Jareth woke in his bed, sitting up abruptly. Groggily he wiped his eyes, and ran a shaky hand through his sleep-tangled hair.

"There has to be an answer out there," He murmured sleepy determination. He sighed, throwing off the covers and pulling a shirt over his head. He didn't have time to look 'presentable' only to find an answer to his prayers. Jareth's mood darkened, as did the energy surrounding him. He was determined to find an answer; he would not rest until Sarah was by his side in flesh and blood. So, with determination and his goal set, he made his way to his balcony, launching himself from it, transforming into a barn owl as he fell from the height, and off he flew to the straight towards his destination with as much speed as he could muster.

Normally Jareth loved to fly. It was a relaxing activity; feeling the wind around his body, the cool air rushing against his eyes, soaring high in the sky escaping his irksome kingly duties. Today was different though. Today flying bothered him. It was a nuisance that he couldn't just will himself to his final destination, that the magic barriers prevented him from just appearing inside the Academy. So, Jareth made haste, flying faster and harder than he ever had, his heart beating faster and faster with each beat of his wings. Today he would find an answer, and if not today, then tomorrow, or the day after, but he would not sleep and the days would become one until he found the answer he was looking for.

"Your Majesty," Called a young scholar as he flew in through the open arches of the scholars' tower. They all stopped what they were doing, and bowed to him as he took his true form.

"Do not bow, do not stop, keep looking," He almost barked at them the moment he could speak. his mind and jaw set firmly as he looked upon the one running the operation. "Any news?" He asked desperately. The scholar shook his head sadly. "Damn it!" He shouted with frustration, throwing a quick crystal at a wall, glaring at it as it shattered to glittering dust.

"Please, do calm down. Frustration won't help anything," She scholar said to his king and long time friend. Jareth sighed and nodded.

Grenth and Jareth had known each other for centuries now, and they could easily call each other friend. Grenth was a tall and slender man, with brown hair pulled into a long ponytail, and baby blue eyes. He had a kind face and plain appearance and was gentle in character. He had been Jareth's personal tutor growing up, teaching him his basic knowledge in politics and magic. As time went on and Jareth took the throne, Grenth became his right hand man and confidant. He had been there when Jareth first discovered Sarah as a care-free young teenager with an insatiable imagination. He watched curiously as jareth would go off and watch her perform in the park, practicing lines from various Shakespeare plays, or creating her own games, losing herself to reality. It was curious really. He didn't really understand his friend's infatuation with the girl until she came to the Labyrinth. He understood then. When she left, leaving Jareth broken, he comforted him, telling him to go after her, and to try again, but stubborn as Jareth was he wouldn't do it. His pride had gotten in the way.

"Yes you are right Grenth," Jareth replied sitting down at a desk. "It's just been… forever it seems."

Grenth smiled at his friend, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Ah, but wasn't it you who once said that forever wasn't very long at all?" His smile turned into a mischievous smirk, earning a glare from the frustrated king.

"Yes, well, I was horribly wrong. Forever is a very very long time." He placed his fore head against the cool mahogany wood in a quick defeated gesture. Grenth grimaced; He hated to see Jareth so torn up. "We've been searching for 50 years Grenth. What if there is no answer?" It wasn't really a question, but a statement.

"No, do not give up." He said strongly. "Perhaps it will be another 50 years, but we will find an answer. Short of entering Hades it's self, there has to be another answer out there. Those on the immortal plains of the gods can be brought back." He said forcefully, his eyes lighting with a headstrong fire. Jareth watched him, smiling at his determination and loyalty.

"Perhaps I should go there and beg," He said sarcastically. It hadn't been a serious suggestion. Only a handful had gone to Hades and come back alive; and only one had softened the heart of the iron queen enough for her to even consider the release of their beloveds.

"Perhaps you should," Grenth replied matter-of-factly. Then added in jest, "If you happen to perish along the way, well, then you can be with her then." Jareth barked out a bitter laugh.

"You always did have a morbid sense of humor Grenth," He said, wagging a finger at him. Grenth gave him a crooked grin then faltered, noticing something unusual.

"Jareth, your gloves--," He pointed to the fae's hands.

"Oh, yes," was all he said, holding up his hand in front of his face, wiggling his slender digits. Stray magic sparked from his fingertips. Apparently in his haste he had forgotten his gloves.

"'Oh, yes,'?" He quoted. "Is that all you have to say? Jareth you know you're magic is dangerous untamed.

"I couldn't care less right now. Tell me where to start," He said gesturing to the books lining the shelves of the room. Over the last 50 years he had taken every book from every library and bookshelf he could find across the underground that even mentioned in passing the deceased in hopes that one of them might shed some light on the situation.

"There," Grenth answered, pointing out the window. "You get your gloves and you pay a visit to Hades. I was being serious Jareth."

"As was I, but it was only funny the first time," Jareth stood from the spot where he has, glowering at his friend with his arms crossed across his chest. "If you think that they would even give me the time of day then might be crazy."

"And why wouldn't they?" Grenth challenged, pulling a book from one of the shelves.

Jareth began to tap his fingers impatiently, purple and gold strands swirling in the air where his fingers traveled. "Hercales was their nephew, and Orpheus managed to make the entire conglomerate of the gods cry." He finished with a bitter laugh. "And he was too stupid to even complete the task at hand!"

"Jareth, you're the Goblin king! Give your self some credit!" Grenth threw his hands in the air in frustration. There he was, one of the most powerful beings in all of the underground throwing a tantrum. "You can't let your moods get the best of you." He pointed out. "I mean really. You're both feared and revered throughout the under ground, you're the son of Oberon and have some of the most powerful raw magic around. Tell me, why wouldn't they even listen to your plea?"

"Because; I'm not a hero," He bit out. "I'm a king with a rat maze who tortures wish makers and grants dreams and wishes for a heavy price."

"So you won't even try?" He asked. "You'd only search through volumes of books for decades instead of taking action?" Grenth stared him down sternly, tapping his foot impatiently. "You're not the only one suffering Jareth. Do you think she's happy there?" Jareth hung his head, shaking it lightly. "Do not let your godforsaken pride get in the way again, it'll do no good."

"Just give me a damn book. I will not leave until each and every book in this room has been thoroughly read and taken note of," he meant it. He sat down at the mahogany table once more, sitting stiffly in the desk chair. "Well? Hand me a book," He said, his voice clipped and stern. "And that goes for the rest of you as well!" He shouted at the group of scholars.

"As you wish, your highness," Grenth said, sarcasm dripping from his voice as he handed him an unread book.

index:

Elysium: The Elysian fields where heroic people reside after death. In the underworld there are various different palces you may end up, one of them being Elysiumwhere you continue to live as an immortal, but do not get to go to the mortal realm.

Persephone: The goddess and harbinger of spring, as well as the queen of the dead. She is married to Hades, ruler of the underworld. It's said to be badluck to speak her name so she is often referred to as The Maiden and the Iron Queen.

Orpheus: Orpheus is one of the 2 people ever enter the underworld and return. He begged for the life of his wife, and with the power of his song brought the Iron Queen to tears. She made a bargain with him, saying that if he could find his wife and lead her out of the underworld, without looking back to see if she was following until they were both past the entrance, she could stay. He failed and lost his wife forever.