Sarah sighed heavily as she fingered the light material of her white poet’s shirt that met at her middle. The long black pants fitted to the smooth curves of her legs and hips as she studied her reflection in the long mirror before her. Her outfit was similar to the Kings but without the vest and more feminine. Studying the black boots that went with her new attire she swept her hands through her long dark brown hair nibbling at her bottom lip before letting out another deep sigh.

            She was bidding her time not really sure about starting her training with her newfound powers. Once when she was younger, before her adventures through the labyrinth, she use to imagine how wonderful it would be to have powers, to go to a place full of magic and wonder. Now the thought of having powers and having to learn to use them frightened her. She had long ago discovered that there really are no happily ever afters and power was not something to take lightly. It was a heavy responsibility and one she wasn’t sure if she was able to handle. Though Jareth had promised to not let her go through this alone she still felt fearful about going into this unknown.

            A soft breeze from the open window of her chambers swept past distracting her from her worries as she glanced out the opened window. The sun was rising peeking over the scenery below. Instead of the grand Labyrinth she was greeted with rolling hills and countryside as well as a vast forest. She was never able to fully appreciate the full beauty of the Underground, only having seen the Labyrinth. It had turned out that the Labyrinth was all but one of many kingdoms that resided in the Underground.

            The view brought a contented smile to her lips as she breathed in the view. It had been hidden from her view, as she had never looked out over the Underground from this side of the castle. Sarah flinched for a moment as she heard a soft voice whispering in her mind, “You must believe in yourself.”

            The words filled her with reassurances as she squared her shoulders and turned towards the door. There was too much for her to do and now was not the time to ponder on things that were clearly out of her control. In some way she knew that the whispered words were that of the Labyrinth trying to give her confidence and comfort. She still couldn’t get over the fact that she had actually had a conversation with the Labyrinth and now it even whispered to her in her thoughts. Sarah wondered if it was going to be a reoccurring thing but brushed the thought aside as she made her way to meet the Goblin King and her love, Jareth.

            Crystal in hand Jareth the Goblin King watched his love’s image within the crystal as she studied her reflection in thought. Her beauty took his very breath away and seeing her in what she wore confirmed the fact that she truly belonged here within the Underground. Lowering his hand the crystal in hand faded from existence as he glanced about the garden. He had decided that it would be the ideal place to start her training with the use of magic. He had always sensed a slight magic within her but never imagined that her powers would be as equal as his own.

            His mind wondered back to when she had faced him at the end of her adventure with determination to get her brother back. She had changed much through her journey within his kingdom and it showed. He had secretly watched her since before she had called upon the goblins allowing him to take her and her brother. It was a shock that she had made it through the labyrinth and to his castle, thinking that he would be able to keep both Toby and Sarah. He would have never turned Toby into a goblin being that he had enough of those annoying creatures running around within his kingdom. He had practically begged her not to say the words, declaring his love and such. She was so determined to win her brother back that she could not see his words as true but saw it as a ruse to make her lose the game.

            He smiled as he thought back to not long ago when he had showed up within her dorm room after she called his name, accusing him. He knew that the little art incident would get her attention and rile her anger. The look on her face when he had cornered her against the door brushing his lips against hers and her reaction to his whispered words broadened his smile. She was indeed a beautiful woman and he was glad in his decision to pursue her.

            Sarah knew that Jareth was waiting for her in the gardens at the very same place that they were last night, the scene still fresh in her mind. He had promised to teach her how to use her powers, that he would not let her go through this alone. She never thought that she could feel the way that she felt for him, it was all so new to her. Love, she had always dreamt of it but never truly understood what it really was and now she still wasn’t sure. It was confusing, as if she didn’t have enough to be confused about. ‘Sarah stop it! You’re doing it again! Focus…I need to focus…”

            As she exited the castle, entering the gardens, her heart fluttered as her eyes met the back of Jareth’s form. She stopped in mid stride, watching him as he gazed out at the fountain before him. Her eyes studied the back of his form, following his long uniquely styled blond hair down to his very nice backside, making her smile in appreciation.

            Jareth watched as the water cascaded down from the black marble fountain, flowing gently over the colorful stones. It was a mesmerizing sight but its beauty was not on his mind at the moment as he felt Sarah’s gaze studying him from behind. His eyebrow rose as he could sense that her eyes were now focused at one part of his anatomy in particular.

            “I take it you approve,” he chided as he turned to see Sarah blushing.

            ‘Oh God, he knows I was staring. Please, oh please, don’t let him know where my eyes were focusing.’ Clearing her throat she smiled sheepishly trying to look innocent, “What do you mean?” Oh, how much she was hoping that he would let it slip.

            Jareth hid the smile that was tugging at the corner of his mouth. He knew that she was here to learn how to control and use her powers but there was no harm in a little fun before they would get started. Coming to her he took her hand bringing it up to his lips.

“Oh, you know very well what I mean,” he responded huskily.

Sarah watched as he gently kissed the back of her hand making her blush even more. His very touch was electrifying to her senses as her breathing was starting to become labored. The way he said that last statement sent waves of excitement through her.

His eyes looked up into hers, noting the response his very touch brought about within her. She was now visibly trembling as he slowly intentionally rose and started to close the distance between them.

She knew that she was shaking and wished that she had better control over her self when he was so near. His eyes, oh how much those eyes could show so much emotion from one glance. The emotion that was clearly shown within his eyes made her swallow nervously as his lips started their descent to meet hers.

Just as her eyes started to close as their lips met the moment was shattered as a crash from behind startled her, causing her to break away from the Goblin King.

Both Jareth and Sarah looked to the source of the noise with a look of annoyance at the one that dared ruin their moment. Sarah’s glare softened as she recognized the individual as Sir Didymus.

Sir Didymus held staff in hand as he entered the garden. He had been told that the lady Sarah was within the castle and he came fearing the worst. Hearing his majesties voice Didymus charged with staff in hand, tripping over a small stone that protruded from the grass he fell over, crashing into a small pillar knocking over the tray of food and drink. As it crashed to the ground Sir Didymus cringed knowing that his surprise attack had been ruined by the rock that had tripped him on purpose.

Looking up Sir Didymus had to check to make sure that his eye patch had not been moved to his seeing eye and he had dreamt the image that greeted him. The Lady Sarah was leaning up against the Goblin King and it looked as if he had interrupted something he wasn’t sure to believe.

Not thinking on the matter for too long he stood from the ground with staff in hand and decided that his eye had deceived him and the Goblin King was taking advantage of Lady Sarah. “Unhand her at once you fiend! Taking advantage of a Lady, thou shall be ashamed of thyself.”

For once in a long time Jareth truly laughed at his subject before him. Though he was quite unhappy with the fact that Sir Didymus had interrupted a very intimate moment between him and Sarah he was actually amused.

Sarah elbowed Jareth sharply in the side making him stifle his laughter, “Didymus, its okay. He wasn’t…” oh, how to expain.

Jareth noted her difficulty and smiled as he wrapped his arm around her waist, “I assure you, that I will do no such thing as she is perfectly happy with me taking advantage of her.”

Sarah’s eyes widened as she looked to an amused Goblin King but couldn’t help letting a smile tug at her lips. She couldn’t deny the humor of the current situation but was not happy about how Jareth worded his last statement. She couldn’t stay mad at him though, knowing that was apart of his character and couldn’t help but loving it.

Stepping away from Jareth, Sarah sat on her heels before the brave fox knight, “I’m here of my own free will. Jareth is not the enemy.”

Sir Didymus’ brows rose in confusion, “But…but milady, I thought…” His brows lowered to there original position as he straightened his back taking in a deep breath, “He was not taking advantage of you then?”

Her cheeks slightly flushed from his question, “No, we…I love him and he loves me.”

His whiskers twitched as he smiled to his friend, “I am happy for you then and apologize for charging in like I did.”

Sarah returned his smile, “Thank you, you don’t know how much it means to me that you’re happy for me.” Pausing for a moment she rose from her position looking down at her good friend, “Sir Didymus, what are you doing here?”

Didymus’ shoulders slumped as the reasons for his presence at the Goblin Kings castle came to mind. His charging to her rescue was his second reason he had only heard of Sarah being in the castle after he had arrived. “I had come to see the King. I did not know you were here until I arrived at the castle.”

Jareth was at Sarah’s side as he had heard Didymus’s reasoning as to why he was at his castle in the first place. “For what reason do you need to see me?”

Sir Didymus bowed before his King, “Majesty, I have come to ask of your help.”

Jareth’s brow rose at this, “And what would that be?”

“It is Hoggle your majesty. I hath found him a few days ago and he will not speak to anyone nor me.” Didymus stopped as he heard Sarah gasp.

Sarah’s heart sank and wrenched as she remembered Hoggle’s figure in one of her dreams. Had she been so wrapped up in what was happening to her that she had forgotten about her friend? “Oh God,” her eyes were brimming with tears, “Where is he?”

Jareth touched her shoulder feeling the guilt and fear that overflowed her emotions, “Sarah, what is it?”

“I…he was in one of my dreams. After I watched that vampire drain and perform the act of making her one I saw Hoggle. He saw everything…that look on his face.” Sarah broke off feeling guilty for not going off in search for her friend, she should have known that her dream was a warning of something to come or what had already taken place.

Sir Didymus stood and watched as the King turned Sarah to face him. “Don’t…don’t blame yourself. You had a lot of things going on at once, it’s understandable that you did not think of one part of a dream.” Jareth locked eyes with hers making sure that she listened to his words. Turning to his subject he looked him in the eye, “Where is he?”