Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize.

Authors note: How can I describe in words how thrilled I am by all of your reviews? I never realized that Labyrinth readers were so passionate. Truly, I am awestruck about the entire thing. Two things that I feel I must address though, two things that seem to be on everyone's comments and I feel I need to justify myself. One, Sarah is not complacent. She just is not a rebellious 15 year old girl anymore. She is 25 years old. Don't expect a 25 year old woman to be the same spoiled brat she was ten years prior. I know I am not, being 25 years old myself. People change a lot in ten years.

Secondly, I know I didn't explain everything about the marriage contract in the first two chapters. I simply don't want to spell everything out and give the game away. This story may be painfully slow plot wise. It's still hard to tell.

Valentine has evoked such strong emotions from my readers. Some good, some bad and that makes me like UBER HAPPY! I feel the best sort of story leaves us emotionally drained as we feel as the characters feel. I'm glad you hate her. I absolutely LOVE the fact that you hate her. It's been brought to my attention that Jareth really has never had a mistress before. At least, not one that was written out as a main character. I really had no idea that was an original idea when I was outlining this story. I needed someone to cause a little chaos and upset the establish order as the Joker would say and having a mistress seemed like the proper thing. Her jealousy/hatred of Sarah would cause her to do things she wouldn't normally do, to act out and defy Jareth. Really, I am truly surprise that Jareth has never had a mistress before. Too me, it seems strange that a man who has lived for so long would do so without any womanly attention, especially someone who radiates such a strong carnal aura. And believe me when I say, Sarah does not simply lie down and yield. She will confront him about his mistress but not until later. Like I said before, I don't want to spell it all out at once.

I had planned to add her from the beginning so please do not think I just added her because I had nothing else to write about. It's bad writing to introduce all of the characters at once. You will still meet a few more people for the story is over.

This is NOT a dark Jareth story. He will not beat Sarah in any way. He may give her a sound tongue lashing but he will never hit her. My Jareth is very soft spoken with an infinite amount of patience only lashing out when his temper has reached its limit. After all, one must have a lot of patience when dealing with goblins.

Again, thank you to all of my reviewers. You guys give me a lot to think about and challenge me to write a better chapter. And I apologize about the long note. I just wanted to clear some things up before we continued. Now onward!

Chapter 3: Paint Me A Picture

Jareth sat as his desk toying with the feather quill in his hand. His legs were thrown up casually on the desk as he leaned back in his worn leather chair. He'd been sitting here all morning as he watched Sarah and the painter, Lotus. Sarah was having her portrait painted; it would join his in the gallery. She'd been sitting still, in the same position; straight back, hands folded on her lap, for almost three hours now Something she did not like at all; having whined to him repeatedly. His only reply was to sit still and be quiet which he'd already said half a dozen times. The King and Queen should probably of had their portrait painted together, but truth be told, Jareth hated to pose for paintings, which explained why there were so few of the Goblin King.

He had a lot to think about over the last week since they'd been married. When the High King, his father, had come to him a week ago informing him that the High Council decided it was time he fulfilled his destiny and quit tiptoeing around with his mistress, he'd been absolutely furious. How dare they back him into a corner!

Immediately, he'd informed Ardeth to go through his ledger and extract the names of all the mortal women who had bested his Labyrinth over the course of his entire reign. There had been twenty names in total but sixteen of those women were dead. Only four names. Four women remained alive. When Ardeth had handed his King the list of names, his eyes instantly saw one name and he knew who to choose. Sarah Williams.

She had been the first and only teenager to best his Labyrinth. A mere girl of fifteen beating the centuries old Goblin King? Unheard of. And yet, she'd fought her way to the castle beyond the Goblin City and taken back the child. He knew that she and she alone would be strong enough to be the Goblin Queen. Sarah's spirit, courage and devotion would make her a fine Queen.

Jareth had struggled for a few hours before transporting to the Williams home in the Aboveground on ways to woo her and make her agree to marry him. He'd gone over several ideas from forcing her, to kidnapping her, to giving her a love potion but in the end Jareth was not a cruel man. He would never force a woman, especially someone he wanted to make his wife, to do anything she didn't want to. Not anything serious anyhow. She hadn't wanted to get her portrait painted but he had forced her to do that.

He had decided to tell her the truth and hope to appeal to her sense of obligation. A strategy that had worked quite well for him, as she now sat a few feet from him, baring the intricate crown of the Goblin Queen. He smiled as he remembered her face when he had appeared to her in the wee hours of the morning.

Feeling satisfied with his chosen method of approaching this delicate matter, Jareth transported to the Aboveground and to the home of the Williams. He took a moment to familiarize himself with his surroundings. He was in Sarah's bedroom. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, a faint outline caught his attention on the bed. Sarah lay sleeping; her breathing even, her mouth open slightly, her hair a mass of tangles over her face.

Standing over her, Jareth let his eyes roam across her face studying her features. It had been ten years since he laid eyes on her. She changed greatly. Her face had thinned out, her features to be less childlike and more womanly. Her chin was more prominent, her cheekbones were more defined, and her lips were plumper. Her body was curvier than he remembered and her breasts were definitely larger. Not that he mined that changed. In fact, he was pretty happy with all her changes. She was a pretty child but a beautiful adult.

As he reached out a hand to touch her face, the clock in the hallway began to chime. The Goblin King jump. He'd been so engrossed at examining his possible bride that he'd been startled enough to knock over the glass of water on her night stand.

The glass hit the floor shattering. Sarah bolted upright letting the covers slip down from her body exposing her pink pajamas. Her eyes immediately searched the room and Jareth couldn't help but feel proud at the fact Sarah looked for danger before looking to see what had fallen.

Her eyes had landed on him instantaneous, emitting a gasp from her delicate mouth, as she reached for the lamp on her night stand. The room flooded with a soft, orange glow. Jareth narrowed his eyes against the onslaught of light but said nothing. He stood tall and proud, with his hands on his hips, waiting for her to say something. Instead of calling out to him, she threw back the covers on her bed and swung her legs over intending to stand. Jareth mentally rolled his eyes at her dramatics before remembering there was broken glass on the floor.

"Wait!" he called out to her in a harsh whisper, holding his hand up causing her to stop so suddenly her body jolted. She turned wide, frightened eyes up at him. Apparently, his tone of voice was more forceful than he'd intended. He put his hand down and relaxed his posture, letting his other hand fall to his side. "There is broken glass on the floor."

Sarah's face wrinkled in confusion. Whatever she expected him to say, it certainly wasn't that. She looked down at the floor to verify his story and sure enough, shards of glass glittered on the floor.

"How did that happen?" she asked after a few moments passed, her voice filling the room.

Jareth stared at Sarah in wonder. Here he was, the Goblin King of the Underground, a mythical land to mortals by the way, standing in his full regalia, invading the privacy of her bedroom in the middle of the night and the first thing she asks about is how a glass was broken. She was too precious and Jareth found himself cracking a smile.

He told her as much. She chewed on her lip seeming to contemplate his words and he found himself staring at her lip. To distract himself, he produced a crystal and threw it at the floor. Instantly, the shattered glass and the water vanished. Sarah glanced down at the floor and all previous reserve about him actually being here was gone. "Alright," she said finally breaking the silence between them. "what are you doing here then, Goblin King?"

"I have come because of a prophecy that been foretold in the Underground. The prophecy states that I must marry a mortal woman, one who has bested me and the Labyrinth, and one who has never felt the touch of a man. This mortal woman will rule with me as Queen and together we shall bring peace to the Underground and save it from the Great Threat." he told her as his eyes bore into hers. At the mention of her virginity, she blushed and looked away, which he found endearing.

"So you've come to me because…" Sarah asked dragging out the last word. Jareth's face darkened. Were all mortals this dense?

"I've come to you, Sarah Williams, because I wish to make you an offer of marriage. Don't sneer at me, I wouldn't ask it of you if I had any other choice. The thought of being bonded to you, or anyone for that matter, for all of eternity doesn't appeal to my better judgment either."

"If you're king, how can they force you to do something? Don't you have ultimate control?" Sarah asked him curiously from her place on the bed where she sat crossed legged, her arms resting on her legs, holding up her chin with her hands.

"I am not the only King, Sarah. I am the Goblin King and the High Prince. It is my duty to honor this prophecy and to fulfill my destiny no matter what my personal feelings on this matter are. One day, I will rule the entire Underground, if my crone of a father ever dies, and I cannot just pick and choose what my obligations are."

"What is a High Prince? I thought the Underground was only the Labyrinth." She was suddenly very interested to learn more about the fantastical place she'd dreamt of so often. For the last ten years, it had been Sarah's dream to return to the Underground and have actual visits with her friends. She talked to them through the mirror quite frequently but she'd never been able to physically return.

Jareth rolled his eyes clearly annoyed with her misconceptions of the Underground, "Don't be so naïve, Sarah. The Labyrinth and the Goblin City are only part of one Kingdom in a land of many. I am the High Prince. My parents are the High King and Queen, they rule over the entire Underground. Each kingdom has a different ruler. These are all things you could learn, at length, if you agree to my offer."

"And what offer would that be exactly?" Sarah asked causing Jareth to shift irritably, passing his weight from one leg to the other.

"To become my wife and rule as the Goblin Queen at my side and when the time has come to rule by me as the High Queen. You will be expected to perform your obligations as Queen and rule in my absence. Of course, you will also be expected to carry an heir," he replied tersely thoroughly irritated with the game she was playing. As a fae, Jareth usually loved games but he was anxious about this current situation and the time for games was not now.

Sarah's breath caught in her throat, her eyes practically bulging out of their sockets at the mention of an heir. "An heir…you mean have sex with you, get pregnant, breast feeding, diaper changing, the whole nine yards?" Sarah choked out quickly not trusting her own voice.

Jareth's eyes narrowed in confusion, his lips falling into a frown, "Nine yards? I don't understand."

Sarah waved his confusion off with her hands not really wanting to explain, "it's an expression."

"Well, yes. As my wife, you would be expected to carry an heir. We only need to have one child unless you wanted more," he said to her a little hopefully. It had always been his dream to have a big family. When she didn't say anything he continued, "We would have to consummate the marriage on the night of our wedding."

"Consummate, you mean, do… it?" Sarah asked as her eyes widened again. Slick sweat had started to form above her brow. Subconsciously, she pulled her cover up under her chin as if Jareth were going to ravage her right now on her bed. Jareth scoffed. As if he'd ever do such a degrading thing as force himself on a woman.

Jareth rolled his eyes again. He seemed to be doing that a lot tonight. This woman was infuriating. "Yes, I mean, do it," he spat irritably, only mortals could make such a beautiful act sound vulgar. "Are all mortals this dense?" He added as an afterthought, a wicked grin on his lips.

Sarah's face darkened as she glowered at the Goblin King. "What, no! I just wanted to get all the details that's all. I don't have fond memories of you, Jareth. I seem to remember you tricking me a lot. Remember the peach?"

Glaring at her, Jareth sighed as he leaned up against the wall with arms crossed over his chest. "You want all the details, fine. I am the Goblin King…" he began.

Sarah interrupted, "Yes, you've said that many times. Are all fae as repetitive as you?" Feeling fiendishly delighted at the small verbal victory, she smiled innocently at him, her eyes shining brightly with unvoiced laughter.

He chose to ignore her jab at him, not wanting her to claim the satisfaction in knowing that she was irritating him. He smirked when her smile faltered. "As I was saying…this prophecy says I must marry a mortal woman, one who has bested the Labyrinth and never felt the touch of a man. Since you fit all of those categories, innocent little Sarah, I've decided to ask you for your hand in marriage. You should know though, that I have a mistress. Her name is Valentine. I have known her for almost forty years. We were unable to wed due to this prophecy. I do not plan on giving her up just because I am being forced to marry. I will not yield in the matter. The Great Threat is unknown. It has only been said that the union between me and a mortal will stop this from happening. It does not say why or when or how."

Sarah was suddenly very angry. "You expect me to share a bed with your mistress?" she spat furiously choosing to ignore the Great Threat. How dare he! She could just imagine the three of them sleeping together in a big puppy pile. How quaint… she thought bitterly. Share her husband, indeed, of all the nerve…

"I expect you to do nothing of the sort. Valentine has her own room. She will stay out of your way. If you'd like, you can take on a lover of your very own. I'm sure many men in the Underground would gladly attend to all of your affections."

Sarah snorted, "Right, like I'd seek out the attention of other men. No thanks. I think I'll pass."

Jareth stared at her cautiously. What did she mean she'll pass? Did she mean she'd pass altogether and refuse his offer of marriage? That meant he'd have to go to the next name on his list. Julia Rader. He didn't want to speak to that woman. She was nearly 50 years old, hardly in her prime to be bearing his children and be his Queen. She wasn't even all that attractive.

"If I agree to this… what can I expect from it?" Sarah asked as she turned the pros and cons over in her mind. She noticed Jareth relaxing. Ha, she thought to herself, he thought I was refusing him. Good for him. I ought to just to piss him off but I couldn't do that to my friends. I couldn't give up the chance to help them or see them again. Even though being spontaneous and running off in the middle of the night was a little clichéd.

"I promise to provide for you and to protect you," Jareth told her. That was certainly the truth. He would be duty and honor bound to protect her and all of their future children. He would give his life for hers because that is what was expected of him as King, as a husband and as a man.

Sarah considered his words as she stood from the bed and took a few steps towards him. Well, he certainly seemed amicable enough. She wasn't sure what provide and protect all entailed. When Sarah considered marriage though, she'd always dreamed of so much more. She wanted to marry someone who loved her, someone she could read in front of the fireplace with, and share stories over dinner. She wanted someone who she looked forward to seeing all day, someone to lay cuddled in bed with at night, someone to share her passion, her sense of adventure. She definitely wanted a man who was faithful to her alone. She just wasn't sure if the Goblin King fit any of those categories. In fact, she was pretty sure he didn't and she already knew he didn't fit the last one.

"What of love? Passion? Loyalty? Companionship? Friendship, even?" she asked of him as she carefully watched his face to gauge his answer. She'd known already that he couldn't or wouldn't offer those things to her but she wondered how he'd react to them. He continued to stand with his arms crossed over his chest, his face a mask of indifference, like the words just bounced off his person like a rubber mat.

"I can only offer what I am able to give. You will never want and no harm shall come to you." He replied. Jareth was aware of her frustrations. He knew of what mortals thought of marriage, their romantic inclinations in the matters of matrimony. Such grand ideas weren't always the norm in the Underground and almost never in the matters of nobility. Nobility married for wealth and power not for love and companionship.

Could he offer her anything else? Right now, no. He would do perform his husbandly duties. Over time he may be able to offer her a few others. Friendship, probably, her personality was likable enough. Loyalty, well, he'd be a loyal husband to her, not a faithful one for he loved Valentine very much, but he would put Sarah's needs above his own or anyone else's. She would be the wife and the wife came before the mistress. Passion, certainly, Jareth was a skilled lover. He didn't know if Sarah would have him other than to procreate but if she did, he could show her passion the likes that were unheard of by mortals. Love, this one Jareth wasn't sure of. He sincerely doubted it. It took a lot for Jareth to love anyone. He did love Valentine but it had taken years for him to come to terms with it. The female fae had loved him instantaneously but he'd been reluctant. It had only been in the last five years or so that he'd truly accepted that he loved her. Even then, it wasn't an emotion he expressed to her openly.

"Can you explain this to me again? Explain to me why after ten years, you return to me in the middle of the night asking that I marry you to save the Underground?" she sputtered angrily as she crossed her arms over her chest mimicking his own posture.

Jareth sighed and unfolded his arms. She was truly the most exasperating creature he'd ever had the misfortune to talk to. Perhaps Julia Rader was a better choice after all. As he regarded the lovely woman in front of him, and she was quite lovely, he tried to calm himself before lashing out at her. Together, they would produce beautiful children, that thought alone was enough to calm him. He'd be damned if he had ugly children.

A noise to his left jerked Jareth out of his memories. He shook his head quickly to clear his thoughts before turning his attention to his wife who was now standing with her hands on her hips. Her face twisted into an angry scowl.

"I'm sorry did you say something, Sarah?" Jareth asked nonchalant as he realized Sarah had been speaking to him.

Sarah let out an exasperated sigh, "Yes, Jareth, I was speaking to you. I've been trying to talk to you for five minutes now. Quit ignoring me!"

Jareth sat up straight in his chair putting his feet on the ground, "I didn't hear you. What did you want?"

"I said," Sarah began dragging out her words in anger, "I am done with this painting. I am hungry, my legs are cramped, my butt hurts and I'm just done."

The painter tried not to laugh. He had never heard of a woman speaking so brazenly before and certainly not in front of a King. The painter glanced back at the King to see if he was going to punish her. He really didn't want to be in the middle of a royal squabble.

Jareth regarded his wife trying to hide the smile that threatened to lift his lips. He stood, straightening his black jacket and walked towards the painter. Looking at the painting over the man's shoulder, he was awestruck on just how beautiful it was. He knew Sarah was lovely, anyone with eyes could see that she was a beautiful woman but this painting, or what was finished, was phenomenal. She was wearing a green gown that matched the color of her eyes. Silver and white laces were sewn throughout the bodice. Her hair hung loosely down her shoulders stopping just below her breast, Jareth's favorite feature. One side was tucked behind her ear showing off a pearl drop earring.

"It isn't finished, Sarah, you are not done," the King told her sternly. He meant it too. She was not getting out of having this portrait painted no matter how much she fussed.

"But I'm hungry Jareth. I missed breakfast because of this painting. You cannot starve me," she whined, her lips protruding in a pout, her arms crossed over her chest.

He laughed, "I can do whatever I want. Stop whining. A queen does not whine. I'll have Odette bring you lunch. You can resume posing for your painting after lunch. Will that satisfy you, Your Highness?" Jareth raised an eyebrow daring her to refuse his offer.

Sarah glared at her husband but accepted his offer. Within minutes, Odette carried in the same silver tray she always used and placed it on the table. She turned towards Sarah, "Will there be anything else, Your Highness?"

Sarah glanced at Jareth waiting for him to answer. One thing Sarah had learned in the last week was to let Jareth answer first. He dismissed all of the servants and staff. Usually, they all ignored her except to curtsy or bow in her general direction when they entered. Odette, however, was different. She always spoke directly to Sarah. Jareth didn't answer the goblin maid; he just continued watching Sarah expectantly. Frowning, Sarah turned back towards her maid, "No, that will be all, Odette, thank you."

As soon as Odette was through the double doors, Sarah turned on her husband. "Why didn't you answer her?"

"She was talking to you, Sarah," he said calmly as he lifted one of the lids, grabbing a piece of bread.

"But you're the King, shouldn't she wait until you dismiss her?" Sarah asked genuinely interested. Matters of Underground etiquette were something she still didn't fully understand. She hadn't started her lessons with Roman yet. Jareth wished for her to spend the first few days with him so they could get used to each other's company. A few days had quickly turned into a week as the two found delight in spending time together, even though neither would admit it, arguing back and forth in a battle of wits.

"No, Sarah, she is your lady servant. She listens only to you," he told her as he sat down at the table pulling his plate in front of him. He set Sarah's down across from him.

"So she doesn't have to listen to anything you say?" Sarah asked. That was useful information to have. A servant that was hers only to command, one that couldn't take orders from Jareth. Hmmm. Interesting.

"She bloody well better if she doesn't want to spend a day in the stocks. Now come and eat." he answered looking up at her, his eyes twinkling with laugher, a smirk on his lips.

Sarah smiled warmly feeling an unfamiliar tug in her chest. "You're impossible." She sat down at the table across from him and opened her lid revealing a hearty lunch; soup, fruit, bread and a piece of chocolate cake. Sighing contently, excited for the piece of cake, she dug in. It was delicious. She didn't know who the palace cook was, she probably didn't want know, but his food was always exquisite. She glanced at her husband who was fully absorbed in consuming his lunch.

Not for the first time, she thought him to be incredibly handsome. Delicate but masculine structure, soft, feathery hair, mismatched eyes that felt like they were piercing straight through to your soul as he watched you. He wore all black today. When Sarah had first laid eyes on him this morning, she'd been taken with his beauty. Black suited him very well.

Her own food forgotten, she continued to watch him, unable to look away. He picked up his bread breaking a piece off and dipped it into the soup. He then placed the now sopping chunk of bread onto his spoon and brought it up to his mouth. Sarah couldn't help herself. Her smile spread from ear to ear and her heart constricted in her chest as she watched how innocent the Goblin King looked as he ate. He repeated the same steps a few more times, Sarah watching the whole time, before he reached for his tea catching Sarah staring at him.

His hand paused around his cup, "What?" He asked defensively as he resumed lifting the cup to his lips. He winced as the hot liquid burned his lip and Sarah's grin widened. Her entire face was practically glowing with her amusement. Jareth's brows knitted together as he watched her over the rim. "Do I have something on my face?" he fretted as he ran a hand over his face and wiped the corners of his mouth with his napkin. Still Sarah said nothing, just continued to watch him grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "Stop staring at me," Jareth barked angrily as he turned his eyes from her and resumed his lunch. Sarah laughed as she picked up her spoon and continued eating.

When they were almost done, Jareth broke the silence that had fallen over them. Throughout the meal, he scowled wondering why she'd been staring at him. He decided to drop it and not let it bother him. Obviously, she was acting childish.

"Would you like to tour the kingdom later? We haven't done so yet," Jareth asked her as he placed the lid back on his plate. Sarah perked up at his suggestion. She had yet to see any of her friends and had been waiting patiently for the chance to see them.

"Yes, I would love too. I can visit my friends. I've missed them greatly." She smiled as she followed his lead and placed her own lid back on her plate.

"Yes, well, we'll see about that," he told her rising from his chair and calling for a servant to clear the table. Sarah stood up so abruptly that she had to grab her chair before it toppled to ground. Jareth snapped his attention to her abruptly, his eyes glinting angrily.

"You promised!" Sarah practically screamed. Jareth's eyes widen in annoyance, his chin protruding defiantly as he placed his hands on his hips. Sarah had enough sense to calm herself before she spoke again. "I'm sorry, but you did promise that I could see my friends when we toured the kingdom. Jareth I've respected your wishes about staying inside the castle. Surely, you can allow me this one request."

Jareth considered her words before he sighed defeated. How could he deny her? She'd been very agreeable since she arrived. "I'll tell you what. You sit still; finish your painting without whining and I'll set up a visit for you and your 'friends'".

"Today?" Sarah asked excited at the prospect of seeing Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didymus again.

"Today," Jareth affirmed. Sarah let out a squeal of excitement as she wrapped her arms around Jareth hugging him tightly. He tensed in her arms not used to the affections of his Queen or anyone for that matter, except Valentine. Sarah pulled back suddenly embarrassed about having hugged the Goblin King. She'd just been so excited that he was going to allow her to visit her friends. Jareth was looking at her with wide eyes, head turned to the side shrinking away, like she had an infectious disease.

Someone cleared their throat across the room from the door way. Their heads' snapped towards the door they jumped away from each other like two teenagers being caught in the janitor's closet. Ardeth smug smile betrayed the fact he'd witnessed the interaction between his King and Queen. Next to him stood Lotus, the painter.

Sarah's face reddened even further as she took her seat back on the couch. Luckily, Lotus had finished her face already as the blush would return every time she looked at her husband.

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WOOOH! End of chapter 3. I finally feel like this story is taking shape. I was so excited and inspired by your reviews that I've spent the last five hours (7am-12pm) writing this chapter. Lucky break for you guys! Please continue to review. You guys give me so much inspiration it's unbelievable! I hope this chapter answered a lot of your questions. Next chapter we'll finally pay a visit to Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didymus. YAY! Although, I don't particularly care for Ludo or Sir Didymus but I really like Hoggle so most of the friend time will probably be with him.