Still don't own Labyrinth! Is it me or is Jareth still hot even with that sexy eighties Rockstar look? Nevermind of course he is! He's David Bowie after all! Anyway please enjoy and review!

Chapter 4: To Enter the Labyrinth

The morning came so uninvited to Jareth as the sun rose, but then he discovered something rather soft under his head. When he opened his eyes he saw that it was a tiny black billow and he suspected it was the young lady still in the tree. "Morning, girl."

"It is not girl. It's Amara, you highness." She corrected him before she took a backpack and threw it over her shoulder and leaped out of the tree. "Good morning to you as well, though you're the first one up."

He smirked at her as he come closer like a predator zoned in on it's pray, "I take that pillow was your doing."

"I wasn't going to be using it last night with my being on watch duty and you looked rather uncomfortable... so waste not want not." She said with a shrug but tensed as she watched him neared. She wasn't afraid of him, but he did make her nervous. He was a man after all and one must be wary of them. Amara had met to may bad men in her life not to be wary of them even one she quite admired since a young age.

"Ah, thank you for that," he said as he handed the pillow back to her.

"I did it because I wanted to not to be thanked, but your welcome anyway." She said feeling awkward. She wasn't use to other's being mannerly other than her grandma and herself. It was a nice change from the ungrateful, entitled weasels she had to deal with at school or even at a trip to the mall. I don't want to go back home, she thought to herself after a long moment. "So uh... is there any wild fruits or animals around these parts that are eatable so I can get breakfast started? I rather save my food supply for when we're desperately in need of it."

"There's a peach tree a short walk from here. Though the fruit is rather hard to get to." Jareth said.

"Oh good... could you show me?" she asked looking up at him.

He didn't respond, but instead he offered her his arm and she took it with a smile.

….

"Wow that is a bit tree!" Amara said staring at it in awe. How the hell do I get up there? The lowest branch is at least fifty feet in the air!

Jareth chuckled at her expression, "As I said it is hard to get up there, but it contains the sweetest of fruit. Some say this only tree was enchanted far beyond my time to bring happiness to those who are lucky enough to take a bit."

"Then lets see if that's true," Amara said placing her climbing gear back on, took out an empty sack to throw on her back, and then set her backpack on the ground next to Jareth. Next she took off her jacket knowing it was about to get really hot and she didn't want it catching on anything while she climbed to reveal her blue top that hung off bother her shoulders and show off her black bra straps. Then she placed the jacket on top of her backpack and put her hair into a ponytail. "Wish me luck?"

"Are you really planning to climb the tree with... whatever those are?" he inquired eyeing her new look. It was rather flattering and he had yet to realize she was wearing blue for all he saw was the leather and that corset.

"Yep and there stuff ninja used to climb up stuff. Though this will be dangerous if I'm not careful." Amara told him as she approached the large tree and dug the metal spikes of her climbing gear into the tree and began to make the long climb while Jareth watched in awe. She was strong as her refined muscles of her arms and back flexed for Jareth's own personal enjoyment and he could see several large scars on her back as well. What happened there? He wondered as he remembered something he had thought was long forgotten.

Flashback...

Jareth sat in the park not far for Sarah's estate. He just wanted to see her, but didn't want to see her age. It would of made him feel even more crappy then he already did. So instead he said on a bench as he spied on her house hoping for a glimpse of what he lost out on. At the moment he didn't see a small child looking upon him her curious blue eyes reading him like a book as he sighed heavily.

When he did spot her it was when she let him. She was holding a small white rose up to him with the sweetest smile on her little face. "Here," she told him kindly and her blue eye where very wise for such a young age. "You look sad so I brought you a flower to cheer you up."

He was taken aback by the kind juster of the child and he had never seen something as strange as her. She didn't fit with the other children for was to bright and selfless at her young age, but she was covered in bandages from the neck down and some was hidden under a navy dress. He looked at her with concern as he took the rose from her, "Thank you child. This does make me feel a bit better," he told her with a slight smile. "What happen there?"

The child looked down at herself a bit uncomfortable about the question, "Mommy and me got in a car wreck. She tried to protect me, but she died. Grandma says she's in heaven now," she told him with a sad expression. "Daddy does care she died and has a new girlfriend. The mean lady says hurtful things and hits me. She ripped open my stitches so they'll take longer to heal now." she informed her with tears in her eyes but she wouldn't let herself cry not even a little for she had to be strong now. "I want to tell grandma, but... I'm scared I'd get in trouble if I do."

He pitied her and he was angry someone would treat a young sweet girl so poorly. "I'll tell her," he offered. "Where does she live?"

"The big house over there. Her name is Sarah," the child told him as she looked at him with a gentle hopefulness that melted ever the Goblin King's heart.

So she's Sarah's grandchild? He thought in awe as she stood. He could allow someone of Sarah's blood to her treated in such a way. Even if she denied him her heart... he still cared. He followed child to her grandmother's home...

Flashback End...

Ah that was it, he thought as he come to admire her. She has grown a lot and is no longer a child. How far she had come from that scared mistreated little girl. He had yet to give her credit for her physical condition or the fact she held herself like a noble. She was beautiful and he couldn't rip his eyes away from the girl as she dug her so called 'climbing gear' into the tree. He understood now why she put on the glove first... it was so she could protect her hands from the rough bark of the tree or any other surface she would cross.

"Careful..." she whispered to herself as she leaped up grabbed the thick branch. "Talk about a work out..." She used her upper body strength to pull the rest of her up. "So glad I'm into sports or I would never be able to do this!"

She threw one her legs over to the other side of the large branch like on would mount a horse then she slowly dragged herself forward to the peaches and began to stuff them into her bag. Her bag was almost full when she felt something push her. She lost her balance and near fell of. "What the hell was that?" she said looking around for the source, but found nothing. After a few moments she thought it could have been her imagination, but kept her eyes and ears peeled for what ever it could have been as she reached for the last of the fruit she needed. Once she had them she threw the bag over her shoulder securing it. "Time to get out this tree..." she thought aloud before something with a much stronger force knocked her off and this time she saw it was a freaking fur-less feathered pink monkey.

Amara screamed as fell trying to grab onto whatever she could and grabbed a thick twig and hung onto it. Surprisingly is was very strong, but it bend down until she was only ten feet in the air. She sighed in relief, but the twig just had to break on her. Amara squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the pain for the impact. "Oof!" It didn't hurt. She opened one of her eyes to take a peck finding herself in the arms of none other that the Goblin King. He had a mischievous smirk on his face and amusement in his eyes as he eyed her amazed expression.

"If you keep looking at me like that Amara. I could start getting wrong idea," he told her purring her name on his lips.

It was very instant that Amara blushed as she looked away. She hadn't really blushed this red since her sixteenth birthday when she was having a sleep over. They accused her of being a virgin and then proceed to teach her how. She never been so embarrassed in her life. "Sorry... could you put me down now?" she asked to embarrassed to make eye contacted.

"You're not hurt are you?" he asked.

"I scrapped my elbows, but I'm fine... though I thought I was a goner for a second there. Some pink feathered monkey pushed me out of the tree, but I got the fruit. If your not going to put me down can you just sit somewhere? This feels weird." She informed him.

There was a gleam... a sad gleam in his eyes, "Has anyone every swept you off your feet?" he asked curiously as he sat his back resting on the tree while he cradled her in his surprisingly strong arms.

Being in this man's arms was embarrassing, but it was thrilling and somehow... comfortable. The heat that roamed off him seemed to just be absorbed into her very being. "I... no... I haven't been."

"Not even one?" he questioned.

"No everyone was generally to afraid to approach me or the guys that did where... unfaithful and ungentlemanly." she said feeling again awkward around him.

"Such a pity. Amara-" he tried to say when he was suddenly interrupted by the knight.

"My lady! Are you alright? I heard a scream not even a moment ago!" He asked worried and then he discovered the... immediate situation the two where in and Amara's blush spread full face.

"I'm fine! I fell out of a tree and his highness saved me!" She explained quickly as she could at the awestrucked look upon her grandmother's old friends face.

"Sure, sure that's what happened," Hoggle said not believe a work. To him Jareth was just going to use this girl until he had what he wanted and then try to either kill her or make her Sarah's replacement.

"How rude dwarf friend to call the lady a liar," Dibymus said astounded with his friend's behavior.

"Well they are a bit to close," Hoggle argued.

"Why Hogwart are you jealous?" Jareth asked smirking as the dwarf blushed.

"It's Hoggle! Why would I be?!" he demanded as he stomped off with Dibymus not to far behind berating him for his behavior in a mannerly sort of way.

"Well... that was interesting," Amara said and she giggled softly. "We should go. We don't want anyone else getting the wrong idea."

"Who said I don't want to there reactions are amusing," his hand suddenly stroked her cheek bringing her face closer to his with he held a mischievous smirk, "and so is yours."

Amara blushed before she abruptly pulled herself away her face red with blush. "I... uh... damn," she quickly grabbed her stuff and put some distance between them as she fought her blush which wasn't exactly working. "You coming?" she asked after a moment once she gave up fighting the blushing.

"Of course, princess." he said getting up enjoy every second of her adorable embarrassment.

"Don't call me princess!" she said glaring back at him annoyed. "It's Amara, your highness!"

"You know calling me your highness it is no longer necessary for I have been dethroned. Jareth will due." he informed her.

She blinked at his calm voice and she sighed regretting her own harsh tone, "Okay... Jareth and sorry I just really hate being call princess. Been around to many bad males who call me that and I come to hate it more than almost everything." It wasn't his fault for her bad rep with men her own age and some even older than her. Sure this guy teased her and he was mischievous, but he did save her.

He gave a small understanding smile, " As you wish, Amara."

….

"Jareth that lousy scum!" Hissed the Dragon Queen's brother pissed. "He's putting the moves on my woman!"

"Garret calm yourself," his sister said gently with a concerned look, but inside she was laughing. Finally he found the woman of his dreams and yet she is in the arms of another man! Oh how comical!

"Dammit Maria!" he growled. "How am I to make her mine if she's with another male?"

"Simple you kill her and take her for yourself," she told him darkly.

"If she found out she'd hate me and I don't want to be some second best for her. I want to be the best for her," He said determined, "and go interfering either! You screwed up with the last one and she threw herself from the tower!"

"Maribel was that girls name if I remember correctly and it was a misfortune, of course." Maria said not caring in the slightest. "Perhaps a gesture for her on your part is in order?"

"What is it you suggest?" he asked.

"The same thing the Goblin King did. The peach and the ball." She replied smirking. "You can seduce your fair maiden there."

….

They where at the edge of the Labyrinth about to enter, "Please tell me the Labyrinth entrance wasn't moved." Amara said.

"Certainly not," Hoggle said. "That would be far to much work for those twin spoiled twits. Ah there it is then."

"So we just waltz in like everything is a piece of cake? You've got to be joking." Amara said warily.

"It's not the entering part you have to worry about. It's making it out alive part." Hoggle informed her.

"Oh... so technical we are walking into a death trap... how fun." Amara said in sarcastic excitement before she sighed. "Alright so let's enter then."

She went in first, "Everything looks so worn down... and dying here." she commented as the group followed her. She drew her sword as she turned right. Amara wasn't about to take any chances, but from the corner of her eyes she saw Jareth's eyes narrow as he read the engraving on the sword.

Then his eyes widen a bit in surprise as he looked at her with more interest. What had he seen? She asked herself, but before she could question him. There was a sudden roar.

"Calm that beast!" she heard a voice say in the distance.

"Blasted dragon! While have to put this one down!" another yelled as Amara arrived only to see them shove spires into the dragon's heart. It's blood shot out hit her in the face and coating her in dragon's blood. The dragon scales where red as blood and it's eyes where a bright red with a black underbelly. It's leathery wings expanded one last time for a roar that shook the earth under the feet of miles around. It's roar was a proud but sad one they echoed into the deeps of Amara's soul.

Amara coughed as her body seemed to absorb every drop of blood from the dragon. She couldn't believe they killed such a magnificent creature. "Amara are you alright?" Dibymus asked as he looked upon her only to back away as her eyes flashed red and matched the now dead dragon's in every way. They where slit and she looked very angry.

"I'm fine, but they aren't." was all she said as she leaped off the ledge onto the ground near them men who killed the dragon. She understood what had to be done. She understood what they had done and world had lost. "How dare you!" she yelled and they all turned toward her backing off slowly.

"She absorb dragon's blood!" One of the men yelled... well he was a orc not an man. He had three eyes and was covered in greenish fur, but wore close like any other man. The other's where also orcs in different shades of green or brown fur.

"Kill the elf! Quick! Before she kills us all!"

There was a cold smile on her face she flicked her sword in her left hand as she drew her dagger for her left hand. It was a smaller version of the blade with the same words edged into it. She held the end of the grip so the blade was loser to her pinkie finger. This made it easier to block while she held her usual sword like she would regularly. Red glowing like energy formed around her in the shape of the very dragon these monsters had just killed as if she had absorbed the dragon's very soul and made it a part of herself.

Her companions looked at her in both awe and horror, except for Jareth. He looked at her with a deep curiosity, but the was a different look as well... a knowing one. He had heard rumors of one such as her, but never had the opportunity to see one like her... until now that is. Beautiful, he thought, she moves as if she is dancing. So artful.

Amara rushed forward with grace she didn't even knew she had and her foot landed on a orc's face. His skull slammed into the stone ground before his head was cut lean off his shoulders. She jumped off her launched herself at another everything seemed to move slowly for her as she stabbed another in the heart and blocked a spire with her dagger cutting way the deadly tip. The one with the spire was sliced in half. It didn't take long for her to kill the rest.

She stood in the middle of the battlefield holding the blades to her sides panting as her friends arrived. "Dragons do not have rulers." she said her voice rather clear on the gently wind that blew her dark hair wildly, but it was not her that had spoken really it was the remaining spirit of the dragon as it's glowing form start to separate from her. "Their spirits are meant to be free."

Amara bowed her head in respect to the glowing dragon spirit that seemed to have engulf her to kill these foul smelling creatures. "Thank you, my lady, for avenging me... I was trying to protect him when they sprung on us and plan to do my child harm. His name is Kulaan. Please look after my child I beg you though I have no right to ask."

"I will you have my word on that, please go in peace spirit." Amara said her eyes still red like the large dragon's was.

"You have my thanks and my blessing... a rare gift for any able to grasp it, kin's woman. You will discover the gift in time." The light of the spirit suddenly faded alone with the voice and a tear ran down Amara's face as her eyes faded back to normal.

"Amara? You alright?" Hoggle asked concerned for the girl and unsure of what just transpired.

She didn't say a word as she sheathed her sword leaving only the dagger out as she approached the deceased dragon's body and shoved the dagger into the largest part of the dragon's belly. She removed something from the pouch that protected it and then heard it gasp for air. "Kulaan," she whispered as the dragon baby squealed cutely at her arms causing her to smile. It was a reddish orange color and with it's mother's red eyes, but with a pretty gold rim around them. It's eyes where not glowing like the mother's and they where big, round, innocent, and adorable. She turned toward her group, "Anyone know A good place to take a bath around here?"

Jareth smiled, "I do," he informed her.