A/N I do not own labyrinth and write for fun. Enjoy the story

Thank you for your reviews I am glad you like it. Here is another chapter for you as am going to be busy working so not sure how soon I can update.

Jareth let out a hearty laugh as he finished reading Sarah's letter for the first time. He glanced out over the vast labyrinth before him. He had never thought through these long, long months that he would ever see Sarah again and here he was engaging in polite correspondence. But mere letters were not enough for him. He longed to see her again, to embrace her in his arms. How much had she changed in her ten mortal years? How different would she be from that spoiled fifteen-year-old? After she had spoken those dreaded words he had been unable to watch her or visit in any form. He had known that she had called on her friends for a few months but even that had ended.

Jareth stayed on the ledge to watch the glorious sunset over the land before returning inside to his study. He removed the newly deposited paper work to the far side of his desk, poured himself a drink then sat down. The day had been an exhausting one, firstly trying to appoint an adviser to help with the ever increasing workload and secondly due to overseeing the rebuilding of the city. The letter from Sarah had done wonders in lightening his mood. He retrieved some blank parchment and without pondering what to write began a reply. Although there were some questions he was unwilling to answer.

His response to Sarah did not take long to write, once complete Jareth rested back in his chair and raised his glass to finish what was left of his brandy before pouring another. How this girl turned his world once more. All that time spent placing the thoughts of her to the far corners of his mind and locking them there had been in vain. With one simple letter all those feelings and emotions had rushed back to him. He sighed and picked up the letter he had just written. For a brief moment he held it ready to tear it apart, maybe he should not respond, it was just drawing out the agony. He quickly drank the brandy and once again refilled his glass. He began to pace back and forth. Suddenly the glass flew through the air and hit the far wall shattering into sharp fragments along the floor.

Jareth returned to his desk and once again retrieved the letter. He placed it into the envelope and wrote her name once more on the front before sealing it with wax. Before he could change his mind he summoned Snatch and Sneak. There was no point sending for one of them as these two always worked together.

Jareth handed the letter to Snatch "You dare chew that and I will definitely dangle you by your toes over the bog"

Snatch nodded his understanding

"Well go deliver it" Jareth snapped "And no stealing anything is that clear"

The two were gone before Jareth had finished speaking.

Just as Jareth sat back down Gnarl appeared in his study with yet more correspondence Jareth starred at the mountain of papers before him.

"There is a choice to be made" he said. "My evening can be spent wading through this lot or I can join the goblins in the throne room for some goblin ale".

Gnarl jumped from the desk and ran out the door ready to inform the others of the goblin ale.

Jareth rose from his seat and followed Gnarl out the door. Not really a hard decision to make.

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Snatch and Sneak arrived at Hoggle's house and quietly sneaked through the door. They knew he would not be there as they had passed him in the royal gardens. They quickly headed to the mirror and slipped through the enchanted surface into Sarahs room.

The sun shone bright through the window casting a warm glow over the empty room. Snatch and Sneak placed the envelope next to the statue as he had done with the previous. The two scurried under Sarahs bed listening for any sound of her. The apartment was silent. After a short period of time the two goblins found they were bored and realising the Lady was not home decided to some exploring, the Kings warning completely forgotten.

As they entered the kitchen Sneak sniffed, he would know that smell anywhere someone hidden here was chocolate. Both goblins jumped up on the top and quickly found the source of the aroma that attacked their nostrils. Their eyes grew in size as they gazed at the creation before them. They turned to each other and in unison cried out

"Chocolate cake"

The two buried their heads into the mouth-watering delight laid out in front of them. Just as they went in for a second bite they heard the sound of the door opening. Quickly scurrying back through the apartment they scrambled up onto the vanity dislodging many items of make-up, brushes and letter.

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Sarah's day had been long and exhausting. She had met Susan after work and they had both walked the short distance to Sarah's apartment. Susan listened as Sarah explained how she had the devil for a boss, who's hands seemed to have a mind of their own. Susan laughed at her friend. She had been introduced to that particular animal and had to agree with Sarah. On entering the apartment, they headed straight to the kitchen with the intent of rescuing a lonely bottle of wine from the fridge. Both girls froze as they saw the mess that awaited them.

"My god Sarah, you were really hungry this morning before you left or you have rats".

Sarah glanced at the mess then at Susan. Something told her it wasn't rats.

"I'll phone pest control tomorrow" Sarah said

They began cleaning up the mess left behind the cake seemed to have exploded everywhere. Once all evidence of its existence had been removed the girls sat down each with a wine glass in hand.

"So dear friend of mine any news from lover boy" Susan asked winking at Sarah

"He is not my lover boy" Sarah snapped back

"Rather touchy there so I guess the answer is no then"

It had been almost a week since she had sent her letter to Jareth and she had heard nothing. At first she was ok about it but as the days stretched on the disappointment was growing. Possibly why her day had been so awful all she could think about was him and whether he would contact her again.

"Look, you gave him a second chance if he has blown it forget him and move on after all the whole point of the letter in the first place was closure".

"maybe"

Susan changed the subject seeing how much it seemed to upset and unsettle Sarah. She had no idea who this guy was but if she ever got the chance to meet him she would kick his arse for messing with her best friend's emotions like this.

Many hours later and with an empty bottle of wine Sarah felt much better. Susan said goodbye and headed home leaving Sarah alone. She decided the best course of action would be bed. As she entered her room she saw the mess, definitely not rats she thought bending down to retrieve the fallen objects from the floor, her eyes fell upon the envelope and a smile spread over her face.

Sarah sat on the floor tucking her legs underneath her she quickly opened the envelope eager to read the response from Jareth.

My precious darling Sarah

Apologise for my delayed response but I have been rather busy in my duties of which yes some goblin kicking was involved.

How you amuse me, my dear girl, do you not know what your own title is. While mortal from above is quite amusing I feel You will find champion of the Labyrinth far more fitting.

It would seem I am causing you some concern, I assure you it is not warranted. I have survived many years and am sure will survive many more. Although yes there are many goblins to distract me I find their company quite tiresome. It is lonely being a King among Goblins.

Do not fret over your friends. Their punishment I can assure you is more than fare considering the crime. In fact, I believe I may have been slightly too generous in this area. Hoggle, I will get it right as it seemed to cause offense in your last letter, yes I noticed the large capital letters dear heart. He is at present tending the gardens of the castle along with getting rid of those fairy pests. They pack a rather nasty bite you know. He is doing an excellent job, but I will deny this if challenged.

Sir Didymus was rather insistent he continue his duty to guard the bridge which has now been replaced. Why the fox wishes to stand there I cannot imagine so this is his punishment along with training the goblin army twice a week. Trust me, training goblins is a major punishment better than the bog.

As for the rock calling monster, Ludo if I remember correctly. He is in service rebuilding the city It seems rather a lot of damage happened there. His ability to move the rocks is extremely valuable. In fact, he has spent the afternoon in my presence and is very well.

As you can see I have been most compassionate.

Such a pity you do not appreciate peaches they are an excellent fruit. It seems the ball could have held numerous possibilities maybe we can explore these at greater length one day. Maybe a personal tour of my Labyrinth is in order, I can guarantee your head will be safe.

Jealous of that scab, really Sarah. Although he seemed to have received a gift I would hope to receive myself, but alas.

Sarah if you were to call me I give my word as King that no act of revenge would take place. Why would I wish you to run the Labyrinth again? after all I am still repairing it from your previous visit. My precious girl, I am no fool. Do you think me so blind? I think you need to read that book you hold so dear. The sentence that starts, but what no one knew.

If I re ordered time Sarah would you still make that wish? It could have all been so different.

I will not write in a letter what my heart so desperately desires. Those words are to be spoken in person. It would be unfitting of my position to do otherwise.

I apologise that I am disrupting your sleep. If you are as beautiful as you were when I last saw you I doubt much is required.

With my eternal love and my heart

Jareth

King of some very annoying goblins