Sarah drifted in and out of consciousness for two days. Jareth was constantly by her side, and whilst maintaining his vigil, he had patiently healed her wounds, though not even his powerful magic could remove the mental scars left by the exhausting ordeal. At length, Sarah resurfaced, and began to question Jareth about what had happened.

"You are sure you don't remember anything after passing out in the throne room? No recollection of their faces?" Jareth delicately pressed

"I wish I could remember, but I can't. Even my memories of what happened in the throne room are a blur. Apart from that, I only recall opening my eyes and seeing you in this room." Sarah was frustrated at not being able to help Jareth catch the villains responsible for her kidnapping, though sensed that there was something on his mind.

"What was in the chest?" She enquired.

"Oh, nothing, don't concern yourself with it." Jareth dismissed, though Sarah noticed that he could not look at her when he said it.

"No, it was something... I remember waking up, and Derrin called you outside. When you came back, you looked so confused - I can see that look still in your face." She pressed, searching the emotion in his eyes and sensing something was amiss.

"I never could keep anything from you" he sighed with a smile. "I'd better start from the beginning." Sarah smiled at her persuasiveness, and shuffled further down the bed in preparation for another of Jareth's captivating stories.

"I've told you already about the commotion over 'The Planes'?" He asked, Sarah nodded, remembering the argument it had caused at the ball. "Well, I wasn't just going to sit by and let him take my land. So, I took a little something of his. His father's sword." He paused, though knew that Sarah was not going to be content until she knew everything. "It wasn't a big thing," he shrugged, "it was just the sword that his father used to behead Villdon. Oh, and there was something about it being in the family line for thousands of years, and it being in the Kardallen crest." His voice trailed off, trying to dismiss the importance of his booty, though he couldn't help but smile at the memory of Kardallen's face upon discovering it missing.

"And..." Sarah prompted, evidently saving her comments until the end. "Well, he took my crown - like the one above my throne... so naturally I had to even things out. I slipped a little sleeping potion into the river that runs through his kingdom. If his entire army were stupid enough to drink from a dirty river then they deserved it."

"So you two have been carrying on this, 'tit for tat' game ever since?" She questioned,

"Oh, so you would rather have us fight then? You might think it petty, but it is much safer than two Lords waging war on each other. The loss of life would be unjustifiable, and it would tear apart the whole Underground - it wouldn't just be limited to our kingdoms." He replied, trying desperately to defend his schoolboy tactics.

"And so what would this have to do with the chest then?" Sarah asked, turning Jareth back to her original question.

"Kardallen has taken things too far, that's what." He paced about the room. "He sent me a little note to let me know that if he could take you, he could keep The Planes and retrieve his precious sword. Our differences do not warrant such measures - and the way he harmed you..." Jareth winced as he remembered the vicious injuries and the blood on her nightgown.

"But that doesn't make sense... he seemed so nice - he was a true gentleman to me at the Ball when you had left." Jareth didn't reply, he just sighed and shook his head as he continued to pace about the room. He didn't understand it either. One thing he was sure of, however, was that Kardallen had crossed the line - he would pay for what he had done, and he would pay dearly. If Kardallen wanted a war, then by God he could have one.

***

After a few days, Sarah persuaded Jareth to allow her to venture to the throne room - she wished to meet the man who had come to her rescue. As he walked before her, Sarah realised that although she did not remember being carried into the Goblin City, she recalled some of his features. He was about the same height as Jareth, and his frame was solid and well proportioned. His short black hair framed handsome, lively features - his eyes were mischievous and she could imagine him being a rather devilish, cheeky child at heart. He was dressed in long black trousers and a waistcoat, covering a garnet coloured shirt.

"Lord Jareth, Mi'Lady" His bow was low and almost theatrical "I am Llynton"

"Well then, Llynton" smiled Sarah "I owe you my life - how can I ever repay you?"

"Nonsense Mi'Lady" he replied, "I am indebted to you for your gracious hospitality." He took another deep, sweeping bow and flashed her a smile.

"I hear you found Lady Sarah in the outer provinces - is this true?" Asked Jareth

"Aye sire - I was passing through your magnificent Kingdom, when I saw her laying by the side of the path - I had heard stories of Lady Sarah from many people, and so I brought her back as quickly as I could."

"How on earth did you manage to get through the Labyrinth?" Wondered Sarah.

"Ah, an old Gypsy woman I encountered a couple of weeks ago gave me a travelling spell in return for my help in repairing her wagon. Thankfully, it was strong enough to take me almost to the gates of the Goblin City"

"Where were you travelling to?" Asked Jareth

"Nowhere and everywhere sire - I journey throughout the Underground Kingdoms in search of a bed and warm hospitality. Not a very exciting life, but fulfilling nonetheless. I often tell stories of my travels to my hosts in return for a hearty meal... you, sire, have earned them all twice over in light of your kindness."

"Nonsense!" Jareth replied, "I owe you such a debt of gratitude... the Kingdom loves Lady Sarah as much as I, and would be a sorry state indeed if she had not returned." Jareth stepped down from his throne, and put a hand earnestly on Llynton's shoulder. "My whole Kingdom thanks you, and for your courage and assistance, may my Kingdom be your home. You will always be welcome in my castle, and may stay for as long as you wish. You shall want for nothing, though I fear Lady Sarah shall simply demand you tell her story after story..."

"I would be honoured to oblige, your Majesty, and thank you with all my heart for your generosity." Jareth gave him a warm smile, and led Sarah back to the bedchamber to rest.

As Derrin helped Llynton through the maze of corridors and halls, he eyed him suspiciously. For a simple traveller with no title or connections, he knew how to talk to nobility - he conducted himself with an air of confidence that was out of character. Any normal yeoman would quake in their boots if in Jareth's presence, regardless of whether he was on their side. Something was amiss.