Under a Crystal Moon

The dark attic shone strangely, the light reflecting off of dusty cobwebs. Cassandra Bright sneezed. Her aunt smiled slightly.

"The Williams's supposedly left most of their furniture up here. You might find some interesting pieces. I know how much you like to decorate your room." She glanced around and spoke softly. "It's strange how they left it all, I guess when you start a new life things must be left behind."

Cassandra sneezed again. "Sure aunt Ruby, maybe I will." She forced a smile. "Why don't you go back to your stuff, I'll look through here awhile." She frowned as her aunt left the room. *I'll probably die from inhaling all this dust, but at least I'll be out of her hair.*

The girl walked across the floor searching for a clear spot to sit. Pulling a sheet off of an armchair, she sent another cloud of dust into the air. Sneezing, she dropped into the chair and took in her surroundings.

This whole move had been a mistake. Why was it, that 3 years after her parents deaths her aunt decided she couldn't live in the same area? Just another one of her aunts wild schemes she supposed. And because of it, Cassandra had to adjust all over again. *New town, new people, new school.*

She kicked halfheartedly at the floor. *Which really sucks considering this is my senior year.* Cassandra sighed deeply and lowered her head. Everything seemed to be going wrong, why couldn't something good have happened to her for once?

Ever since the fire, her aunt had guarded her as close as a secret. Cassandra wasn't allowed to even go out with her friends until this summer. Now, until her aunt got to know everyone in the area, she wouldn't be able to do *anything*.

"Which will be close to never." She shook her head. The tears were threatening to fall again. Cassandra shut her eyelids tight and held them back. In an involuntary reaction, she curled up in the armchair, it's musty smell offering her comfort somehow.

Turning over she felt something hard beneath her left thigh. She reached under herself and felt along the sides of the seat cushion. Cassandra suddenly found the object. Reaching further into the side of the chair she pulled out the offending item.

It was a book. A tan leather cover, no more than half an inch thick. Cassandra ran a hand absently over the cover. On the lower right hand corner, she felt an embossment. Squinting in the low light she attempted to make out the design. Two letters. S.W.

"Williams." Cassandra opened the book. On the first page was an elaborate sketch of a maze. Cassandra mouthed the word without even thinking it. "A labyrinth." She attempted to trace a finger to the center, but became lost quickly. Turning her head she glanced at the inside cover. "Sara Williams, November 8th, 1986." Nearly ten years to the date."

Cassandra turned the page and began to read:
"I know if I don't write everything down now I may not remember a thing. Every single thing about my journey into the Goblin King's kingdom I can recall vividly at this moment, but I know how quickly that can change. So I found this book. Mom gave it to me the year before she died. I never had a reason to use it. Never until now."

She looked up. Goblin King? *well, so much for the journal idea. Sarah must have written a story in this book. Cassandra read on:
"As he disappeared I head his voice echo in the wind. 'Such a pity' And then, I had to agree with him. It *was* a pity. I didn't want to rescue Toby, but I knew what Dad would do if I didn't. So I hardened myself to the task, and began my decent down the hill."
"... we made our way through the bog, with Sir Diddymus as our fearless leader. We grew hungry. I realized I had never seen anything that could remotely pass for food. Hoggle offered me a peach. The second I took a bite he ran off, muttering something about 'Jareth'. I knew even before I fell that I had been drugged..."

Cassandra looked up. What time was it? There was no longer any light coming in from the small attic window. *Gods above, it must be after seven. Ruby will be worried* Reluctantly, she got up and put the book down reluctantly. Slowly she made her way downstairs, back to the real world.

She moved her hand mechanically and passed the salt container to her uncle. Her mind was racing with thoughts. Either this Sarah had a wonderful imagination or she really *had* traveled to another land. *Fat chance of that, although those drawings had been so lifelike...

She scooped up another forkful of spaghetti. Chewing thoughtfully she didn't hear her aunt speak.

"huh?" Her dream bubble suddenly burst. "Oh, I'm sorry aunt Ruby, what were you saying?"

The older woman sighed. "I asked you, Cassie, if you were ready for your first day of school tomorrow."

She nodded. "I will." Cassandra went back to finishing her dinner, sleep the furthest thing from her mind.
* * *

The clock read 4:21. Cassandra sighed and rolled over in bed, She couldn't sleep. She frowned up at the ceiling. *Goddess bless I can't believe I left it up there. Stupid stupid stupid.*

Cassandra sat up in bed. Quietly, she swung her legs over the comforter, resting her feet on the floor. The chill made her shiver. Glancing at the clock again she shook her head. She only had two hours before she'd have to go to school.

*Might as well get dressed.* She slipped her feet into slippers and padded over to her closet. Opening the door she sighed. Cassandra grabbed a comfortable pair of jeans and a dark green shirt. She smiled fondly at the memories it surfaced.

Once again fighting back tears, she moved over to her dresser. Slowly she put on her clothes, buttoning up the poets blouse and gazing at her reflection. Her eyes were misty with unshed tears.

"Why am I crying?" She whispered to her reflection. "I really didn't feel at home there, I didn't leave many friends behind... maybe I'll meet new people."

Her reflection smiled cynically. "Sure Cass, I bet they all can't wait to meet another *freak*." She sighed. "I wish there was somewhere I'd be accepted. Oh hell with it." She gently took out a necklace from a box. Cassandra held it up for a moment, staring as the silver chain reflected the light.

Her pentacle. One true source of comfort for her. Even now though, it offered little solace. Still, she smiled slightly as she clasped it around her neck, at least she could always count on her faith.

Cassandra turned away from the mirror and put on a comfortable pair of boots. Sitting back down on her bed she glanced at her clock once more. 4:40. Well, the book was still in the attic, waiting for her.

Funny she should think of it as waiting for her. It seemed as if it was another human being. She shrugged and stepped quietly into the hallway. Careful not to wake her aunt and uncle Cassandra made her way down the hallway. She hesitated for a moment before starting up the stairs. There was a chance she'd wake them up by walking up the stairs alone.

Unless she did it carefully. Slowly, she walked up the stairs, careful not to allow a step to creak. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity Cassandra came to the top of the staircase and walked into the attic room.

Closing the door slowly behind her Cassandra felt for the light switch. Walking across the dimly lit room she smiled. Already she felt comfortable here. Out the window an oak tree swayed gently in the breeze. She sighed and sat down in the armchair.

She picked up the book and opened it to a random page. Cassandra's eyes opened a bit wider. They were sketches. One on each leaf of the book. She looked to the left first. "What the hell?" It *looked* like a little man, to an extent. It was covered in bumps, and the skin looked leathery. Sarah had taken a brown pencil and shaded in. *Oh, a goblin* Cassandra glanced at the next few pages, seeing various other portraits of strange looking creatures. Turning the page once more Sarah glanced at the left leaf. And her eyes widened again considerably.

This wasn't a goblin. Far from it, although his hair *did* look a bit like a reject hairstyle from the 80's. Cassandra ran a finger along the page, noticing the detail Sarah added to this particular portrait. He looked... well, sort of like evil incarnate. Cassandra smiled to herself. "The devil doth take a pleasing shape."

Cassandra caught herself staring. Shaking her head she pulled her gaze away from the picture and turned the page. The 'journal' continued. Cassandra pulled her feet up and tucked them under herself:

"His eyes were mesmerizing. As he held out the crystal and spoke in soft tones, I found myself being drawn towards him. Would he indeed give me my dreams? Could he give me back my mother? As I asked myself that question reality came flooding back. Mom was dead. That was it. I had to stop trying to live a fantasy. Jareth recognized my determination and paled. As a last, desperate attempt, he thrust the crystal in my direction. 'Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave,' I gazed up into his eyes. I saw only desperation, no love, no humility. He wanted to win. But I wasn't about to let him. Struggling, I remembered the final line. 'You have no power over me.' Suddenly my world turned again, the ground under my feet seemed to shift, and the next thing I knew I was home."

"I wish the goblins would come and take you away right now.' I turned the light out and suddenly, after a clap of thunder, all was silent. Toby had stopped crying."

She flipped a few more pages to the portrait of "Jareth". Gazing at it, she sighed. It was such a shame none of it was real. She smiled and closed the book. *Gods above, I wish someone could save me from 'this' nightmare.*
* * *

Another turned and slapped the first on the head. "Shut up. She doesn't even have a child."

Cassandra gazed out the small window. The wind had picked up considerably, the great oak tree outside swayed back and forth. She could head thunder in the distance.

Raising the book to her eye level Cassandra smiled. "Well Sarah, you were lucky, you escaped. Maybe just in your dreams, but for awhile, you did escape." She laughed. "Looks like Jareth gave you your wish after all."

Cassandra jumped slightly. The storm was moving closer. Suddenly full of nervous energy she stood up straight.

Muttering filled the space. One small goblin piped up. "Then we take her! We'll give her to Jareth and her big sister can save her!"

Cassandra frowned, opened the book and flipped to a page. Nodding, she shut it again. "I wish..." She walked across the room. "I wish..."
* * *

She looked down at the floor. "I wish for the Nile!" Laughing she spun around. "I wish for diamonds; I wish for the perfect boyfriend!"
* * *

Still spinning, Cassandra blurted out wished. "I wish for gold, rubies, I wish for a cat, no *two* cats!"

Laughing, she collapsed once again into the great armchair. Holding the book close to her chest she sighed. "I wish the goblins would come and take *me* away, right now."

"What do you mean there's a *girl* in my kingdom?" A voice echoed through the corridor. Goblins scattered, hiding in large vases, or skirting into half open doorways.

The goblin king stormed down the hallway, a stout goblin with a guards uniform trailing behind him, stuttering and running to catch up.

"She didn't ask for a *child* to be taken away you fool she wished for *herself*!" He stopped in mid sentence and turned on the goblin. "Well what did you do with her? Where is she?"
* * *

Cassandra slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was red earth; the next thing she saw was a fairy. As she opened her eyes wider, trying to figure out what had happened, the fairy came closer, and bit Cassandra on the arm.

"Aaah!" She jumped out of the creature's way. Glancing around quickly she shook her head. The sky was a ruddy orange. The sun was rising over the far horizon. Around her, she could only see a few brushes, more like tumbleweed. Well, that and a fountain that depicted goblins...

"Hmm." Cassandra smiled slightly. "Well Toto, I guess we're not in Kansas anymore."

High pitch giggling and hissing followed her words. Cassandra frowned, shaking her head.

"Really brother, you needn't worry all too much about the girl. She *is* just a girl after all. Although not horrible to gaze upon." The young man waved a hand over a large crystal. "Take a look for yourself."

Jareth turned and looked quickly at the crystal. "She's tolerable." He raised his eyes to glare at his brother. "But just what am I supposed to *do*?" He sat down on his throne in a slump. "Stephan, this has never happened before."

The man across from him smiled. "So say, if *she* can't get through the labyrinth in 13 hours, you'll turn *her* into a goblin."

Blue eyes flashed and met black ones. "What do you mean turn *her* into a goblin?"

Stephan laughed. "Well, tell her that at least. You can turn her into one if you'd like. But," he leaned in closer towards his brother. "I'll make a deal with you."
* * *

Cassandra shot glances from side to side. "Okay, I know you're all here, so why don't you come on out?"

She stormed around, knocking a fairy out of her face. Coming to a large wall she spotted a door. *That must be the gate to the labyrinth*

Feeling a presence behind her she turned. And jumped. Standing about to her waist was an ugly, wrinkled, blue hared creature. Cassandra narrowed her eyes. "A goblin huh?"

The man stood up, his dark hair falling to his shoulders. Pushing a forest green cloak aside he smiled at Jareth. "If she makes it through the labyrinth, you can send her back, keep her, whatever." He walked back to the crystal and gazed into it for a long moment. He smiled. "You may want to hire her as a bodyguard." As Jareth walked over to watch the action in the crystal Stephan spoke. "However, if she *doesn't* make it though in time," he turned a smile on his brother. "She's mine."

Jareth smiled slightly. "I'm suprised Stephan that you are so interested in this one."

His brother was still gazing into the crystal. "She has spirit Jareth, she'd be a match for either one of us."

Jareth shrugged, smiling ruefully. "Because dear brother, I just remembered the rules."

Another goblin went sailing over the fountain. The others were all either lying on the ground incapacitated or running off to the east. Cassandra smiled.

Suddenly she felt another presence behind her. Before she turned however she tensed. This wasn't a goblin, or if it was, it was quite a large one. Cassandra reacted. Spinning around she kicked out her right leg, connecting with someone's side. However, before she could fully turn around an arm grabbed her leg and threw her to the ground.

Cassandra looked up into the face of the portrait. The strokes of the pencils did him no justice. She found herself torn between a sarcastic remark and open admiration.

She pulled herself up slowly, never taking her eyes away from the ice blue ones of the goblin king. "I was *trying* to hurt you, unfortunately it didn't work out that well."

He smiled slightly, momentarily caught off guard "You're right. You did fail. Now, what are we going to *do* with you?" He smiled again and folded his arms across his chest.

"And for another thing, you can wipe that damned smug grin off your face." She stood up and proceeded to wipe dust off of her clothing. "And you could find a cleaner spot to bring your *guests*."

He smiled; Cassandra noticed his teeth almost seemed vampirish. She winced slightly as he spoke. "Well, I'll be sure to bring that up with the housekeeper. But as I said before, what are we going to do with you now?"
* * * * *

Cassandra shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant about the situation. "I have no clue, but I'm dying to hear your input."

His tone of voice caused her to step back a pace. Whatever else this man was, he was dead serious.

He spun around "No, you didn't *think* did you? I have a feeling you're going to wish that you had."

Cassandra shook her head, exasperated. "I didn't *know*, I figured it was all made up."

"Send you back now?" His tone was mocking. "Whyeverfor? You were so interested in the labyrinth, why not try it out firsthand?"

Cassandra felt her spirits drop. She had never been any good at solving mazes. Once, when she had been younger, Cassandra became lost in a funhouse maze. It took her nearly half an hour to get out, and when she finally did, she was crying so hard she could barely see straight. At least her parents had been there at the end. But now...

She looked up at the King. What awaited her at the end of *this* maze? Cassandra turned sharply as the large door to the labyrinth creaked open.

Jareth raised his voice slightly. "You have thirteen hours in which to solve the labyrinth..."

Cassandra closed her eyes tight. *No, this can't be happening.. no.. goddess please no...*

Cassandra winced and stared at the ground. *I can't make it, I'll never make it through in time.*

Suddenly the goblin king reached out his arm and took hold of Cassandra's chin. Raising it so her eyes looked into his eyes he smiled. "Such a pity."

Cassandra turned her head away and took a step back. She looked at the door to the labyrinth and sighed. So this was it?

"What if I...?" Turning she found the king gone, Frowning she faced the labyrinth once again. "Well, I guess I should start." Feining confidence, she stepped into the labyrinth.

With a grinding noise, the stone door closed leaving Cassandra inside the labyrinth, staring at a grey stone wall.
* * *

"Well why not? There's little else to occupy my time with here. This girl's presence is a welcome diversion in my opinion."

"And an unwanted one in mine." Jareth walked over to a large window. After a long moment of silence he spoke. "We can't interfere in this one at all. That labyrinth will be her grave."

"Stephan, *no one* has ever made it through that labyrinth on their own. They've *all* had help."

Stephan sighed. "Yes, Still, I sense a determination in her." He brightened. "But lets not think on that now. We have a birthday celebration to plan."

The dark haired man laughed. "Of course not. You haven't had a right fete since ... well too long to count."

Jareth shrugged and walked out of the room, leaving his brother alone standing by the throne.

Cassandra turned another corner and sighed. This wasn't going the way she had hoped. Not at all. It seemed like an eternity that she had been in this labyrinth, and as far as she could tell she was making no progress. Already she had reached two dead ends.

*So much for confidence.* Cassandra leaned against a stone wall and sighed. Sinking slowly to the ground she pondered what to do next.

Cassandra jumped up and looked down. A strange bluish worm looked back up at her.

She couldn't help but smile. Sarah had mentioned this little guy. "'Allo to you too my friend. I'm sorry about that."

Cassandra took a minute to think. There were three ways she could go now. Which way did Sarah go?

"Thank you but I'm afraid I don't have the time." Cassandra glanced in front of her. Two corners. *Which one did she take?*

"Oh well, I'm afraid I must be going." Cassandra closed her eyes and tried to remember Sarah's words. In her mind she began to picture the words on the book.

"... he told me not to go to the right, no never go to the right. Naturally I chose then the left, but I can't help wondering if the right would have been a better choice..."

She quickly walked around the right corner, smiling to herself. Perhaps it wouldn't be so hard after all.
* * *

Cassandra gazed out onto what seemed like a field of thorn bushes. *Hmm.* She spotted a small dirt path winding through the briars. Looking up she could see the castle at the end of the field. *I'm this close?* Cassandra shook her head and smiled.

Stephan murmured to himself while watching the crystal. What was she thinking? Wasn't it obvious the labyrinth can't be that easily solved?

He frowned and watched Cassandra closely. She hasn't moved yet. Perhaps she would realize her mistake.
* * *

Cassandra started to walk onto the path then stopped. Wait a second. This was *too* easy. The goblin king would never make the maze this easy to find out.

Cassandra looked around herself. Picking up a bunch of tumbleweed she walked a bit closer to the beginning of the path. Tossing the brush onto the path she waited.

Suddenly the briars reached out and took hold of the brush. In less than a second it was nothing but splinters. Cassandra gulped.
* * *

His brother turned and gazed into the crystal. Why was Stephan so interested in this girl? He couldn't be attracted to her, could he? And even if he was...

He looked up. "Well, she won't have a problem unless she doesn't move in a few seconds."

Cassandra looked up. *I could have sworn those briars were farther back before.*

Standing up she decided it would be a good idea to get out of there quickly. She turned around and started back up the small hill.

Instead of the opening to the labyrinth however, she was once again met with a cold stone wall. The entrance had disappeared.

Cassandra fought not to panic. Instead she reviewed all her options. That took about two seconds. She glanced along the sides of the labyrinth wall There weren't any openings as far as she could see.

Stephan looked at his brother. "Jareth, you've lost whatever remaining humanity you possessed."

The goblin king spun around to face his brother. "You think you have a right to judge me? You, who governs over a land that's *perfect*? While I was left with this?" Jareth gestured around the dark throne room. "You, who dine each night with the *fey* of legends?"

The king walked across the room and sat down slowly in his throne. He turned his head and gazed at his brother with cold blue eyes.

Cassandra backed up as far as she could. The dry briars continued their advance. The wall was too high to climb. Feeling the wall against her back Cassandra winced.

"What?" She felt something in the back pocket of her jeans. *Bright Lord and Lady...*

She reached in the pocket and pulled out a lighter. Cassandra laughed. *The lighter, I had almost forgotten. Thank the goddess for friends with interesting goodbye gifts.*

She smiled slightly while looking around for something to light. Not quite sure of her intentions Cassandra picked up a tumbleweed.

"That was long ago." Suddenly he spun around. "Is that what you're trying to accomplish? With this birthday party? Trying to regain the past?"

"The past is *gone* Stephan. And no party, however extravagant, is going to bring it back from the dead." He turned and began to walk out of the throne room. Jareth stopped though, as his brother suddenly began to laugh.

Stephan looked up at his brother. "Well I know *one* returnee from the dead."
* * *

The flames grew higher. Cassandra watched as the thornbushes caught fire like dry kindling. She sighed. Well, at least she wasn't going to die. Not yet at least.

The smoke was thick and black. Cassandra lowered herself to the ground and tried to slow her breathing. The smoke kept coming though. She fell into a fit of coughing.
* * *

Mockingly, the man bowed deeply. "Of course *your majesty*. Right away *my lord* Jareth." Laughing he left the room.

Jareth gazed into the crystal and sighed. Slowly he sank into his throne. He had a lot of thinking to do. The king glanced at an ornate clock on the wall.

Cassandra could hardly breathe. The air was thick with smoke. Right before her whole world went black she wondered how much time she had left.
* * * * *

Cassandra slowly opened her eyes. Then shut them again. The pain was too much, even a slight movement seemed to send waves of anguish through her body. She tried to remember what had happened. The fire. Thorns. A moving wall. The labyrinth. All the images came rushing back to her in a moment of fear.

Cassandra tried to pull herself up, but pain sent her back to the ground. She opened her eyes once again and saw the source of her pain. Her right leg had been burned. Sighing she closed her eyes once again.

A few minutes later she tried again. Now, her head didn't feel like it was going to explode. Cassandra took in her surroundings. The large area that was once covered with deep black thorns was now just a smoldering expanse of scorched earth. How long had she been there, lying?

Her head shot up despite the pain. Gods, what time was it? Cassandra tried once more, pulling herself up to a standing position, leaning on the wall of the labyrinth for support. A quick glance at the setting sun told of only a few hours left. Perhaps not even an hour.

Cassandra sighed and leaned against the wall. There was no way she'd make it across that huge bit of land with her leg hurt.

She sighed again and gazed at the castle once more. She couldn't let the goblin king win, not when she had come this far, gotten this close.

Jareth glanced into the crystal. Her leg was burnt. It didn't seem too serious, but he chose not to tell his brother anyway. It would be better that way. Stephan wouldn't even get his half of the deal if she didn't make it. Jareth was obligated to turn her into another goblin. He cringed slightly at the thought. It would be an injustice, but what could he do?

His thoughts turned to his brother, now in another room planning the 'party'. Stephan had come through it all so well, not as jaded as Jareth knew himself to be. How had it been that Stephan would live the high life when it was Jareth who had been the strong one. Always. Even when they were young Stephan would always look up to his big brother, and Jareth had been there for him.

The king sighed. What then, had led him to this life of solitude, while his brother mingled with fantasy creatures that they had only dreamt of as boys? Jareth frowned and glanced into the crystal. What torture was it that forced him time and time again to come so close to having a chance for happiness, then tearing it away from him without a 'by your leave'?

He leaned back in his throne and tapped a cane on the side of the chair. Slowly he took in the dark room. Closing his eyes he pictured Stephan's throne room, all crystal and warmth. Opening his eyes once more he smiled bitterly. He and his brother were so much alike, same sarcastic tendencies. Same mocking humor.

The little blue worm smiled up at her. "You look like you could use a cup o' tea."

"I don't have time, I must..." She shook her head. "Who am I kidding?" Cassandra turned to the little worm. "I would love to share a cup of tea, but where could I fit?"

He smiled. "Ah, ye just step through that wall there, it leads right to my house."

"Where the hell is she? I saw her in a crystal one second, and the next she was gone. She still has an hour and a half, what did you *do* with her?"

They both glanced at the crystal. Both frowning, and wearing identical expressions of exasperation.
* * *

"Thank you." Cassandra took the small tea cup and raised it to her lips. The hot liquid soothed her dry throat.

Cassandra suddenly felt odd; she became dizzy and had to put a hand to a wall to balance herself. The effect increased until she closed her eyes, leaning against the wall waiting for the storm to pass.

"I haven't had such an exciting time in decades. I can't wait to see what she does at the palace."

After what seemed like an eternity, she opened her eyes. First glancing around her she realized she was back outside once more. Frightened she jumped up. She shot a glance down at her leg, then a slow smile covered her face.

Jareth watched in disgust as his brother did a sort of victory dance around the throne room. *When,* he thought to himself, *did I ever want to be like him?* He shook his head and glared at the other man.

Stephan gazed at his brother for a long moment then smiled. "Well I changed my mind." He kept on staring at Jareth, his dark eyes full of mischief. "You know brother, if I didn't know you any better I'd say…"

Stephan threw back his head and laughed. He walked over and threw the goblin out of the room. "Go make yourself useful. Stop her or something." He turned back to his brother. "Now you, move!"

Jareth couldn't help but smile as he stood up and made for an opposite wall of the room.

Cassandra came to a halt at the door to the castle. She pushed with all her strength to open the door.

It opened with a loud screech. She craned her head around the door to check for goblins.

No one was there. No goblin army, no ambush. Silence. Somehow she knew she was totally alone.

Panicking, she took off running down the closest hallway. It was a portrait gallery, but the pictures didn't show portraits, but swirling masses of color, crystals glittering inside. She stepped closer to one, mesmerized by the crystals. She could fell herself drawn to them…

Cassandra jumped back. Turning and looking at the opposite wall she gulped. Various creatures were featured in the portraits on this wall, each with a look of total terror, a look which followed Cassandra's every step. She set off running again, until she came to a set of gilded doors.

Pausing by them she spotted a large clock on the wall. No more than six minutes. She took a deep breath and opened the doors.

The throneroom was large and dark. She walked towards a massive stone throne at the far end of the room. Cassandra prepared to say her words. "Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the goblin city…"

He smiled. "Why, you *are* a charming creature. So what's a lovely lady like you doing in a room like this? Hoping to gain an audience?"

For a moment, Cassandra just stared at him, dumbfounded. Then he winked at her. With a huff, she ran through the door.
* * *
The room was amazing. It seemed something like an Escher print. Sarah's words hadn't done it justice. Cassandra sighed. There wasn't much time…

Spotting movement out of the corner of her eye she spun around. Jareth stood at the end of a stretch of brick. However as soon as she ran over to him he jumped… right off the edge.

The world seemed to come apart once more. She felt herself tumbling, just missing huge chunks of stairs flying by.

Finally her feet touched the ground. He stood there waiting. Shrouded in white his blue eyes seemed magnetic. Cassandra felt an odd wave of dizziness as she met his eyes. Tearing her gaze away she shook her head and began her speech again.

"Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the goblin city, to take back the freedom which you have stolen."

"Cassandra wait… stop this now. You don't need to do this you know, I can send you back, anything you want. Please, don't go on."

She was nearly taken in by the pleading tone of his voice, but the anger and pride in his eyes was unmistakable.

She took a step forward. "For my will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom is as.."

Jareth frowned. "Don't say the last line. You don't have to. I'll send you back, you beat the labyrinth, that was all you were required to do."

She tilted her head to one side and smiled. "Yeah right. Honestly, I want to see you turn into an owl. Although a *rat* would have been a better choice."

She smiled evilly at the king. "For my will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom is as great." Cassandra took another step forward. The floating clock told her she had only seconds. It was now or never.

She felt a hand clamp down on her mouth. Struggling, she heard the clock begin to chime.

Her captor leaned over and pulled her back against themselves to prevent her from flailing.

Cassandra bit down on the hand until she tasted blood. Abruptly she was released as the clock chimed 13.

Silence met her cry. Cassandra spun around and glared at her attacker. "You? What the *hell* did you think you were doing?"

The man from the throne room smiled. "Stopping you of course." He grinned and held up his bleeding hand, which was amazingly beginning to heal.

Cassandra couldn't control her anger, in a swift movement she grabbed the man's shoulders and pulled him close, jabbing her knee into his stomach. Then she ran through an opening in the brick.

Stephan crumpled to the ground. He looked up to see his brother staring at him. "Well, look what you've done to yourself."

Cassandra sighed and glanced out the window. It was night now, and a crystalline opaque moon rose in the sky. It actually made the labyrinth look more magickal, and actually beautiful. *But then again everything is beautiful in the moonlight.*

Across the room, leaning against the door frame someone was thinking the same thing.

Cassandra didn't turn around. "What do you want? So, when do I get to become one of them?" She felt tears beginning to form in her eyes. Perhaps not *everything* looked beautiful in the moonlight. Closing her eyes tight she tried to stop the tears from surfacing.

The king walked slowly into the room, never taking his eyes off of Cassandra. She met his gaze defiantly, but soon emotions she couldn't control forced her to tear her eyes away.

The king walked over to the window and gazed out of it for a long moment. Then he spoke, never once gazing at Cassandra, standing right beside him.

"I should keep you here. You didn't complete your task. But you *did* make it through the labyrinth. So I'm forced to send you home, but not without a sacrifice."

Jareth whispered into the night. "You must. Not indefinitely, but you must come back and stay in my kingdom for at least 50 years."

"Yes, but you won't age. No one really ages once they reach adulthood here. Some strange quirk."

Cassandra gazed out the window. "But that would mean everyone else would be dead."

She closed her eyes once again. Biting back tears she whispered. "So you're letting me say goodbye."

Jareth turned and gazed at the girl beside him. A single tear began to fall down her cheek. He held his hand back, keeping himself distant. "Yes. I'm giving you a chance, gather what you wish for, tell those who care what you're doing. Whatever. You have up to a week. Then…" He opened his hand and gazed at a crystal that had formed. "Take this and picture something from this land. Picture.." He trailed off.

Cassandra looked up through misty eyes. As her gaze locked with the king's she nodded.

"I'll picture the moon."
* * *
Jareth sighed as she disappeared. Well it was over for now. He heard his brother come up behind him.

Jareth shrugged and turned away from the fountain. His brother followed him closely.

Stephan just shook his head and took his brother by the arm. "About that party…"

"If I hear you mention 'party' one more time I'll drop you head first into the bog of stench."

As they passed through the gates of the labyrinth Stephan stopped and turned to look at his brother. "And you would, wouldn't you?"