It was morning before Sarah's absence was discovered... when she was not up at sunrise, Derrin, head of the goblin guard, ordered a chambermaid to take the lady's breakfast into the room. His concern at her not being there caused him to set the servants about the castle and look for her. Even after living in the castle for 3 months, she was still known to get lost when exploring it.

Derrin's concerns deepened when their search proved fruitless - every inhabitant of the castle and the Goblin City shared his anxiety, and they needed little motivation to begin searching the whole Labyrinth. No stone was left unturned, no corner left unexplored, and from his perch on one of the castle balconies, Derrin could almost see the panic spreading among Jareth's subjects. Sarah was well liked, and her unexpected disappearance spurred them to search with an infectious enthusiasm that spread to every creature they encountered.

A goblin guard entered the room. "Sir, we have completed our search of all the surrounding areas, but to no avail. I have instructed that everyone span out further toward the provinces, though I seriously doubt that she could have got that far in so short a time."

"You're right" Replied Derrin with a worried sigh. "I shall remain here and see to the kingdom" He turned to face his companion. "I am entrusting you with taking word of these events to Jareth. You must go to Darmane's kingdom and fetch him back - go now, for he has half a day's head start. Even with a crystal, you will not be able to translocate as far as he... go alone so as not to drain it further."

"I shall sir" He replied with a bow, and ran from the room.

Sunset came, and the Labyrinth had been fully searched twice over. The absence of any clues of her whereabouts confirmed fears that Sarah had been kidnapped, and taken from the kingdom. The night, usually filled with quiet snores and murmurs, was eerily silent, as every creature lay awake, hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst. The day that followed was much the same - the children did not play mischievously, but walked about in a solemn mood, dragging their feet in the dusty streets. Derrin dispatched the guards to search once more, though he knew as well as they that it would prove fruitless. All they could do was await Jareth's return.

Dusk shrouded the castle once more, and Derrin kept vigil from the window in the Throne Room. "Derrin! What's going on!?" Jareth's voice boomed around the chamber. "Sire" He replied with a hasty bow, "Lady Sarah is missing - We have searched the castle and the Labyrinth three times, though there is still no sign of her, sir."

Jareth's face was a mixture of anger and panic. "We'll discuss how she came to be missing at some other time, idiot" He scorned, his cloak flying up as he turned to sit on his throne. He conjured crystal after crystal, though threw the treacherous orbs across the room when they failed to show what he was searching for.

Jareth's growing frustration was interrupted by a sudden uproar in the city below - shouting and whistling pierced through the darkness, and Jareth was in the square in a flash. The sea of goblins surrounding him parted, and he saw a tall man stumbling into the city gates, Sarah lying unconscious in his arms. As the stranger fell exhausted to his knees, Jareth took Sarah and cradled her in his arms. She did not stir, and remained limp and unresponsive in his embrace. Her breathing was shallow and spontaneous, her hair bedraggled and stuck to her face. Her nightgown, once pure white, was stained with blood - her hands were covered in cuts, her wrists and ankles raw from being savagely bound. Her head fell from Jareth's shadow, and in the moonlight, he saw a deep purple bruise about her left eye and cheekbone.

Jareth rose to his feet, Sarah's fragile body in his arms. "Guards - take the man into the castle, Derrin shall find him quarters." His command given, Jareth disappeared.

***

Jareth carefully set Sarah down on the bed. He winced as he saw her wounds, her beautiful face covered with dirt and bruises. He took off his gloves, and conjured a crystal from the air - sitting beside her, he placed the orb delicately on her cheek. As its warmth resonated over her features, her own colouring slowly returned, and her wounds began to fade. As he brushed her hair from her cheek, she began to stir, and slowly opened her eyes. Her sleepy gaze changed as it fixed on Jareth, and she bolted upright with a scream, scampering up to the headboard with a panicked look on her face.

"Shhh, Sarah it's me, Jareth. You're safe now, you're back in the castle and I'm never going to let anything happen to you again." Her panic disappeared, and she buried her head in his shoulder as she sobbed uncontrollably. He rocked her soothingly in his arms, gently stroking her hair.

"Sir?" A knock on the door was accompanied by Derrin's voice. "Sir, there is something that you need to see." Jareth sighed impatiently. He kissed Sarah on the forehead, and walked out into the corridor.

"Can't this wait?" he whispered impatiently.

"I'm sorry sir, but this chest just appeared in the throne room." He motioned to a wooden chest being carried by two struggling Goblins. Jareth walked over to it, and snapping his fingers, the heavy lock fell to the floor. He heaved open the heavy lid, though was surprised to see it's sparse contents - only a single scroll secured with a wax seal. He hurriedly opened the parchment, and read it aloud:

'Don't underestimate me Jareth, I can have whatever I want, and shall soon take what is rightfully mine.'

The letter was not signed, though Jareth looked once more at the crest embedded in the wax seal. A crown speared with a large sword was clearly visible. Jareth's face became confused as he recognised the family emblem.

"Kardallen?"