A/N: This is Chapters 1-8.

Prologue

Nothing gave me pleasure anymore. Everything seemed trivial in light of my discovery. I knew not how long I had thought or felt this way, but I knew that if I did not get what I wanted I would never again be happy. Also, I had so little time in which to implement my plan before my world was torn apart.

"Squeek, come here."

I ordered the little green goblin to my left to stand in front of me.

"Yes your majesty?"

"Go and fetch someone for me."

"Yes Sir."

"The information has already been passed on to your sentinel. I expect to have her here by tonight at the latest."

"Yes Sir."

"And Squeek, do not fail me."

"Of course not Sir."

"Good; you know what's waiting if you do."

I lounged across my chair and watched the rest of my goblin subjects running around and making fools of themselves. I watched five of my best men walk out of the castle and into the tower room beyond. Inside was the means necessary to travel to the other world.

I let a crystal ball glide out of my palm to follow them so I could see the proceedings. I did not feel like changing form and accompanying them myself tonight. I waited for the yellow light to pass and saw them standing in front of what appeared to be an apartment building. I smiled as they walked through the front door.

The Request

My head hurt. The fact was the only thing I was aware of as I found myself slowly waking up. I dreaded waking up because it meant that I was no longer in the safe space of my dreams, but rather the cruel world of reality. I sat up in my bed and looked around me, making sure that my dream hadn't been the reality and this was all a dream.

"Come on Sarah you know better." I whispered to myself.

I forced myself out of bed and over to the coffee machine. I started the coffee brewing and went to get dressed for my first day at the office. I was working for a company that made children's book: the perfect job for me. I heard the pounding of feet go by and assumed it was late-night partiers just getting home.

I poured myself some coffee and added a large amount of creamer to the cup. I had just sat down to my coffee and toast when there was a knock at the door. I assumed it was my neighbor Cynthia who was always asking to borrow things even though she knew I wasn't likely to have them.

I opened my door and was surprised to see that no one was there. I called myself a victim of a game of ding-dong-ditch and went back to my miserable breakfast. CRASH!

I whipped my head around to find my most prized possession on the floor, broken. It was a crystal ball and the only lavish thing I allowed myself to own. It had been a gift, left anonymously, a month after I had gotten Toby back from the Labyrinth.

I had come home from school one day to find it sitting on my desk with an unsigned note that read: "I have fought my way here."

I never quite understood what it meant but I appreciated the gift. I always fancied myself by saying that it was from HIM but never really allowed myself to believe it. I was too young to think of him as anything more than someone who had gotten in my way, and kidnapped my brother.

After I turned seventeen however, I started dating. Not much but enough to not hear about it from my friends. After my first date with a boy I found myself unconsciously comparing him. I started doing it every time I went out or even saw other boys. I took up learning how to draw just so I could try to see him again. I had told myself while solving the Labyrinth that he was nothing more than a nuisance and that I would forget about him after I had rescued Toby. He had obviously stayed in my thoughts.

It was heartbreaking for me to see my gift lying broken on the floor. Without its presence, what would I have to remember my time there? Granted it wasn't pleasant except for my dream about the ball. I quickly cleaned up the mess, and biting my lip and holding my breath, deposited the remains in the trash.

I looked down at my watch to see what time it was, but my watch still said 6:30, the time I had gotten up. I looked at my clock, microwave and oven but they all said the same thing. I sat staring for what must have been five minutes but the clock never once moved.

My head whipped to the right as I heard a rustling.

"Whose there?"

My heart began to pound in my chest as I heard the noise again, on the other side of my apartment this time. I walked over to my door and grabbed the baseball bat there.

I carefully stepped back over to the center of my tiny apartment and squared my shoulders.

"Whose there?"

"My my Sarah, what are we planning on doing with that?"

My response was reflexive; I didn't have time to process what I was doing. Before I knew what was happening, I gripped the bat and swung it around, hitting something hard. I turned a light and dropped the bat. Lying on my floor, in a quickly growing pool of blood, was the man who had haunted my dreams for the past nine years.

"Look what she did to the King!"

"That was very bad of her!"

I heard hissing voices all around me and was shocked to see my apartment had five other very unwanted guests in it.

"Sarah, is that the way you greet someone?"

He was on his feet, perfectly fine. I saw no line or bashed-in head. The only evidence something wrong had occurred was the pool of blood on the floor.

"Wha-?"

"Do you remember me Sarah?"

I was taking small steps backward, not trusting my eyes.

"Sarah, say my name."

I shook my head, knowing this couldn't be real. I had left him and the others behind in the Labyrinth.

"Say it Sarah."

"I don't have to." I whispered.

"I want to hear you say it."

"No."

He stopped walking towards me and stood with a bemused expression on his face.

"I suppose I can't force you…yet."

He began walking around my apartment and running his fingers over things. Some things seemed to pique his interests, others seemed to bore him. I followed him with my gaze while wandered never once trusting that he was really there. Maybe I was still asleep?

"Sarah, I see that my gift is not here?"

"What?"

"I know you kept it."

"The crystal?"

"Who else do you think would get you a crystal ball Sarah?"

"It broke. Not ten minutes ago."

"Ahh; I see it is my goblins then who are at fault."

"Please Master—"

"Please Your Highness—"

"Quiet! I shall deal with you later."

I sat down on the edge of my bed and tried to process everything that was going on. I decided to believe that he really was in my apartment and that I wasn't dreaming. He was really here.

"Sarah, I would like to hear you say my name."

"I'm not sure I really want to."

"Sarah," he sighed, "you are quite bothersome do you know that? After I've come all this way for you and you can't even call me by name."

"What do you mean 'for me?"

"Well I obviously didn't come here just to look around and say hello. You're coming back to my castle with me."

"Like hell I am!"

"Sarah what language!"

"Oh shut up! There's no way I'm going back with you!"

"And why not?"

"Are you serious? Why would I even consider it with all that happened there?"

"Sarah, you will come back with me."

"Why should I?"

His gaze bore down on me until I was forced to look away.

"I'm in trouble Sarah and I need you; I want you."

I gasped at the confession, if that was what it was. I slowly made myself to look at him and saw the pleading look in his eyes. Not once had I ever seen him look so…helpless? Asking for another's help was something most likely new to him. But what kind of trouble was he in?

"What kind of trouble?"

A thin smile touched his lips, but it was not a happy one; more on the grim side.

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"If I do terror will befall the both of us, the kind that I can not save us from."

"What kind of terror?"

"Death."

He said it so matter-of-factly that I wondered what could be so bad about it. I wanted to know what kind of trouble he was in but I didn't ask again.

"Why do you need my help?"

"You're the only one with the power to help me Sarah. Please. After it's done you can go back home, or stay with me if you wish. I will not lie when I say that is the course I prefer. You will be lavished with everything you need and desire while you stay at the castle. You will have attendants and servants if you wish to have them and your friends," there he sneered lightly, "may visit if you want them to. There is a great library where you may read."

"What is expected of me?"

"You will spend thirteen hours with me every day for the next thirteen days. They do not have to be consecutive but they must add up to thirteen, no less and no more."

"Why is this so specific?"

"I cannot say Sarah. It is the path chosen for us."

"I don't know if I want to do this. I can't just leave everything. Besides, how do I know you aren't tricking me into going and then you'll just lock me away to exact revenge for getting Toby back?"

"Really Sarah, do you think I'm that cruel?"

I looked over at the goblins he had promised to punish and then back at him.

"Ask them."

"Sarah…if you don't come back with me then when the thirteen days are over I will die."

"…I thought you were immortal."

"Not as immortal as I thought." He chuckled darkly.

I stood up and looked around me. I could be playing right into his hands. I could be setting myself up for unimaginable tortures…but when faced with the possibility that he would no longer be of this world…I knew my decision instantly. I thought that maybe he wanted someone to spend time with someone for his last thirteen days of life, but I could've been wrong.

"When should we leave?"

I could see the surprise in his eyes. He hadn't expected me to come; had thought that I would just let him die.

"Right now."

"Promise me something."

"What?"

"You won't hurt them for breaking the crystal. It was an accident."

"I promise I won't punish them for it. In fact, I think I'll even replace it."

He held his hand out to me and I took it. He crushed me against him, his hand fitted comfortably around my waist. He smiled down at me; his cape hair as well as mine whipped in a wind that had come out of nowhere. I assumed this was how we were going to travel back. The force of my decision hit me. I was going to be missing for thirteen days. That was how everyone would see my disappearance. I would have to come up with a great story while I was away.

"Sarah, say my name."

"Jareth…"

He laughed as the world around us disappeared and I entered into the beginning of our agreement.

The Preparations

She had come. She had actually come with me to the castle. I had expected her to deny me and then force me to kidnap her. I liked that she had taken the easy route. The five goblins that had been sent to her were being dunked in the bog of stench even as I walked to the throne room where most of my time was spent.

Sarah was being led around the castle by an all too eager hand-maid by the name of Gretel. It cheered the goblins to see a young woman around. They had not had one in their company since the last time Sarah had been there, and it had not been to spend time with the goblins.

I had just sat myself in my throne when a goblin came running up to me, demanding my attention.

"Sire, sire!"

"What?"

"The goblins are wondering if she is the one to break the curse."

I looked down at the sniveling thing who called himself a goblin. He was a runt, a sickly little thing who was always straggling behind the others.

"What do they care? They didn't care about the Goblin Kings before me and they won't care about the ones that come after me."

"Sire…"

"Dismissed."

"Of course Sire."

The goblin half-walked, half-ran away as if frightened for his life. It wasn't surprising considering what I did to goblins on a daily basis. Another goblin quickly followed that one: Hammish. He was also supposed to be waiting on Sarah.

"Sire?"

"You may proceed."

He came forward to kneel before me.

"The female, Sarah, is acting nervous and jittery while touring the castle. This is to be expected since she is experiencing some regret most likely. We do not think she will flee however. Should we lock her door from the outside just in case?"

"No, I want her to have free reign of the castle."

"Of course Sire. Should she be allowed to eat whenever she chooses as well?"

"If she gets hungry she should be allowed to have something light but she will take all her meals with me in the great hall."

"As you wish Sire. Anything else specific?"

"She is to be allowed to take books from the library if she so chooses. I want a dress-maker here immediately to get her fitted. I only have two days before the thirteen day agreement starts."

I leaned my head back on the ivory bone and closed my eyes. It was all so frustrating, my fate. I refused to allow myself to look back, to wonder why I had been stolen out of all of the babies they could have chosen. It was my lot in life I suppose, to rule and then die with unrequited love. If it was indeed love that I felt. Having been raised by and around goblins my whole life I showed almost no human decency. I knew not the social workings of society and I imagined that if I were thrust into Sarah's world I would be completely incompetent.

Hammish had taken a few steps toward the door when he turned back around and spoke.

"Sir…Sir I know you feel that many of the goblins feel indifferent toward you…but there are those of us who wish the curse would be broken and have you continue to rule us."

I never once stirred from my spot or made any indication that I had heard him. The fact that there was a group however that didn't wish for my death was astonishing. There had never been such a thing in the reign of the past Goblin Kings. I wondered if I really was that good ruler, or if the goblins didn't want to have to raise another child for a few hundred years.

I procured a crystal ball and contented myself to watching Sarah for a few moments before she began to be fitted by the dress-maker. I did not want to betray her confidence, even if she never found out about it. I had enough morals to never have had spied on her when she was undressing in her world. I could wait for when she was willing to show herself to me.

The Preparations

I wasn't locked in. However I was too scared to explore the castle by myself. Instead I looked about me at my room. The walls were made of gray stone as was the floor. There was one small rectangular window opposite the bed. The windows had satin crème colored drapes and the bed had crème colored bedding. It was softer than anything I had ever felt before. There were two doors in the back of the room. One led to a huge bathroom with a huge tub. The other led to the biggest closet I'd seen.

There was a knock at my front door and it slowly opened.

"Miss…I'm to show you around the castle."

"Oh well let's go then."

"Right this way."

I walked out of the room and looked down the stone hallway. It seemed long and foreboding. I wondered again if I had made the right decision.

"My name is Gretel."

"I'm Sarah."

"Oh, sweetie, everyone knows who you are."

"Really?"

"You're the first to ever beat the labyrinth."

"I bet that made Jareth angry."

"His highness was quite angry for awhile but then he changed the labyrinth."

"He changed it?"

"Yes he made twenty goblins thirteen hours to try and get through it and none of them could."

"He seems cruel."

"He can be, but he's also one of the nicest kings we've had."

"Really?"

"Yes; here's the washroom. It's where we goblins bathe and I don't expect you'll be using it."

"I suppose not. I think my room had a washroom in it."

"Ah yes the King spent over a week in that room with his crystals."

"What did he do that for?"

"Changing the room. The rooms can only be changed through the magic of the King." "Here is the library, and the King has instructed that you be allowed to use it whenever you wish. The door shall never be locked."

She only showed me the inside for a moment but it was huge! All the books were leather-bound and looked like they'd been collecting dust.

We turned down a few hallways and peeked in another few rooms that weren't of importance.

"This is the kitchen. You'll take all your meals with the King of course but the kitchen is always open to you."

There were about fifty goblins working in the kitchen. It was hot and steamy and there were many dishes being prepared. I hardly knew what to expect from such a kitchen. I feared what my meals would be like here.

"This is the great hall. This is where you and the King shall dine."

"It's beautiful."

It was a large room with a vaulted ceiling and huge windows looking out over the Labyrinth. The windows had the same crème satin curtains as my bedroom. The table was long and made of dark wood with at least fifty chairs surrounding it. There were paintings hung up around the room. The one that caught my eye was a painting of an owl.

"What's that?"

"That's Jareth in his animal form."

"What?"

"Each Goblin King has an animal form and during each of their reign's a picture is put of it here, where guests can admire it."

"Jareth is an owl?"

"The first owl of the Goblin King's."

"Is that significant?"

"Many of the goblins take it to mean that he should stay our ruler, that it is a sign."

"Why can't he then?"

"I suppose Jareth would want to tell you that. It's a curse laid upon the king's hundreds of years ago."

She finished showing me around the enormous castle, though I noticed we never entered the throne room or the Escher room. She then showed me around the goblin city and I met almost everyone. Jareth commanded so many subjects I wonder how he kept them all straight.

"We best be heading back now. I'm sure the King has sent for someone to measure you."

"Measure me?"

"Did you think his Highness would let you parade around in that outfit for the next thirteen days?"

"Well I suppose not."

"Of course not. Let's go back to your room."

When we arrived back at my room there was a goblin woman there who appeared to be of the average height of a ten year old. She was one of the tallest goblins I had seen.

"I'm Hathie."

"Hello, I'm Sarah."

A small smile touched her pink lips.

"Of course you are. I need you to undress. Gretel if you'll excuse us."

Gretel bowed out of the room and closed the door quietly.

"Undress?"

"I need to get the proper measurements."

"OK."

I started to peel off my clothes and throw them on the floor. It was a quick process, her measuring. She was done in about five minutes and I got re-dressed.

"I should have a number of selections for you tomorrow morning. I hope you find them suitable."

"I'm sure that I will."

She left the room and I collapsed onto the bed exhausted. I wanted to fall asleep right then and there, but I assumed I was expected at lunch. I assumed lunch was soon because I was getting hungry. I got myself out of bed and walked into the hall, hoping to decipher the location of the throne room.

After a half-hour of aimless wandering I came upon it. I poked my head around the corner and smiled; the sight of Jareth spread out across his chair and sleeping amused me. I hardly ever thought of him as needing sleep.

"What do you want now?" He rolled his head in the general direction of the door.

I stepped into view and approached slowly.

"I was wondering if it was almost time to eat."

"Are you hungry?"

He sat up and leaned forward, looking interested.

"Yes."

"You know where the kitchen is." He leaned back with an air of indifference and I made a frustrated sound.

"Well excuse me for thinking you might want to join me."

I turned around and stormed off. A few minutes later I was walking down a hallway I didn't recognize.

"This castle is almost as complicated as the Labyrinth was." I mumbled.

"Lost Sarah?"

"You scared me!"

"You shouldn't be frightened so easily."

"What do you want?"

"I've decided to take you up on your offer of lunch."

"Oh well then. Have you suddenly decided I'm good enough to be in your company?"

"No I've found myself hungry."

"Well?"

I thought I saw him smile a little before he walked ahead.

"The kitchen is this way."

"This looks delicious!"

"Honestly Sarah what were you expecting?"

"Something horrid."

"I am human you know. Or at least I was once. I wouldn't eat goblin food."

"I'm glad; I don't think I would've lasted thirteen days if I had to eat goblin food."

We had been served a chicken-breast over a warm bed of rice and peas. A wonderful champagne sauce covered the chicken.

"Thank you." A goblin refilled my glass and scuttled back to the kitchen.

"You shouldn't be so kind to them. They'll start expecting it."

"It's what's expected of someone when they're being served, or when they do something for you."

"Well I never say it."

"That's a character flaw; you should really start."

"Maybe."

We ate in silence; I had never been this well fed. The only time I got to eat even half this well was when I visited my mother and her boyfriend, David.

"Sarah I do hope you enjoy yourself here."

"I'll try. I only have to be here thirteen days; that's not so long."

"It's longer than you think. Besides I've already told you I'd like you to stay longer."

"I'm not sure if I will. I like being back home in New York. All the good food and clothes."

"You think your clothes will not be good enough?"

"I never said that. The clothes in my world however…are more comfortable."

"I shall have some brought for you then."

"You can do that?"

"Of course I can I'm a king."

"Well thank you. I would like that."

"Hmm."

"This is the part where you say you're welcome."

"Why?"

"Because I said thank you; you acknowledge that you heard me and say you're welcome for whatever you're doing for someone."

"You're welcome Sarah."

"That's much better. Just try saying it to everyone now."

"I'm afraid I must depart now. I have much kingly business to attend to."

"I'll see you around."

Back in my room I fell against my pillow full and exhausted from the days events. I hoped someone would wake me for dinner. I would hate to miss a moment with Jareth.

Dressing Up

I woke to a loud knocking at my door. I sat up, groggy, and waited for my headache to pass. As soon as I opened the door Gretel came barreling through. I noticed that her arms were full.

"I need you to try each of these on."

She delicately laid out eleven dresses on the bed and stared eagerly.

"Wow, they're all so beautiful."

"The King wanted me to keep your final dress a surprise."

I wonder why.

"The King also has the clothes from your world."

"Oh that was nice of him."

I peeled off my old business suit and tried on the first dress. I felt like a child playing dress up in my mother's costumes. The dress was a slim black number with no sleeves and a scoop-neck. It came down to my ankles and hugged my curves in just the right way.

The second dress was pale yellow and had a boat-neck and three-quarter sleeves. It only came down to my knees and was not as fitted as the black one.

The third dress was white and had a plunging V-neck ending three inches above my belly button. It too reached to my ankles and was sleeveless.

There was a blue dress with tiny green gems delicately placed all over the fabric. When I walked the gems caught the light and made me look as if I was glowing.

The fifth dress was dark red and came to my knees. It had sleeves to the wrist and the sleeves had a snake-like pattern of gold gems inlaid on them. When the caught the gems it looked as if they were moving in serpentine fashion.

I next tried on a lavender dress that came to my knees and had three-quarter sleeves. The dress was plain except for beautiful pink gems on the back of the dress that looked like butterfly's wings.

The seventh dress I tried on was a white corset dress that was plain except for small dots of silver gems randomly laid over it.

The next dress I tried on for Gretel was a knee-length, form-fitting black dress covered in white crystals on the arms.

My least favorite, but I didn't tell Gretel that, was a plain orange dress that went down to my knees.

Another dress I tried on was a simple white that came down to my mid-thigh and had a ruffled edge.

The last dress I tried on was ankle-length and the sleeves came down to my wrists. It had a boat-neck cut and looked strange. It appeared to be a nonsensical pattern of brown-and-white.

"What is it?" I turned to Gretel, confused.

"Look closer."

So I did. For a few minutes I couldn't make out any discernible pattern, but then, one began to emerge. After staring for another minute I finally saw an owl. Of course it would be an owl.

"They're all gorgeous."

"The King will be pleased to hear this. Decide which one you want to wear today and I'll go get your other clothes from the King."

I could hardly decide what to wear. Eventually I decided on the black dress with the white-crystal pattern on the sleeves.

"Here are your other-world clothes."

"Thank you."

Jareth had sent for a regular pair of blue-jeans, thank god, and two white tank tops. One was a button-up with two pockets over the breast. The other was a wrap-around style tank.

"Gretel, what am I supposed to wear on my feet?"

"You are to go bare-foot. And don't worry the castle is cleaned thoroughly everyday."

"What am I to sleep in?"

Her face took on a thoughtful expression and I assumed that she had not thought of this.

"Let me talk with the King."

She left me alone in my room. I wondered for something to do when my eye caught the door to my empty closet. I decided to pass a little time by hanging up my new things. It took all of about ten minutes to get everything in its proper place.

I walked into my 'magic-made' bathroom and decided I should clean up. I filled the bath with warm water and rifled through the cabinets. To my surprise I found shampoo and conditioner. I also found strange looking body oil but decided to leave it alone.

I stepped into the bath and sighed. I had never had such a relaxing soak; not since I had moved out. I stayed in the bath until the water was cold and my skin was pruned. I toweled my skin dry and decided to let my hair air-dry. I didn't even bother seeing if there was a hair-dryer.

I re-dressed and walked back into my room.

"Oh."

Jareth was casually sitting on the edge of my bed, seemingly waiting for me.

"I've solved your sleep-clothes dilemma."

He pointed behind him at a pile of clothes on the bed. I went through them and laughed a little.

"Jareth are these your shirts?"

"Yes. They are. Will you not accept them?"

He got up from the bed and stood behind me.

"Don't you need them to sleep in?"

He moved his face just a little closer so that it was a hairs-breadth away from my touching my shoulder.

"I sleep nude."

"Oh."

I could feel a blush starting to spread across my cheeks so I scooped up his shirts and walked to the closet.

"Sarah…did I say something?"

"No I just wanted to get these put away."

"Shall I join you for breakfast?"

"Do you want to?"

I peeked at him from the closet and saw him seriously considering it. I wondered if anyone had ever asked him what he had wanted before.

"I will join you."

"OK."

"Do you remember where the kitchen is."

"Not at all."

He laughed and it sounded genuine. It was the first time I had heard him laugh.

"Let's go."

Shortly after we had finished the fruit salad, Jareth excused himself to his Kingly business. Apparently it was the day of the week where he solved the problems of his subjects. I would have liked to have seen it.

I looked around for a short time and found myself at the doors to the library. They weren't locked so I went inside and looked around.

All of the books were leather bound and collecting dust. There was one book that seemed to have been removed recently. I opened it to the first page: Account of the Rule of Goblin King the First.

I read a few pages and realized it was a diary. Each of the Goblin King's must have kept one detailing their rule. I put it back and made up my mind to find Jareth's. The last book in the Goblin King's writings was not Jareth's. I assumed that he had the book so he could update it and that after his death it would be placed here with the others.

What a miserable task. I contented myself with forgetting about, if for a moment, the book by reading goblin fairy tales. I read a few until my stomach started grumbling. I dropped the book off in my room and headed off in what I thought was the general direction of the kitchen.

After what I thought was ten minutes I came upon the kitchen. I walked in and immediately a goblin came up to me.

"May I help you?"

I looked around me and spied a bowl of fruit on the counter. A wry smile touched my lips. If I was going to be here, I was at least going to get some real answers. I turned back to the goblin and gave him my most charming smile.

"Yes; do you have a picnic basket I might borrow?"

The Picnic

I sighed and closed my eyes. This was my least favorite day of the week. At last it was over. I had had more complaints than usual today because this was the last session I would be holding while Sarah was Underground. I didn't want to spend so much time away from her. Today was our last 'free' day. I could hardly believe the curse had such strict stipulations. Only thirteen hours a day with her starting tomorrow.

I would be surprised if the curse was broken. I didn't think Sarah could come to love me, or if I could even love her. I wasn't even sure what love was. How could I when no one had ever taught me? I had been raised by goblins and stolen from my real parents. I couldn't even remember their faces.

I opened my eyes when I heard approaching footsteps. Sarah stepped around the corner and stopped in the doorway. My expression did not change from its neutral expression. Her hair had dried since breakfast, in soft waves.

She looked a vision in her new dress. I was glad I had made the decision to oversee the process of her clothes-making. She stepped forward lightly and I noticed a covered basket over her arm.

"Are you getting hungry?" She asked.

What an innocent question. Innocent, yet there was something in her eyes that made we want to decline her invitation to lunch. However reflecting on the start of the curse the next day, I wanted as much time with her as possible.

"What did you have in mind?"

A small smile touched her lips and I knew that I was playing whatever game she had invented. I didn't mind though; I quite liked games.

"I thought we could go somewhere else and eat. Somewhere other then the Hall."

"Where exactly would that be?"

"Where would you suggest?"

I produced a crystal and played with it lightly, making it dance across my fingertips as I considered an answer. If she truly was playing a game, and that fact I did not doubt, then I would have to be even more cunning than she.

"How about my bedroom?"

I saw a small hint of color touch her cheeks and a look of surprise and, maybe even fear, in her eyes. I smiled at her expression and still after she changed her face back into its neutral mask.

"What a charming suggestion."

"Indeed; it is one of the few clean rooms in the palace, and I would've thought you'd be dying to see it."

"Show me the way."

I walked ahead of her, still playing with the crystal while she followed a little ways behind me.

"Tell me, are you enjoying your stay here?"

"It's much better than the last time."

"You were hardly here the last time." "Though not from lack of my trying." I mumbled under my breath.

"I must say the throne room hasn't changed at all though. It's still as dirty and desolate as ever."

"One can't always be tidy when lording over goblins. And I dare say your home was not the cleanest either."

"True I'll admit it. I had many responsibilities."

"Since when must Sarah do anything?"

"Since I had to grow up."

I stopped quite abruptly and so wasn't surprised when she ran into me.

"We all have to grow up Sarah, whether we want to or not. For some it comes sooner than we may have liked."

"What-?"

"We're here."

I placed my hand against a cool spot in the stone and felt my power surge inside me. As far as I knew I was the most powerful Goblin King who had ruled, even though I was not a faerie by birth. My power created a whirlwind around and inside of me as I collected my energies into removing the enchantments on the door.

Normally I would've walked right in, however Sarah would've been burnt alive if I didn't remove the spells protecting my sleeping-quarters. A few moments passed before the incantations were removed and she could safely go through. I could tell by the awed look on her face, and the few particles of dusty glitter in her hair, that she had felt my power. It was strange because neither a mortal nor goblin had ever felt my whirlwind of energy. I wondered what it meant.

I watched Sarah as she slowly recovered from the energies. She looked about her slowly, taking everything in. My room was covered in crushed purple velvet. It took over the walls and the ceiling but the floor was made of wood. I too had a closet and bathroom much like the one in Sarah's room. My bed was much grander of course but it had to be.

She forgot about me for a moment and walked around the room, touching the walls and the bed. She even looked over a desk in the corner. She did it in much the same that I had in her home.

"Does it meet your expectations?"

"I didn't expect it to be so clean."

"I keep a tidy room and a tidy mind. The rest is the goblins to do what they will with it."

"That's a terrible philosophy."

"How so?"

"It's your throne room yet you let them make a mess of it and parade around. Shouldn't that also be an area that you control?"

"I have it cleaned every ten years or so."

She laughed and stared at me, shaking her head. I wondered what was so amusing but before I could ask she had sat on the floor and opened her basket. I sat across from her on the floor and stared. She pulled out a small white tablecloth and set it between us; next she pulled out bread and cheeses and grapes. She also produced a bottle of white wine; now that I was questioning.

Just when I thought she didn't have anything else left she pulled out one delicate and delicious looking peach. She stared at me for a moment, no doubt seeing if I would react. I kept my face passive as I had during the rest of our interaction.

"This all looks delicious."

"Stop playing games."

"I'm not the one who started this one darling." My voice took on the hint of an icy undertone but she never once backed down.

"Explain yourself."

"Whatever do you mean?"

I took a few grapes and placed them in my mouth one at a time, waiting for her to elaborate.

"Why?"

"Darling you must be more specific?"

She picked the peach up and stormed to the other side of the room. She rolled it around over and over in her hands, thinking. Finally she decided on something and threw the peach right at me. I was prepared however and threw a light energy out to stop it and descend it ever so lightly into my palm.

"Really Sarah that's no way to act with food."

"Why did you play with me?"

I cocked my head and stared at her for a moment. She seemed genuine in her asking but I was still a little befuddled.

"Why do you play with people's emotions Jareth? Everything you offered me that day, you knew I wasn't ready for it. You knew and you still offered because of the fantasies I envisioned!"

Ahh that was it.

"Sarah when I made you the offer to stay with me I thought you would accept. I never thought of your age or the immaturity that came with it. All I saw was a young woman who broke through my deceptions and got through my Labyrinth."

"You knew I wasn't ready."

"Honestly Sarah, I haven't lived Aboveground ever. Not once in my hundred and thirty years have I ever gone up there and stayed."

"What about the peach?"

"What about it?"

"You were playing with me! You were toying with the fantasies of a fifteen year old girl."

"Sarah…I merely showed you what you wanted. I showed you your dreams."

"That's now what you showed me. You showed me a life with you, and that's something I had never dreamed of!"

"Sarah…I may have used the crystal's and poured my energy through it but when it came down to it the vision was yours and not mine. Though, I must say, I quite enjoyed it. I think I would enjoy it even more now that you're all grown up."

"You're an ass."

"Sarah. If you think so poorly of me than why are you here?"

The question hung in the air; she didn't want to answer it. I could see her at war with herself over whether or not to answer me. I stood and walked over to where she was. My gloved hand reached out and lightly stroked her cheek.

"Sarah…you could've said no."

She tore herself away from me and walked to the opposite side of the room.

"Answer me Sarah."

"I don't have to!"

"I would very much like it if you would."

"I…I…I couldn't imagine the world without you in it. I don't know what I'm doing here Jareth. I deserve an explanation."

"I agree, you do."

"Then tell me!"

"Come with me."

I had her standing in the library reading from the tome of the third Goblin King. I knew when she had come across the answer and I felt sure she would deny to continue helping me. I knew she would say no after she found out what it would cost her to help me. Just knowing that she now knew why I had brought her here, it all depended on her now. Whether she could admit that she wanted to stay and wanted to try and fall in love with a Goblin King.

A King who belonged not in the world that he governed, nor in the world of the mortals. A King, a man, who belonged nowhere and knew not his place.

The Goblin King Curse

Jareth stood over me, tense and waiting. I had made myself comfortable on a velvet-chair with the giant tome he had selected for me to read. Jareth had opened the book to the end so I was reading out of context and trying to understand everything.

"His hand writing is so difficult to read."

"He was a real goblin; they didn't kidnap him from the Aboveground like they usually do."

This news startled me. Had Jareth been taken? I filed it into the back of my brain and started reading again:

She has come today. The castle has been cleaned, as much as it can be, and I've cleared the throne room so we have a place to ourselves. What little power I have is tingling with the anticipation and excitement of seeing her. I can feel her energy approaching. I will write of what happens later, as is my duty.

That vile creature! Damn that woman to hell! She came upon me in the throne room with a look of icy hatred I had not seen before. I thought maybe it was someone else who was meant to be under it, but no it was meant for me.

"What is wrong Rebecca?"

"What's wrong?"

"You bastard!"

"What has gotten into you?"

"I know Xander. I know about the affair."

"Rebecca…"

Of course I was seeing others. I was a King and King's have concubines. However Rebecca was my only wife, and I loved her unlike the others. Rebecca did not see it that way and I suppose I know why: Rebecca is mortal and so even living Underground she is susceptible to her foolish human thoughts and emotions. I could see the news hurt her terribly but I did not know what she would do.

She left the room and I was alone for some time. At last I heard vile chanting and incantations being made. I foolishly assumed it was the goblin children running around the castle.

Rebecca came back to me an hour later, while I was asleep. When I awoke my right eye hurt like it was on fire, and Rebecca lay dying in the corner.

"What have you done?"

She only laughed before explaining.

"No Goblin King may rule for more than one hundred-and-thirty years now. As soon as they reach their hundred and thirtieth year they will die. Unless, that king may find a mortal girl to love him, but, he must love her back. I believe you're running out of time Xander."

I rushed to my rooms and discovered in my mirror a horribly angry red line beginning at my temple and running through my right eye down to the cheekbone. I fear I do not have much time left so I am writing this as hurriedly as I possibly can. Future Goblin King's beware THE GOBLIN KING'S CURSE!

I put the book down and sat there for a moment, stunned by what I had just read. Not only by what had happened to the woman and the King, but by what was now expected of me. Did I really want to stay and try to fall in love with Jareth? Of all the people it could've been…I probably would've picked him anyway. Over the years my brain had romanticized up to the point where some nights I was afraid to sleep.

I would stay then, but I wouldn't force anything. Let nature take its gentle course. I heard a sigh from behind me.

"You probably want to leave now. Very well I'll give you time to pack your things before you go. Don't worry I won't bother you again. Though not because I don't want to."

He flicked his wrist and a crystal ball shot itself at me. It took all my reflexes to be able to catch it before it hit the ground. I felt a surge of the same energy as before and my hair whipped around me in the energy.

"On second thought, I'll think I'll make Gretel pack and send them to you later. I don't want you to have to stay here a moment later than you would like."

The energy was ever so slowly pushing me up. There was nothing I could do to stop it. His back was to me and hated him for what he was doing. So very typical of a man to make a decision without consulting the other person.

"Damn it Jareth!"

He didn't even stir from his spot. He didn't make a move at all so far as I could tell. I was almost through the ceiling. I made one last desperate attempt, one last desperate surge of strength coursed through me and I pushed against the magic. It was hard to do but I found my fingers could barely grasp his hair. It would have to do.

I grasped a few strands on the top and pulled as I hard as I could. He stumbled backwards and the magic broke, dropping me to the ground.

"OW!"

I tried standing but my ankle gave out underneath me.

"Sarah what in the world is wrong with you?"

"Men making my decisions for me that's what."

"Oh Sarah you are so difficult."

"No you're difficult! Who ever said I wanted to leave?"

"I thought…"

"Well you thought wrong." "I don't mind staying Jareth."

"Oh you don't mind? Well in that case."

"That's not how I meant it and you know it! Gosh at least give me some time considering I just found out that in order to save your life we have to fall in love. Doesn't that sound a bit…dramatic?"

"I'm not the one who had the curse laid upon him. Only indirectly."

I tried to stand again but I faltered and ended up clinging to Jareth instead.

"My, my, Sarah I had no idea you were so eager."

"Shut up will you? I hurt myself."

His expression changed to one of immediate concern.

"When, how?"

"When I fell and I must have landed on my ankle funny."

"Oh Sarah. Come on lets go."

"Where?"

"I do have a room for such purposes as taking care of injuries."

"Like a hospital?"

"Not as advanced no. Mostly everything is done through magic."

"That's just great."

He walked out of the room and came back in a few moments later.

"Why aren't you following?"

"It's a little hard to do with an injured ankle."

"Oh right."

He walked over to me and picked me up.

"Is that better?"

His face was too close. His smile too…too fun.

"It's fine."

He laughed and I involuntarily smiled. He had that effect on people I supposed.

"Here we are."

He set me on a cold stone table and grabbed some bandages and ointments.

"Can't you just heal it with magic?"

"I will a little but I think I want to see you suffer a bit as well."

"Thanks."

I felt a cool touch and I assumed it was the ointment but when I looked Jareth's fingertips were lightly tracing over my ankle. The relief was immediate for my ankle was no longer throbbing. Then went on the ointment and then a tightly wrapped bandage.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome Sarah."

"Can I ask you something?"

"You just did."

"Why don't you have the scar? I'm assuming it's something passed to each Goblin King."

"It is. I however have enough magical energy to hide it."

"C—"

"I suppose if it will get you off the subject."

He flicked his wrist and on his face there appeared a red scar. It was smooth looking, not puckered up like I'd expected. It ran through the middle of his eye and down to his cheekbone, just like the book had said.

I could see a small hint of fear in his eyes, desperation. He was worried I would run away screaming. Just as soon as I saw them however his mask was replaced. He stood right in front of me so I had no place else to look except for the scar.

I reached out my hand and my fingers lightly touched the beginning of it, at his temple. He closed his eyes as my fingers traced it down and back up. I brushed my thumb across his forehead and he opened his eyes.

"You can't tell me what is best for me. You don't get to say whether I stay or I leave. That decision is up to me."

"Sarah…"

His hands were on my hips now and mine were still exploring his scar. I wondered if his hair was really as soft as it had always looked. I gripped a strand between my thumb and fore-finger and ran them down the length of it. It was very soft. I looked back over at his face and found him staring intently at me.

His eyes were guarded, as very well they should have been. Our previous discussions about the Labyrinth were not finished.

"I hope you know I'm not done bringing up the Labyrinth."

The wry smile that touched his lips told me that he had not expected me to.

"Of course not dear Sarah, that would be too easy."

He slowly stood up and turned around.

"Tomorrow begins the thirteen day agreement Sarah. Make my last days count please."

He left the room, leaving me there alone with his words. He really didn't think I would save him. At that point, I wasn't so sure myself.

Old Friends

I didn't know how much I would be seeing my old friends after the thirteen days started so I resolved to seeing them and spending the rest of the day with them. I called on them with my mirror and invited them to the castle.

"Hoggle, Ludo! Sir Didymus!"

"Sarah!"

Hoggle was the first one through the door. I hugged him as tightly as possible. It had been nine years since I had seen them in person after all.

"Sar…ah…"

"Ludo!"

I hugged him and buried my face in his shoulder. His fur was soft but it made me want to sneeze.

"Ludo, when was the last time you took a bath?"

He looked at me sheepishly so I knew it had been awhile.

"How are you Sir Didymus?"

"Fine as ever milady."

He did a little bow and I smiled at his chivalry.

"Sarah…I don't mean to sound ungrateful for the visit but why are you in the castle?"

"Jareth invited me here."

Hoggle's eyebrows shot straight up.

"But…why? You defeated him…what does he want with you?"

"Relax, he invited me. I wasn't stolen away."

"Why though? It doesn't make sense with the Jareth we know."

"That's none of your business Hogwash."

"It's Hoggle!"

He turned around; reflexively correcting his name, and saw Jareth leaning in the doorway.

"Hello." I said politely. It had been a few hours and he had helped me.

"Hello Sarah. I was going to ask you to dinner but I can see you're busy. I'll just have it brought to your room for you."

He turned to walk away.

"Would you like to join us?"

He turned his head to look at my friends.

"No I think not tonight. Thank you for the offer."

Hoggle waited for him to be a safe distance away before speaking.

"Damn Jareth, he still scares me."

"Oh Hoggle it's OK."

"Lady Sarah how have you been?"

"Thank you for asking Didymus. I've been well; I graduated from college and I have a great job."

From their questioning looks I could tell it would take awhile to explain what college was. After I was done explaining a goblin came in with a tray full of food.

"Thank you."

"Ludo…hungry."

"OK Ludo you get first pick."

We all sat around talking and eating the delicious food. After a few hours of laughing and talking Sir Didymus announced he had to get home to feed Ambrosias.

"Do you still live in the Bog of Eternal Stench?"

"Aye milady and I still guard it with my life's blood."

I gave him a peck on the nose.

"Good night Didymus."

"Good night everyone."

Ludo had to leave a short time later. I gave him a big hug and reminded him to take a bath.

"OK…Sara…h."

"Hoggle what do you think of Jareth?"

"I think he's a monster. Unfair, cruel and he takes pleasure in the pain of others."

"There has to be more to him than that. There has to be another layer."

"Sarah, why do you care?"

"I'm trying to love him."

"What?"

"Have you ever heard of the Goblin King's curse?"

"Yes; I thought he had a few more years."

He started counting off on his fingers, trying to add up something.

"No I guess it is his time. Sarah, are you really going to save him?"

"I'm going to try."

We didn't have too much to talk about after that. Hoggle left a short while later and I wondered if he was upset. It was only ten o'clock and I wondered where Jareth was. I was getting tired and some strange force was compelling me to tell him good-night. Of course, it could've been because I wanted to see him again.

I looked for, and found him in, the throne room.

"Ahh Sarah. Did the garbage leave?"

"Don't call them that they're my friends."

"Sarah, they're no one."

"No wonder Hoggle doesn't like you. He's right you treat everyone like garbage."

"Don't let that swine change your opinion of me."

"He's not Jareth, you are."

"What do you mean?"

"You're not being honest with me and I don't think you're being honest with yourself."

"How so?"

"This isn't you. At least, I hope not. I hope that there's more to you than this cruel and mind-game playing exterior. I hope there's a real man inside of you."

Jareth snorted and rolled his head to look at me.

"Sarah, what if this is me?"

"Then I guess you will die." I whispered.

His eyes got wider before his mask of nonchalance came back.

"You'd let me die because I'm cruel?"

"If that's all there is to you, then it's a little hard to love someone like that."

"I don't think so."

"Would you love me if I was cruel? If all I was was mean?"

He stared into my eyes, seriously considering my question. He leaned his head back on the bone of his throne and stared at the ceiling.

"No I wouldn't."

"If you want to live you have to share every part of yourself Jareth, not just who you want people to think you are."

"I expect the same of you Sarah."

"That's everything I was planning to give. If am to love and be loved I lay bare my heart and soul. I don't give just parts of myself Jareth."

"I've never loved anyone. I don't know what it is."

"Maybe you'll find out."

"Maybe."

A smile touched his lips as he stood up.

"Jareth…I want to thank you."

"For what?"

"For your offers in the labyrinth. Even though they were cruel and uncalled for, they helped me to grow into the woman I am today on my own terms. I allowed myself to be who I wanted to be and not be judged."

"You're welcome Sarah."

"I still think you're an ass for offering it to a fifteen year old girl who couldn't accept it."

"Sarah…I wouldn't have taken advantage of you. I do believe in waiting until a woman is ready you know."

"Like you've ever had to wait for anything."

"I have to wait for you."

He was in front of me now, grasping a strand of my hair.

"Goodnight Jareth. I'll see you for breakfast?"

He cocked his head and smiled at me.

"Goodnight Sarah. May you dream of me."

He kissed my forehead and walked out of the room before I could respond. I walked back to my room and changed into one of his shirts. It smelled like him, and it was so soft. I got in bed and looked over at my nightstand. Resting on it was a crystal ball. I took it in my hand and brought it to me before falling asleep.

Day One

I woke up, fully refreshed. No matter how hard I had tried I did dream of Jareth. Only a few, but they had been enough for me.

I got out of bed and bathed, making absolute sure I was all clean. I put on the yellow dress and walked to the Great Hall, running my fingers through my wet hair. Jareth was already there, seated and waiting.

"I suppose you don't have coffee do you?"

"No. We have an equivalent though if you'd like it."

"I would."

He procured a small vial and handed it to me.

"Only swallow a drop; it will be enough."

I tipped the vial over against my fingertip and closed it. I put my finger in mouth and as soon as the drop hit my tongue I instantly felt rejuvenated. I started to hand the vial back but he put his hand up.

"You keep it; you have more need of it."

"Thank you."

"It's no trouble. In fact, I have another gift for you."

"Oh?"

He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a wristwatch. He got out of his chair and walked over to my side. I held out my hand and he fastened the watch, his gloved hands feeling cool against my skin.

He sat back down in his chair as breakfast came out. The watch had thirteen numbers on it.

"It counts how much time we've spent together. When both hands reach the thirteen our day together is done."

"Thank you. And thank you for the crystal."

"I told you I'd replace it."

"I know, but still thank you."

"The crystal shows you anything you want to see. I thought you would miss your family."

"Thank you; I'll treasure it."

We ate in relative silence for a few minutes.

"What are we doing today?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do we have any plans?"

"Not today no."

"Oh. When's your next meeting? With the goblins of the city?"

"I've cancelled the rest of them."

"What, why?"

"To spend time with you."

"I wanted to go to one."

"Why? They're boring and trivial."

"To see you as a King…doing Kingly things. I just wanted to go."

"I'll reschedule one of them then."

"I'll be there."

I chewed thoughtfully for a moment before an idea on how to spend the day occurred to me.

"Jareth do you have any art supplies?"

After breakfast Jareth sat in his throne, posing. He was leaning back with his left ankle resting on his right knee. His left hand was wrapped around his staff, which was off to the left side of his throne. His right hand rested comfortably on the ivory-bone that wrapped his throne.

"Tell me again why we're doing this?"

"Because you didn't have our day planned out."

"I won't make the mistake again."

After telling him what I needed Jareth had sent a goblin to the Aboveground. It had only taken him ten minutes to retrieve a table of drawing paper and art pencils.

"Jareth stop fidgeting."

"How long am I supposed to sit here?"

"As long as it takes. The more time you waste, the longer you sit."

I erased a few light pencil marks and looked up. His expression was bored.

"Is that really how you want me to draw your face?"

"No I suppose not."

He thought about it for a moment and went through a whole range of expressions before settling.

"Is this acceptable?"

"If it's what you want."

"Oh, it is."

I looked at his newly raised eyebrow and knew it was a crack at me. The look he had settled on was a sultry, seductive look. His gaze was powerful, and lustful. It was the most expression I had gotten from him, and the longest it had ever stayed. I hoped I could resist, and could do him justice in the drawing.

I drew and erased over the next four hours. I stared at his eyes for over five minutes, which he seemed to thoroughly enjoy. I drew and shaded and lightened and erased. I wanted to get everything just right. I took another hour for detailing the picture.

After five hours of sitting in a chair I stood and stretched. My arms were sore and my legs were stiff.

"Are you done now?"

"Yes you can stand."

Jareth was up and stretching along with me.

"I think we shall have to take a walk to stretch out our limbs."

"I agree. But first, I want to see this."

Jareth stepped over to the tablet and picked it up. I stood nervously as he stared at it. I couldn't make out what he was thinking because his face was once again expressionless.

He traced the drawing with his fingertips, lightly going over each line and curve. He gazed intently at it, his eyes moving over the drawing and drinking everything in. I couldn't take his silence any longer.

"So, what do you think?"

He didn't say a word. Instead he turned on his heel and strode out of the room.

"Jareth where are you going?"

I followed after him. If he didn't want the drawing then I most certainly did. I followed him until we came to about where his room was. He spoke the same way under his breath and I again felt the energy. This time it was like cool, gentle fingers. The magic stayed over my injured ankle and when I looked at it, it was dotted with glitter.

I followed Jareth into his room and waited while he searched through his desk drawers. He looked around his room and seemingly having found the perfect spot, nailed my drawing to his wall.

"Does this mean you like it?"

"Like it? Look at me, I'm glorious."

"Does it please you?" I copied his tone perfectly.

He stood in front of me and brushed the hair from my face.

"It does."

"I have more at home…"

Jareth side-stepped and was gone. All that was left was a trail of glitter. I looked at my watch; it had stopped at five fifteen. I sighed and looked around the room. Now would be the perfect time to try and find Jareth's journal.

Just as soon as I resolved myself to look for it however Jareth stepped back into the room carrying a few file folders.

"Shall we look together?" He asked.

So, lying on the floor side-by-side, we went through the folders one-by-one as we looked at each drawing. He mostly skipped over ones that weren't of him. I however looked at all of them. There were quite a few of the Labyrinth, as well as ones of Hoggle and Ludo and Sir Didymus.

"Who is this?"

He handed me a picture I had drawn of Toby just a few weeks before.

"That's Toby."

"Ahh; I suppose he would be older now. Are you two close?"

"I see him all the time." "Do you have any siblings?"

"I don't know. Even if I did they'd all be dead now anyway."

I put my hand on his arm and let it stay there a few seconds before removing it.

"I rather like this one."

It was a picture I had drawn of him in the remains of the Escher room, when he had been offering me another crystal.

"Why?"

"My hair looks very good."

"You're so self-absorbed."

"I am not."

"You are too! You only like the pictures of yourself."

"I like this one, and it's not of me. I don't know what it is."

I took the paper from him and looked at it. It was one of my earlier drawings, so it was a little crude.

"Oh! It's the worm from the beginning of the Labyrinth."

"You drew a worm?"

"He was incredibly helpful; he helped me to find the first turn."

"You know some might call that cheating."

"You never did. Besides there's a statue of limitations."

"You won Sarah. That can never be taken from you."

"Do I get a title?"

"I suppose."

"Hmm; I wonder what it is."

"I'm sure there's an official title in the Compendium."

"We should look for it."

"If you wish."

"I do."

We looked through the rest of my drawings and he even hung up a few, including the picture of the worm.

"Let's go find your title."

We walked to the library and he opened a glass display case with a huge book inside of it.

"How much time do we have?"

"Seven hours left." I said, looking down at the steadily moving hands of the watch.

He sat in a chair and flipped to the middle of the book.

"It should be in the section about the Labyrinth."

He sat reading for ten minutes before he called me over.

"Whosoever bests the Labyrinth shall be granted immunity from being stolen away by Goblins and other fey creatures. Other Fey and Goblin tricks and magic shall have no affect. They shall henceforth be called Champion of the Labyrinth and shall be treated with the utmost respect."

He closed the book and replaced it to its glass case.

"How do you feel about your new title?"

"Sarah, Champion of the Labyrinth. I like it."

"I had forgotten that little bit about the immunity. I couldn't have kidnapped you, even if I had wanted to."

"What else does immunity protect me from?"

"While Underground and in the Labyrinth you're protected from intended hurts or magic. No one can knowingly hurt you in any form. However it doesn't protect you from yourself, as shown with your ankle. It also doesn't protect you from other mortals."

"How could you heal my ankle then?"

"You allowed me to; I also didn't wish to cause you harm, I merely wanted to help you."

"Oh I see."

"Sarah, could you teach me to draw?"

I looked over at him. He stood staring at me, waiting for my answer. I hated that he never betrayed any emotion. I never knew exactly where I stood with him.

"Yes if you really want to learn."

Jareth and I were in the Great Hall with plenty of art supplies. He had made a group of goblins go get more. He had decided that the rest of our time together for the day would be used to teach him how to draw. We had six-and-a-half hours left in the day. It seemed unfair that we had a time limit each day. I found myself enjoying the time I was getting with him.

"I want you to promise not to use magic."

"Why?"

"Because then the drawing won't be real; it won't have soul. Art is a labor of love and you have to put in the time and effort to get the reward."

"OK no magic."

"Promise me Jareth."

"I swear on my word as a Goblin King that I, Jareth, will not use magic when drawing pictures."

The air shimmered with an unseen energy and I knew he would be held to his word.

"Thank you."

I taught him everything I could. He was a good student and a fast learner. I called it quits though when we only had an hour left to spend together. I was starving and we had skipped lunch.

We ate in silence because I was busy eating everything I could get my hands on. At the end of the meal we only had three minutes left together.

"I'll keep drawing tonight."

"You're very good. I'll encourage you to draw something real tonight, a person or a memory."

"I'll show you tomorrow over breakfast."

"I'll see if inspiration hits tonight."

"Get a good night's rest, and dream of me."

The watch on my wrist chimed the thirteenth hour and Jareth departed in small cloud of glitter.

That night I sat at my desk for inspiration did indeed strike. I had never drawn Jareth as he had first appeared to me: the owl beating on my window and his human self in my room.

I drew his owl form beating on my window. It took me two hours to get the shading and darkness correct. I putt off drawing him in my childhood room and instead drew the owl in flight over the Labyrinth. I decided to put off showing him the drawing because I wanted to color it.

I crawled into bed around two in the morning and fell into a peaceful sleep. I dreamed that I was at home and it was Christmas. Toby was jumping on my bed to wake me up. He pulled me downstairs where our dad and his mother were waiting.

I grabbed a cup of coffee and contented myself with watching Toby opening presents. After he had opened one containing a Lego set the doorbell rang. I got up to answer it and was surprised to see Jareth standing there with an armful of wrapped boxes.

"Hello darling."

He kissed my cheek and walked past me into the living room.

"Uncle Jareth!" cried Toby. "You brought presents!"

I walked into the living room and stood next to Jareth. I stared at him for a moment. His hair was the same but he was wearing a leather jacket and gray scarf, and white cashmere sweater and blue jeans. On his left hand was a silver wedding band. I looked at my own left hand and saw a modest engagement ring and wedding band.

Jareth laughed as Toby grabbed the first present. It was a small box with red paper and a green bow. Jareth wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed the side of my head.

"I missed you last night."

"I—"

"What is it?" Toby stared confusedly at his present.

Jareth squatted so he and Toby were looking eye-to-eye.

"It's a crystal ball. It'll show you your dreams."

I woke up the next morning with a small smile.