Wow! It's been a long time since my last update. I'll try my best to update more often. I have three different stories going right now. Enjoy

A Little Finesse

Chapter 3

Far away from the goblin city another ruler stared into her pond watching a man as he pondered his next move. Her castle was tall and dark, its twisted spires extending up into the ever grey clouds. The kingdom was built on a mountain and there was never a time that the landscape was not covered in ice. It was not the ideal kingdom, but it was a foothold. The battle for it had been hard fought and Lithia had won the kingdom fairly. The fae prince had fallen because he had been too prideful to take her offer. It would not be the same with Jareth. Their deal made sure of that. She smiled down at the man. "Such a plain thing Jareth. I'm surprised at you. I thought for sure your vanity would be enough to stop you. No matter. You only have a week. Not even you can move that fast." She waved a hand over the pond and the picture changed. She stared down at plain Sarah Williams and shook her head. The picture changed once more to show her own face. She smiled up at herself. Her ice blue hair cascaded over her shoulders like a frozen water fall. She stared back at herself with vivid violet eyes. How Jareth could turn her down for a plain human girl was beyond her.

"Mother, how is he doing?" Her daughter sat by her side and gazed into the pond. Litha smiled at the girl.

"He still tries, but his time is running short."

"What if he succeeds?" Lithia laughed softly. She stood and took the girl's hand. She smiled up at her mother.

"Come Morgan, we have a wedding to prepare for." As they left the throne room Lithia spared one last glance at the pond. She was sure he wouldn't succeed in his mission and when she won, his kingdom would be hers. A desert kingdom surrounded by an impossible labyrinth would be a nice change, to this cold mound of ice she ruled now. Morgan could have it. The elevation and harsh terrain would keep her safe from attack. Yes, Lithia was sure that Jareth would fail, but there was no harm in stacking the deck in her favor a little.

As the pair exited they didn't see or chose not to notice the boy standing in the door. He watched them through his silver, mirror-like eyes. Shaking his ink black hair out of his eyes, he turned to watch his mother and his sister make their way down the long hallway. He wrinkled his nose. He pitied the man, Jareth. His mother could be a cruel woman. Alexander knew that the deal she had made with the king of the goblins had nothing to do with love and everything to do with greed and her unquenchable need for power. There was nothing Alexander would gain by his mother winning. He did not factor into her grand plan. Even as she came closer to winning the goblin kingdom, Alexander knew that her hungry eyes were already turning to the jungle kingdom that lay to the south. Soon she would have them all. He hoped that Jareth was craftier than she gave him credit for. He knew it couldn't hurt to stack the deck in Jareth's favor a little. Turning to head back to his room, he began to prepare himself for the necessary journey into the world of the mortals.

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Jareth walked into the bookstore and looked around he smiled as he spotted his target and made his way up to the front desk where Sarah sat pouring over her Advanced Writing assignment. He stood at the desk for a moment watching her before clearing his throat. Sarah looked up quickly. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize anyone was here. Can I help you?"

He chuckled softly. "I hope so," he answered. "I need a leading lady for the play I'm working on, and I think that you'd be perfect."

"I… I'm very busy with school right now. I don't really have time."

"You haven't even heard the story yet. At least wait until I tell you what it's about before you turn me down." Sarah looked at him warily, but nodded for him to proceed. Jareth made a quick check that he wasn't breaking any rules. According to the deal he had made with Lithia, he was not allowed to directly tell the human girl of their deal. But if he told her and it was not presented as fact…if Sarah happened to guess what it was about, that was alright. "A long time ago, in a kingdom far away, the king fell in love. The girl was cruel and did not return his affections. Devastated, the king locked himself away in the castle. The girl had been his last chance at breaking a contract made over half a century ago. As the king slept the time to complete his end of the deal ran short. His enemies began moving in, and it became clear that the king had to act. He ventured out once more and sought out the girl who had broken his heart. He was charming and the girl's resolve was weakening. In the end, the girl fell in love with the king and returned with him as his queen. The enemies were forced to retreat." For a moment Sarah looked at him. Whatever made him the slightest bit familiar to her was enhanced until she could almost recall where she had met him. The moment passed and whatever Sarah had been remembering slipped back into the dark recesses of her memory.

"And you want me to be the cruel girl." He smiled. You have already played that part Sarah, I need you to be the one who saves my kingdom now.

"Yes. I think you would be perfect. Maybe, we could discuss this over dinner or something." Sarah was taken aback.

"Are you asking me on a date?"

"Sarah, I'm just asking you to be in a play. If I get a date out of it, it's really a bonus."

"I don't know, I'm awfully busy right now and-…"

"You have to eat don't you?"

"I do have to eat."

"What harm would one dinner do?"

"I guess it wouldn't do any particular harm, as long as it's just business," she added hastily. He smiled.

"Of course, just business. Shall I pick you up at 7 then?"

"Seven would be fine. I get off at 6:30 tonight. I'll just wait for you."

"Very good." He turned to walk away.

"Wait. Do you have a copy of the script or something?" Actresses.

"It's still being worked out, but I will have shortly. Provided you agree to work with me. I can't have my work being leaked to just anyone." Sarah nodded. "I'll see you tonight Sarah." With that Jareth exited the shop. As soon as he was gone, Sarah laid her head down on the desk. What was she doing? He was at least 10 years older than her she was sure. There couldn't seriously be anything between them. It's business, she reminded herself firmly. There was something slightly off-putting about the man, but for the life of her, Sarah could not remember what it was.

From their place behind the English Literature section, violet eyes watched Jareth's departure. Lithia scowled. A date, he had made a date with the horrid creature. An evil smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. She would just have to make sure Sarah knew her place in all this. Gathering herself up, she quietly exited the back of the shop and began moving on with the first part of her plan.

A/N: There it is. I hope you enjoy. I'll hopefully be writing more of it soon.