A/N For those of you that think you've read this before, or have seen posted here, you have. I was booted off due to the serious adult content in another story. This story has not been tainted..yet, but if you go to my website, you'll be able to read the more NC-17 story as I'll keep this version here mildly clean. Thanks for the loyal readers and thanks so much to those that are just discovering this story.

I DO plan on finishing this story. I have an outline I am now following and I plan for a sequel!

Thanks to my beta, the Mrs. Snape herself Sharkdiver.

CHAPTER 8

Tad had given Sarah a further tour of the castle. He had started their walk from the front double doors, meeting two armed guards who stood post at the front of the castle. As they approached, Tad commented on their positions, and as soon as the guards knew of their presence, a scene before them unfolded like that from a Three Stooges episode. The two guards immediately stopped talking, straightened their posture, held their weapons to their side as if to fend off an attack, and grimaced. The action had happened so quickly, that Sarah found herself giving a mental shake before letting out a quiet chuckle.

Her hand tightened on Tad's arm and whispered, "They're quite attentive, aren't they?"

Tad kept his eyes on the two guards as they neared them, letting the corners of his mouth tug a little into a slight smile that only Sarah would see, "A quarter of the time they are."

The pair made a sharp left turn as Tad nodded to the guards, and they nodded back, grinning a little for the lady he had on his arm. Sarah couldn't help but stifle another giggle at the scene they had just witnessed. For the first time since she had been there, the entire twelve hours or so, she felt a little bit at ease. Not that it was a big relief, but laughing at something genuinely funny started to relax her slightly. Of course, this feeling would only last until she was forced to grace the company of his majesty.

They had just exited a room that showcased gifts from other realms, which looked to Sarah to be some form of art gallery, when Tad inquired about her night's stay.

"I'm glad that you find the quarters suitable, but my question was how did you sleep?" he glanced over at Sarah, making note of her deep look of concentration as she recalled her slumber.

She was hesitant in her reply, as if she didn't believe the truth in her answer. She furrowed her brow, glancing back over to him as they walked at a slow pace, "You know, in all honesty, I don't recall ever sleeping as well as I did last night."

Tad raised an eyebrow.

Sarah thought of her words again. Had she been correct in saying that? The more she thought about it, the only things she could recall from the previous night was: saying good-night to Tad, investigating the room a little, changing into her night clothes, climbing into bed, and her head hitting the pillow. That morning, she had awoken to warm sunlight on her face and the sweet melody of birds' chirping. She had even felt…refreshed!

"It's true. I don't think I've had a full night's sleep in…in a very long time; with or without medication since…" she thought back. Since when? Surely she wasn't going to actually say it. She nearly completed her thinking process with, 'Since, before I ever set foot inside the Labyrinth,'.

Tad's voice reminded her that she had still not given him an answer, "Since, when Sarah?"

"Since…. well, a very long time. I feel…very…good."

She was still wrestling with thoughts regarding how she felt. It sounded so foreign to her to think that she had used the words, 'Very Good', in describing her nights' rest. She had neglected to take her medication before falling asleep. Not that it was a nightly ritual, but she did take it routinely twice a week and last night was one of the nights she normally would have. There was so much going on around her that she simply didn't think of it. She was more concerned about how she was going to talk to said nightmare ruler and how this handsome man that invited her was going to help her with it.

She had always needed a different pill to put her back to sleep, after her deep dreams would wake her. Something in the Valium family sat in the bag she had brought with her to the Underground. For the first time in several years, she had had a complete nights rest, without meds, without interruptions, and most importantly – without dreams.

Tad kept their walking pace slow as he weaved Sarah in and out of grand hallways where the only thing that was consistent were the burning torches that illuminated the flagstones. He left her to her thoughts, knowing that she was still trying to decipher how she was able to sleep so peacefully.

Finally, at the end of one long hallway, they came before another set of slim wooden doors. Sarah had still been lost in her train of thought, thinking about her lack of dreams and medications when she suddenly looked up in wonderment. Tad had walked her into a room made entirely of pure gold.

Sarah's voice finally acknowledged a command from her brain to vocalize the awe she felt in response to where she had been led, but all that seemed to form were vowels.

Tad looked around the room. It boasted cathedrals ceilings, large ornate windows consisting of both stained glass and clear glass, three fireplaces, several plush couches that complimented every time period in existence, maps the size of 'Twister' mats draped over tables, and statues of knights from different eras guarding the millions of books of the library.

"So, this would be…the library. I didn't know if you'd want to see it." Tad grinned slightly, impressed with his sarcastic joke.

Still, Sarah showed no emotion, other than complete, absolute awe. The room had such a warm feel to it, she immediately knew she was going to spend a lot of time there, even if she didn't feel like reading. There were treasures contained in this room just waiting to be discovered by her naive mortal heart. She hadn't really heard Tad's hint of sarcasm, just that he was making some sounds in her general direction.

Finally, her attention was drawn back to the handsome man and she stuttered, "I'm... I'm sorry. What did you say?"

Tad just smiled for her and gestured before him to let her explore a bit further, "Nothing. I'm glad you like this room."

"Like this room? I've never seen anything like it...it's like…it's like…"

"It's just the library." He knew that by using the word 'just' to her, he'd see a stronger reaction since she was the center of his intrigue.

"Oh, Tad," she walked a few feet before and turned to face him, now standing further into the room, "It's just…thank you for showing it to me. I don't know if you knew this, but I'm an avid reader. I had shelves upon shelves at home covered in old books that I had read as a little girl over and over again. They were mostly adult books, too. I never was one to get into "Nancy Drew" or "Judy Blume" growing up. I always appreciated more detailed works like, "A Tale of Two Cities" or "The Count of Monte Cristo"…but this room is…is a dream."

Tad nodded in acceptance of her gratitude, but didn't have the heart to tell her that this room was created shortly after her departure. His king had fallen into a state of depression after she'd left. It baffled Jareth to no end that she could dismiss him so easily after what he had done for her.

The Goblin King felt that he needed a place to lose himself in. A place to get swept away to another world, much like Sarah. Oh, he had a room with bookshelves and some old works that had been passed down generation after generation, but it wasn't until he had acquired such a passion for reading late in his life, that he orchestrated this larger-than-life library. It had been a dream of Sarah's that had been foreseen in one of Jareth's crystals. He caught a glimpse of one of her desires; which was to have an elaborate room filled with books, and the comforts of history all at the tips of her fingers. When his room was finished, he had not done it for Sarah, but because of Sarah. He had learned of his love for escaping reality the same way she had. He had wanted to build something of a shrine devoted to it – a library. A dream come true.

"That's what it was supposed to be, Sarah," Tad quietly added. Practically a whispering it only to himself as he watched the raven-haired girl's eyes widen by each step she took further around the room.

Sarah's eyes had drifted to a map and had faintly heard Tad's words. Completely taken with the detailed piece that lay on the on the table, she asked, "What's that?" She ran her fingers over the textured map. Little elevated bumps indicated mountains and hills as soft clear areas showed rivers and lakes.

He shook his head, "Nothing, just clearing my throat my dear."

She smiled at the words, 'my dear'. How sweet and kind he was being to her. A great relief from her head host and the way he treated her at their first introductions this morning. She glanced back over her shoulder at Tad, flashing him a sweet little smile. His hair had slightly fallen into his face and he gave her a tiny friendly wink. Sarah grinned wider, averting her eyes back to the maps on the table. Her heart gave a subtle speed up as she was surely beginning to love the qualities of this man. He made it a much more pleasant atmosphere and Sarah couldn't help but wonder where he was the last time she was there.

"You're always free to retire here at anytime of the day. This room is very relaxing and on occasion, I find the help taking a few minutes in here to recuperate."

"Thank you."

"So, I've shown you a bit of the west and south wings, so why don't we finish the rest of the tour tomorrow?"

She nodded, "That sounds fine."

"Since you seem to be quite taken with this room, I'll leave you in peace for a bit to explore. I am still on duty for his majesty and I must say I am surprised that he hasn't summoned me yet."

She rolled her eyes and targeted a tall bookshelf she was going to begin to conquer, "Probably because he knows you are with me, and he just can't be bothered with that."

Tad grinned and held up his hand to make a point of her own words, "Ah, but he does know you exist, contrary to what happened at brunch."

Sarah opened her mouth to give a quick reply, but realized he was right.

"And on that silent note from you, I will take my leave. Should you need me, you know how to call me. Later this afternoon, I'll send a servant in to serve you lunch." Tad had started to turn towards the doors, leaving Sarah to her reading. He was at least going to give her the rest of the day to clear her mind before having to go before the king. He knew that she would be completely taken with the room, and that he needn't worry further regarding her wandering.

She offered her thanks, and when she saw him depart, she turned her attention to the first of several hundred bookshelves against the wall.

Sarah had chosen, amongst all the others, a particularly comfortable plush leather chair complete with a throw blanket over the back. She wrapped it around her legs to snuggle into it as she read. The candles and torches illuminated the room just enough so that it didn't seem too bright, and she didn't feel like she was squinting to make out the words. She had chosen a book, remembering not to judge one by its cover; but by it's tattered condition. Dust covered the spine and the page edges as it had been placed on the lower shelves to collect it. It was almost falling apart at the binding, indicating that several previous readers had gorged themselves with it. In her experience with library books back home, it usually meant it was a well-read book.

The image of many royals before her, curled up in a similar fashion, hands clinging to the cover to hold their place as they read the story, formed in her mind. Monarchs speaking several other languages, ruling several different kingdoms, bedding several different women…. wait, that was the story getting to her. Very powerful people had read this book before her, and now an average human girl from the Aboveground was repeating their actions. Funny how destiny winds it's web.

"Are you in here by yourself?" a crisp accented voice asked.

Immediately, Sarah's eyes shot up and looked around her. Where had the voice come from? She looked left, behind her, even up at the ceiling.

"I said, are you in here by yourself?" the man repeated.

Sarah turned and looked over her right shoulder; there across the room, was Him. The King of the Goblins that ruled these lands for as far as the eye could see. Jareth, the same man who had barked at her just this morning when she had chosen to stand up to him, was standing on the other side of the room. Dressed in the same she had seen him at breakfast, gray breeches, tall black boots, white ruffled shirt, but he had taken off that leather vest.

He was leaning over, dragging one gloved finger over the spine of a book on the shelf in front of him, brow furrowed in concentration as if looking for a particular volume.

"How many times must I repeat my question to you, before you'll answer me?" His voice sounding a bit more condescending, with a hint of sarcasm.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you come in." she managed to say, now that she had sight of him. His very appearance radiated an aura that said, 'I am king, you will respect me.'

"No, I didn't mean for you to hear me."

Sarah's heart began to quicken to think that he was able to move with such stealth, even in a room so silent that a mouse would sound like an elephant.

His eyes never glanced in her direction. He still remained focused in the visual pursuit of a book, "and you are alone in here?"

She had hoped her voice would sound steady, but managed to escape no more than a light whisper, "Yes," she cleared her throat out of nervousness, "Yes, I am."

"Tad is not with you?"

"No."

"Have you eaten?" his voice was low, sultry, but still very menacing like he was about to snap had she given any wrong answers.

"Not since, brunch."

He plucked a book from its space on the shelf and began leafing through a few pages, glancing casually over at her, "That was quite a long time ago."

She found herself blinking back the sudden feeling of confusion; had Tad forgotten about her? He hadn't checked in on her in over…in over…she looked at the clock, in over five hours! Had she truly been that deep into the book that she hadn't felt her stomach growling?

By the look on her face, he saw the realization dawn on her. He began to walk back towards the door to leave, "I'll have a servant send you something light. Dinner will be served shortly."

He opened the door with ease and let it fall shut so that it echoed through the silent room. As her body gave a subtle shiver, she closed her eyes for a moment to try and compose herself. She hadn't even realized that every hair on her body had just stood up on end. He had meant for her to hear him leave.

With the slamming of the door, Jareth paused just outside of it. His head drooped slightly as he felt his entire frame begin to slouch. He had been standing tall and proud in order to frighten her, but then the slightest release of tension between them gave him the answer to the question he had been asking himself. He was not ready to face her.

He thought about the girl sitting in his most cherished and sacred room, just beyond a four inch thick piece of wood. A room he had escaped to for peace and solitude, away from the goblin cries and yelps, but interestingly enough, it was a room that was inspired by that very girl. He closed his eyes for an instant, trying to suppress the memories of her first departure; she had left him a broken man. He felt his pulse begin to beat faster, much like it had this morning when she dared to step in front of him while obviously upset with her arrival in the Underground. He had not been notified of her presence, had not been given time to prepare what he would say to her once he did see her, and it was obvious to him now that he was indeed a wonderful actor. He still wasn't ready to face his past with Sarah Williams, the one girl that had managed to turn his world upside down.

Jareth shook his head in disgust over his own weakness and sighed with a feeling of dismay. He stiffened his jaw and looked ahead of him, as if making sure no one had witnessed his vulnerability. With his chin raised, he walked down the hallway to seek out a kitchen elf to bring her something to eat.

"Sarah, I am so sorry. I got stuck meeting with the trolls and it lasted a bit longer than I had expected. You must be absolutely famished!" Tad explained, running his lips a mile a minute.

At the sound of a familiar voice, Sarah pulled her eyes away from her book after just turning to page 394. Through the library doors burst an intrusion and she unwittingly rolled her eyes. She was so wrapped up in the story, any interruption short of death seemed an annoyance. She was still nibbling on a few remaining grapes that were in the bowl brought to her by an elf, with comments that the tray was sent from his majesty. There was a nice spread of grapes, strawberries, and cheeses that would tide her over until the dinner. She hadn't been terribly hungry when it was first told she would receive it, but she was not going to argue with the king over when she was supposed to eat. In the end, she just accepted his offer in silence.

The aforementioned intrusion just happened to be a very handsome man who had requested her presence to this castle. A man whose appearance could be compared to the virile men that graced the covers of smutty romance novels the world over. With his hair falling in his eyes, his forehead showing a few slight beads of perspiration, it had appeared that he taken to a run for the last few hundred feet.

Her eyes rose to meet Tad's as he approached her and stood in front of the couch. She couldn't help but give the man a smile followed by a giggle, due to his disheveled state.

She bit her bottom lip as he peered down at her on the couch and said in a quiet voice, "I'm fine. I had a snack."

Tad sighed with a sense of relief in knowing that she was not a stupid girl and probably would have sought out to find a something to eat. He fell into a chair across from her as he caught his breath. He had envisioned horrible things happening throughout the castle regarding her visit, and knew that by the time he had gotten back he would have had to answer to a screaming mortal girl, cursing him out for bringing her there. Again, he was paranoid about those legends of the mortal women going absolutely irrational when the calendar reached a certain number of days.

Instead, he had arrived to find that his guest was more than comfortable, having found a throw to wrap around her legs and a few candles to give her more light to read by as the sun went down in the Underground. Her shoes laid on the rug below them, as her feet tangled in the folds of the velvet blanket that had once laid over the back of the deep couch she had found refuge in. The blanket hugged every bit of her in such a way that she looked like she belonged in a painting; complete with her dark locks cascading over the arm of the couch. Her sweet angelic face looked up at him, with very little strain on her neck and flashed him a reassuring smile.

For a few moments, he welcomed the silence after having to answer to several different breeds of trolls all demanding a tax break, if they bore more than three children. Business as usual, but being greeted by that sweet smile and those beautiful eyes for a change at the end of the day, seemed to make it a bit more rewarding.

He was not looking to get involved with the girl, as she was not the object of his affection. She was, however, the object of his mission. As she lay there on the couch, her feet slowly moving over the dark fabric of the blanket, he had to remind himself that she was there for his king. His time was precious and he still had to set the scene. In an hour, they would meet his majesty for dinner, and he would have to see how cold the king was going to act towards her.