Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters

Authors note: this is the first story I've ever published to people who aren't my close friends, please be kind. I look forward to reading you reviews and suggestions plus any grammar or spelling checks.

"I wish the goblins would take you away right now!"

Jareth heard the wish from the spoilt babysitter and did as bid but was horrified when the girl refused to run his labyrinth to get the toddler back, instead she yelled for joy and left the house leaving behind a stunned Goblin King.

"Spoilt brat," he whispered, his voice full of disgust.

Jareth returned to his castle to inspect the toddler, as he appeared in the door way of his throne room, Jareth was left speechless at the sight of his goblins singing & doing the actions to 'Ring-a-ring-a-roses'. The toddler in question was smiling happily while singing along with the goblins, normally the children wished away would cry bloody murder at the sight of the goblins.

The Goblin King cleared his throat as he stepped out of the shadows, at the sight of him the goblins scattered into their little holes or jumped out the windows. Jareth walked regally through his throne room and sat on his throne and studied the child in front of him, who did not show any fear at his imposing presence.

"What's your name, little one?" Jareth asked the small girl, knowing she could answer.

"Sarah, sir," she answered, her voice clear and sweet. "What's yours?" She asked. Even at this age Jareth could tell that Sarah would be a beauty when she grew up, with her thick hair the colour of onyx & her emerald eyes that sparkled with mischief & laughter.

"I am Jareth and I am the Goblin King," Jareth answered with a smile.

Once his answer was given, Jareth was once again stunned as Sarah crossed to him, climbed on to his knee and started to ask him questions that were simple but full of wonder.

After a couple of hours of conversing with the enchanting little princess, Jareth checked her Aboveground home for any sign of her parents through one of his crystals. He noticed that Sarah looked into the crystal to see her parents frantically looking for her. Jareth gently stood and placed Sarah back on to his throne, handing her the now blank crystal to play with.

"I will be back soon, little Sarah, but I must speak to you're mum and dad, do you understand?" Sarah nodded her response. "Good girl, feel free to play with the goblins while I'm gone." And in a sparkle of glitter, the Goblin King disappeared.

Sarah's parents were beyond terrified at the fact they couldn't find their daughter and things only got worse when the babysitter they'd hired for the evening said she had wished Sarah away to the Goblin King.

Robert was about to ring the police when the lights went out. Cursing soundly, neither himself or his wife Linda noticed the imposing figure of the Goblin King till he spoke.

"Mr and Mrs Williams," he said, his voice menacing. "Your daughter is safe & sound in my Kingdom".

To say Sarah's parents were startled was an understatement. Both gasped at the intruder in their bedroom.

"Who are you?" Robert asked, while gently pushing his wife behind his body. "And what do you mean, our daughter is in your kingdom?"

Turning, Jareth pointed to the window behind him to show not the back garden littered with toys, but his labyrinth and just beyond that his castle beyond the Goblin city.

"She is there, in my castle," he explained, turning back to the couple. "Do you want her back?"

"Of course we want her back," Linda said, her voice laced with concern and tears.

"To get her back, you must complete my labyrinth within thirteen hours," the King said, crossing his arms while he moved the three of them to the edges of his kingdom and labyrinth. "If you fail or give up, little Sarah becomes one of us, forever." And with a slightly cruel laugh, Jareth disappeared back to his castle.

Over the next thirteen hours, Jareth watched the progress of the couple and was impressed how well they worked together but knew it would never be enough. Sarah sat on his knee the whole time & Jareth not only enjoyed the conversations he had with her but was enchanted at how easily she got his subjects to listen to her instructions.

After a while, Sarah fell asleep with her head resting on Jareth's shoulder. While she slept, Jareth came up with a solution to send her home, after all her parents hadn't wished her away and they were trying very hard to right a wrong they themselves hadn't made. As the time limit came to an end, Jareth was satisfied with his plan and gently cradling Sarah against his chest and hiding her under his cape, Jareth transported himself and the little bundle to the hedge maze where Sarah's parents had gotten completely lost.

"Time is up," Jareth said, with disappointment, causing the couple to turn to find the source of his voice.

Linda sobbed and dropped to her knees. Robert cursed and balled his hands into fists.

"We never wished her away," Robert said, furious at having failed his wife and daughter.

"I know, which is why I'm willing to give her back," Jareth said, moving his cape gently away to show the sleeping princess. Seeing the couple rush forward, Jareth held up his right hand to forestall them. "I will make you a deal & if you can keep it, I will never take Sarah from you again."

"What's the deal?" Linda asked, feeling hopeful at getting her daughter back in her arms.

"Promise me that she will never feel unwanted or unloved before she turns twenty one and you will never have to worry that I will take her away," The Goblin King stated, knowing that the parents would agree in order to gain their daughter back.

"Yes," they said together, looking at their child.

Jareth walked up to Linda and very gently placed little Sarah into her mothers arms.

"Goodbye little one," he whispered into her hair. "Be happy & grow strong." And with that last word, the Williams family found themselves back in their house, happy and safe.