This is so much fun, and I've already received nice encouragement, so here's another chapter. It's a PITA to write a draft on Google Docs via phone, but a nice distraction from dry and boring presentations. I am not sure if this will measure up to people's ideas of where the story may be going, but rest assured that I have planned out where I want to take these two and we'll eventually get there together! Next chapter we'll see more of what's happening in Sarah's head. Disclaimer - own nothing, profit from nothing.

Sarah kept her head down as she listened to the thudding of the booted footsteps approaching. She dreaded the moment she would have to look at the person who had lurked in her dreams for years. He had held such a pivotal role in her transition to the grown up world, she was more than half glad she'd never had to face him, and by extension her naive younger self. It had been easier to convince herself that it had all been a dream, especially after the loss of her parents. And now, after being slammed with the reality of her current situation, she felt a rush of heat in her face and a nauseating drop in her stomach.

Jareth stood silently a moment, staring at the still figure in front of him. He knew that she had to have heard him coming in the relative quiet of the room. The goblins were warily watching from the edges of the room as the king contemplated the girl, now woman, who had once defeated the Labyrinth. He wondered if she had the same stubborn defiance that had driven her youthful insistence on retrieving the brother she'd angrily wished away. Given the behavior of the boy he'd just left, he knew that she'd already be in a state of high emotional alert.

After the minutes stretched out to a snapping point, Sarah sat upright and squared her shoulders. She'd learned that avoiding problems never solved them, and she wanted to get this first meeting over with. She stood and pivoted, and then stumbled back in shock at the sight before her.

It was the Goblin King, and yet not. He was a nightmare version of the being that had haunted her dreams and her descriptions. Instead of golden blond, his hair was stark white and standing on end as if made of stiff bristles. His face was so pale he could have passed as a vampire, and the elegant eyebrows arched over eyes outlined in black and charcoal with no hint of color. His slim body was encased in black armor that seemed to soak in light with no reflection. He remained silent while she caught her balance, her hand rising to cover her throat without thought.

"Hello, Sarah," he murmured. When she made no response, he began to slowly walk around the perimeter of the pit in which she stood, watching as she carefully turned to remain facing him. "Now, how did you end up here in my castle again, and on this end of the wish?" he mused.

After a false start, she got her voice to work again, and struggled to maintain an even tone. "I want to go back home. I don't have time for games. I have to go to work in the morning."

His laugh was rich and unforced, and caught her off guard. It seemed completely disconnected from the vision in front of her. "Well, darling girl, it will all depend on your brother, won't it?" He produced a crystal and tossed it toward her without warning. Out of reflex, she caught it in midair, but refused to look at it. He smiled. "This one is safe. It shows only your brother's progress in the maze, and nothing more. Your viewing affects nothing." He casually waved a hand at the clock behind him, and she could see that it showed a few minutes into the 13 hour run.

"What are you going to do with me?"

"If your brother should lose, you mean?" He was still again, staring at her for any reaction she made. "You are certainly far older than the children we receive. I think you'd be a bit set in your ways. Tell me, what skills do you have?"

She was at a loss for words, and tightened her hand on the crystal she held. He held her eyes for a few more moments, giving nothing away, and then turned and walked toward his throne. Gracefully, he turned and seated himself, crossing an ankle over his knee. "Gerea!" he called.

The goblin woman who'd spoken to Sarah before came forward. "I think it's time for a bit of a snack. Please bring refreshments for me and my guest."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Gerea answered, and with a sidelong look at the woman, she hurried from the room.

"Please, sit," Jareth said as he gestured to the edge of pit where cushions were piled. "I believe you'll be in for a wait. It appears that your brother shares your stubborn nature, and he won't give up easily."

Warily, Sarah stepped back to the far edge, never taking her eyes off the reclining king. She was trying to reconcile the cordial tone with the terrifying appearance. She glanced briefly at one of the cushions, but after spotting the questionable stains of unknown origin, she elected to sit on the bare stone instead.

A soft chuckle escaped the man watching her, and her eyes snapped back to him. "You cowered before me, I was frightening." She flinched as the words echoed in her memory. "Your description of me to Toby was colored by your fear. I had to exceed expectations to elicit the necessary response. Speaking of, how is the boy doing?"

At his words her eyes dropped to the crystal sphere in her hands. As clear as a video feed, she saw her brother walking along the outside wall of the Labyrinth, looking for the gateway to enter. Her eyes snapped back up to Jareth. "Will he find Hoggle to help him?" she asked.

"He'll find no more and no less than you, or any other runner, would find. How he handles the challenges is entirely up to him." Gerea came bustling back into the room with a tray in her hands loaded with bread, cheese, some apples, and a decanter. Jareth made a casual gesture, and a low table appeared to the right of the throne. Quickly, Gerea placed the tray on the table, and pulled a pair of wine glasses from her pockets to rest beside the decanter. With a quick curtsey, she backed away to stand among the goblins, who were still unnaturally quiet as they watched the scene unfold.

"Come, eat," he invited Sarah, never moving from his spot in the throne. She sat frozen, completely unsure what to do.