The King of the Goblins sat watching over his kingdom from the window, sighing wearily. Ever since the mortal girl had beaten the Labyrinth all those years ago it had slowly descended into a crumbling state. The beautiful gardens in which Jareth had played as child were diseased and dying, the walls were thin and falling down, and the creatures that had once lived happily in the confines of the place were weak and ill.
A knock on the door pulled him out of his musings.
With a flick of his hand the door opened showing a cowering goblin, half hidden in the shadow.
"Kingy needed in scary room." It squeaked, moving into the room cautiously.
Jareth rolled his eyes and huffed in frustration. The Subconcilio, the council of the Underground leaders. They were always pestering him about something.
"Out." He said forcefully, glaring at the goblin with as much loathing as he could muster. The goblin didn't need telling twice and scrambled off with a surprised yelp as the door swung shut behind him, almost clipping the back of his heel.
"Just great, that's just what I need today." Jareth muttered, sarcasm dripping off every syllable. He raised himself from his chair, and started towards the door. After about two steps he staggered, struck by lightheadedness. Spots appeared in his vision and he dropped forcefully to his knees. He squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the dizzy feeling to fade. Jareth was aware that the council was waiting, and would get suspicious if he didn't turn up. He took deep breaths, got to his feet, then transported to the council room.
When Jareth pushed open the doors to the chamber he was greeted to a solemn feeling in the air. The Subconcilio sat in a semi-circle, each with there own design of chair. Jareth walked towards his own, an effective gold and black chair with huge red feathers along the top and two arm rests of curved metal. He lay across the seat luxuriously. His legs rested on the arm rests, as he pretended to examine his leather gloves. The council fell silent.
"You wanted to see me." He said coldly, glaring at the head of the semi-circle. The man in question stood. His stony features seemed to scan Jareth with a look of contempt.
"The council have seen the state of your kingdom and have agreed that something must be done immediately." Jareth sat up straighter. A look of curiosity flashed briefly over his face.
"It has been observed that ever since that mortal victor left the Labyrinth its powers have depleted considerably."
Jareth of course had suspected that Sarah's rejection had something to do with this, but was still at a loss of what they were implying.
"The Labyrinth has chosen a queen, and so, it has been decided that you Jareth, King of the Goblins, shall take her to be your queen."
Jareth was now bolt upright in shock.
"What if I refuse?!"
"If you refuse the council's wishes you will have your title stripped, and yourself be exiled to the Forgotten Lands."
There were multiple gasps as the threat hung in the air.
Jareth weighed up the decision in his head, he was still angry at the fact that she had beaten the Labyrinth, and then had the guts to turn down the King of the Goblins himself. But the alternative was a fate worse than a fate worse death.