A/N I do not own Labyrinth and only write for fun.

When they arrived in the underground Sarah let out a gasp. The city she had seen at the end of her run had looked dirty, old and unkempt. What now met her eyes was something completely opposite. The little houses lined the streets in a more structured pattern. She could see what looked like a large market area at the end of one of the streets and as she glanced up in the direction Hoggle was leading them she saw a beautiful fountain. Music and laughed floated through the air and Sarah could see many creatures and humans dancing nearby. The whole place was filled with colour as bunting and streamers hung from each window. Children and goblins alike ran down the street past them their faces alight with smiles. This was a million miles away from the city she had left behind.

As they emerged into the large open square that housed the fountain a man approached them. He was tall, his hair dark brown, his skin just touched with colour, he smiled at the group as he approached.

"My Lady Sarah I presume. I am Carlton his majesty's adviser he has asked me to escort yourself and your friend during your visit"

Sarah looked at him a little crestfallen she had thought Jareth would be meeting them once they arrived. Carlton noticed the disappointed look on the girl's face

"Unfortunately his majesty has been called away he asked me to give this to you"

Carlton handed a letter to Sarah. She took it and opened it.

My dearest Sarah

It is with much regret that I am unable to greet you on your arrival in my Kingdom but alas the council have summoned me on urgent business. Carlton has instructions to show you around the city and to the castle this evening. If you prefer to stay with Hoggle then please feel free to. I think your friend might appreciate time alone with Carlton he is very entertaining.

I am hoping to return in time for the ball this evening. Remember to save a dance for me.

Eternal love

Jareth

Sarah looked over to Susan a look of sadness on her face. Susan felt for her friend she knew how much Sarah was looking forward to seeing him and how she had fought her nerves all week just to be here.

"He says he should be back for the ball later"

"Well, his loss" Susan stated linking her arm through Carltons "let's go and enjoy the day" she said

Carlton raised an eyebrow at Susan's over familiarity, he found he actually liked it. They headed off to join the rest of the goblin city in their celebrations.

Hoggle hung back with Sarah watching his friend quite closely

"Sarah, I hope you knows what you are doing"

"I think so Hoggle" she replied but her mind was still thinking of Jareth

As they reached the party Sarah grabbed Hoggle by the hands and pulled him into the throw of dancers he struggled and grumbled but she didn't release his hands. Sarah spun her friend round and found herself laughing and enjoying the day. The whole atmosphere in the goblin city seemed to be infectious. Sarah could see Susan dancing a few feet away. As she danced she heard small bits of conversation and caught the mention of Jareth name numerous times. People were praising him as a good King.

The day stretched on and they ate and drank and danced and as the sun began to set sending an orangey red glow across the whole city Carlton lead their small party up into the castle.

Sarah and Susan gazed open mouthed as they stood in front of the castle

"Holy cow" Susan exclaimed "Disney eat your heart out"

Sarah smiled the castle was no longer the filthy rundown mess it had been. Its stone walls seemed to sparkle and reflect the early evening light. Susan gazed over at Sarah "Magic" she mouthed to her friend. Sarahs smile grew even wider. The inside of the castle was just as stunning, beautiful tapestries hung from the walls. Large windows where decorated with exquisite curtains. Never in her imagination had Sarah thought it would look like this.

Carlton saw the look of appreciation on both the girls faces as he guided them through the castle to the rooms his Majesty had reserved for them both

"It has taken many months to complete the work but as you can see ladies it is certainly been worth the effort"

Both girls nodded. Within a few minutes Carlton had stopped next to a large oak door

"These are your rooms while you are here. I will send someone to collect you both in a couple of hours for the ball". He bowed and left them in the room

"O my god Sarah this is like some proper fairy-tale. I think I need you to pinch me"

Sarah laughed and did just that

"Hey not so hard" Susan said rubbing her arm "Your disappointed aren't you"

"Yes slightly but at least I will see him at the ball. Come on cinders let's get ready"

The sound of giggling echoed down the hall from the girl's room as they both prepared for the ball. They took it in turns using the bathroom even though you could fit twenty people in it and Susan explored the room while waiting for Sarah. As she opened the doors to what looked like a closet she let out a load gasp

"Sarah you have to come look at this"

Sarah came out of the bathroom and her mouth fell open there before her was an assortment of stunning dresses. Susan found a note pinned to one of them and read it aloud to Sarah

My dear ladies please feel free to use anything you find in the room. Sarah the last dress on the right is for you.

Susan pulled the dress out and Sarahs eyes grew wide. The dress she held was the same beautiful dress from the dream ball but gone were the puffy sleeves and extra-large skirt. This was more fitted on the bodice. Susan handed the dress to a surprised Sarah and returned to select a dress for herself.

Two hours later and both girls were ready. A knock sounded on the door and at their command a very smartly dressed Hoggle walked in followed by an extremely handsome looking Carlton.

"You looking stunning Ladies" he stated and Sarah watched Susan blush

"Is his Majesty back" Sarah asked

"I'm afraid not as yet but am sure he will arrive soon"

Sarah took Hoggle's offered hand and Susan linked hers through Carltons once more and they headed to the ballroom.

The room was beautifully decorated with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling Tables surrounded the outer walls with a large table covered in many varieties of food running down one wall. In the centre many people were dancing. Sarah glanced round quickly hoping to find Jareth but he was nowhere in sight. Susan and Carlton excused themselves and headed for the dance floor joining the many dancers already there.

As the night wore on many men asked Sarah to dance but she politely declined there was only one man she wanted to dance with and he wasn't there. As the hours passed she felt an emptiness fill her heart. Susan came and checked on her from time to time encouraging her to come dance but Sarah smiled and polite refused.

After another hour and still with no sign of Jareth Sarah decided to head out of the ballroom through the large open doors and into the castle gardens. All the excitement of coming back to the underground her nerves at seeing the Goblin King once again had all faded away now she just felt very alone and quite sad.

She walked following the path that lead through the flower beds to an open lawn area, the air was warm and the light breeze carried with it the mixed aroma of the flowers. Sarah removed the shawl from around her shoulders and lay it down upon the grass before lying on top of it. She gazed up at the beautiful night sky with its shining moon and a million twinkling stars. Maybe coming here was a mistake it stirred up so many feelings. She rested her head back and closed her eyes just listening to the sounds of the night and the faint music from the ballroom. It was so peaceful out here she could feel herself drifting off to sleep when a voice spoke.

"I believe you owe me a dance"

Sarah kept her eyes closed her heart raced in her chest. It was him, she could not mistake that voice.

"And you are late" she replied

She felt a shadow wash over her but she still lay there with her eyes closed.

"Sarah are you not going to look at me"

"No because if I open my eyes I may be dreaming and you might vanish"

"Jareth let out a light laugh

"I assure you I am not going to vanish anywhere Precious. Please open your eyes"

Sarah slowly opened her eyes and saw a gloved hand held out to her. Taking a breath in she reached her own hand up to his and he gently lifted her off the grass. Sarah found herself looking at Jareth's chest. He placed his hand under her chin and lilted her head up to face him. He was just as she remembers him, that slim angular face, that start of a smile on his lips, the wild blond hair and those mismatched eyes that just drew you in.

"Hello Sarah"

His voice sent waves of electricity down her spine

"Hello Jareth"

His smile widened. Sarah felt his hand encircle her waist as his other hand took hers.

"I think we shall have our dance here" he said leading her into a dance

The music from the ballroom floated to them on the breeze and Sarah gasped as she heard that familiar tune from so many years ago. The dance seemed to last for hours yet was over in minutes. Sarah just stood there still wrapped in his arms. This moment she wanted to last forever

Jareth gazed at the beautiful women before him. He had waited such a long time for this. As Sarah gazed up at him he did the one thing he had longed to do, the one thing he had wanted to do at the end of the dream ball before she had run away. He lowered his head down and gently placed a kiss upon her lips. He felt her body relax into him and her lips parted in response. At that moment the world around them could end and he did not care as the one person he loved more than any other was here in his arms.