Hey so this story is going to be mostly just fluff. It'll be in chronological order, and each story is a story from each year of Sarah's life, starting with her being 15 and running the Labyrinth. There will be 13 chapters in all and I've decided to post a little at a time since these are less connected and there's sort of a happy ending in each chapter. I wanted to show a cute story of her and Jareth getting together and maybe how their relationship would blossom if they talked pretty much right away after her run, but not dating until a few years later. I hope you'll like it! Thanks guys!


"Sarah, honey is something wrong?" Robert Williams looked at his older child, seeing that she was unusually quiet even though last night she was angry for them leaving her with her brother. And yet, when they came home, she was as sweet as could be.

"Hmm? Oh, I'm alright." Sarah smiled. The truth was, though she was alright, she was thinking quite hard about something. Or rather, someone.

Karen, her stepmother, finally sat down to join them for breakfast. She was fussing over her young son, giving a look at Sarah, looking slightly afraid but a little annoyed at her at the same time. Her stepdaughter's sudden shift in moods really threw her out of the loop.

Sarah picked at her breakfast, and eventually ate all of it, not realizing how hungry she was as she had skipped dinner and ran the Labyrinth. She got up and spoke. "I know you guys have another meeting or something to go to, and I can watch Toby if you still need me but is it okay that after I'm done with my homework, I just have some time to myself? If I could just skip out on babysitting tonight?"

Karen looked at Sarah once again. It wasn't an unreasonable request, and she spoke with eloquence and understanding rather than yelling that things weren't fair. She really couldn't deny the girl even though it was annoying to have to find someone else to care for Toby.

Still, something felt off. "Yes of course. Thank you for telling us in advance. But, I worry about you spending so much time alone. You should be with friends or getting a date or something."

Sarah looked at her father, but as usual, he was reading his newspaper, not helping her a bit. Sarah sighed and turned back to her stepmother. "Yeah, I understand that. I don't really want to go on dates right now though."

She felt worn, older than her years and yet young at the same time. She quickly excused herself and went upstairs, trying her hardest to do homework. And think about her plan, for she had a plan.

The young girl should have felt happy. She had new friends, beaten the man (was he even a man?) who took her brother, became a heroine and was back to her normal life but with a little more magic. So why did she feel so sad? Why did she feel like even in when winning, she had lost something?

She plopped open her history notes from class, and took out a handout that her teacher had given to the class, and was startled to find the answer to her very question.

"No war, no battle comes without a cost. The winner never truly wins all the way. There is blood, there are casualties, there are people who have scars outward and inward, families broken because of them, and a loss of the very thing that makes us all human. Remember that when you study about wars and battles. Even when you win, you lose."

Sarah realized that this was true for any battle, even arguments. You get angry, you lose those few minutes of being happy.

Which brought her to last night.

She may have won, and she had no doubt that it was worth it. She had Toby back, but she didn't truly win all the way, did she? But why did she feel that way? What did she lose?

Her mind wandered and an image popped up in her head. It was of a man, a man with upswept eyebrows and featherlike hair. A man who had offered her dreams. But what did all of that mean?

Sarah realized that's what she had lost, knowledge. She just accepted that everything was real but now she had questions. Why? What was real? What did it all mean? Her friends didn't really know, they weren't unintelligent but it wasn't in their nature to really question the workings of things, not unless she questioned them first.

The day passed by, and she was alone in the house. She wasn't sure what to wear, but settled for something nice yet casual. Putting on some jeans and a nice blouse, she sat in the living room. She felt no fear, but just in case, there were exits.

"Goblin King, I wish you would be here."

It took a little bit, but a swirl of glitter surrounded the room and there he was. The King of Goblins was in full black regalia, looking just as terrifying as before. Unlike last time though, he wasn't smirking or teasing her. He just looked at her with hard eyes, unsmiling.

Sarah tried to not let it get to her. The aura around him was unknown to her and frankly, a bit frightening. Yet, she didn't feel as if she was in danger. It was the kind of fear one had when one wanted had to present in front of others or do an interview. Every action, every word mattered.

Finally, he spoke. "Sarah, why did you ask me to be here?"

Last night, she wouldn't have noticed that in his hard voice, there was a bit of uncertainty, a bit of curiosity and vulnerability. Last night, she wouldn't have caught the flicker of hope and pleading in his eyes.

But this wasn't last night. This was NOW. Now she was wiser, and stronger, and could see because her mind had opened.

She had decided all day what to do, and she tried to not shake as she stood up from the seat, the king raising his eyebrow as her. But, she did not stand to him as he had expected. Instead, she flipped on the light switch, something she could not have done last night when she wished Toby away.

Next to her were a couple of tea cups. She motioned for him to sit in a chair across from her. Her hands were shaking, but Sarah didn't let that stop her. "I wanted to talk." She said in a small, yet firm voice. "I made some tea, if that's alright with you."

He raised his eyebrow once again and put on hand to his hip and the other tapped a finger to his lips. "What makes you think that I would agree to talk to you, especially when I have no idea what you want to talk about?"

So there it was. He didn't know why she called for him. He could be lying though, but Sarah got the impression that though he made a few deceptions during the Labyrinth, he never wanted nor needed to lie to her.

She stepped forward and looked into his eyes, feeling older and stronger than the fifteen year old she was. "I don't."

He tilted his head to one side, thoroughly intrigued now. "No?" He asked softly.

Sarah shook her head. "No."

She sat down and motioned for him to follow suit, but he did not. She pretended to not notice this. "I have no idea if you want to talk or even would. But, I want to. I don't know why you would want to talk, but I thought that at least, I could be polite and offer you some tea, even if you refuse to talk."

He hummed, the vibrations otherworldly and unfamiliar to Sarah. He strode over, and sat down, stirring his tea but not drinking it, never taking his eyes off her.

Sarah broke eye contact, taking her tea and sipping it, the man still not doing it.

Once again, he broke the silence. "You hold no dishonesty in your eyes, that I am curious about, for most people would guard themselves from me, especially runners who have called me 'unfair' or demand to know how and why I am generous."

Sarah felt annoyance creeping up in her, but she squashed it down, her curiosity winning over his words. She did not take his bait.

"What do you want to talk about? What is there to talk about? Am I not the fearless king who you defeated? The king that took your brother and whom you have won back?"

Sarah sat her teacup back on the saucer. "Yes, you are all those things. But I want to understand. I want to know what everything meant. I want to know why."

The King looked at her once more, his expression unchanged. Then, he lifted the cup to his soft lips and sipped, his eyes still on her, boring into her soul.

He swallowed, and leaned back a little. "And, do you think I would tell you? Why would I want to tell you? Or, how would you know if there are even answers? Sometimes, things just are, Sarah."

She shrugged. "I already said, I don't know, but I want to try. If I didn't question things, I wouldn't have gotten Sir Didymus to let me through or left the junk yard. If I ask now, and you don't tell me, then I'm just left with as I was before, no answers which is the worst case scenario. But if I never ask, then I will forever wonder."

"Hmm" The King leaned forward again, resting his fingers on the table and tapping its surface. "How would you know that would be the worst case scenario? That I would not do worse to you?"

"You wouldn't. If you wanted to, you would by now."

"Would I? Maybe I have some elaborate plan to hurt you."

The truth was, Sarah was afraid of it. But, her response was honest and clear. "Maybe that's a risk I am willing to take, Goblin King."

For the first time that night, he smiled and chuckled. "My my, you are a clever one, aren't you?"

He really was impressed with her. No one dared to contact him like this after he left. They were all scared, and furthermore, no one had defeated his Labyrinth but Sarah herself. There was no question that this girl was his equal, and that was why she defeated him at his own game. In truth, he was fascinated with her, for few mortals had read his story anymore, and even fewer who believed in its truthfulness.

Sarah smiled back at him. "I prefer the term resourceful over clever, Your Majesty."

Jareth was grinning now, tracing his gloved finger on the rim of the teacup. The atmosphere was less tense now that they were both smiling.

He casually leaned forward again. "I think you have earned the right, to call me Jareth."

Sarah smiled, this time very warmly at him. Something about his sincere smile was contagious. "Okay, Jareth."

"So, what would you like to know? I cannot promise to tell you everything, as I am a king before anything else."

Sarah reached behind her and held out a little book, titled "The Labyrinth."

Jareth eyed it with great interest, but revealed nothing.

Sarah was hoping that he would answer, but he did not, so she spoke. "What is this?"

Jareth held his hand out, and Sarah placed it in his hands. The king flipped through the pages and his eye brows scrunched. "Interesting."

The teenager perked up. "What is?"

Jareth kept a nonchalant face and placed the book back down. "I had seen you with this book, as there are a few copies around the world. They are created by the Labyrinth itself to present to people, mostly to share the tales of wishing children away. The purpose of that was not for young girls like you, but rather, to save the children."

Sarah should have felt anger at the idea of a child being taken away, but instead she was curious. "But why?"

"Sarah, there are children who are abused, who are terminally ill. Some in poverty, many homeless. Some were born with disabilities and the family cannot or would not afford to care for them. Some had mothers who smoked, drank, or did drugs while pregnant resulting in terrible consequences as I am sure you know. Many are adopted, some anti goblins but only if the damage was severe enough. Toby would have become my heir because I have no wife, no queen and I had expected you to lose as everyone else did. Not everyone gets a book, but some do and they share the tale."

Sarah still wasn't sure what this all meant. "Alright, that makes sense, but if I wasn't supposed to be wishing Toby away because he has a good home, then why did I have the book?"

Instead of responding, Jareth took off his gloves, revealing long, slender fingers. Sarah couldn't help but picture him playing piano or something with those hands, and she had the urge to almost ask him to.

Jareth held out his hand, palm faced up. "I think, I am not sure, that you Sarah were meant to be a Storyteller. That you would go around just telling stories which was why you were given the book. I can only tell though by touching your bare skin."

Sarah blinked. "What? How could this be my duty or something like that?"

Jareth shook his head. "You misunderstood. I have only been watching you not long before you wished Toby away, that very day actually because my goblins could feel your strong belief. Most Storytellers do not believe in their stories all the way or if they do then they would say it as a warning. There has never been a Storyteller who has wished away a child before, which is why I am sure the book has influenced you. Let me see."

He nodded at her, and Sarah tried to not show her nervousness in this very grown up man touching her hand. He seemed to be in deep concentration as his eyes were closed. Sarah tried to not fidget at him, for he was tracing all around her wrists, up her palms, her knuckles, back down and on each finger. It took her a bit to realize that his lips were moving in some kind of spell.

His touch was electric and her teen body wanted more, and she felt herself sweat not just from nervousness but from his touch. She was sure her skin was flushed and red. Then, she gasped as a a cool sensation spread from where Jareth was touching her to the rest of her body, making her shiver.

He snapped his eyes opened and looked at her strangely. "Yes, you are indeed a Storyteller. Or one of them. There are many around the world. You don't have to share of course, but it was what you were supposed to be. This original story is so ridiculously old that no one knows who this was even about."

Sarah was still in shock of the feeling that ran through her. "Okay, okay, so I wasn't supposed to wish Toby away."

She looked nervous about her next question. Looking down, she twiddled her thumbs, not wanting to meet Jareth's eyes.

"Speak, please." He said quietly. Normally, he would be alright with silence, but this girl unnerved him for some reason.

Still not looking up, Sarah whispered out her question. "So, everything you did, what did that mean?"

She didn't know why she had these feelings for him. She didn't know him, not at all, but why did she feel so strongly? It wasn't love, that was for sure, but it was something. She couldn't bring herself to ask the whole question. Part of her wanted him to tell her that he felt the same but she was scared that he would too because she was so young.

Jareth was at a loss, something that wasn't normal for him. Part of him wanted to tell her again, but he was afraid of the rejection. Part of him wanted to erase her memory and be done with her. But he just couldn't.

She was so young, painfully young. She had her whole life ahead of her. So, he answered honestly but with omission.

"What I did was true." He told her gently. "I did as you asked, but I also needed you to not win. The Labyrinth was not meant to be bested."

Sarah looked at him slowly. So, this was all because he had to keep her there, to distract her.

"Did you ever make the same offer to everyone else?" She asked him slowly.

He breathed, and answered honestly again but with omission once more. "Yes and no. I offer everyone their dreams but I change words with everyone, to appeal to their desires."

But what no one knew, was that what you wanted was similar to mine. My desire to keep you with me also mirrored yours. I wanted to keep you close to me but not too close, at least until you were older. But you don't want me, you couldn't have because you didn't know me. You wanted the idea of me and dreams, dreams that you turned down for something real, a child that you loved. I cannot fault you for that.

Sarah thought back to his last words. Fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave. So those words were meant to distract her. And distract her they almost did.

"Is that all?" He asked quietly to the girl who turned his world.

Sarah nodded, but then shook her head. "No, I want to know about you."

"There isn't anything that much more to know about me besides what I already told you, about being king." He stood up. "I think it is time for me to go if that is it."

Sarah stood up quickly. "That's not what I meant. I don't mean about the goblin king, I mean about you, Jareth."

Jareth furrowed his brow. No one wanted to know him. Not even his own people cared about him as a person. The goblins were just goblins but his more intelligent subjects did not want to be friends with him. Women came and went but no one wanted the responsibility that he inherited.

"I assure you, without my title and my position, I am not that interesting." He never was, except for the women who found him handsome. Even then, they would have fun then leave. That kind of pleasure was out of the question with Sarah. Not just because she was young but because of his own heart.

"Are you busy?" Sarah asked him. She didn't want to keep him there if he was busy, but she had a feeling that he wasn't.

Jareth turned back around to face her. This girl really kept him on his toes. During her run he had lost track of her and worked on other things and didn't realize how far she made it through until too late. And now, she was still puzzling him. For someone who was around for so long, Jareth should not have been so unsure of himself around a teenage girl.

Before he could even say anything, she asked him something surprising. "Are you lonely?"

Now he was getting annoyed.

"I don't need pity, especially from a teenage girl." His eyes narrowed and he folded his arms.

Sarah had no idea what possessed her to even ask him. She was normally shy about assuming anything about anyone's emotions in case she was wrong, not wanting to be embarrassed. But for some reason, she just HAD to point that out for him. She wasn't even hurt when he snapped at her, recognizing that he was hurt. A day ago, Sarah Williams would have yelled back at him or shrink back in shame. But now, she realized that he wasn't just a scary King. He had feelings, emotions, no matter how much he wanted to pretend he didn't.

Jareth was hoping that she would just tell him to leave. He was too confused between wanting to stay with her and leave. He was alone for so long, very few wanted a real connection with him but she was so young. How could she want to be his friend when she already had his subjects?

Sarah ignored his outburst. "Jareth, do you know how to play chess?"

The king blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Chess." She said a little louder. "My mother bought it for me for my birthday, this nice new chess set. I haven't played the game in years and I'm awful. I'm sure even Toby would beat me."

At that last sentence, Jareth softened. If there was one thing that made him less stoic, it was children. He could say no, and she would let him go, he was certain.

Something rose in himself. Something about her made him let go of a part of his pride, those green eyes that sparkled with hope and promise. And at fifteen, so young.

"I suppose," He started. "I suppose I could stay and play some chess. I had no other plans but to go back and read some books. This is turning out to be quite an odd night."

What an odd night indeed. Not a day ago, Sarah had beaten him at his own game, and now, she was playing chess with him. Jareth showed her a few moves and reminded her of the rules. It was a nice set indeed, made of glass pieces carefully crafted. From her run, he knew Sarah was brilliant. But damn, she was awful at chess. And yet, he was having the time of his life.

They kept on playing, and both relaxed. They no longer felt the need to be all stiff and proper. Jareth adjusted his body and clothing to be something more comfortable and laid across the chair so one leg was propped over the arm chair. Sarah tied her hair up in a messy bun. There was something intimate about being with someone who relaxed in their own home.

"You're terrible." He told her, and Sarah stuck her tongue out, earning a laugh from Jareth.

Sarah said nothing, just smiled when she moved her bishop a few places. "Checkmate." Then, she leaned back and smiled, popping a jelly bean in her mouth.

Jareth looked at the board, not really believing it. And there it was, she had won.

"It can't be!" He exclaimed frantically, trying to see a way out, but his king was taken.

"Sore loser?" Sarah laughed at his pouting. There was just something so adorable, so real about seeing him be like this. And she felt special, happy in fact to see him this way.

She had only spent a few hours with him, and yet, she felt her bond with him was closer than with her human friends.

It was hard for Jareth to be annoyed when she was obviously so happy about it. "Sometimes I am, I'm not used to losing." He smirked at her.

They talked for much longer, about themselves and their past. Their families and relationships. Sarah a little about her human life and high school, Jareth about his own childhood and being king until it was almost time for her parents and Toby to be back home.

Jareth decided to take a chance. "Sarah, how would you like to join me for weekly tea? Or something like that, whatever would fit our schedules. You are also welcome to come Underground at any time, I will prepare something for you, a portal similar to what your friends have. There are rules needed though. I rather liked being friends with you. It, it has been a while since I've had any real friends."

Sarah was surprised to hear him be so candid with her. What was it about them so much more honest together? Just one night, a few hours, and already this was between them. She smiled back. "I would love to, Jareth."

Being a gentleman, Jareth took her hand and kissed the back of it. "To our new friendship, my lady. Until next time."

"Yes, our friendship." Sarah told herself to breathe.

That night, when she went to sleep, there were only good dreams to greet her.


I know it seems strange that they're close friends now but there's a bond they kinda made in the Labyrinth, and plus, I've experienced this where you're forced to be with someone for a few hours and talk and you're really close all of a sudden. So basically I don't think it's so weird, it's not any weirder than love at first sight you feel?