Disclaimer: I still own nothing of the Henson Co.

Chapter 6

Open my eyes, it was only just a dream

Nearly twenty-five years ago, King Oberon and his consort, Queen Titania, welcomed their first and only child, a daughter named Sarah. Throughout the Seelie Court, a holiday was declared, and the royalty and nobility of the Court paid homage to the heir to the throne by presenting the King and Queen with various gifts and offerings. Oberon and Titania stood on the dais in the throne room, flanking the bassinet that held their child, in order to greet their guest. The first to walk up toward the dais, the King of the Elves offered a various collection of fine china. Next, the King of the Dwarves presented the child with a vast assembly of silver bowls, jewelry, and tableware. The King of the Centaurs brought large barrels of wine and fine military armor. Several hours passed as dignitaries across the land came forward to give their King and Queen well wishes.

The room went silent in anticipation of Oberon bringing the gathering to a close. Just as he opened his mouth, the loud sound of heeled boots clicked on the floor. The standing crowd made way for a wild-haired fae who sauntered toward the dais. The fae finally made his way to the base of the dais. He was not followed by courtiers carrying numerous gifts. In fact, it looked as though he had no gift at all.

"Goblin King, what a surprise to see you here. And here I always thought such formalities bored you," Oberon said, looking down to Jareth.

Jareth was dressed in black boots, grey trousers, and a white ruffled shirt with black gloves. Compared to those around him, he was woefully underdressed. But then, Jareth never was into the silk, embellished, and bulky robe look.

"Formalities, as well as everyone else here, indeed bore me, but even I could not deny the historic event that has taken place. The Seelie Court finally has an heir. After much trying, I'm sure," Jareth intoned with a smirk and a sideways glance. The room began to swell with murmurs. Titania's face flared red with irritation.

"I see you have come empty-handed and with no courtiers with you," Titania stated, withholding her anger. "Have you entered our Court to seek the attention you always seem to crave? If so, I must inform you that the position is filled; we already have a court jester."

Jareth seemed unaffected by her words. "I know this may shock you," Jareth said while walking up the dais. "But, unlike all the other dolts here, I did not come here for you. I came for the child." Jareth raised his hand, and, with a flick of his wrist, he created a crystal that started to roll back and forth across the back of his hands.

"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Goblin King, but we already know how to make crystals," Oberon joked.

Jareth's hands stopped rolling the crystal and scowled at Oberon.

"I don't know why you seem to be allergic to my name, but I would appreciate it if you would not use my title as though it were a curse."

Ignoring the two monarch's glares, Jareth stepped forward to the bassinet and looked at the wide-eyed child lying inside. Bringing the crystal to the babe's face, Jareth allowed the child to reach for the orb before tugging it out of reach. The raven-haired girl let out a little giggle, causing Jareth to smile. The orb he was holding transformed into a golden teddy bear with a red bow. He placed the toy in the cradle with the child. The babe instantly grabbed the bear and held it close.

"A toy? Really? The great and terrible King of the Goblins presents the future ruler of the Seelie Court with a stuffed bear?" Titania scoffed.

Refusing to acknowledge the Queen's words, Jareth continued to look at the babe. Jareth reached out toward the child and gently stroked the wisps of baby hair on her head.

"May the gods look down on you in favor, child," Jareth then looked at the royal pair with scorn. "Fates know that your parents won't." With that final proclamation, Jareth turned on his heels and marched out the door, leaving two livid monarchs and a befuddled Court behind him.

A frustrated Jareth burst through a large set of wooden doors. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he turned to walk down the hallway. Not seeing where he was going, he ran into a small body, or maybe, that body ran into him.

"AH!" yelled the small voice below him. Jareth looked down and saw a small, dark haired girl lying on the ground, her hand clutching a plush animal.

"Not watching where we are going, are we?" Jareth said as he knelt down to the floor.

"My apologies, sir… um… Your Highness?" questioned the girl as she attempted to rise to her feet. "Excuse me, but who are you?" The girl finally rose to her full height, which allowed her to look Jareth in the eye while he kneeled. He let out a light chuckle.

"My dear, I am Jareth, King of the Goblins."

"King?" She exclaimed, and quickly backed away from the fae king while clumsily attempting a curtsy. Her crumpled red dress nearly caused her to fall again as she held out her skirt for a proper bow.

"Your Majesty," she drawled out. Jareth smirked at the spectacle the little girl displayed.

"Come now," Jareth said, grabbing the dropped toy as he stood up. "None of that. So much pageantry for someone so young. Now, what is your name?" he asked, even though he knew the answer.

She stood up straight from her curtsy. "My name is Sarah, Princess of the Fae and the heir apparent to the Seelie Court. I'm four years old. Such pageantry is to be expected of me. At least, that's what I am told." The young girl studied the fae king's face as though attempting to memorize him.

"You say you are a king? The King of the elves and the dwarves are frequent guests here. Even the Troll and Centaur kings visits every fortnight or so. I've never seen you here before?"

"The type of business I do with the Court usually does not allow for frequent visits, thankfully," he said.

"What business is that?" Sarah asked.

"You are a nosey thing, aren't you?" Jareth teased.

She looked at his hand which was still holding her toy. She held her right hand out and asked, "May I have my bear back, please?"

Jareth inspected the toy bear in his hand as though he considered not giving it back.

"I'll return your bear, but only if you tell me his name."

Sarah's face lit up immediately. "His name is Lancelot. I named him after a human story told by my governess."

"Lancelot?" Jareth inquired, raising an eyebrow. "King Arthur's greatest knight whose love affair with the Queen brings about the end of Arthur's rule? That Lancelot?"

Sarah shrugged her shoulders. "I liked the name," she deadpanned.

Jareth threw his head back to let out a large laugh that filled the hallway causing Sarah to look at the double doors nervously.

"Shhh! Why do you laugh so loud? What's so funny?" Sarah demanded.

"Are you certain you're four? A little brazen aren't you?" Jareth handed the bear to the girl and straightened his gloves.

"Why did you ask his name? No one ever asks his name."

Jareth gave the girl a small smile. "Do you know who gave you that bear, Sarah?"

She shook her head, clutching the bear closer to her. "My governess said it was gift, but I don't know from whom. He's the only toy I have. Mother and Father do not like me having toys. They say they are useless things."

"Well, then, you are welcome." Jareth crossed his arms over his chest and gave her a self-satisfied smile.

"Welcome? He's from you?" Sarah's eyes grew large. "You gave me Lancelot?" Sarah considered the toy bear in her hands as though it were a relic. She looked up at Jareth, walked toward him, and hugged him around the waist the best she could.

"Princess?" Jareth asked with concern in his voice.

"Thank you," she said, not letting go. "You gave me my only friend."

Jareth's heart broke as he returned the child's affection.

A loud brogue echoed down the hallway. "Sarah! Princess Sarah!"

"That's Muiriol," Sarah sheepishly explained. "I might have escaped my lessons. And my governess might be looking for me." Sarah slowly backed away from Jareth and the origin of the yelling.

"And causing trouble at such a young age?"

Sarah looked toward the double doors and whispered, "Not my fault that the lessons are boring. I wanted a break. So, I took one."

"Sarah! Where are ya, child?" The booming voice was getting closer.

"Sounds like you better move along if you wish to keep your freedom," Jareth said.

"Yeah," Sarah said as she moved slowly backward. "Nice to meet you Goblin King. Hope to see you soon." She turned to run down the hall. Taking the first turn to the left, she soon fell out of sigh.

"What a precocious thing she is," Jareth said as he walked away.

"Don't be foolish, Oberon. You know you shouldn't make threats that you have no intention in keeping," Jareth stated, sitting in the chair opposite the King of the Faes.

"Rest assured, these are not empty threats, Jareth. Tell the Unseelie Court to stand down, or I will not hesitate to march troops on your kingdom," Oberon threatened.

Jareth let out a small chuckle and opened his arms in a mock surrender. "What makes you think I have any hold over the Unseelies? If I step foot in one of their forests, a draug would not hesitate to rip me to shreds."

Oberon slammed his fist on his desk. "Do not play the innocent. Your ties with their King…"

"Are no more intricate than the dealings I have with you: just simple commerce transactions," Jareth interrupted. "By the way, if you send troops to my kingdom, consider our trades null and void. You know there is no love lost between my subjects and you. They'll ensure that you'll have a bloodbath on your hands," Jareth said as he stood and made his way to the large double doors.

"I would like to hear your explanation to the Court when they discover their ability to become parents ended because their King is a paranoid warmonger," Jareth taunted.

Oberon also rose from his chair and made his way to a door situated behind him.

"Have it your way, Goblin King, but when the Unseelies run rampant over our world and the human lands, I hope you will be able to stand the sight of your own face." With that final exchange, each king exited through his respective door.

As Jareth entered the hallway, before he could yell any obscenities, he noticed a small child in a light blue dress sitting on the ground across from him, drawing with a pencil on a piece of parchment in her lap. She looked up to notice the wild-haired fae standing across from her.

"Good morning, Jareth, King of the Goblins," she said in a singsong voice while returning to her drawing.

"Remember me, do you, Princess?" Jareth asked cocking his head to one side and placing his hands on his hips.

"I remember everyone I see, which actually isn't very impressive. I don't see many people," she explained. "Also, no one could forget that hair of yours." She stopped drawing to look up to give him a sly grin.

"It seems that cheekiness of yours is still intact. May I sit down?" Jareth pointed to a spot next to the child.

"Sure. The stone isn't comfortable to sit on though."

"If it's not comfortable, then why are you just sitting here?" Jareth asked as he sat down.

"I'm not just sitting here. I'm waiting for my father. I don't have lessons until this afternoon. So, I wanted to surprise him with my drawing. See?" Sarah held up the pencil drawing of a bouquet of blooming irises.

Jareth took a quick glace to the side, realizing that Oberon had no intentions of walking out of the doors Sarah was expecting.

"That is a lovely drawing," Jareth said.

"Thanks. My governess gave me a book of flowers for my birthday last year. I've been drawing from it ever since. Father said he would come see my drawings, but he never has. So, I thought I would surprise him by coming down here."

"Birthday, hm? My memory fails me. How old are you now?" Jareth was trying his best to steer the conversation away from the child's absentee parent.

"Seven," she answered proudly. "It's been three years since I last saw you. You really don't come here often, do you?

"As I'm sure I said before, I only come when I have no other choice."

"From the Goblin Kingdom, correct?" Sarah returned to her drawing. "I remember looking on a map of the Seelie Kingdom. No Goblin Kingdom was on the map."

"There's more to this world than the Seelie Court, my dear."

Sarah's eyes bulged out as she slowly turned her head toward Jareth. "So, you are King of the Unseelies?" She asked as she attempted to scoot away.

Jareth gently clasped her arm to prevent an escape. "Not Unseelie," he said, looking her in the eyes.

Sarah terminated her poor plan to escape. "How can you not be a member of either Court?" she asked. "You have to be a member of a Court."

"Says who?" Jareth asked with a smile.

"Why are your eyes like that?" Sarah had finally noticed his unusual eyes. Jareth released her arm and sat back against the wall.

"Long story. However, I will tell you that it involves gorges, beginner level magic, and an idiot of a brother."

"They're weird," Sarah responded with a giggle.

"I've always wanted to know what a seven-year-old thought of my eyes. I'm glad I now finally have an answer."

"Why are you wearing gloves?" She asked, ignoring his back handed compliment.

The smile on Jareth's face fell to a straight line. "That, Princess, is too involved of a story for you at this moment."

Jareth hated that he had to be abrupt with the child. But there are some things that she would just not understand. Sarah looked up at the double doors, taking note of how much time had passed.

"He's not coming out is he?" she asked, feeling crestfallen. Jareth let out a heavy sigh.

"Sorry, Sarah, he went out the back doors when I left," Jareth admitted.

"Back door? Why does he need two different ways to get into his office? Oh well," Sarah said in resignation. "Here. You take it."

She handed Jareth her iris drawing as she stood up from the ground.

"Aren't you as sweet as you are brash?" Jareth took hold of the drawing and placed it in a newly formed crystal. The crystal then disappeared.

"What did you do?" Sarah said accusingly. Jareth gave her a confusing glance.

"I sent the picture back to my castle by way of crystal," Jareth narrowed his eyes at Sarah. "It's a simple trick I had already mastered by your age. Why are you so surprised by this?"

Sarah shrugged. "I haven't learned how to use my magic. They say I'll learn it later. And I was told that if I try to do it without guidance, I could hurt myself and others. I get by without it."

Jareth looked at the child with incredulity and disgust. "What fae, let alone a future monarch, doesn't know how to access her magic?"

The hallways filled with loud chimes. Sarah looked out the window to notice the sun's position. "It's thirteen o'clock. I have to go," she said.

"Lessons, I assume."

"Yes. Dining etiquette. I've been learning it weeks now. That many forks shouldn't be allowed on a table. It's confusing," she complained.

"Sarah!" Muiriol's voice was echoing throughout the halls.

"I should be going. See you in another three years, I assume?" Sarah asked.

"You never know, Princess. You'll just have to wait and see," Jareth called out.

Sarah smiled, turned, and ran, this time, toward the voice calling out for her.

A few days after Jareth's run-in with Sarah, he sat in his office looking over more paper work than he cared to. Just as Jareth had the ever-brilliant idea to forgo his work for another day, in walked his advisor, Avitus, with a letter in his hand.

Jareth closed his eyes and shook his head. "No. Burn it. Toss it away. I want no more correspondences for the day, or the year for that matter."

Avitus ignored his King's irritable attitude, as he usually did, and approached him, holding out the letter. "The letter is from the Seelie Court. I doubt you should be ignoring anything from there, especially considering the meeting you had the other day."

Jareth snatched the letter from his advisor's hand and immediately noticed the difference in the handwriting. Letters from Oberon were not written in such loopy, cursive writing. He opened the envelope and started to read the message.

"Leave. This doesn't concern you," Jareth said without looking up from the letter.

As Avitus left the room, Jareth straightened in his chair reading the letter again as an enormous smile etched across his features.

Dear Jareth,

I've never written to anyone by myself before, especially someone who is royalty. I assumed that since you prefer to be called "Jareth" that you want to be addressed that way as well. I still do not know where the Goblin Kingdom is located. I searched the large map here in the library yet still found nothing. However, I was able to talk one of the brownies in the library into sending you this letter (I promised him my desserts for a whole week). He says he has family in your kingdom (if you even have a kingdom).

The reason why I gave up my sweets for a whole week is because I realized that I never sent you a thank you note for Lancelot. Once I was old enough, I was told to write to thank everyone who presented gifts at my naming ceremony. Except you. No one told me how I got Lancelot until you told me three years ago. This note is overdue. So, thank you for giving me my best friend. He is worth more to me than silverware. Who needs more forks? We have so much of it already.

Until I see you again in several years,

Sarah, Princess of the Faes.

Jareth sat back in his chair reading the letter over and over again. He carefully placed the letter back in its envelope and into his desk drawer. What an odd yet charming girl, he thought. Maybe it was time he corresponded more frequently with the Seelie Court.

"Jareth!" came a yell from behind the Goblin King.

Jareth turned around to see a now ten-year-old Sarah jogging toward him. Dressed in a riding outfit, she looked as though she and the horse were not on good terms. Looking past her, toward the stables, Jareth noticed that the horse looked in much better condition than its rider.

"Sarah," he called back. For the past three years, the young princess and the Goblin King have continued their letter correspondents. Jareth may not be the most sensitive of beings, but he was not about to let a stuffed bear be a child's only friend. The brownie from the library was paid handsomely by Jareth so that poor Sarah would not have to sacrifice her desserts. It was complex, but easier than him dropping by the Court for no reason.

"I always thought that the equestrian arts meant that you rode the horse, not constantly being tossed off it," Jareth teased. Sarah did her best to knock the mud off her trousers, which should have been bright white in color, but instead were grey, with large patches of brown splattered about.

"Very funny. Daisy is being testy today. I think she's upset that I didn't have any carrots on me," Sarah explained. "I don't think that's reason enough to throw me over the fence." Jareth manifested a white cloth and handed it to Sarah.

"Thanks," she said as she tried in vain to scrub her face.

"Still not able to access your magic, I see," Jareth stated with a deep frown.

"No. Not yet. I've stopped asking. I was told by my thirteenth birthday one of the seers would start teaching me," Sarah said.

"Nothing like learning magic in time for your engagement," Jareth joked. Sarah gave him a look of incredulity and shoved him so hard that he nearly fell to the ground.

"That's not funny!" Sarah shouted. Jareth gained his balance and let out a robust laugh.

Sarah stomped her foot. "You're always so loud. Stop laughing!" Finally gathering his bearings, Jareth gave Sarah a smile. Teasing her had quickly become one of his favorite hobbies.

"Don't fret, Sarah, I'm sure that your betrothal will be with someone who has all his teeth. Let me know how it goes if you marry a centaur. I always wondered how that worked." That comment earned another shove, this time allowing the shove to push him to the ground. He was tired of standing anyway.

"Don't joke about that stuff. I wouldn't put it past them," Sarah lamented. She looked up to one of the windows in the castle and saw Titania glaring down at her and Jareth. The queen was present for only a moment before she left.

"Come now, Sarah. They may be useless, but your parents have no reason for such callous actions. You'll have plenty of time to become miserably attached forever to some uppity prince… or possibly a duke. I heard the Troll king's sister just gave birth to a son."

"Eww!" Sarah said in disgust. "Trolls are gross. I don't want to deal with the Troll King's subjects. I heard they eat dirt."

"Rocks," Jareth answered.

"What?"

"Trolls eat rocks now, not dirt. They would be insulted if you said they eat dirt," Jareth explained.

Sarah looked at him as though he had two heads.

"Long ago, they used to eat the various kingdoms' and the Aboveground's livestock. We all have the current King of the Trolls to thank for that the fact that they don't do that anymore."

"Well, thanks for the history lesson, as if I don't have enough of those," Sarah said while joining Jareth on the ground.

"Why did you come here anyway? You didn't say in your last letter that you would be visiting the Fae Kingdom."

"Emergency meeting of sorts," Jareth said, looking straight ahead.

"It's true, right? The rumors the staff keeps whispering about. There's going to be a war? With the Unseelies?" Sarah inquired. "It's one thing for my father to be having a meeting with the King of the Dwarves, Elves, Trolls, Centaurs, and even the Giants. But you came here as well. And you never arrive without a cause."

Jareth turned to look at Sarah. "Those rumors are overblown. There's not going to be any war. Do you understand me?"

"Then why are you here?" Sarah asked.

"Making sure the entire Court doesn't lose its mind and do something foolish, like launch itself into battle haphazardly," Jareth stated.

"Where would the Goblin Kingdom be in all this? You still haven't told me about your kingdom. All you do is whine about how much Avitus bothers you with work."

"Ah, my kingdom's backstory will have to wait for another time," Jareth said.

"You always say that. You know, one day you'll have to tell me. The library has no mention of you," Sarah said, raising a questioning eyebrow.

"All things in good time, Sarah. Although, I am a bit aggravated that there's no mention of me in archives. After all I do for the Court," Jareth mumbled. Sarah rolled her eyes. She never was good at coaxing information out of him.

"Sarah?" Muiriol said, standing a few meters away from Sarah. "Sarah, the Queen would like you to join her for afternoon tea. Go inside to clean up and meet her in her blue sitting room," Muiriol said. "Good afternoon, Goblin King," Muiriol's tone going flat as she greeted Jareth.

"Good afternoon, Governess," Jareth said. "Looking ruddy as ever, I see." Jareth flashed his smirk as Muiriol glared at him.

"Oh great. What did I do now? She never has tea with me unless she's berating me about something," Sarah groaned. Jareth stood up quickly and held out his hand for Sarah to take. As she rose, Sarah brushed the grass off her trousers.

"Never turn down tea, Sarah. The sandwiches alone make up for all the wailing your mother may do," Jareth said.

Sarah let out a small laugh. "You really are happy with the little things, aren't you? Goodbye, Jareth," Sarah said as she hugged him.

"No goodbyes, Sarah. Only until next time," he said as he returned her hug.

Jareth paced the walkway of the Seelie Court gardens, his patience wearing thin. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a woman of medium height on the other side of the hedge fence, walking away from him in a parallel direction. He stalked the stone path toward her and turned left at one of the hedge openings. He stopped along the trail and faced the dark haired woman. She was wearing a beige riding jacket, a light pink, flowing tulle skirt and grey, stone-colored, knee-high laced boots.

"Jareth?" yelled the woman as she ran toward him.

His mouth went dry. "Sarah?" Jareth whispered mostly to himself. Sarah caught him around his neck, pulling him into a hug. A lot of time had passed since he'd seen or even heard from Sarah. The last letter from Sarah had arrived shortly after he saw her three years ago. Apparently, the Queen was made aware of the growing friendship between the two and ordered that their correspondence cease immediately. According to Sarah's final letter, she was not allowed to speak to anyone outside the Palace without prior approval from the throne. Since then, he has not heard from her.

Jareth held her tight while slowly combing his hands through her hair. He surprised himself by how much he missed holding her. He didn't want to let her go. Sarah pulled Jareth back and held him by his upper arms. "Look at you! It's been so long," Sarah exclaimed, smiling.

Dumfounded, Jareth said, "Look at me? Look at you, Sarah. Time has done well by you."

"Well, thank you." Sarah looked down at the ground, her cheeks blushed. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"Seems to be your standard question whenever I show up," Jareth said.

Sarah crossed her arms over her chest. "Let me guess. You are here because my father is being an idiot, as well as the other members of the Seelie Court."

Jareth's face fell. "No. I'm here to figure out if the rumors are true…"

"And I thought that finding the source of rumors was my job," Sarah joked.

Jareth did not find the situation funny. "Sarah, I'm being serious. Are they sending you away?"

"Not away. I'm going to the Aboveground, as a human, apparently," Sarah said.

"Because of these trivial rumors of war? They have been going on for years. And just how are they going to make you human?" Jareth probed.

"They're not just war rumors. You must really alienate yourself. The whole kingdom knows about the Unseelie kidnapping plans. I've been on lockdown for months. It's only been in the past week or two that I've been allowed out on the castle grounds. These can't just be idle threats, Jareth," Sarah explained, her eyes wide with anxiety.

"And the human part…"

Sarah shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. I still can't do magic. I have no clue how this is supposed to happen." Jareth walked them over to a stone bench and sat.

"Is there a reason why you still haven't been taught how to use your magic?" Jareth asked tersely.

"Um… I don't know. I asked again about a year ago. Still no."

"Wasn't your thirteenth birthday a month ago? Does the Crown not realize how foolish it is to introduce a royal fae to Court that has no knowledge of magic?" Jareth queried.

"I haven't been introduced to the Court yet…"

Jareth turned to Sarah with a look of stunned aversion. "What?"

"I was told that it was inappropriate to have such celebrations right now, with the kidnapping threats. And a few weeks ago, news came that a sluagh ransacked several Seelie villages close to the border. Everyone died. I have to agree that a giant party would be seen as foolish," Sarah reasoned.

Jareth's blood began to boil with indignation. "No sluagh attacked the Seelie villages, Sarah. The Unseelies don't give a shit about the Seelie Court…"

"How do you know? You just keep to yourself in that imaginary kingdom of yours," Sarah said.

"It's not imaginary!" Jareth exclaimed. He caught himself yelling and let out a large sigh. He grasped Sarah's face and brought his closer. "Sarah, the Court is making an enormous and unreasonable mistake. What they would be doing to you is unheard of magic. It could all go horribly wrong."

"And that's okay…"

Jareth's eyes filled with sorrow. "You could die. You could be human and trapped aboveground forever, forced to live a normal human lifespan. You would be willing to do this for the Court?" Jareth asked in hushed tones.

Sarah released Jareth's hands from her face. "Okay, I never thought of it that way, at least not all of that. But I'm not doing this for the Court. I'm doing this for me," Sarah clarified.

Jareth just looked at Sarah with a blank stare.

"This place is horrible. It's a gilded cage that somehow seems to snatch the air from my lungs. I want to leave. I have no friends. No one I can talk to. If having that means my exile to the Aboveground, then fine. I'm sick of being here."

"Sarah…"

"Don't say something like 'You'll always have me' or 'one day things will get better'. I can't ask you for any of your time. You're a king. You already have too much to do than to worry about a Princess ignored in her chambers."

"And when is this all supposed to happen?" Jareth said, looking at the stone path.

"In a few days, I think. The High Seer said it shouldn't hurt and should be quick."

"When will you return?"

Sarah slumped on the bench. "I don't know. I was told that they would come when they are ready to get me. Whenever that is. How did you know this was happening, anyway?"

"Let's just say that certain creatures in the palace have a sworn fealty to the coin rather than the Crown. If your father would do better by them, maybe I wouldn't be able to acquire such knowledge."

"A spy? You sent a spy in…"

Jareth raised a finger in protest. "I didn't send a spy in, just paid for information. Spies are such high maintenance."

Sarah put on an affronted face. "I should have you reported for such acts."

Jareth gave a smirk. "Yet you won't. I know you better than that," he whispered as he brushed away tendrils of hair from Sarah's eyes.

"Well, I should just to show your pompous ass its place," Sarah said.

"Language, Princess."

Sarah could not resist sticking her tongue out at the Goblin King, eliciting a loud laugh from him.

"By the way, how are you able to just show up here in the royal gardens?" Sarah inquired.

"You would think your father would place some sort of a magical shield around the palace. To answer your question, I just flew in. Even your father doesn't believe his own war and kidnapping plot bullshit enough to place up even the most rudimentary security."

"Language, Goblin King," Sarah mocked.

Loud chimes rang out throughout the garden. Sarah looked up toward the large bell tower.

Sarah slowly rose from the bench, and Jareth followed suit. "It's getting late. I should go before someone sees you, and a major political incident breaks out."

"I know this may shock you, but I am capable of taking care of myself."

"Well, you do that. Stay out of trouble. You seem to have the impulses of an imp," Sarah joked.

She went to give him a hug, but Jareth stopped her. The fact that this would be the last time seeing her for a long time, if ever again, hit him. So, he quickly came up with an idea.

"Wait." Jareth produced a crystal which then transformed into a small red book. He handed the book to Sarah.

"'The Labyrinth?' This is the maze that surrounds your castle, right?" She quickly flipped through the pages. She looked up from the book to give him a quizzical look. "The book is blank; there're no words. You could have at least added some pictures."

"It's mildly enchanted. A story will unfold itself according to your life and surroundings. Take it with you to the Aboveground. A little magical souvenir for your trip there," Jareth explained.

Sarah carefully traced the embossed lettering of the book. "I'll be sure to take it with me. I promise. Thank you," Sarah whispered.

Jareth took Sarah's face in his hand and gently kissed her forehead. "Goodbye, Sarah."

"Did you forget, Jareth? No 'Goodbyes'. Only, until next time," Sarah said as she gave him one last hug. Clutching the book to her chest, she walked toward the palace.

"Goodbye, you precious thing."