all right? Did the King do something to them?"

Ethain gestured to a bench and said, "Sit down, Sarah." At her panicked look, he held up his hand, "No, His Majesty did nothing to your friends."

She sank down onto the bench and asked, "Then can I see them?"

He sat next to her. "It really isn't my place to explain, but you'll be more upset if I don't answer. Sarah, your friends weren't real. Your mind decided that you needed assistance through the labyrinth and so they were provided for you."

Sarah was stunned. "But...I could touch them, I hugged them."

He smiled, "They were extremely realistic illusions, but nothing more. They had depth and breadth and emotion. But they were your creations. They were real enough that even the King could interact with them and he used them. But they were merely extensions of your will."

"This is confusing." Sarah said. "The King was, and is, real but my friends were never real?" Her eyes suddenly narrowed and she looked Ethain over suspiciously.

He laughed heartily. "I'm real, too."

"Then were you here before? Why didn't I see you?"

"You didn't need me." He said simply. "If you had, I would have been there."

"I don't understand all this." She said.

"His Majesty will explain tonight." Ethain said.

She sat silently, trying to comprehend everything she had been told. Ethain said gently, "Eat your lunch. I have to prepare for the hearing of grievances." He thought for a moment and said, "Would you like to see a part of the King's duties?"

"Not if he's going to yell at me." She said flatly.

Ethain laughed again, "Then, to be safe, we'll just keep you out of sight, shall we?"

--------------------------------

He led her to back into the castle and up the stairs to a small alcove overlooking the throne room. Without warning, a chair appeared near the window, far enough back so as not to be seen from the floor below. Sarah gaped at him.

"I didn't know you could do magic, too."

"Yes, I have magic," he replied. "Not as much as His Majesty, but magic nonetheless." A wave of his hand produced a black hooded cloak. "Put this on and raise the hood. The dark color will help to prevent you from being seen."

She put on the cloak, sat down and looked over the empty throne room.

Ethain smiled reassuringly. "I think you will find this very interesting. Remain still and silent and, when it's over, I'll come back for you."

Ethain left and Sarah waited.

--------------------------------

After a few minutes, the large doors to the throne room opened and people began to enter the room. Goblins, dwarves, even what Sarah assumed to be elves were there.

They quickly took seats along the walls, and began talking among themselves. The alcove in which she was sitting provided her with a perfect view of the throne sitting at the head of the room directly across from her.

She could hear snatches of the conversations going on below. The words flowed together and overlapped like waves at the ocean.

"...don't think I'll ever get all those weeds out of the garden..."

"...hear that Essel's wife is expecting? Yes, again..."

"...so I told her it wouldn't do a bit of good, that boy's going to do what he..."

A large goblin dressed in a military uniform and carrying a long pike entered the throne room. As he banged the wooden end of the weapon on the stone floor, the crowd calmed down.

"All rise for His Majesty, Jareth, King of the Goblins, Prince of the Sidhe, Heir to the High Throne of the Underground."

With much rustling, everyone in the throne room rose to their feet and waited in complete silence as the Goblin King swept into the room and took his throne. With a graceful gesture, he indicated that his subjects should take their seats.

--------------------------------

When Jareth entered the throne room, she was aware again of how beautiful he was. He was handsome, yes, but the word beautiful was more accurate, as if describing a work of art. He was dressed more formally than last night, in unremitting black. The odd medallion he wore around his neck gleamed against his fair skin. His bearing was regal and utterly self-assured.

Ethain stood to the right of Jareth, holding a sheaf of papers. Leaning down, he spoke quietly for a moment and then handed Jareth a single sheet of paper.

Reviewing it briefly, Jareth spoke, "Doslin and Kandar, approach and be heard."

Two dwarves hurried from different parts of the room to bow before the King.

Jareth regarded them seriously for a moment. "Doslin, you have filed a grievance charging that Kandar refuses to pay the balance of the dowry owed to you upon the marriage of your children."

Sarah listened, fascinated, as Jareth negotiated an equitable settlement between the two dwarves and moved onto the following grievances. Each time, he paid careful attention to each opponent, asking questions to clarify matters, and then issuing an impartial judgement.

When the last grievance was heard, the King left the throne room and his subjects filed out, quietly talking to one another.

Sarah continued waiting, looking over the empty room until Ethain came into the alcove.

"What did you think?" Ethain asked.

"I'm surprised. He was very fair."

"He makes a determined effort to be fair to his subjects. I have to return to the King in a moment. He has agreed to have some of your personal belongings, your clothing and things, brought here. They should be in your room when you return from seeing Dorenil. Is there a particular item you want?"

Sarah was surprised. Having her own things here wasn't something she'd considered. "There's a picture of Toby, my brother, on the table in the living room. I'd like to have that."

"I'll see to it. I do have to go." Ethain hastily gave her directions to the healer and returned to the King.

--------------------------------

Her session with Dorenil went much the same as it had the night before. He brusquely ordered her about and then performed the spell. Again, she felt the warmth flow through her and he looked her over with glowing eyes.

"You'll need to come back once more before I'm certain it's gone. I'll see you again tomorrow afternoon."

He abruptly ushered her to the door.

"Well, it was so nice to see you, too." Sarah muttered as she found herself standing in the hallway.

Looking around, she couldn't remember if she should turn left or right.

"I'm never going to learn my way around this place," she muttered. Stopping a passing servant, she got directions and made her way to her room.

The first thing she saw when she walked into the room was the picture of Toby on the table under the mirror. The reality of her situation hit her like a sledgehammer. She was never going to see him again. Bursting into tears, she crossed the room and picked it up. Sitting on the bed and holding it to her, she rocked back and forth and cried until she had no tears left.

Exhausted, she lay her head back on the pillow and dozed off. She woke to someone tapping on her door. Setting the picture aside, she went to the door to find Twylla.

The goblin woman hurried in and began speaking in a rush. "We've got to get you ready for dinner. I'll draw your bath. Have you decided what you're going to wear? You've only got an hour and His Majesty won't like it if you're late, so don't dawdle."

Sarah was confused. "Wear? This is all I've got to wear." She gestured to the same clothes she'd had on since last night.

Twylla frowned. "His Grace said he'd have your things here." She threw open a large armoire and pointed into it. "Whose are those, if not yours?"

Sarah shook her head. She'd been so overwhelmed at seeing Toby's picture that she hadn't even looked around the room. An armoire full of her clothing stood along one wall. A vanity was opposite it, containing her cosmetics and jewelry. A chest of drawers now stood beside the vanity. Peeking into a drawer, Sarah confirmed that her nightclothes and underwear were inside. Her cheeks hot, she wondered if Ethain had picked through her things.

Twylla clicked her tongue and moved behind the carved screen. "Come along, into the bath with you."

Following the goblin, Sarah saw that the bathtub was full of steaming water. "How did you do that?" She asked, surprised.

"It's enchanted. Wave your hand over it and it'll fill. When you're finished, wave your hand the opposite direction and it's empty. How do you do it where you come from?" Twylla was puzzled.

"Not that way, that's for sure." Sarah said, bemused.

She stripped off her clothing and sank into the hot water. Sighing, she closed her eyes. She felt a shift in the air and opened her eyes to see Twylla peering at her intently.

"Have you been crying? Your eyes are puffy." Before Sarah could answer, Twylla shook her head disapprovingly. "I'll get something for that."

Twylla scurried away and returned with a cold compress. Laying it over Sarah's eyes, she went back to the armoire.

"What're you going to wear? None of these things look right. We're going to have to get you a decent wardrobe." Sarah could hear the faint disgust in Twylla's voice.

"Is it a formal dinner, casual, what?" Sarah asked.

"Well, it's not as if you'll be going to a ball. But they usually dress up nicer than their regular clothes."

Sarah muttered under her breath, "If the King dresses up 'nicer than his regular clothes,' I'm not sure I can stand all that sartorial splendor."

"What?" Twylla asked.

"Nothing, never mind. I appreciate your help, Twylla, but I'm not used to having a maid and I can dress myself." Sarah said. She frowned, remembering the Goblin King's hand twisted in her hair. "Maybe I should've taken a dip in the Bog of Eternal Stench. That would keep him at bay." She murmured to herself.

--------------------------------

Her first thought had been to make herself as unattractive as possible. After their encounter last night, she certainly didn't want to look appealing. However, after careful consideration, she had changed her mind. If the Goblin King wanted to revenge himself on her in that manner, her appearance wouldn't matter. He'd do whatever he wanted. Her best bet would be to go in with as much confidence as possible. She'd faced him down once before and she could do it again. 'You hope,' she thought.

She took great care in applying her cosmetics and in dressing. She'd settled on an elegant black and white linen suit. The black pants were plain, as was the white sleeveless blouse, but the white jacket was accented with black cuffs, pockets, lapels and collar.

After slipping into pumps, she looked at herself in the mirror. Not bad, she thought to herself. Perhaps not up to the Goblin King's dazzling standards, but not bad at all. She leaned forward and examined her makeup critically. The slight hint of smoky eye shadow and lipstick gave her a more sophisticated appearance.

She brushed her hair to a glossy sheen and picked up her only bottle of truly expensive perfume. A birthday splurge to herself, she remembered. Sarah hesitated for a moment; maybe the perfume would be a bit much. No, she thought wryly, if I'm going to seem brave, I might as well go all out. She touched the applicator to her wrists, the base of her throat and the nape of her neck, surrounding herself with a subtle scent of exotic flowers and spices.

All too soon, Twylla knocked on her door and announced that it was time for dinner. Suddenly nervous, Sarah felt as if she'd swallowed a lead weight. Following Twylla's directions, Sarah came to the open dining room door. Looking inside, she could see that the King and Ethain were there, along with another man she'd never seen before. He, too, was blond, but his hair was short and much darker than Jareth's ashen gold. The three men were deep in discussion and hadn't noticed her yet.

Jareth suddenly laughed at some remark Ethain had made and Sarah felt her breath catch in her throat. She'd never seen him like this, laughing in genuine pleasure. She was having difficulty reconciling the images she had of the Goblin King. Who was he? Her sneering opponent of nine years ago? The impartial judge she'd seen hearing grievances this afternoon? This man before her with the wonderful smile and the musical laugh? Or was it the triumphant King who'd sworn that one of them would die before he relinquished his control over her?

Shaking off her thoughts, she forced a smile onto her lips, lifted her head high and walked into the room.

"Good evening, gentlemen. I hope I haven't kept you waiting."

Three pairs of eyes turned to her. As she approached them, Sarah had time to see Ethain's look of amazement and the unknown man's look of frank interest. The King's eyes widened slightly and then his implacable mask slammed firmly into place.

--------------------------------

While waiting for her to arrive, Ethain brought up the subject of Brennan's tutorage of Sarah.

"Were you aware, Your Majesty, that Sarah fences?"

Jareth was surprised. "No, I wasn't."

"She fences? Are you certain?" Brennan was skeptical.

"She certainly handled the sword as if she knew what she was doing. I was hoping that Brennan would have time to tutor her. It would help keep her occupied."

Jareth saw a great deal of merit in keeping Sarah busy. "Would this be agreeable to you, Brennan?"

His garrison commander looked doubtful. "I don't know. I've never taught fencing to a woman before. May I reserve my decision until I've had a chance to discuss it with her?"

"Of course." Jareth said. "Although, should you accept, you may soon regret it. She's particularly headstrong."

Ethain smiled slyly at Jareth. "I'm glad to know that you're not made uneasy by the idea of Sarah loose in the castle with a sword in her hand."

Jareth laughed. "On second thought, Brennan, I refuse my permission. My life may be at stake."

A soft voice interrupted. "Good evening, gentlemen. I hope I haven't kept you waiting."

Jareth turned to look at her and was astounded. Schooling his expression, he wondered when she had become so exquisite. The woman he'd seen last night, with her casual clothing and scrubbed face, had been so similar to the Sarah of nine years ago that he hadn't realized just how much she had changed.

He watched as she approached, her steps confident. She looked at him and her smile faded. She inclined her head and said, "Your Majesty."

Jareth caught the faintest trace of her perfume and was startled by an instinctive urge to lean into her. "Good evening, Sarah." He kept his tone neutral. "May I present Lord Brennan, our garrison commander."

Sarah gave Ethain a quick smile and then looked at Brennan. Brennan's eyes had brightened the moment Sarah appeared. Bowing, he kissed her hand. "I'm so pleased to meet you. I understand that I'm to be your fencing instructor."

Jareth gave a mental shake of his head and Ethain smothered a grin. Brennan could never resist a beautiful woman.

"I'll enjoy taking lessons again, but I'm very out of practice." Sarah warned.

Jareth gestured toward the linen-covered table set with china and silver.

"Perhaps we should continue our discussion over dinner?"

Sarah went to take her seat and Brennan was suddenly behind her, pulling out her chair. "Please, allow me."

The meal went as well as could be expected. Jareth wasn't surprised that Sarah refused to look in his direction and he was relieved when Brennan and Ethain kept up a steady stream of innocuous questions in an attempt to put her at ease.

They learned that she had decided to take up fencing after seeing a demonstration by local college students.

"My stepmother thought I was insane, but I asked for lessons and my Dad agreed. I liked it so much I kept them up. I even joined the fencing team in college."

Brennan made arrangements for her lessons to begin the next day. She would train an hour before the biweekly sparring sessions with Ethain and Jareth. "In addition to your lessons, perhaps you'll sometimes join us?" he asked hopefully.

'When pigs fly,' she thought. "Perhaps," she said noncommittally.

The conversation veered to her education and her degree in literature, and to her career as a junior editor at a publishing house. For the first time since the meal began, Jareth spoke. "What of your acting career? Wasn't that the dream you wanted so badly?"

Sarah finally looked at him. "I lost my taste for acting some time ago."

He affected an amused smile and an insolent tone. "Nine years, perhaps?"

She didn't reply, but he saw that her fingers tightened on the wineglass until their tips were white. For a moment, he feared the delicate goblet would shatter in her hand and he felt a strange pang at baiting her this way. Reinforcing his resolve, he gestured and dessert was brought out. A slice of cake, surrounded by fresh peaches, was placed in front of each of them and he noted that Sarah immediately tensed.

"This is a bit obvious, don't you think?" she asked, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.

He smirked. "Ah, but the combination of 'piece of cake' and 'peach' has an efficiency that appealed to me." He shrugged, "And I also wasn't certain you would appreciate subtlety."

Sarah's eyes narrowed. He watched as she carefully laid her napkin beside her plate and stood. Ethain and Brennan courteously rose, but he remained seated, keeping the smirk in place.

"If you'll excuse me, I've lost my appetite." Sarah turned to go.

"You're not excused." Jareth said flatly. She glared at him. He glanced over at Ethain and Brennan. "Stay and finish your dessert. Sarah and I have things to discuss."

He saw the first stirring of uneasiness in her eyes as he stood and offered her his hand. Normally he would have simply walked to the library, but he was concerned that she would try to bolt and he didn't want this to escalate into a physical confrontation. He had no doubt that she would try to fight him, even if she couldn't win.

"Take it," he commanded. Her lips pressed together into a tight line and she refused to move. "Sarah." His voice was a warning.

She lifted her hand. It was steady, he saw with surprise. He'd expected it to be trembling. Slowly, she placed her hand in his. His gloved fingers closed around hers and they vanished from the dining room.

--------------------------------

When the dizzying feeling faded, Sarah yanked her hand away and immediately took several steps away from him. Looking around, she found they were in what appeared to be a library. Lush rugs were underfoot, and comfortable chairs and side tables were scattered about the room. Book-filled shelves lined the walls and a large fireplace dominated one wall.

"I don't like being ordered around, and I'm getting a little tired of you just plopping me down wherever you want." Sarah said sharply.

He lifted an eyebrow and gestured toward chairs arranged in front of the fireplace. "Sit down. I believe that you have questions."

"Ethain explained about my friends, but it doesn't seem possible that I created them. And why is everything so different?" She settled into one of the chairs and looked up at him.

"To understand, you'll need a bit of a history lesson." He sighed and rested one arm on the high mantle. "Magic exists as a separate thing from the Underground or the Aboveworld. It lives without a will of its own. It may be drawn upon and shaped by whatever creature can control it. Human belief and dreams were the fuel for our control of that magic.

"As humans began to lose their belief in what they now deem fantasy, our control over the magic became more and more unstable. Ironically enough, humans, with their precious dreams, became the only creatures that could truly control it. They became the only ones who could shape it to their will with only a thought or a word, but to do that, they had to truly believe.

"I had all but given up hope of finding a solution when I was drawn to a mortal with such intense dreams and unquestionable belief that she burned in the darkness like a flame. And that was you, Sarah," Jareth said, pausing for a moment.

"I observed you for several weeks and devised a way to make use of those dreams. Your desire to become an actress was quite evident, and so I took a fable from your world, one that contained a few seeds of truth, and I prepared a gift for you. A book."

Sarah felt the blood drain from her face. "The Labyrinth," she said.

He nodded briefly. "I knew you would never be able to resist acting out the role of the heroine. The part was, after all, written especially for you."

Anger swept through her and she clenched her fists. "You manipulated me into wishing that the goblins would take Toby?"

He looked away, into the fire. "I did what I had to do. While I couldn't force you to say the words, I knew the probability. The story was fresh in your mind and the strain between you and your stepmother was very great. I did cast a spell to insure that should you wish it, it would certainly happen. All you had to do was call out to me.

"The Underground was deteriorating, the magic leaching out bit by bit. I had to find a way to stop that from continuing. I knew the strength of your dreams would shape the magic and compel it. The words of the final confrontation, combined with your belief, would again give me the power to shape the magic to my will."

"For my will is as strong as yours and my kingdom as great." She recalled aloud.

He looked at her. "Precisely. As strong and as great. The moment you uttered those words, my control became equal to yours. With that control, I was able to stabilize the Underground. It was a necessary deception."

The full implication of his words sank in and she jumped to her feet, anger overwhelming any lingering fear.

"You manipulated me every minute! There was never a chance of failing! All I did was play a part--a part you wrote for me. Everything here was a lie. And I was idiot enough to want to apologize..." She turned away from him. Her shoulders slumped slightly and then straightened.

When she turned back to him, she had gone through the heat of anger and into the ice of fury. She applauded mockingly, each clap of her hands sounding through the room like a gunshot.

"Congratulations, I have to admit that the balance between villain and seducer was a brilliant touch. You played your role very well. At the end of our little play, I honestly thought..." For a fraction of a second, her cold mask slipped, but it was quickly back in place.

"What did you think?" The firelight flickered over his face and concealed his eyes.

She ignored his words. "Why did you bring me back here? Why save my life? Was it a reward for having successfully played my role all those years ago?"

"You could say that." His voice was remote.

"So now I'm stuck here with no one. No family. No friends. The only person I know is you, and I don't really even know you." She started to walk away.

"Sarah..." he began, his voice quiet.

She whirled on him, eyes flashing. "No! Let's be clear on this--I don't like being used. I'm a guest in your home, so I'll be polite to you in front of anyone else. But don't ever threaten me again like you did last night. If you're going to hurt me, just do it and get it over with. Otherwise, Your Majesty, you can go to hell."

When she'd stormed out, she had been half expecting him to stop her, but he'd let her go without a word or a gesture. Halfway down the hallway, she realized that, in addition to being furious, she didn't know how to get back to her room.

Frustrated, she slammed her fist against the cold stone wall. It hurt badly, but helped diffuse some of the violent rage she felt. She began walking again, heels clicking sharply on the stone floor. He had used her and he had used Toby. And for what? At that, her anger started to fade as she began to truly understand what he had told her.

Her steps slowing, she considered what it must be like to watch your world crumble and feel helpless to stop it. Wouldn't you do anything to prevent that from happening? Even though her trip through the labyrinth had been a sham, she hadn't known it at the time and hadn't she been willing to do whatever it took to save Toby?

"Well, shit." Sighing, she turned around and slowly walked back to the library, sifting the various images of the Goblin King through her mind.

--------------------------------

After she'd stormed out, Jareth sat in the chair she'd vacated, staring into the fire. Part of him realized that he should have stopped her. She shouldn't be allowed to speak to him in such a fashion. Her Goblin King certainly wouldn't have let it go unpunished.

But, he thought wearily, he wasn't her Goblin King. He disliked playing the villain in any case, but the feelings she had roused nine years ago had made it even more difficult. That had been the true reason he'd shortened her time through the labyrinth. Her "piece of cake" comment had merely given him a welcome opportunity. He hadn't wanted to continue for the full thirteen hours.

Jareth didn't delude himself. While cruelty wasn't his primary nature, he was certainly capable of it. When necessary, he could be merciless but he had never approved of using cruelty as a form of entertainment.

As for seduction? He admitted there had been a bit of that in it, but she'd been so young. Actually seducing her would have been contemptible. Still, deliberately keeping the clock visible to her in the ballroom had been more difficult than he had anticipated. Holding her in his arms, even in that dream state, had been too enjoyable and far too dangerous.

'If I had truly tried to seduce you, Sarah, you would never have left,' he mused.

His reverie was interrupted by the sound of her footsteps entering the library. He rose and faced her, bracing himself for another confrontation. She looked at him for a long moment and he waited, expressionless, for her to speak.

"Toby was never in any danger?" she asked, her tone restrained.

"No," Jareth replied. "I would never have allowed any harm to befall either of you."

"Do you have family in the Underground?" Sarah asked quietly.

He looked at her, surprised by the question. "Yes, my parents and the rest of my family live in another kingdom."

"This deterioration, it was effecting them, too?

"It was effecting everyone and everything," he said.

She nodded once. "Considering what was at stake, I guess manipulating a fifteen-year-old girl really wasn't such a big deal."

She began to walk away and then paused. Turning back to him, she said, "If you weren't going to hurt me then, why threaten me last night?"

His voice was unapologetic. "I am King, Sarah. I am unused to having my actions or my control challenged."

She looked unsettled. "I come from a place where everyone's opinion is valued equally. Maybe each opinion isn't always correct, but everyone has the right to express their thoughts."

"That won't work in a monarchy," he said gravely. "It would lead to chaos. Even in the Aboveworld, there are leaders."

"Elected leaders, yes, chosen leaders. You can't expect... It's not in my nature to give up my freedom without a fight." She looked at him steadily.

He shook his head. "You couldn't win that fight. Surely you understand that I could..."

Sarah interrupted him. "You could force me to do a lot of things. I'm gambling that you won't."

He lifted an eyebrow. "As you said, you don't really know me. How can you be certain?"

"I can't," Sarah replied, hesitating. "But you saved my life when you didn't have to. I can't believe that a bad person would do that."

"Perhaps that simply makes you naive," he said sharply.

She flushed. Without a word, she turned and began walking away.

"Sarah, wait," Jareth said, his voice softened. "Perhaps we could come to an understanding." He realized that if he had so disliked playing the villain for her nine years ago, he was going to be hard pressed to continue it for the rest of her life.

"You will have a great deal of freedom here. The only thing I ask is that you show me the respect that my title is due. That is more freedom than I grant anyone else in my kingdom."

She regarded him thoughtfully. "It's a deal," she said and held out her hand.

He saw that she meant to shake hands with him. Amused, he took her hand in his and was surprised to see her wince. Frowning, he examined her hand and saw that it was freshly bruised. Even now, blood continued to pool just beneath the skin.

"What happened?" He asked. She looked embarrassed and tried to pull away, but he refused to let go. "Sarah, what happened to your hand?"

"I, um, kind of... well, punched a wall." Her last words came out in a rush.

He blinked. It was only centuries of diplomatic training that prevented him from laughing. As it was, he could feel the corners of his mouth quiver.

She must have seen, nonetheless, because she flushed bright red.

"I have very little healing ability but this appears minor," he said. "Rather than send you back to Dorenil, I believe I can repair it."

He looked at her, his eyes silently asking for permission. She nodded warily and he took her hand between his palms and when he released her hand, it was unblemished.

"Thank you," she said, surprise evident on her face. She paused, obviously debating something with herself. "Would you help me with something?"

"If I can," he answered politely.

"Is there a map of the castle? I keep getting turned around and I'm not sure where my room is." It was apparent that she didn't like asking for help.

He smiled. "There are blueprints of the castle, but they're far too large for you to carry about in your pocket. However, I will see what I can do. For now, why don't I escort you to your room?"

--------------------------------

As they walked through the hallways, they passed a room that Ethain had pointed out to her, but hadn't gone into. Paintings hung along the walls. Her steps slowed and she glanced over her shoulder to get a better look. Jareth noticed and gestured toward the door.

"Would you care to see the gallery?"

She went inside and her eyes were immediately drawn to a double portrait prominently displayed on the far wall. She examined it carefully. The woman was extraordinarily beautiful, with ash blond hair and delicate features. The man was just as fair and very handsome, but it was his mismatched eyes that drew Sarah's attention.

"My parents," Jareth said, leaning casually against the doorway.

"I can see where..." she began, but trailed off. She'd almost said, "where you get your good looks" but decided that wasn't such a good idea. "I see the resemblance."

She glanced over at him and saw a mischievous gleam in his eyes. She had the sinking feeling that he knew exactly what she had been about to say. She looked over the other portraits.

"Are these your relatives?"

"Yes, various aunts, uncles and cousins," he said as he came and stood by her side.

The paintings had engraved silver plaques, but she couldn't read the language and didn't even recognize the lettering. Everyone portrayed was so gorgeous it was almost painful.

Finally, tucked into a corner of the room, was a portrait of a four or five year old boy. The child was dressed in white, lace frothing at his collar and cuffs. His blond hair barely touched his shoulders and his dual-colored eyes gleamed mischievously as if he knew a secret, but refused to tell.

"That's you!" Sarah exclaimed, looking up at him. "You were a kid once, after all. I would have guessed something along the lines of the birth of Athena. You know, sprung from the head of Zeus, fully grown and in armor."

"I'm flattered, but you overestimate me," he said with a smile.

"You must have been a holy terror," Sarah said as she turned back to look at the portrait.

"Terror, certainly," he said, still smiling. "But holy isn't a word my mother would ever use in association with me, I'm afraid."

She silently looked at the portraits and summoned up her nerve. "May I ask you something personal?"

He looked surprised, but nodded his permission.

"You're obviously not human. So, what are you?"

"I'm of the Leanan Sidhe." He said, watching her closely.

She glanced away, a tiny crease forming between her eyebrows as she tried to remember what she'd read of the Fae. The Leanan Sidhe were supposed to be extremely beautiful and seductive, virtually irresistible. Her eyes widened. 'Well, that explains a lot,' she thought wryly. When she looked back at him, he was smirking. He hadn't missed her reaction.

Slightly flustered, she gestured around the room, "No portrait of you as an adult?"

"No. I dislike having my portrait painted. I'll have it done when I become High King." He tilted his head, indicating the painting of his parents. "When my parents retire."

"High King?" Sarah asked, remembering the titles recited at the afternoon grievance hearing. "But you're King here already."

Jareth smiled. "There are many domains within the Underground. I rule the goblins currently. It's a difficult kingdom with distasteful duties. The Seelie Court considers it a sort of proving ground. Each future High King rules here prior to taking the throne. One day I'll rule the entire Underground."

Sarah hesitated. "Do you really take children or was that a lie, too?"

He looked at her steadily. "The basic facts of the story are true. I take unwanted children. Whoever wishes them away is given a chance to solve the labyrinth. If they fail, the child remains in the Underground."

"I do not turn them into goblins," Jareth said, not giving Sarah a chance to react. Judging by the way her face had paled, it wouldn't have been a pleasant reaction. "The children are found suitable parents here. The Fae have few offspring. There's always someone who wants a child to raise."

"But, people sometimes wish things that they don't truly mean," Sarah said slowly. "It's not fair to punish them for it."

"There is a balance between our worlds," Jareth said, smiling faintly at her words and then sighing. "Granting mortal wishes is a part of each kingdom of the Underground. We are not always allowed to grant the ones we would choose."

"Has anyone solved the labyrinth and gotten their child back?" she asked. "I mean, really solved it?"

"No," he said shortly. He gestured toward the door and Sarah walked slowly toward the hallway.

The trip back to her room was completed in silence. He left her at her door with a polite goodnight and Sarah went inside to get ready for bed. As she changed into her nightgown, she thought back over everything she had learned, but her mind was reeling. Something Jareth had said earlier nagged at her, but she couldn't quite remember what it was.

She brushed her hair and went over everything point by point, but the harder she tried, the more elusive the thought became. Giving up, she slid into bed and quickly drifted off to sleep.

She dreamt that she and Jareth were picking peaches from the largest tree she had ever seen. The branches spread out as far as the eye could see, filtering the sun and providing a comfortable shade. As she would pluck a peach from the tree, she saw that Jareth did the same, each of them carefully placing the fruit in a large basket on the ground. As soon as the peaches were put into the basket, they changed into crystal spheres.

She watched him pull a large, ripe peach from the tree and take a bite. He smiled at her and offered her the fruit. Shaking her head, she reached out to pick another peach from the tree, but his gloved hand on hers stopped her. Turning, she found herself face to face with him. His beautiful eyes regarded her solemnly and he slowly leaned down and kissed her. She could feel his soft lips moving on hers and could taste the sweetness of the fruit on his tongue.

Sarah awoke with a gasp, her eyes flying open. She sat up in bed; trembling fingers pressed to her lips as the phantom taste of peaches lingered in her mouth.

--------------------------------

The next morning, Twylla brought Sarah's breakfast tray and told her that Ethain had apologized, but he wouldn't be able to join her today. Sarah would be on her own. Twylla then gave her an envelope addressed in an elegant hand. Opening it, Sarah found a small map of the castle and an attached note:

Sarah, I trust this will help. Jareth

She was pleased that he'd remembered. Sarah was slightly embarrassed as she recalled the dream she'd had last night, but shrugged it away. It wasn't so strange she'd dream of him. He was an attractive man and she was a healthy woman. She'd just have to keep those thoughts under control.

While she ate her meal, she looked over the map. She was still studying it when Twylla reappeared with a young goblin woman.

"Paslia will take measurements for your clothing." Twylla gestured for Sarah to stand up.

"I have my own clothes." Sarah protested as Paslia nonetheless began wrapping a measuring tape around Sarah's hips.

"You think those things will please the King?" Twylla said derisively. "He's used to ladies wearing beautiful dresses, not a woman fitted out as a man."

"I'm not trying to please the King," Sarah said stubbornly as Paslia pushed her arms wide and began taking her bust measurement.

Twylla looked shocked. "But you belong to him. Don't you want look nice for him?"

Sarah dropped her arms and Paslia hissed in displeasure. "I belong to myself and looking nice for the King isn't a priority."

"You don't know the way of things in the Underground, girl." Twylla sighed and placed her hands on her hips. "The King brought you here and that makes you his. You'll disgrace him if you look like a ragamuffin. Besides, which of those things you call clothes would you wear to a ball or to a state dinner?"

Sarah frowned at the "that makes you his" comment, but had to admit she had nothing truly formal to wear. Balls and state dinners weren't something she'd had worry about in her old life.

"I doubt I'll be going to many of those," she said, but reluctantly lifted her arms back up at Paslia's urging.

"One's all it takes and then you'll want a pretty dress to wear." Twylla said, glancing over at Paslia, who nodded. "Well, Paslia's got your measurements now. She'll prepare a proper wardrobe."

Sarah threw up her hands as the two women bustled out of the room. Folding the map and tucking it in the pocket of her jeans, she headed for the library. She'd always loved to read and the sheer number of books there tempted her.

In the library, she wandered around, looking at the titles and was exasperated to realize they were all in the same unfamiliar lettering as the plaques on the portraits in the gallery. She found a dusty stack of maps but, after unrolling them on a long table, saw that she couldn't read the labeling on those either.

Stuck here for the rest of her life with a huge library full of books she couldn't read. She was going to have to learn. Finding blank paper and a fountain pen, she wrote out a note. Waving the paper to dry the ink, she stepped into the hallway and flagged down the first passing servant to take the note to Ethain.

--------------------------------

The young goblin male found Ethain in Jareth's office, discussing the latest budgetary demands with the King. Ethain read the note and smiled, explaining to Jareth what Sarah wanted.

Jareth looked up from a ledger. "She wants a child's primer? For which language?"

"The note doesn't say. I'm not certain she realizes that the library books aren't all in the same language. The various alphabets do appear similar to the untrained eye."

"Teaching herself to read another language is admirable, but a bit optimistic," Jareth said, raising an eyebrow. He motioned to the servant, still waiting for a reply to the note. Conjuring a crystal, he tossed it to the goblin, "Give her this. Tell her that all she has to do is hold it in her hand. It won't harm her."

The servant scurried away, crystal in hand. Jareth bent his head over the ledger once again.

Jareth hadn't mentioned Sarah all morning, and Ethain's curiosity was intense. This seemed to be the perfect opening. Pouring a glass of water and taking a casual sip, he asked, "So, have you and Sarah settled your differences?"

Jareth smirked. "In a manner of speaking. After she damned me to hell, I agreed to give her an extraordinary amount of freedom. In exchange, she's promised to show me a modicum of respect."

Ethain looked surprised at this arrangement and Jareth waved away his questions. "It's a long story." Turning his attention back to the ledger, he asked, "Where were we?"

Moments later, the servant returned. Frowning, Jareth saw that he still held the crystal.

The young goblin stammered, "I told her what you said, Your Majesty. That all she had to do was hold it in her hand, and that it wouldn't hurt her. She said... She said..."

"Well?" Jareth couldn't imagine what had disconcerted the servant so.

"She said to tell you she'd heard that one before and she hadn't trusted those men either." The servant said with a blush.

Ethain choked on his water. Jareth was astonished for a moment, then threw back his head and laughed. Rising, he took the crystal from the servant and glanced at Ethain with a sly smile, "I'll be back in a moment."

--------------------------------

Sarah was leaning over one of the maps, studying the topography when she heard Jareth behind her. "I merely offered you a crystal. What did those other men want you to hold?" He asked, sounding amused.

Turning, she saw him standing in the doorway, lightly tossing the crystal from hand to hand.

"Nothing I considered very magical," she said dryly.

He laughed softly.

So," she continued, glancing at the crystal, "what does it do?"

"It's a translation spell." He walked over to her. His eyes took on a knowing gleam and he held the crystal toward her in his upturned hand. "Do you want it?"

The words echoed through Sarah's mind and she flinched. The event may have been a charade, but the fear and horrible temptation she'd felt at that long ago moment had been very real.

He looked at her mockingly. "I'm disappointed, Sarah. You used to be so brave."

She looked up sharply at the challenge. Her eyes narrowed and she snatched the crystal from his hand. It felt surprisingly warm and solid, and had an unexpected weight. Looking into it, she saw nothing except her own distorted reflection in the curved surface. With no warning, the crystal burst in a glittering shower and a faint tingling sensation shot through her eyes. She flashed a startled look up at Jareth.

He chuckled and gestured toward the maps. "Can you read them now?"

Turning to the maps, she could clearly read the labels. A quick glance showed her Mount Arranz, the Goblin City, the Salt Caverns, and the Firey Forest, among others.

"This is great." She said with delight. "How long will the spell last?"

"Until I remove it," he said, looking down at the table. He turned one of the maps so that it was properly oriented. "You seem to be very fond of maps."

"That comes from having a lousy sense of direction." She smiled and pulled the map he had given that morning her out of her pocket. Holding it up, she said, "Thank you for this one, it's been very helpful."

He inclined his head. "You're welcome."

She smiled as he walked toward the door. Who would have ever thought that she and the Goblin King would be getting along? Her eyes widened at that thought and she called out quickly, "Are we going to be friends?"

He stopped and turned back to her. His expression was guarded. "Do you want that?"

"Well...sure. It kind of seems like we're headed down that path already." She said. "Unless you don't want to," she added hastily.

"I would be glad to have you as my friend." He said slowly.

She nodded, satisfied. "What are the rules with being friends with a king? Do I curtsy or..." She made a vague hand gesture.

"Only in very formal situations," he said. "And here in the castle, you should call me Jareth."

"Ethain and Brennan call you 'Your Majesty,'" she pointed out.

He said with quiet intensity, "You aren't Ethain or Brennan."

At his words and tone, her stomach did a slow back flip and he looked into her eyes as if searching for something. She could feel herself blushing and glanced down, feeling absurdly shy. When she looked back at him, he had an oddly pleased expression on his face.

--------------------------------

After Jareth had returned to his study, Sarah looked around the library and, picking a shelf, began to peruse the books. The library was full of books on magic, biographies of people she'd never heard of, and much more. She even found a small section of Aboveworld authors but no one more current than John Donne. Selecting one at random, she settled into a comfortable chair and began to read.

Hours later, the opening of the library door drew her attention and a goblin servant announced that Dorenil wished to see her.

Sarah jumped to her feet, surprised to realize she'd read through lunch and most of the afternoon. Rushing through the corridors, she arrived at the healer's office where she was finally pronounced cured. She tried again to thank the brusque Elf, but he merely nodded his head and disappeared back into his own quarters.

Returning to her room, she took a leisurely bath and washed her hair. Standing with a towel wrapped around her wet hair, she was holding up her second best pants suit when Twylla came in to help her dress. Once again Twylla grumbled about Sarah's style of dress.

Sarah rolled her eyes. The goblin woman was obviously obsessed with her clothing. Sarah put on her make up and dressed quickly. Twylla convinced Sarah to allow her to weave Sarah's damp hair into a loose french braid and, after one last glance in the mirror, Sarah set out for the dining room.

--------------------------------

When she arrived, she found Ethain and Brennan waiting. Looking around, she smiled. "Good, I beat Jareth here. I hate being the one making everybody wait."

She saw Ethain and Brennan exchange a quick glance. Ethain said, "His Majesty won't be joining us tonight. He informed me earlier that he has another engagement."

"Oh." She said, feeling a flash of disappointment. She shrugged and said lightly, "Well, I still have two handsome men to keep me company. I suppose I shouldn't be greedy."

Brennan again held her chair for her, and he sat by her side through the meal, giving her flirtatious smiles as he entertained her with stories of the goblin army.

Ethain watched the exchange closely. Brennan was being particularly charming, which was usually enough to fully hold any woman's attention. But Sarah's eyes strayed more than once to Jareth's empty chair. She didn't realize that the Goblin King would not be returning to the castle tonight. He never did when he visited Lady Vivienne.

Ethain frowned. He would dislike seeing Sarah hurt. Although Ethain wasn't certain what had happened between them in the past two days, it was obvious that Jareth intrigued Sarah. Perhaps it would be kinder if he allowed Jareth's location to slip? The King would be furious with him, of course, but surely it would be better for Sarah to know now.

Before Ethain could formulate a discreet way to interject the desired information into the conversation, Sarah finished her dinner and stood. The two men courteously rose.

"I'm going to change and I'll meet you in the sparring room," she told Brennan. "I can't wait for my fencing lesson."

--------------------------------

At that moment, Jareth was watching the auburn haired woman who had been his lover for the past two years pour them each a glass of wine. Vivienne was extraordinarily beautiful, he thought. Tempestuous, but beautiful.

"While I'm delighted to see you, I wasn't expecting you tonight." She said as she sat beside him on the sofa and handed him one of the glasses. Vivienne placed her wine on a side table and carefully arranged her long skirt.

"I came because I need to speak with you about something important." He looked at her, his expression serious.

She looked up at him and his heart fell as he recognized the expectant look that flashed through her green eyes. She was hoping for a proposal of marriage. He cursed himself for inadvertently giving her false hope. One of her hands had come to rest on his thigh and was making small circles there, slowly moving upward.

Jareth grasped her hand gently, stilling its movement. "As much as I've enjoyed our intimacy, I must regretfully end that aspect of our relationship."

Vivienne drew away from him in confusion. "But why?"

Jareth hesitated, and understanding began to dawn in her eyes. "There's someone else?"

"Not as yet." He looked at her evenly. "But the potential is there and I have far too much regard for you to treat you dishonorably. We've known each other for a very long time, Vivienne, and I have no wish to damage our friendship."

"I...I know that we agreed this would only last as long as it was convenient for both of us, but I am a bit surprised." Vivienne made an unsuccessful effort to appear indifferent. "Is there any point in asking who she is?"

"I'd rather you didn't," he said gently. "That relationship is still developing. It may all come to naught."

Vivienne forced a smile and said, "Well then, I must wish you good luck." She leaned forward the pressed a kiss against his cheek and he lifted her hand to his lips.

"Forgive me, Vivienne, if I have hurt you." He said.

She raised an eyebrow and shrugged elegantly. "Of course you haven't hurt me. I'll miss having you as my lover, but even you, Jareth, can be replaced."

He smiled faintly at the barb. That was more like the Vivienne he knew. He'd been expecting recriminations; restrained acceptance was unlike her. Thinking that, at this moment, retreat was the wisest course open to him, he took leave of her.

Vivienne waited until Jareth had gone before calmly picking up her wineglass and flinging it across the room. A moment later a vase of flowers and a porcelain bowl added to the broken glass on the floor. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a servant peeking into the room.

"You there." She said, her voice taking a shrill tone. "Tell Lord Marcan I wish to speak to him. Now."

In a few minutes, a tall man entered the room. His black hair fell smoothly to his shoulders and his green eyes regarded the furious woman and the damage before him with some amusement.

"I see Jareth has gone." He drawled. "Lover's spat?"

"Do you still have connections inside Jareth's castle?" Vivienne demanded.

"Connections?" He gave her a blank look.

"Don't bother playing the innocent. I know you have some sort of ineffectual little spy there." Her eyes were blazing.

"Ineffectual? What makes you think that?" He raised an eyebrow.

Vivienne's voice raised to a near shriek. "Because, if they weren't completely incompetent, I'd already know who it is that Jareth is seeing."

Marcan's eyes lit up with delight. "He threw you aside for another woman?" He roared with laughter.

"You're my brother, I wouldn't think you'd take such pleasure in my pain." She said sulkily and flounced into an armchair.

He sobered quickly and his voice became bitter. "Half brother. As you so often remind me. You tried to ignore my existence completely while seeing Jareth."

"It was an awkward situation." She said with a shrug.

"Yes. Your bedding my cousin was awkward. Especially for me. Why my mother ever remarried after my father's death is a mystery. Particularly since that second union only produced a simpering little fool like you." Marcan's words were venomous. "If my father had--"

"Yes, yes." Vivienne interrupted in a bored tone. "If your father had been born a few minutes earlier, then he would have been High King instead of Jareth's father and you would be High Prince. But that's the unfortunate way of twins, isn't it? One of them is always the eldest."

Marcan's jaw clenched and he looked at her with glittering eyes. "What is it you want?"

"I want to know the name of Jareth's newest pet. There has to be some way to bring him back to my side. The first thing I need in order to accomplish that is information."

"Why should I care?" He looked at her coldly.

"Because, dear brother, if Jareth marries me, then someday I'll be High Queen and your stock in the Seelie Court will rise along with mine." She smiled. "Do you understand?"

"What makes you think that he'll ever marry you?"

Vivienne looked at him, a flinty look in her eyes. "I can convince him to marry me. All I need is a clear playing field."

--------------------------------

Sarah went to her room to change into the protective fencing clothing known as "whites." It consisted of a reinforced padded jacket, long tight pants, and a lone glove for her weapon hand. Brennan had already assured her that face protection, in the form of a wire mesh mask, would be provided to her.

Brennan and Ethain were already in the sparring room. Brennan looked her over and smiled widely. It was apparent from the gleam in Brennan's eyes that he didn't find her appearance displeasing.

Ethain spoke up, "Sarah, would you mind if I stayed through your lesson? I admit that I'm quite curious to see you fence."

"I don't mind, but I'm afraid you may be bored," she said with a smile.

Brennan picked up a protective mask and let it dangle from his hand. His expression became serious.

"Before we begin, Sarah, I want you to understand a few things. We fence differently here. In the Underground a sword is a weapon, nothing less, and its only purpose is to kill. While Aboveworld competitions are scored on a certain number of hits to an opponent, our practice is determined by the single strike that would cause the most damage.

The second thing you need to understand is that iron is lethal to us and the steel blades contain iron. Practice swords must always have a button." Brennan said, referring to the safety cap used to blunt a sword's tip during practice.

"The button on each sword must be checked prior to sparring. There are no exceptions. And during practice, should a blade snap, you must immediately drop your sword and move back. The sharp edge could penetrate the whites and result in the death of your sparring partner. Any questions?"

Sarah took a deep breath and shook her head.

"Then, if you're ready to begin?" Brennan held the mask out to her.

Her first lesson consisted of Brennan putting her through various maneuvers, judging her skill level and commenting on her strengths and weaknesses. She saw immediately that he would be a tough but fair taskmaster. By the end of the lesson, she also knew that he was an excellent fencer.

As she finished, Ethain gave her a gallant round of applause. Smiling widely, she plucked at an imaginary skirt and curtsied. Brennan wiped down the swords while Sarah sank onto a bench beside Ethain and blotted her face with a towel.

"I'm so out of practice," she complained, then smiled. "But, at least you won't rat me out to Monsieur Mercier."

"And just who is Monsieur Mercier?" a familiar voice asked from across the room.

Ethain and Brennan exchanged a surprised glance and Sarah swiveled to look at Jareth as he walked in. He was dressed in whites also. She thought absently that while Jareth was still very attractive, she preferred him in darker shades. They accentuated all that ivory and silver-gold coloring. She suddenly realized the turn her thoughts had taken and gave herself a mental shake.

"My first fencing instructor," she said, imitating the instructor’s haughty look and heavily accented voice. She shook her finger in Jareth's direction. "L'attention, Mademoiselle Williams, l'attention. You must position the blade just so." She extended an invisible sword in an exaggerated gesture. She laughed and rolled her eyes.

"Were you watching my lesson?" She asked.

"Only the last few minutes or so. Did you enjoy yourself?" Jareth stopped in front of her.

"Yes, very much." She glanced from Jareth to Brennan and Ethain. Standing, she said, "Well, I should let you begin your practice."

"Why don't you stay and watch. You might find it amusing," Jareth drawled. "After the bouts, we usually have a brandy in the library. You are welcome to join us."

She hesitated for a second. They'd agreed to be friends, remember? She chastised herself. "Okay, thanks," she said and retook her seat.

Brennan said, "Well, then, who's up first?"

Jareth was already moving toward the foils on the rack. Sarah watched as he and Brennan checked the blades and then saluted and assumed the en garde position.

In a flash, Jareth attacked. Brennan held him off with a clash of steel. Both men were evenly matched and they moved gracefully across the floor. First Brennan would be forced back by Jareth's attack then he would turn the tables, moving Jareth back inch by inch.

Sarah had never seen anything like it. World-class fencers in the Aboveworld would be considered rank amateurs compared to these men. With a subtle motion, Jareth feinted and Brennan fell into the trap, moving one way while Jareth moved another. Jareth lunged forward and scored a hit in the center of Brennan's chest.

The bout ended and both men removed their masks while Ethain and Sarah applauded.

"That was absolutely incredible!" she exclaimed.

Brennan smiled at her and then looked over at Jareth. "You never feint. Never," he said suspiciously.

"And you should never be so certain of your opponent," Jareth grinned. He looked sideways at Ethain. "On your feet, Ethain, you're next."

"Oh no, I'm not," Ethain said, shaking his head. "It's been a long day and I want a brandy." He waved a hand dismissively. "Kill Brennan again if you like."

Ethain turned to Sarah and said in a teasing voice, "Fair comrade in arms, may I escort you to the library? I have it on very good authority that the King keeps a store of his best brandy hidden there. If we're careful, we can slip in and have a drink before the tyrant discovers us."

Sarah laughed a little uneasily and glanced at Jareth. She was pleased to see that he was smiling, taking the good-natured teasing in stride.

"I'd like to change first," she said, gesturing toward her whites. "I'll meet you all there."

"Not me, I'm afraid," Brennan said. "I'm having a surprise inspection of the goblin troops tonight. Keeps them on their toes. Well, those of them who have toes." He winked at Sarah.

She laughed and wished him goodnight.

As soon as Sarah had left the room, Brennan turned to Jareth with a sly grin. "I'm surprised to see you here tonight, Jareth. Did Vivienne kick you out of her bed?"

"Vivienne and I have parted company." Jareth said, his tone flat. When he said no more, his two friends exchanged a puzzled glance.

Ethain frowned for a moment and then gave Jareth a speculative look.

"So, Brennan," Jareth said, determinedly ignoring Ethain, "how was Sarah's first lesson?"

"Distracting. She's very beautiful." Brennan grinned and made vague sketching motions in the air with his hands. "I never knew that whites could seem so appealing. It's enough to shatter a man's concentration."

"I was referring to her skills," Jareth's voice took on a menacing edge.

Brennan shot Jareth a startled look. Jareth had never had a problem bantering about the attributes of the fairer sex before now.

Brennan shrugged, "Sarah's quick and precise. She has a good head for tactics and that will serve her well. Competing has given her the tendency to go for the easiest strike rather than the most effective, but I'll train her out of her bad habits."

Jareth nodded, satisfied. Brennan gathered his things and left, complaining that he'd be up all night inspecting troops, and Jareth and Ethain made their way to the library.

--------------------------------

While Jareth and Ethain waited for Sarah, Ethain poured their drinks.

"I'd like to speak to you before Sarah arrives. I realize this is none of my concern, but you've been seeing Vivienne for some time, far longer than most of your liaisons. It seems very curious that you would end your affair so soon after Sarah's arrival," Ethain commented as he sat in a chair across from Jareth.

"You assume a great deal. Perhaps Vivienne is the one who ended our relationship," Jareth said, taking a slow sip of brandy.

"Nonsense. That woman has her sights set on the High Queen's crown. She wouldn't have ended her relationship with you for any reason short of public humiliation."

Jareth sighed. "You've never liked Vivienne. Why is that?"

"She's far too much like Marcan for my tastes. He is a troublemaker who's jealous of you and everything you have. He's just too cowardly to do anything about it directly. In my opinion, your family has always been far too lenient with him. So, now that you've make an effort to change the subject, shall we return to the matter of Sarah?" Ethain asked.

"What of her?" Jareth asked coolly.

"Two days ago you were determined to keep her at arm's length. Now you seem very friendly. What has changed?"

"It's difficult to play the villain for someone who doesn't choose to see you that way any longer," Jareth said slowly and then gave a small smile. "We've agreed to be friends."

"Do you intend to court her?" Ethain said bluntly.

Jareth gave him an amused glance. "Are you asking if my intentions are honorable? I didn't realize that you were her father."

Before Ethain could continue, the library door opened and Sarah came in wearing jeans and a pullover.

"I'm learning," she said with a grin. "I made the entire trip, from the sparring room to my room to here, without looking at the map once."

Ethain poured her a small brandy and she took a sip. Sarah wasn't much of a drinker but even she could recognize the high quality of the liquor.

She settled into a chair across from the men and asked, "So, how did you all get to be so good at fencing?"

"Practice," Ethain said. "Centuries of practice."

Sarah's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Centuries? Just how old..." Her voice trailed off and she shook her head. "Never mind. I don't think I want to know."

Jareth looked thoroughly amused. "Surely you already knew that the lives of the Sidhe are measured in centuries rather than decades?"

"Reading about it is one thing. Having a drink with it is something else entirely," Sarah said, with a bemused smile. She sat silently for a moment, then bit her lip and leaned forward. "Okay, I can't stand it. How old are you?"

Jareth laughed. "We don't keep track of birthdays as mortals do. Suffice it to say that both Ethain and I are in our fifth century."

"Yes, well, some of us are farther along in our fifth century than others." Ethain smirked and looked pointedly at Jareth.

Sarah just shook her head, amazed. Suddenly another thought occurred to her. "If it's taken you centuries of practice to get that good with a sword, I'm never going to catch up, am I?"

An uncomfortable silence descended.

Sarah shrugged, breaking the mood. "Then I'll just have to get as good as I can."

Ethain grinned at her. "That's the spirit."

She smiled briefly. "There's something I've been wondering about. Can everyone in the Underground do magic?"

"Most creatures have some amount of magic, even if it's only a bit." Ethain said. He glanced slyly at Jareth. "Not all, however, are as flamboyant as His Majesty."

Sarah gave Ethain a questioning look.

"Oh, yes, Ethain, do continue," Jareth purred dangerously.

"The crystals," Ethain explained, undeterred. "Flashy, aren't they?"

"They're just for show?" Sarah looked at Jareth with a wide smile.

"They serve a purpose," Jareth said arrogantly. "But," he admitted in a slow drawl, "they're not absolutely necessary."

Sarah laughed quietly at his confession and glanced down, idly tracing her fingertip around the rim of her glass. She looked up at him and said softly, "Well, they have the desired effect. They're very...striking."

Jareth's eyes gleamed and he watched with satisfaction as a light blush crept over Sarah's cheeks.

"Don't encourage him, Sarah," Ethain admonished. "He's already egotistical enough as it is."

"There's a large difference between egotism and self-assurance," Jareth said with a supercilious air, but his mouth quirked in amusement.

Ethain snorted. "I rest my case."

Sarah ducked her head in an attempt to hide her smile.

Suddenly Jareth's smile faded and he rubbed his eyes wearily. "Oh gods, not now," he muttered.

"What?" Sarah asked, confused.

Jareth stood abruptly and said curtly, "It's late, Sarah. It's time for you to go to your room."

Ethain, too, looked puzzled, then his eyes widened in sudden comprehension and he tensed.

"What's wrong?" She asked, surprised.

"His Majesty is right, Sarah. You should retire." For the first time since she'd met him, Ethain's voice was harsh.

"I don't understand. Everything's fine one second and then the next you're ticked off and treating me like a four year old." Sarah's eyes narrowed and she addressed Jareth directly.

For a fleeting moment, he looked inexplicably sad and then his expression hardened and his eyes went cold.

"You wish an explanation? Then you shall have one." He waved his hand and he was suddenly dressed formally in a high-collared midnight blue cloak, intricate breastplate, leggings, gauntlets and boots. Clothing that Sarah remembered very well.

You're him, aren't you? You're the Goblin King.

Her throat tightened as she began to understand what was happening. She fought an inappropriate urge to laugh as she remembered those words. They were so terribly fitting at this moment.

"I have duties that shall require my attention for the next thirteen hours. Now go to bed, little girl," he said with a sneer.

Before she could reply, Jareth simply vanished.

Ethain stood and held out his hand. "Come along, Sarah. I'll escort you to your room."

She was horrified to realize that tears were stinging her eyes. She allowed Ethain to help her from her chair, but refused to even glance at him.

They walked to her room in silence and she was reaching out to open her door when he touched her arm. She turned toward him slightly, but still wouldn't look at him.

"His Majesty has no choice in this, Sarah." Ethain's voice was grave. "He is bound by oath to perform his duty. He simply doesn't want you to witness it."

"I lived through it, remember? So I know exactly what's going on," Sarah said angrily. "And he didn't have to patronize me. Contrary to what he seems to think, I'm not a child."

"No, you're not." Ethain sighed and then looked at her thoughtfully.

"I'll present you a hypothetical situation. You've recently made a friend, a friend who once viewed you as an enemy. You are both still learning about each other and the friendship is very new and very fragile. Suddenly your friend is confronted with something about you that even you find repugnant, something that will surely remind your friend of old wounds that you inflicted.

"Wouldn't you be concerned that this person would no longer want your friendship? Might it not be easier to push this new friend away rather than face their rejection? Perhaps, Sarah, in our particular hypothetical situation, this new friend fails to understand that she wields a great deal more power than she knows."

Sarah's eyes flew up to meet his. Ethain looked back at her evenly, but said nothing.

"I'm not sure," Sarah said, uncertainty overwhelming her anger. "I'll have to think about it."

"Stay in your room tonight. After breakfast, feel free to go to the library or to the gardens. Just don't go to the throne room. One way or another, it will all be over soon enough." Ethain smiled at her gently, "Good night, Sarah."

He walked away down the darkened hallway and Sarah went into her room to think about the things Ethain had said to her.

--------------------------------

Jareth sat on his throne watching the toddler playing on a blanket at his feet. She'd needed a good bathing, but she seemed a sweet child, barely a year old. He glanced into the crystal held limply in his hand. Almost six hours into the trial and her mother hadn't even gone past the outer edges of the labyrinth. He sighed. She'd never make it, but then again, they never did.

This one had almost refused the challenge. It was only at the very last moment that she'd decided she wanted the child back. Such a young child and such a young mother, barely older than Sarah had been when he'd first encountered her.

He shook his head slowly. He didn't want to think about Sarah right now. The entire situation was difficult enough without adding that disappointment to it. But Sarah hadn't been far from his thoughts since he'd returned with the child.

They'd been having such an enjoyable evening. Sarah had seemed to relax around him, going so far as to tease with him. He'd even caught glimpses of what he was certain was interest in her eyes when she'd looked at him. He'd allowed himself to feel such hope.

And then came the summoning.

No one in the Aboveworld had invoked him in over four years and now he'd been called twice in the past few days. He'd known that the first request had been for an adult. The feel of the magic that called out to him when the words were spoken had told him as much. In fact, he'd almost ignored that summons. He had far better things to do than to respond to the caprices of mortal adults who wished themselves away. But he'd felt something slightly different in that call and, curious, he'd gone. He'd been stunned to see Sarah waiting for him.

Tonight, however, he'd known the words had been spoken for a child. He'd been obliged to respond. It was his duty to perform, no matter how much he disliked it.

The little girl began to cry, dragging him from his thoughts. He discarded the crystal and went to her. Leaning down, he picked her up, bouncing her lightly in his arms. He walked the floor, making shushing noises in an attempt to quiet her, but she seemed intent upon wailing.

She didn't seem to be hungry or in need of a change of diaper. Perhaps she was overly tired. She'd only slept intermittently since arriving in the castle. He considered placing a sleeping spell on her, but he preferred to refrain from casting spells on very young children. They could respond unpredictably to magic and he had no wish to harm the child, even inadvertently.

Wearily, he continued pacing the floor, child in his arms. In desperation, he even hummed a bit of an old lullaby for her but it didn't appease the girl, her cries only became sharper. The child's crying became so loud that it almost drowned out the sound of Sarah's quiet voice, speaking to him from the doorway.

"Give her to me."

Jareth looked up to see Sarah standing in the doorway, wearing a dark red robe cinched tightly about her slender waist.

He watched, disbelieving, as she walked in, stopping in front of him. She held out her arms and said again, "Give her to me."

Give me the child. For a moment it felt as if he were in a different time. He found his voice and snapped at her. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I don't think she's used to having a man hold her. Maybe I can quiet her down." Sarah's manner was calm and her hazel eyes looked at him steadily.

"I told you to stay in your room." He was furious. Did the woman constantly have to defy him?

"No, you didn't. You told me to go to bed. I did. I couldn't sleep." He saw a flash of anger in her eyes and then it was gone. "You can punish me later. Let me see if I can get her to sleep first."

The child was already holding her arms out to Sarah and so he handed her over. The girl's arms wrapped around Sarah's neck and she buried her face in Sarah's shoulder. Her cries trailed away and stopped with a hiccuping sigh.

"Why are you here?" He demanded.

"I came to see if you're okay," Sarah said quietly.

He just looked at her, his face a blank mask to hide his confusion. Surely she wasn't saying that she'd come out of concern for him?

Sarah absently rubbed the girl's back and she looked around the room. Her lips quirked and she said, "You'd think a man in your position would have put a rocking chair in here instead of a throne."

His mouth dropped open.

"What?" Sarah asked, with a quiet force. "What reaction were you expecting from me? Did you think I'd scream at you? Call you names? We agreed to be friends. Friends stick by each another when things get bad." Sarah carefully shifted the child in her arms. The girl had gone limp, asleep already.

"Is there someplace I can put her down?"

Jareth waved his hand and a crib appeared. He watched as Sarah tucked the sleeping child in, covering her with a blanket and gently smoothing the curls away from the girl's face.

"Will the person in the labyrinth make it?" Sarah asked in a whisper.

Jareth conjured a crystal and looked into it. The young woman had made little progress.

"It's doubtful," he said.

Sarah nodded sadly and turned back to him. "We need to talk."

"There's nothing to discuss," he said flatly. He sat down on his throne, lounging back casually. He purposely made no effort to provide a seat for her, leaving her standing before him. "You have willfully misinterpreted my words. I don't want you here."

"Maybe not, but I'm here now. Like I said, you can punish me later. If you won't talk to me, then just listen. I don't like what you do," she locked eyes with him. "If you enjoyed taking children, I would never feel anything for you except loathing. But I know that you don't enjoy this.

"I probably drove you crazy the first time I was here, always saying that things aren't fair. That's something I learned to accept--life isn't fair. You helped teach me that." She dropped her eyes and toyed nervously with the belt on her robe.

Clearing her throat softly, she continued, "But it doesn't mean I should stop trying to be fair. This situation isn't fair to anyone involved in it and that's just the way it is." She stole a glance up at him. "It doesn't change the fact that I'm your friend."

He gestured toward the sleeping child. "You would continue to make that claim even now?" His tone was incredulous.

"There's more to you than this. I've seen it," she said firmly.

He looked at her, his face unyielding. "But this is part of who I am. This won't be the last time that I am summoned. If I were called upon to take a child every day for the rest of my life, I would respond and I would perform my duty. Sooner or later your friendship would falter."

She put her hands on her hips. "Ethain and Brennan are still your friends."

He sighed. It was time to end this, time to drive her away completely and have done with it. Honesty should be more than adequate to accomplish his aim.

He vanished from the throne and appeared directly behind her. He leaned down and whispered into her ear, "Unfortunately, Sarah, I want more from you than I want from Ethain and Brennan."

Startled, she spun to face him and found him only inches from her. He leaned into her and very deliberately stroked gloved fingers over her cheek. He expected her to be frightened and move away, so he was surprised when she stood her ground.

Sarah shook her head and said, "You keep forgetting that I'm not fifteen. You don't scare me anymore." She went up on tiptoes and lightly brushed her lips against his cheek.

She pulled back slightly and looked at him with a small self-satisfied smile. It lasted only a fraction of a second and then she saw his fierce expression. Her eyes widened as he grasped her by the waist and roughly pulled her to him. She had just enough time to gasp before his mouth came down on hers hungrily.

--------------------------------

When Jareth had said he wanted more from her--when he'd touched her cheek, Sarah had realized that he was trying to frighten her away. She couldn't let him do that. After everything she'd said, to flee would have made it a lie. It was important that she stay with him, particularly at this time and in this place.

But the childish urge to make him back down had been so strong and it had overridden any common sense she had. How could she have ever thought that he would back down? She'd known as soon as she touched her lips to his cheek that she was playing with fire.

When he'd pulled her to him, she began to understand just how dangerous fire could be.

His kiss left no doubt that he wanted her. His tongue firmly stroked against hers and became more demanding as she responded. She wasn't inexperienced, but she'd never been kissed with such intensity before and it was overwhelming. Her hands came up to rest on his back and then clutched at the fabric there.

At her response, his grasp on her waist tightened, pulling her even closer. She could feel him, pressed against her stomach, already beginning to grow hard and ready. A sweet, answering ache settled into her body and she knew she should push him away.

And she would.

Any moment now.

Finally, a small, chaotic part of her mind began screaming at her to stop before she made a fool of herself. She broke the kiss and began to step back.

Jareth's arms held her fast for a moment and he said softly, "Lust is a beginning, but I still want more than that from you."

He released her and she moved away, face flushed and breathing erratic.

"I...I really don't really know you well enough to..." Sarah began and then drew in a shaky breath. She didn't know how to finish that sentence. Have sex with him? Love him? It didn't matter--both answers applied.

"I would like us to know each other," he said. His eyes were dark and they held her transfixed and then his expression softened. "If you will allow it."

Ethain's words rang clearly in her mind. Perhaps...this new friend fails to understand that she wields a great deal more power than she knows.

Sarah examined his face closely. He seemed sincere. Slowly she nodded. "All right."

Glancing away from him, she looked toward the large clock ticking away the thirteen hours. "I'll wait with you, if you want," her voice was soft. "At least, until it's almost time." Her eyes went to the sleeping child.

Jareth followed her gaze. "Considering the circumstances, I would prefer not," he said carefully. "It's very late and you should try to rest."

Sarah nodded and went over to the crib. She gently readjusted the blanket over the girl.

"You'll make sure she gets a good home?" Sarah knew there was no point in pretending that the child would be leaving the Underground.

"Yes. I have a particular couple in mind. They've wanted a child for many years and will be delighted to have a daughter." He walked to Sarah's side and looked down at the girl. "They will consider her a miracle."

Sarah started to ask what would happen to the person still in the labyrinth. Would they remember what had happened? But she found that she couldn't bring herself to speak. She knew she was being a coward, but maybe it was better that she didn't know any more tonight.

She said a soft goodnight to Jareth and then forced herself to leave the throne room without a backward glance.

--------------------------------

Sarah returned to her room and lay on the bed. She hadn't expected to be able to sleep; too much had happened to allow her to relax. But she awoke to the sound of knocking at her door. Stumbling out of bed, she wrapped her robe around her and found Twylla holding her breakfast tray.

Twylla took a long look at her. "You look terrible," she said as she placed the tray on the table.

"I didn't get enough sleep." Sarah said, looking at the food with revulsion. After so little rest, she really wasn't hungry.

"Well, Paslia thinks she'll have one or two of your dresses ready by tonight," Twylla said happily.

"Fine, but I have my own clothes," Sarah repeated wearily. Wouldn't the little goblin ever give up?

Twylla left, muttering under her breath about ungrateful girls and Sarah began picking at her food. Her eyes burned from lack of sleep and she wondered how Jareth was feeling. The challenge would be ending soon.

Sarah felt a surge of sympathy, both for the person who would lose the little girl and for Jareth who was forced to take her. Not now, she thought, I can't think about that right now. Dressing, she went back to the library to wait until the thirteen hours had passed.

--------------------------------

She found the book she'd been reading the day before, but she couldn't concentrate on it. Finally, she leaned her head back on the chair and closed her eyes for a moment.

Someone was gently shaking her shoulder. She woke to find Ethain bending over her.

"Are you all right, Sarah?" He asked, concern in his eyes.

She blinked sleepily and yawned. "I'm sorry. Yes, I'm fine. I guess I drifted off. I didn't get much..." She realized who she was talking to and closed her mouth with a snap.

He smiled. "It's all right. I already know that you didn't follow my instructions to stay in your room last night."

She was suddenly wide-awake. "Is it over? What happened?"

"His Majesty has taken the child to her new parents." Ethain said quietly.

Sarah nodded sadly. "Is he back yet?"

"Yes, he has gone to his chambers to rest; he was very tired. His Majesty asked me to apprise you of the outcome. He knew that you would be curious."

"Thank you," she said.

"It's past lunchtime and I haven't eaten yet. Would you care to join me?" Ethain asked.

She realized she hadn't eaten her breakfast at all. Her accidental nap had helped considerably and the thought of food was more appealing than it had been earlier.

"Could we go back to the gardens?" she asked.

"Of course," he said, smiling and offering her his arm.

She allowed him to escort her out of the library.

--------------------------------

After reading another afternoon away, Sarah returned to her room to get ready for dinner. She had just finished bathing and had slipped on her underwear when she thought she heard the bedroom door opening. Slightly alarmed, she called out, "Is someone there?" She received no answer and peeked around the screen into the room.

She saw Twylla standing in front of the closed armoire with a sly look on her face.

"What's going on?" Sarah asked suspiciously.

"Paslia finished one of your dresses and some underthings. I was putting them away."

"Oh, I guess I should take a look at the dress." Sarah reached out to open the armoire and Twylla hastily covered the handle with her hand.

"I'll get it for you. I'm your maid, after all." Twylla said, trying to brush Sarah's hand away.

"I'm not helpless." Sarah said, irritated, and yanked the armoire open. She stood for a moment in horrified silence and then rounded on Twylla.

"Where are my clothes?" Sarah's eyes narrowed.

"Right there is the dress that Paslia made for you." Twylla said, her own eyes narrowing in return.

"Where are my clothes? My Aboveworld clothes?" Sarah asked, gritting her teeth.

"They're being washed." Twylla said triumphantly.

"All of them?" Sarah was livid.

"It's easier on the laundress if she does them all at once." Twylla was smug.

Sarah looked back into the armoire. A single seafoam green gown hung there, but behind it, something caught her eye. "Ah ha!" She pulled out her bargain basement equivalent of a little black dress.

"You're not wearing that to dinner?" Twylla's triumph faded abruptly.

"Why not?" Sarah asked.

"There's not enough of it to be decent." The goblin gestured toward the dress. "I thought it was an undergarment."

"Explains why it isn't being "washed," huh?" Sarah glared at Twylla. "It's not an undergarment. It's a dress, and it covers up everything important. It's not too low and it's not too short, so what's the problem?" Sarah stepped into the dress and expertly tugged the zipper closed.

"It exposes your knees!" Twylla was scandalized.

Sarah sat in front of the mirror to apply her make up and looked at Twylla in disbelief.

"I'm living here with men who wear leggings. I can tell them apart by portions of their anatomy that I shouldn't even be aware of, and you're worried they'll see my knees?"

"You'll look like a harlot. What's the King to think?" Twylla asked sharply.

At that, Sarah paused. She vividly remembered the feel of Jareth's mouth on hers and the heat of his body. And she remembered her reaction to him. If she showed up dressed inappropriately, what would the King think?

"Okay," she sighed in defeat. "Let's see Paslia's dress."

Twylla quickly took the gown from the armoire and laid it across the bed. It was beautiful, with a square neckline, delicate bell sleeves and a tightly fitted waist. The full slashed skirt had a darker contrasting underskirt.

"You'll need some proper undergarments." Twylla said, pulling a corset from a drawer.

Sarah began to shake her head as Twylla advanced on her.

--------------------------------

Jareth paced the dining room. He smiled as he remembered Sarah's reaction to him last night. She continued to surprise him, she'd responded so passionately. He sighed. Lust was easy. The important question still remained, could she be convinced to love him?

He'd never before had to prove himself to a woman. It made him feel a curious combination of nervousness and anticipation. He considered the best way to win her heart. Instinct told him that, ultimately, elaborate gifts of jewelry or other trinkets would prove meaningless. Sarah was so different from the jaded women of his past.

She would require something special, something unique.

--------------------------------

Sarah nervously stood outside the dining room. She couldn't hear anyone talking, so maybe she'd gotten there before everyone else. She glanced down at the neckline of the gown. It was quite a bit lower than she was comfortable with.

The corset she was wearing didn't help. Twylla had finally convinced her that it was needed to give the gown its proper shape. While Sarah grudgingly admitted that it certainly narrowed her waist and pushed her breasts up to new heights, Twylla had laced her into it so tightly that Sarah couldn't take a deep breath.

She reached a hand up and carefully made sure her hair was still in place. The goblin maid had fashioned it into an intricate style of curls and loose tendrils that suited the gown very well, but made Sarah afraid it was going to come tumbling down at any moment.

Deciding that no one else had arrived yet, she walked into the dining room and found Jareth waiting inside. She obviously wasn't the only one who had dressed more formally than usual. He wore a black frock coat over a white shirt, with tightly fitted black pants. While somewhat austere, it complimented him very well.

Jareth looked at her and his eyebrows shot up.

"If you laugh, I swear I'll take a sword and run you through," Sarah warned.

His expression becoming serious, he slowly looked her over. She noticed his eyes lingering a moment on her cleavage and she could feel herself blushing.

"You look very beautiful," Jareth said quietly.

"Thank you." A mischievous impulse came over her and she tilted her head and gave him a similarly thorough inspection. "You look very nice."

He gave her a lazy smile and purred, "I'm pleased you approve." He crossed the room and lifted her hand to his lips. His eyes gleamed, "I do want to make certain you're satisfied."

A slow heat flared low in her stomach at his tone. Turning away quickly, she saw that the dining table had only two place settings.

"Aren't Ethain and Brennan having dinner with us?" She asked.

"No, Brennan is having a dinner meeting with his command staff to go over the results of his inspection. Ethain is taking documents to the High King. He'll be offered a meal and court custom will demand that he take dinner there."

"So, it will be just the two of us tonight," Sarah said slowly.

"Does that displease you?" Jareth asked.

"No, it doesn't," she said honestly.

He went to her chair and held it out for her. "Are you ready to dine?"

"Actually, I am, but the way Twylla has me cinched into this...this...thing, I'm not certain I can eat. I can barely breathe. It's no wonder that women used to faint so much." Sarah said as he slid the chair under her.

Jareth leaned down. Through the silk of her dress, he slowly traced one finger over the zigzag of laces at her back. His voice velvety in her ear, he said, "If you find it uncomfortable, I would be happy to loosen the stays for you."

Sarah turned her head and looked at him with a smirk, "Nice try, but I don't think so."

"Oh, Sarah," he laughed softly and his eyes held a promise, "I haven't even begun to try."

Her mouth went dry.

--------------------------------

By tacit agreement, they'd avoided the topic of the previous night's events. Jareth had attempted to explain the intricacies of the Seelie Court to her, but she'd finally held up her hand in surrender.

"Too many names to keep straight," Sarah laughed. "How do you keep track of all these people and their alliances?"

"Training, I suppose," he said, "and the fact that I've been dealing with them from birth."

Jareth saw that she had finished her dessert and suggested a walk in the gardens. "It's such a pleasant evening."

She held his arm as they walked among the flowers; a quarter moon sliced the night sky and the stars twinkled brightly. Torches flickering intermittently along the walkways provided soft light.

"It's so nice here," she said as she inhaled the heady fragrance of so many flowers blended together in the air. It was so strange to be here like this, she thought, dressed in a gown suitable for royalty, walking with a king through a garden in a fairytale land.

"May I ask, is there a suitor in the Aboveworld wondering where you are?" Jareth asked.

"No, no suitor," Sarah said. At his surprised look, she said, "Well, it's not as if I've never had a boyfriend, I just don't have one currently."

She hesitated before continuing. "My family is going to wonder where I am, though. They probably don't even know that I'm gone yet, but they'll figure it out pretty soon. They're going to think something terrible has happened to me."

Sarah remembered the half-finished list left on her nightstand, and the copies of test results and medical paperwork she'd left in her apartment. "Oh god, they're going to think I'm dead." She glanced away from him and blinked back sudden tears.

Jareth looked uncomfortable for a moment. "I am sorry that your family will experience that pain, but I cannot say that I regret bringing you here."

"I never got to tell them goodbye. I wish that Toby could know that I'm still alive," Sarah said softly. She brushed at her eyes and then looked back at him. "Please, can we change the subject?"

"Of course, what would you like to discuss?" His voice was sympathetic.

"Well, what about you? Do you have a girlfriend, or whatever they're called here?" She asked.

"No," he said with a small smile. "I have no current involvement."

"I'm surprised, you probably have women throwing themselves at you," Sarah said.

Jareth raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"I meant because you're a king and going to be High King." She said quickly. She gave a smirk. "Not that you're totally unappealing," she teased gently.

His smile widened. "I'm not certain that was a compliment."

Sarah laughed.

Jareth stopped at one of the flowerbeds and selected a beautiful ivory lily with pale pink variegations running through the petals. He quickly snapped the flower's stem and presented it to her with a flourish.

As she took it, his gloved fingers brushed hers. Sarah thanked for him for the flower and then asked curiously, "Why do you always wear gloves? Ethain and Brennan don't wear them."

He glanced down at his hands and shrugged. "It's customary among the rulers of the various kingdoms. I'm not certain why, but to go without them is considered a dire breach of etiquette. I don't wear them when I sleep or bathe." Jareth looked at her and his mouth curved into a dangerous smile, "And there is, of course, one other activity for which I remove them."

Her eyes were drawn irresistibly to his hands, wondering what they looked like without the gloves. They would probably be so soft to the touch. She bit her lip at the thought. She quickly lifted her eyes back up to his and saw that his smile had turned into a knowing grin.

"Do you flirt instinctively? Is that it?" Sarah's voice was exasperated, but she smiled.

"Why, Sarah, I don't believe I was flirting," he said, giving her a wounded look. "But I can begin, if you would like."

She started to laugh. "You're incorrigible."

"Only with certain people." His expression became serious and her breath caught in her throat. The atmosphere between them was suddenly charged.

Her eyes dropped to his lips and went back to his eyes. Jareth leaned forward slightly and she began to tilt toward him. He reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes.

"It's getting late, Sarah," he said softly. "We've both had a very long day. I'll escort you to your room."

"Oh, okay," she said, disappointed. Wasn't he going to kiss her?

He walked her back to her room and bowed formally over her hand. "Goodnight, Sarah. Sleep well."

"Goodnight," she said. Opening the door behind her, she entered her room.

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Jareth went to his office and began to review the day's paperwork. He hadn't had a chance to look at it earlier, preferring to sleep a few hours before seeing Sarah at dinner. He smiled to himself; the relationship seemed to be progressing. She had teased with him again and had allowed him to tease her in return.

He hadn't failed to see the flash of disappointment when he'd touched her hair instead of kissing her. He'd hated to waste the opportunity, but her anticipation would work to his advantage. She would wonder why he didn't kiss her and that would keep him in her thoughts.

His smile faded as he remembered how she had spoken of her family. She'd tried to hide her tears from him, but he had seen them glittering in her eyes. An idea formed in his mind. He knew it could be done, but he had never attempted it with a mortal.

It was said to be dangerous, but there might be a way to grant her wish.

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Marcan stood watching as Vivienne examined bolts of cloth spread out over the furniture in her sitting room. She was having another dress made, he thought, surely she hadn't worn half the garments already in her wardrobe.

"I have the information you wanted," he said coolly.

Vivienne looked up in anticipation. "Well, who is she? Who is Jareth seeing?"

"He isn't just seeing her. She's living in the castle with him."

"Who is she?" Vivienne demanded.

Marcan smiled. "Her name is Sarah." He deliberately prolonged the moment, casually fingering a length of aquamarine satin resting on a high table. "She's human."

Vivienne rolled her eyes. "I don't know where you obtained this information, but it must be incorrect. Jareth doesn't involve himself with mortal women. He's always said he has far too many dealings with humans as it is."

Marcan sighed. "Well, he's involved himself with this one. And because she wished herself away to him specifically, he's the only one who will be involved with her." He shrugged, "Unless he were to give her away, of course."

She looked at him skeptically. "Who told you all this?"

"It doesn't matter who told me. The information came through the servants. As I've pointed out on more than one occasion, you should really make an effort to be kinder to them. They know virtually everything; there's usually one or two listening at the door. And they do so love to gossip."

Vivienne sneered. "Well, it's no matter. If Jareth is having a dalliance with a mortal, he'll soon grow bored and send her back."

"That would be a bit of a problem, my dear." Marcan looked at her innocently. "It seems that this is her second trip to the Underground."

"What?" Vivienne looked surprised.

Marcan's eyes grew cold. "It's obvious what this means, Vivienne. It's apparent that my cousin wants to assure himself an heir."

"That's just a tale, it isn't possible," she said vehemently. "I'm certainly not aware of it ever happening."

"You're not aware of it happening because you are disinterested in any topic other than yourself. It is quite possible. It's simply that it's very rare for a mortal to come to the Underground for a second time." Marcan walked over to his half-sister and looked down at her.

"Humans are notoriously prolific," he continued. "And because this woman cannot leave the Underground, any child she bears Jareth will be born Sidhe, not human." Marcan's voice was relentless.

"He...he might have a child with her, but surely he would never go so far as to marry her." Vivienne's uncertain tone belied her words.

"Of course he would." Marcan regarded her with contempt. "A prince of the Sidhe isn't going to allow his heir to be born a bastard, even if the child's mother is human."

Vivienne looked shaken.

His eyes narrowing, Marcan reached out and touched Vivienne's hair in an almost affectionate gesture. "There may, however, be a solution to your little dilemma."

"What do you mean?" she asked quickly.

"Humans are so fragile, you know," he smiled. "The least little thing proves fatal to them..." His voice trailed off.

Vivienne looked at him silently for a long moment.

"Well, go on," she finally said.

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