The Ghost of You

(Haunts Me to This Day)

One evening, after one too many decades of fruitless testing, Jareth - one and only Goblin King - began to lose hope. Numerous failures from the many Princesses he'd summoned from all lands known, and some very hidden he'd discovered while at it, were making him lose hope. No one had been able to outsmart his Labyrinth. Many were lost to his crystals' magic too and yes, that had caused a great deal of awkwardness between Kingdoms; at least those years had been good ones for Executioners. Rough times for Messengers, though.

At one point Jareth really started to wonder why foreign Kingdoms were so eager to send their Royalty to a quest they were certain to never return from. It's not like Jareth - King and all - could force them into the Labyrinth. But he put that thought aside quickly. Of course they'd all want in on a wager when, if victorious, they could form an alliance with one of the greatest and most prosper Kingdoms bia marriage. That was the prize.

However, it was still surprising how others had yet to learn the lesson. Only one person had successfully crossed the ever-changing trap and that had been no ordinary person, for her mortality did not matter, only that special and unparalleled something that made her the most admirable and fine thing any man could posses.

Sarah.

She'd been gone now for a suffered total of one hundred years. One hundred years that same evening.

She was still out there. Somewhere. Time advanced in such a considerably different way in both heir worlds; the Above and Underground. If Jareth's math was correct, what for him had been a hundred years, for Sarah it had been barely over three hundred and sixty five days. While his bittersweet memories of her became more bitter than sweet through time, Sarah remained in the shadows; hiding, evasive of his magic's reach and unaware of the effect her departure had on him.

How resentful he'd become, how low he'd fallen for the lovely Lady. That is why he initiated the stupid summoning of Princesses in the first place; because this obsession of his was so unseemly. Unacceptable.

Bitter or not though, Jareth still remembered every moment Sarah spent in his Kingdom. Every single detail etched to memory, every sound and scent triggering confusing thoughts he was not accustomed to. Were her smiles sincere? Her frustration a clever distraction? Jareth couldn't be sure, but he was starting to suspect that - accurate as his memory was - the more he pondered on these ideas, the more twisted their meaning turned. After all, even if he knew what Sarah's fantasy consisted of, he couldn't read her mind. If she ever considered what he offered, with a trully open heart, Jareth would never know.

All day the King had refused to be inconvenienced with inane 'Royal Matters' his Council could very well deal with on their own. Instead he chose to brood inside his own chambers until he realized how much lower he'd stoop if he remained locked up. As if he had something to hide from.

Begrudgingly he stomped with an even more intense that usual semblance of authority through the mildly dark passages of his castle; his favorite staff tightly clenched in his hand. He entered a spacious room with the doors flying violently to let him in; Jareth's face grew darker at seeing the empty space.

He should have known.

It was downright inconceivable, Jareth groused inwardly. Inconceivable the fact that he could never leave his Subjects alone because they would undoubtedly ignore their chores, and inconceivable the thought of how his brooding and pride made him neglect his own responsibilities as Ruler.

''Damn it!'' He hissed, kicking a misplaced bucket in the middle of the room.

It was all her fault. How dare she? What ever could have crossed her mind to reject him? He could not and would not know. And feeling impotent did not sit well with the Goblin King.

He sighed. He couldn't conjure her image through his crystals' powers; not unless she called or somebody else wished her away. Jareth couldn't hop between realms because a barrier separated them and it only opened a breach with the correct words. A wish. The Goblin Kingdom was a receptor, not in any positions to make demands at the universe. In a way, the land was trapped.

With a tighter grip on the staff, Jareth swung it with a forceful curve at the pale curtains covering the large window to his left, making them flutter away. It was already past dusk. It had been a long evening indeed. Leaning against the window Jareth tried to enjoy the cooling air refreshing his lungs, acting as a balm over the sting in his chest when he wondered just how many more centuries like this were ahead.

To say that the Goblin King didn't like to feel frustrated would be and understatement and would earn you a well-deserved evening in the Bog of Eternal Stench. Some unfortunate citizens had learned this the hard way. Now forever they remained with a subtle but still perceptible scent that distinguished them as those who'd dared disturb the King. That's the reason why in that particular evening, one of Jareth's subjects - very young still, very afraid of his King like wise youngsters should - approached him with a nervous pair of hands twisting and tearing at a cloth napkin hastily stolen from the kitchen he worked at.

Jareth certainly didn't have the time or patience to be dealing with the new help, having his temper flaring once more at the sight of the stumbling youth. However he could still acknowledge the young goblin's courage - though, his appearance was less than bravery - for coming near him when his aura reflected just what he thought of being inconvenienced. Whatever it was the goblin needed, it better be urgent.

''Y-your Majesty...'' The youngster bowed deeply and awkwardly. ''I-i know you wish to be left alone... but, there's...''

''Spit it!'' Jareth demanded, about to turn a certain someone into a tomato.

With a yelp, the goblin stood straight and spoke in a most loud manner, so as to compensate his shyness. ''Sir! There's an uproar in the Labyrinth! Citizens come into the castle, afraid and with allegations that there is a strange creature lurking about!''

Jareth sighed. A trespasser? Very well, he'd at least have a rightful excuse to turn a living being into something hideous or darkly hilarious.

Looking again at the shaky goblin, Jareth stood to make him accompany him to where this supposed creature had been encountered.

''What is your name?''

''M-my name, Your Majesty?'' The young goblin stuttered.

''Yes, tell your King what your name is.''

''It is Frodrid, my King. At your service!'' He bowed once more.

''Very well, tell me now, Frodrid, where do my citizens claim to have seen the terrific creature?''

Terrific indeed was the creature, but it was no stranger to Jareth. And what could be described as terrific only referred to her intense beauty. Behind a wall from the Labyrinth, a wary head poked; her shimmering eyes bright with fear and curiosity for the goblins carrying sharp objects; should the need to defend themselves arose. But Jareth commanded them to back away, let him get closer to affirm his suspicions. He tentatively reached forward, his hope swelling.

''Sarah...?'' He called, his voice low and soft.

The girl looked uncertain but still stepped from behind the wall, calmed by the velvety voice of the man in front. Jareth noticed how she looked very different. She wasn't wearing jeans like the time before. A fragile looking dress of silk wrapped her lithe form, her soft brown hair cascaded gracefully over her shoulders, surpassing her arms' length. There were also thin silver lines underlining her eyes. It wasn't makeup. It seemed as though her skin was naturally that way; pretty similar to Jareth's own marks, only paler and they glowed.

Jareth didn't mind how those same lines accentuated her already lovely gaze. In fact, her look was even more bewitching. What concerned Jareth now was the how she'd gotten them. She'd have to posses magical affinity, somehow...

Then she spoke, timid and unsure. ''You know me?''

''Sarah-'' He didn't understand her question. It was her but... had she forgotten?

''Who's Sarah?'' She questioned. ''Is that my name?'' She began to look anxious. ''Oh,please! Please sir! You have to tell me. I don't know where i am, or what my name even is!''

Bewildered, Jareth could only stand there, staring into nothingness. His Sarah... She'd forgotten everything, even about herself. In that moment, another - this time really strange - creature decided to intrude, confident as he called:

''Lady Stardust! There you are!''

The goblin crowd stared. The moldy eyes sticking from out the wall stared. Even Jareth looked taken aback by the noisy fellow with the overly wide sized eyes. It was hard to tear one's eyes away too when the strange flying creature wore a flashy, regal-looking uniform. Too much color for someone barely over 3 inches tall.

''My Lady!'' The stranger kept on rambling, outraged as he approached Sarah carrying a white riding hood with a fine work of silver embroidery. Sarah hugged the fabric to herself uncertainly as it was draped over her shoulders and suddenly, the creature emitted a shrill cry when landing eyes on Jareth and company. Jareth almost grimaced, while Sarah backed away, startled.

''Goblin King! You- you're the Goblin King!'' The flying creature sharply pointed straight to Jareth's face unabashedly.

The King's only response was to flash that razor grin of his; sparkly pointed teeth and all. Clearly his reputation was well-merited and approved.

''You know who i am,'' Jareth began, subtly moving closer to Sarah's side. But i do not recall receiving your name.'' He finished with a reproving glare.

Something in the flying creature's head seemed to click, as he twitched an eyebrow and withdrew his toothpick-sized blade.

''The name is Ziggy!'' He proclaimed as if simply being named that way was colossal feat. He made his was in between Sarah and Jareth with impossible speed. Not even the Fairies plaguing the Labyrinth's gardens were that fast.

''I am as a matter of fact,'' Ziggy spat. ''The loyal servant and Protector of Lady Stardust! Princess of-''

''Lady?'' Sarah questioned poking her head from behind Ziggy's back. ''You mean me? But how-?''

Jareth advanced, twisting his hand and creating a crystal that he rapidly threw at Ziggy, who had briefly turned his attention to Sarah. The crystal trapped him; suppossed Protector or not, Jareth had one too many questions to ask.

''Your Majesty?'' Frodrid called from behind.

Jareth gave his most disdainful glare at the cowering group hidden behind a wall. Apparently a blade not even big enough to rid anyone's teeth of leftovers was still very much a blade. ''Well? Are you just going to stand there? We have a guest. Go prepare the chambers adjacent to my own!''

Frodrid did as he was told immediately, running as quickly as his short legs would allow. Jareth turned back to Sarah again, offering her his hand once more and expecting her to ignore the muffled insults aimed at him by the raging creature trapped within his floating crystal. When Sarah accepted that he took her to his castle, Jareth couldn't help but bow his head to hide his smile against the back of her hand, kissing lightly.

TBC

First(how did i forget:O?): I own nothing. Credit goes to that wonderful man; Jim Henson. God bless him.

And that's chapter one:) I hope you enjoyed, because i certainly did have a great time while writing this. Now, there's some things i think i should include to my parting Author Notes for the chapter, so imma go a head and create this: (Boom-boom-bah-boom)

Funfacts!:

I couldn't possibly come up with so many original goblin names on my own! No i couldn't:( But thankfully, you will not have to endure a story filled with poorly thought-out names. I found this nifty 'Goblin Name Generator' site and it's been plenty help.

Goblin Names: Since i realized i could use just about any word or name to generate a goblin name, i decided to use the word 'Capable' for the youngster who interrupts Jareth's brooding. He will play bigger roles as the story advances and I'll add some backstory for him too. Because he's adorable in my head and can't get enough of him:D

So that's it; Frodrid means 'Capable'.

David Bowie: If you're a fan you'll see the referrences to song titles and albums;D

Much of your doubts about Sarah and why she lost her memory will be mentioned in the next chappy!:D

Until then. Oh and...

Review!:D