Chapter One

Mail of the Black Persuasion

Sarah leaned back against the stone masonry, bringing her knees to her chest, her arms around her legs and her head tilted upward. A childlike smile graced her lips as she gazed up at the ceiling. It was the first time she'd managed to sit down since early that morning and she, in a word, was exhausted. She didn't understand how he did it, in boots no less, from dawn till dusk reign over those frenzied little creatures. It had been quiet a while since she last seen Jareth, though he did turn up now and again, most often at the worst times imaginable. Most conversations included a great deal of bickering, usually ending with Jareth storming out in a huff and Sarah breaking something against the nearest wall. She was still mildly peeved with him for placing her in this predicament, though not enough to argue over, especially now, bearing in mind how tired she was.

Seldom did he ask anything of her, which is why his request perplexed her beyond all reason. At first, as any sane person would, she refused to watch over his castle and all creatures occupying it, but Jareth had always been good at getting people to do what they didn't want to do. Finding that simply requesting her services wasn't succeeding, he resorted to more desperate measures. Blackmail, for instance, turned out to be very profitable, with the right leverage. Though it wasn't really Jareth's style to go as low as to blackmail someone, he found that Sarah was being terribly unreasonable and unwilling to compromise. He wouldn't have really thrown her friends in the bog, even if she continued to refuse, and he thought that perhaps she knew this as well, though she agreed with him after making a terrible fuss.

Her eyed closed briefly, her head back against the wall, leaning to one side. Slowly she began to nod off, or at least she would have if not for the goblin tapping her gently on the shoulder. Her terra cotta eyes fluttered open, them narrowing dangerously at the googly-eyed creature shifting nervously before her. He was a muddy-green color with a little patch of dusty brown fuzz sprouting between his ears. His ears were something else entirely, they looked like a miniature pair of elephant ears that'd been taken to with some scissors. Her eyed trailed down to the imp's hand, which had been awkwardly lodged in a jar. He grinned sheepishly, his face reddening with embarrassment at his own foolishness.

"Come on," she laughed softly "there should be some soap in the kitchen and we'll get that right off." The goblin scurried along behind her, them both wandering through the winding halls. She'd grown used to this place, not that she'd visited much, but somehow she just remembered where everything was. Sometimes she wondered if she was to close her eyes, if she could navigate the castle as well as her own home. She entered the kitchen, having a hard time wedging the door open but managed, nonetheless. It was mildly loud, though comfortable considering the clatter and chatter of goblins. She set the small goblin on the counter next to the sink as one would a child and she gave him a gentle smile. "What's your name?"

"Pip," he gritted through clenched teeth, tugging at the jar again.

"Oh," she took the goblin's hand "don't do that. Here, watch." She took some soap and slipped it around the creature's hand and the jar. She managed to ease his hand out quickly and without a great deal of pulling. "Now be careful," she smiled "okay? Don't go putting your hands in jars."

"Tank ya Miss Sarah," he grinned cheerfully "tank ya much." He hopped down from the counter and scurried down the corridors. She walked slowly back to the throne room, still tired and impatiently waiting Jareth's return. She was glad to find him lounging on his throne when she returned.

"Oh," she blinked a few times "you're back."

"So it seems," he mused. He still looked the same, even after four years of her knowing him, he still looked no different from the day they'd met. "How did it go?"

"Fine," she took a few steps forward and paused a moment "anything new with the council?"

"Of course not," he mumbled "every year they say the exact same thing." He seemed to be in a foul temper and Sarah thought it best to leave soon.

"Well," she shifted her weight from one foot to the next "I suppose since you're back I should probably get home." His lazy gaze shifted from her to the window, then back again.

"Its dark out," he remarked blankly.

"Yes," she gave a nod "how observant of you."

"What I meant was," he sat up now, his leg swinging over the arm of the throne "how are you to get back in the dark?"

"Same way I got here in the light, I suppose," she stifled a yawn.

"Must you be difficult?" his eyes narrowed "I'm quiet tired and am in no mood for your cynicism."

"I can't argue right now," she sighed "I'm too worn-out. I think I can handle myself. It's only a half a mile to the fairy ring, then maybe another quarter back home. It won't take me long."

"It's not safe," he shook his head "I won't allow it."

"Goblin King," she huffed but he cut her off. She had prided herself in never using his name, nor having ever called him anything along the lines of sire, your highness or your majesty. It was always Goblin King or nothing at all.

"Don't argue with me," he growled.

"Well don't order me around," she shot back. He sighed closing his eyes for a long moment he seemed to give in.

"Fine," he gave a shrug "go then. Don't say I didn't warn you." He didn't feel like arguing with her now, nor did he wish to have anything thrown at him that evening. Though he felt uneasy about letting her go off into the labyrinth alone, at night no less, he ignored his gut feeling for the moment. She didn't even bid him so much as a farewell but he hadn't expected it. Though he saw Sarah a few times every month, they weren't close. Hell, they hated each other with a passion, only keeping themselves from strangling the other long enough to get whatever business done. He felt a pang of worry rush over him again and he fought himself internally, trying to keep himself from summoning a crystal. After a while he succumbed to his apprehension and let the crystal materialize in the palm of his hand. What he saw he did not like.