AN: I bet you thought "All for the Best" was the last chapter. Well, for those of you who wanted more…here it is! Then again, I hope you aren't disappointed with this final chapter. Just remember that the movie is the next time that Jareth and Sarah meet after this story ends…and maybe a few of the things here will explain why he treats her the way he does when she wishes Toby away. My thanks to Cormak, Redaura, Angie, Kaze, Anne-Marie, General Sephiroth, Feuerkaffee, Silver Space, Terrie, Lady Jamie, Ifonly, Priya-chan, Ezra's Angel, and everyone else who has read/reviewed this story. AND, just because this is the last chapter doesn't mean I don't want feedback. Tell me if you think it's corny or doesn't make sense; the more reviews I get here, the more I know if my writing style is working for my stories. I hope after this you will switch to reading my other story, "The Thief, The King, and The Son," which is a sequel to the movie...if you haven't already started reading it. Thanks again a million fold. Sorry for being long winded. Alorin


Chapter 9
What Dreams May Come (Finale)

Sometimes, when one does nothing more than the same routine every day their entire life, they start to doubt the point of their existence. 'What am I doing here? What more is there to live for?' Those are the type of thoughts that plagued the Goblin King's mind the days following the Williams's departure. Yes, he knew his duties were to keep the Labyrinth within its boundaries and humans from escaping its walls, but as for his personal affairs, he had nothing to occupy his time; it was all mundane. He didn't care to venture the other kingdoms or visit other courts; there were very few who would willingly accept him anyway. All he was to them was someone they could call if they needed defense, all because he was the one who had ended the last human rebellion. He wished he hadn't been involved in that at all. But that had been six hundred years ago and he doubted anything like that would occur again. Humans Underground were too afraid to raise another riot and the humans of Earth were too unaware of magic to be a threat.

Maybe it was the knowledge that magic on Earth was dieing because of failing belief that he found he didn't see a point in his remaining bound to the Labyrinth. Magic Underground was natural; magic on Earth only lasted as much as it was wanted, needed. Truly, the knowledge of his world was no longer spread through folktales and fairy stories. All that was left, all that kept the gate between the worlds open were the books, and only the one was accounted for. Whether the other three had been destroyed was undetermined. In Jareth's opinion, they should all be destroyed, sever the connection between the two worlds once and for all to end the paranoia that spread through his kind. Then again, if that did happen and the Fae realized no more humans would ever come Underground, would there be genocide and all of human blood exterminated? He shuddered at the thought; he was part human and though he was unashamed of it, he wouldn't want to be included in their numbers if such a holocaust occurred. His only reason for not fleeing his current existence was the knowing that without him, so much chaos could happen. No other Fae wanted his position yet they envied the power that he held; controlling the Labyrinth was no small feat. But none of them wanted to be near the Gate nor surrounded by goblins. As long as Jareth obeyed the wishes of the Council, he could rule the Labyrinth.

Sometimes he wished he didn't have to go through it alone, but to include another in his affairs-it would be too much to ask. Though powerful, his was a lonely existence. Should anyone chose to stay by his side, he would be their only companion, give or take a few hundred goblins and the ocassional outing when being called upon by the Council.

He supposed he was lucky he had his goblins to look over, to entertain him in his solitude. They could sense when their king was distraught or just moody in general. They seemed to have primal human instincts of survival, having once been privy to such emotions in their former state. When the one who held the balance over their life or death became testy, they did anything they could to lift his spirits.

Now, with him staring out the window onto his kingdom, the goblins didn't know what to do. He wasn't angry or irate, so they couldn't do something humorous to cheer him. He wasn't bossy so there was no need to run away. He wasn't in the mood to have them train for any battles as he often had them do, though they didn't know why. He wasn't of any temperament they were familiar with. So not knowing what to do, they left him alone.

Jareth stared out over his kingdom, watching as the Labyrinth twisted and changed. That the maze had let the Williams woman through so easily was the first indication to him that something in it was changing. The days following her departure, it had acted the most frenzied he had ever seen it. He had allowed his subjects who lived within its terrain to move into the Goblin City, for a spell had been placed when the city was first built to protect it from any magic. Because of this, despite the gateway of pure magic being the very heart of the castle, its powers did not work on the Goblin City, keeping its inhabitants safe from the Labyrinth's movements. Jareth was grateful for that spell which kept some part of his kingdom unchangeable. It was one less thing for him to think about. He could still prevent the maze from escaping its set boundaries, but for the Labyrinth to change so quickly of recent; he wondered what had caused the change.

Perhaps there were others older and more knowledgeable who had answers of primal magics such as that which the Gateway held. Though he despised the Empress, he knew she would be the most learned of all.

"My lady." Jareth spoke into a crystal, faster than he had time to make it.

The Empress always seemed to be prepared for a summons; as far as he knew she had never been caught doing anything personal and always answered on the first request. "Jareth, your call is unexpected. Is there discontent in your kingdom?"

Jareth smiled disappointingly, "Something like that. The Labyrinth…the magic appears to want escape. I can control it but cannot sense the cause."

Malora nodded, "How long has it been like this?"

"Since we last spoke, to the very day."

"The day the lands shook." Her voice was far off, almost thoughtful.

"It affected more than just the Labyrinth? I wasn't aware of this."

"What? What did you do?"

"It wasn't so much myself, lady. When I touched the child…something happened and my magic entered her."

Jareth was slightly taken aback by the fury that flashed in the woman's eyes, "We were afraid one of the humans was the cause." Then to herself she muttered, "It was bound to come to pass."

"What is that, my lady?"

"That's right, you don't know," She smiled at this. "But it does not matter. The child is a goblin, the mother gone."

"The events did not turn out as such, my lady. They both returned to their own world."

"The woman won? That is odd for you, isn't it Jareth? I remember quite well you said she would not retrieve the girl, that the child would be changed."

"Things do not always go as planned," Jareth looked away from the crystal as he growled his words.

"Indeed." Malora grinned, "Then, pray tell, how did it come about that both humans left?"

Jareth did not answer her right away, and instead looked back out the window to his kingdom. It had been a weakness, him letting that child go; he had cared too much about her feelings and what was best for her well-being. Yet it was too late to change what he had already done, "I gave her back, there is nothing more to tell."

"You made that choice?"

"The Labyrinth made the choice," He snapped, looking back into the crystal at the Empress, "I merely agreed."

"You rule over it; it does not rule you. Why did you consent?" the Empress pushed, looking like a cat that had cornered a mouse, "Jareth, don't hide anything of this matter from me. I will make you tell me, you know I can do it. Don't force me."

Jareth stopped himself from shuddering. The meek and motherly body that was Malora held much power, power he couldn't touch; her appearance was deceiving. He was thankful the Underground was ruled by one inclined to be just and fair instead of being a complete tyrant. "Very well. Goblins do not hold human memories well when given proper persuasion to forget. However, had I allowed this child to be transformed, she would not have been like the others. She had foreknowledge of becoming a goblin. I have seen others with such knowledge go insane, destroying themselves and anything around them from the horror of what they had become. A babe so young should not be punished for her mother's crime."

"Yet the child could have stayed in some other kingdom."

"As a slave, yes, I know." He hissed.

"Strangely enough, had you sent the child to one of us, slavery would not have been her fate." Malora stated slyly.

Jareth looked concerned from the suddenly pleased look on the Empress's face. "What would have been done with her?"

"That is not certain."

Jareth narrowed his eyes, hating that she was being illusive. "If the child would not go into bondage, then what were the other options?"

"Do you want my choice or the majority opinion?"

"Majority? The Council knows of the child?" At the woman's nod, he was angered and confused, "There was a meeting and I was not told?"

"Again, you perceive so much." Malora smiled maliciously.

"Why was this hidden from me?"

"Because it concerns you, why else?" The woman brushed back her silver hair as she laughed at Jareth's scowl, "Oh, Goblin King, you have been away from us for too long. Rumors and prophecies do not reach your ears."

"Well, out with it!"

Malora's face froze in a dangerous look at his outburst, her violet eyes flaring. "Do not presume we are equals, MY subject. You will hear only what I want you to know of this matter."

Jareth wasn't about to argue with or apologize to her. He needed to know all he could and if he pushed her, she would tell him nothing. But he was not going to back down. "Fine then. What is the matter and what the hell does it have to do with me? If it is your will to tell me, of course." He added the last bit smoothly to edge off any anger that might have slipped with his tone.

Malora stretched out the silence for a moment, loving her ability to make others squirm in anticipation, "You know King Frokna of the Trolls remarried a few hundred years ago, to that lowly little elfin princess, Cestral?"

It angered Jareth how Malora referred to his companion and confidant. The elf may be meek and shy, but that did not make her lowly.

"Well," Malora went on, "she is a seer, dreaming of things that have been and that which will be…depending on if we cannot stop the course of events that lead to such a future. Cestral's insights are unmatched; I don't know her visions to have ever been misleading." She made sure Jareth was following and only continued when he nodded, "Well, it seems that nymph dreamt of you gaining an heir with this child..."

"An heir?" Jareth stiffened. This was the first he had heard of it; why hadn't Cestral told him. "That girl was to be my heir?"

"If you would let me finish," Malora rolled her eyes, "The child isn't to be your heir, she is to give you an heir."

"What?"

"Cestral's exact words were 'A human child-a girl not of this world will give the Goblin King a son, and her presence shall shake the foundations of the Underground.' What exactly she dreamt, she will tell only you."

Jareth moved immediately to contact the elf queen, desiring to know first hand so things might make sense, but Malora stopped him. "Do not try to speak to her just yet. As I said, the course of the future can be changed, and if I have anything to do with it, it will be. When the prophecy was first given, we were unsure if it meant there would be a literal shaking of our lands. Now that it seems that it was, we can safely assume that the girl child was the fulfillment."

"Explain this prophecy to me again." Jareth growled, a hint of doubt in his voice. He couldn't believe it could be legitimate.

"The one who shook the Underground shall bare you a son. It's not that hard to comprehend." Malora grinned at Jareth's perplexed features.

"With all respect, my lady, the girl is millennial younger than I, not to mention only three years old."

"You would not be the first to be in such a position." Malora reminded him, "Frokna, Tsojin, even Aquinas have younger wives."

"Yes, but those women were borne of this world and weren't remotely human. Do you really think I could have relations with one of non magic so willingly?"

"It does run in your family." Malora sneered the insult, "Besides, once you join with the girl, she will have magic, will she not?"

He laughed at the absurdity, "How is this to come to pass?"

"It has already begun-if you cannot see it."

Jareth shrugged, "I cannot."

"You have already set the child's path in motion to return to you," Malora frowned, looking at Jareth as though she was gazing straight through him, saying the words but her mind being somewhere else. "By returning her to her world, you have prevented her transformation-safeguarding your chance to produce an heir and…"

"If I wed at all," Jareth interrupted, "It will not be because a prophecy proclaims it."

"You must." Malora stated harshly and urgently, snapping her cool amethyst eyes back to his, "You must keep control over this human. She cannot have power over you; I cannot take that risk."

The way the Empress spoke, Jareth suspected there was more, "Why do you fear the child? What more haven't you told me?"

Malora did look surprised that he saw through her words, her violet eyes widening, but she shook her head, "That is not your concern."

"I know you, Malora," Jareth wasn't uncomfortable using her name, "Nothing frightens you."

She ignored his remark. "The choice is yours, the fate of this child. You can do as the other kings suggest and mold this girl's path to bring her back to you, or you can ignore her. But know either way, she will come-and there WILL be a child." Then the Empress smiled cruelly, "Or you could simply heed my judgment and rid the girl of her existence and never think on her again." At the appalled gleam in his eyes, the aura of magic around Jareth flared red at the horrendous thought. Malora softened, "But I can see you are already attached."

Jareth started to protest his concern for the child, but the expression on Malora's face caught him off guard. She looked the most sincere he'd ever seen her. There was a sparkle to her eyes towards him she had never held; she cared.

"You are attached, whether or not you will admit it." She laughed, "But, heed this: Humans crave magic, desire to be our equals. This child is young enough that if you bring her back now and wean her into the ways of the Fae, perhaps find some minor magic for her before you wed-she might not turn against us. In teaching her, she will be prepared for the duties as your queen and…"

"My queen?" Jareth interrupted, "You would not put her into servitude? You of all Fae would grant her a free life?"

"Only for the sake of the Underground," Malora stated. "You are as needed as any other king in the Underground, more so for you are protector of the Gate. It would do us ill to have you as an enemy, just because your queen was treated poorly in her youth." The Empress smiled slightly, "And no slave can become a queen."

Jareth smiled softly in agreement, but his features went solemn again soon enough, "I will not remove the child from her life. I have no claim on her."

"Yes you do, and you know it. You returned her, you can take her back. I know you can do it; you are the only one who can freely journey to Earth. She is still young in human years; if you take her now, she will not remember her world."

"And who would care for her? She cannot stay in the Labyrinth or she will be changed."

"Tsojin has volunteered to raise her. His people are more accepting of humans so no harm should come to the child." Malora sighed, "It's either that or leave her where she is, since you will not destroy her."

No, he couldn't fathom destroying such a perfect soul as Sarah's. But there had to be some escape from such a prophecy; not an escape for himself, but for the girl. Jareth narrowed his eyes, "How long do I have?"

"You have as long as you need to decide…but know that if she stays on Earth past her prime, once she is in our world, she will forever remain that age, and I am sure you do not want an old maid as your bride." Malora laughed but sighed when he didn't find humor in her words, "Bring her if you like, give her to whomever you choose, but make sure she knows her place. Do not let her think she could ever match you. Break her before she needs broken."

Jareth didn't bother with giving a formal closure to their conversation. He dissolved the crystal; he was done. For Malora to be so fervent about this child being controlled, there had to be something she wasn't telling him. She was offering this girl everything humans were currently denied; magic, marriage with a Fae; but why he could not decipher, unless through it Malora hoped to change the course of the future, her future. Just because she ruled the entire Underground should not mean she could interfere with others' lives just so hers would be protected. And he was the pawn, it seemed. He was to watch the girl, WED the girl, which was hard for him to grasp since she was so young. Of course he knew Sarah would age in time, but he was certain he would always think back to the one day he spent with her as an infant. It would be unusual.

Speaking to Cestral was foremost on his mind and he didn't just want to speak to her through a crystal. He needed to be in person to discuss such a matter that could determine the path of the rest of his life. However, he couldn't barge into the Troll Kingdom without consent. So forming another crystal, he called upon the husband of his friend. It took a moment for the Troll King to answer, which did nothing for Jareth's patience, but he tried to sound calm.

"Frokna, if it is permissible in your eyes, I would like to visit your wife."

King Frokna was a stubby creature who might have been confused with a dwarf had his skin not been a creamy green and two curly chocolate horns grace the sides of his head. The Troll King bowed his head in acknowledgment, "I am sure she would enjoy your company. She has desired to speak with you for some time."

"I shall arrive shortly."

Not half an hour later, a barn owl flew into a window of the black marble castle of the Troll Kingdom. He flew down many corridors until he finally reached his destination. Jareth transformed in Frokna's throne room, trying as he might to prevent himself from breathing heavily from his speedy flight. He went faster than he should have, but he anticipated seeing Cestral so much he didn't care that his haste could have caused self-injury. But he was fine and waited patiently for Cestral to be informed of his arrival.

Jareth was offered a chair next to the troll king. The two sat rigidly and eyed each other, staying silent and tolerant of the others' presence. What could a Fae possibly have to converse about with a troll? They had nothing in common to speak of save for each held magic, ran a kingdom, and had a common acquaintance in Cestral. But their unease lasted only a few minutes, for soon the small elf arrived. Before she even glanced at the Goblin King, she greeted her husband with a smile and a kiss; one thing Jareth had to admit, this couple, although quite different, was very happy.

Cestral approached Jareth and embraced him with a gentle hug, her brown hair sliding forward, covering his arms "I'm so very glad you've come."

He couldn't help but to smile at her cheerfulness when she pulled back, "It's been a long time."

"Nearly sixty years." She smiled sadly. "Too long. So, you are here because of my dream. The girl has come."

Jareth nodded, "It seems so."

Frokna spoke up, "This girl has us all in a bit of a bind, deciding what to do."

Jareth turned to him, "What sort of bind are you referring to? Malora was evasive in giving details."

"Well, if this girl comes, things shall be quite different." The troll shrugged, "Change may be good, but many are against it."

"Change?" Jareth looked to both of them, "What is to change?"

Cestral took his gloved hands in her own, urging him to stand, "We should speak where others will not hear."

The elf eyed her husband, who nodded that she could depart with her companion. She led the Goblin King down many corridors, each proving that trolls loved to collect treasures and display their wealth-there were more pieces of gold in those hallways than Jareth had seen his entire life. It seemed Frokna had come into wealth since the Goblin King had last graced his castle.

Finally, Cestral stopped in the library. Servants made sure the fire was well stoked and refreshments ready before the queen sent them away. She poured herself wine and offered Jareth a glass, but he declined, too unnerved to stomach the liquid. They sat on a couch of soft suede leather; Jareth lounged himself comfortably while Cestral sat properly, her face abysmal as she stared into the red liquor in the glass.

The Goblin King straightened at his friend's expression, "What is wrong?"

A tear escaped from the elf's brown eyes, "I don't know quite what to tell you, where to begin."

"Well," He sighed uneasily, "You could start by telling me what is making you cry. I am not that horrible to be around, am I?"

Cestral lightened slightly, "No, but it is you that has made me sad…or will, eventually." Her face scrunched in thought, her pointed ears turning red with her emotions, "You are so stubborn. You don't let go, don't let anyone explain. I mean seriously, how could you do that to her?"

"Do what?" Jareth stared at her, "To whom?"

Cestral wiped away her tear, bowing her head in embarrassment, "Sometimes it is hard to remember some things haven't happened yet." She took a deep breath, "Alright, from the beginning then. I have had many dreams concerning you, concerning the future of the entire Underground. The dreams always start the same, but they each end differently. All begin with a little child coming into the Labyrinth and it takes a hold of her with magic…" Cestral closed her eyes with the memory, "Every time I think it might kill her-she was too little to take what it forced into her. And it has happened, that is why everything Underground shook. But the girl did not die, Malora told us that much at council."

Jareth nodded, "I touched her. It was my magic that invaded her…"

"No, that's not what I have seen." Cestral brought her eyes confidently to meet Jareth's, "It was the Labyrinth's magic. The child is its chosen liberator. The Labyrinth wants her to be your undoing."

Jareth's eyes widened, "It has resisted me since the child left; it did not want the child to transform…so she could defeat me." He growled the last words hatefully.

Cestral placed her hand on Jareth's knee, "Don't be angry at her. She couldn't possibly know what it is she has been given through you."

"Through me?"

"Yes. You did bind yourself to the Labyrinth-it is part of you, and you part of it. Only through your touch could it reach the child, thus it was through you it was done."

"Why does Malora insist on my bedding this child if she is to be my destroyer?"

"It isn't that she's insisting, Jareth, it's just what happens. I have seen the girl here with you, older of course, but definitely with child-your queen. You have to understand, I don't see everything, and I often see different versions of the same path. The future isn't certain. But one thing has never changed in all that I have seen. You love this girl and have a son by her."

Jareth looked away from her. He didn't want to believe it, "Does she destroy me?"

"I have not seen much past your child's birth," Cestral breathed out, "Nothing that indicates your destruction, anyway."

"How convenient." Jareth snarled.

Cestral moved closer to him, "Jareth, I think you are looking at this…no, I've probably told it the wrong way. You hate her before you even let yourself love her."

"Love her?"

"Yes. How else do you think you are going to get an heir? Unless you think you can just swoop down into the girl's life, take her by force and leave her to bear a child alone. I know you wouldn't do that." She moved the glass to her lips, but before she drank, she said, "You're not that cruel."

Jareth pushed himself back into the couch, trying to rub out the ache in his brow from furrowing so much. "Why are you telling me this? Right now, I want to stay as far way from the child as possible, for as long as possible." He looked at Cestral dangerously; "I could take the girl's life right now and be rid of the threat. I will not be dethroned."

"But Fate is Fate." Cestral smiled, not intimidated by her friend, though she knew he was entirely serious. But she also knew her dreams and the strong bond that would form between the mortal girl and the Goblin King. "I never said you were dethroned. I said the Labyrinth will be free of you. You simply will no longer control it. You'll still have everything else."

Jareth rolled his eyes at her. She sounded as though that was so much better than loosing his magic. In a way, it was. If the Labyrinth only wanted free will and not his complete destruction, he could accept that. However, he couldn't be sure, no matter what Cestral said the future definitely held. And little Sarah was caught in the middle of it all, unaware of how prominent she was.

"You are certain this child is to be my bride?"

"Very." Cestral answered confidently, "If your course of action does not interfere with such a future."

"A labyrinth of time and choices," Jareth sighed, relaxing a bit, "What is my first step?"

"Not harming the girl, for one," Cestral laughed. "The Empress said you will send the child to my father to grow and learn our ways."

"Yes, well. Malora's word isn't final. If I retrieve the girl, my choice of guardian will not be Tsojin."

"The Empress will insist." Cestral urged.

Her tone reminded Jareth of how fervent their ruler had been, "Why does Malora fear this girl?"

Cestral looked away, "I have had a few dreams of this same girl rule…rule over us all. Malora fears to be usurped."

"A human child govern the Underground?" Jareth chucked, "The child was intelligent, but her soul had no ambition to rule, I'm sure."

"I am not the only one to foresee Malora's removal," Cestral stated quickly, "I am only the one who has matched the face to the prophecy, one that is older than you or I."

Such knowledge had been around for ages and he had heard none of it before this day. "How long have you known the child is to be my queen?"

"Nearly three centuries, maybe more," Cestral shied back at Jareth's harsh gaze. She knew she should have told him sooner, before any of the signs occurred so he could prepare himself on how to take it. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't tell you. I didn't know it would take so many years before she actually came. It's been so long, and the dreams happen so often that they are starting to become memories." Cestral took his hand in her own, squeezing it. "And there are many events I would like to see come to pass for a friend who has always been kind to me."

He couldn't bear to look his friend in the eyes as he asked. "You really think I will love her?"

Cestral nodded. In her hand she formed a crystal of her own, which she gave to him, "Look at this, it will show you some of what is to come, so you can trust her. Let go of your hate before it destroys both of you." She gazed at him sadly, "I see two definite futures. Both full of hate, both full of love. You will each hurt the other dearly, but since you know it now, you can forgive her easier when it comes to pass."

Jareth looked concerned, not liking the sound of any of it. He looked at the crystal but couldn't bring himself to see what it held within, "What will she do?"

"You do something far worse to her, far worse than anything she could possibly do to you," the elf snapped, then eased her unusually harsh tone as she too gazed at the crystal, "If you choose that path."

Jareth looked back to his friend. "I might not do anything to her. The future is not yet set."

"It is fixed enough." Cestral stated gently.

So, Jareth was just supposed to accept that the Labyrinth would be out of his control one day, and that someday when she was grown, Sarah would give him a child. And he would love her? He could accept the fact that he wouldn't have to rule alone with a bride, but he couldn't fathom not ruling the Labyrinth. It had been dangerous before he bound it to himself; to unleash it again would do much harm. He would believe what he had to, but nothing was written in stone.

"What do your dreams say? Do I bring Sarah here to grow?"

Cestral shook her head, "She lives a human life."

Jareth breathed out, relieved to hear Sarah isn't raised under Malora's glare, "Then I will let her come to me in her own time."

"Is there anything else you want to know?" Cestral asked.

"Since you cannot tell me one set future, I suppose there is nothing else I can be told. Unless…I know nothing of Sarah, what her life will be on Earth, how it could change her. Her mother was vicious and self-righteous. Is she tainted by the woman?"

"Do you suddenly care for the girl?" Cestral knowingly smiled.

Jareth grinned slightly, perhaps the first time in his life he'd been shy. Apparently he couldn't hide much from one who had such foresight, "I have cared about Sarah's well being since I first met her."

Cestral nodded, "Then know this, my confession. I have known of the girl's coming for centuries and in that time, I wasn't so sure if she was worthy to be our Empress. Would my knowledge of a tyrant being placed on the throne be held against me? Would I be blamed if I knew she would be hated? So I looked into the future in different ways. Sometimes by my own magic, sometimes by human means-yes, there are some who still remember their ways." She added at Jareth's raised brow, "But what I saw fascinated me. Sarah will be very strong, just, and exceptionally wise from all she experiences in her life." Cestral looked away, unsure if she should say more, "She will receive more scars from you, from how you…"

"I will not cause her harm. She's had enough in her young life."

"Then be alone, Jareth. Stay away from her. Live forever in miserable solitude—sometimes the dreams show that too," Cestral chided, so unlike her gentle self. Then quietly, she added, "You decide your fate, I only retell it."

Jareth nodded. "If what you have said will come to pass, and since part of it already has, I know I cannot just leave things to themselves. I have to somehow protect Sarah, keep her away as long as I can. All this was forced onto the girl's life because the Labyrinth wants its freedom. And if the others know…"

"You are the only one I have told this to." Cestral's eyes went wide with worry, "If they knew that the Labyrinth was not fully under your control, do you know what they would do to her? Do to you?"

"I could hardly care what they'd do to me. It's Sarah I'm concerned for. Malora is a jealous woman. She knows already she will leave the throne; what if she attempts to destroy Sarah?"

"If she does, it will be after your child is given." Cestral held up her hand to stop Jareth from questioning her further, "There's more to explain, I know, but now is not the time. It may be decades before you even have a child. We can save that matter until later."

Jareth nodded in agreement, though reluctantly. There had already been too much to learn at once; to add more future possibilities to the mesh-he'd rather just let it wait. He rose from the couch, "I'll go then."

Cestral rose with him, placing a soft hand to his that held the crystal, "Look at what it shows you. Let it guide you in your course."

Jareth flew off with more questions on his mind, even though he'd gotten all the answers he needed. Now all he had to do was decide what he would do. Decide, hell, he might as well lie in his room for the next twenty years and see if Fate truly did have its hand on his life. Since the others didn't know anything of Sarah other than she was to one day be his bride and possibly rule the Underground, he was in no hurry to take a course of action. None of them could bring the child Underground; only he could retrieve her. It would be better for Sarah to come back to him on her own. Then again, if he did nothing and she didn't come, would his life be miserable solitude like Cestral said? Hadn't he started that very morning questioning his existence? This prophecy gave him direction. Perhaps it was because Sarah was presently a child that he could not see a future with her. But Cestral's orb would reveal what the future might be.

Jareth couldn't imagine that he would be able to concentrate on what the crystal would show him if he gazed into it amongst the rabble of his throne room. Instead, he flew through his bedroom window and landed gracefully inside. The room was pitch dark, save for the spot of sunlight that hovered on the edge of his bed. Like everything else in the room, the sheets were black. He remained at the window, sitting on the ledge, one leg dangling over the side.

His heart pounding heavily. He wasn't afraid of many things but he was afraid of looking into this orb and seeing what the future held for him. It could hold a view of his destruction-since the Labyrinth desired to be free of him. Or it could hold the greatest love he would ever know, as Cestral believed he would find. He was no coward, so with one deep breath, he looked inside.

At first everything went by in rapid flashes, scenes of himself with who must have been Sarah, for she looked much like Linda Williams. But he couldn't understand anything he was seeing for it would only last seconds before it would change to a different situation. What had Cestral been intending; to tease him with glimpses he couldn't comprehend? She had never been spiteful before, so there had to be something he was supposed to do to control the progression. He concentrated on slowing the images down. Once he found his pace, he was able to stop the images at will, holding them to one scene.

The vision he was able to stop on first was rather plain. It was an image of himself sitting in his own bedroom-if he gazed away from the crystal right then he would have been able to see the very same armchair his person was sitting on within the vision. But he did find it strange to hear himself reading aloud. He had never been one for books and the one he was reading would not be one he would choose for himself.

He listened as his own voice, read aloud the juvenile words. "Little boy blue, come blow your horn. The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn. But where is the boy who looks after the sheep? He's under the haystack, fast asleep. Will you wake him? No, not I-for if I do, he's sure to cry."

As he listened to himself, the view switched to the front of the chair. Jareth raised his brow in surprise, for there was a boy on his lap- a spitting image of himself. The child was drowsy and laid his head against his father's shoulder, though he was obviously fighting to keep his mismatched eyes on the books pages.

Jareth was a little unnerved that this was the first dream he was able to focus on. It held nothing that told him of what to do about Sarah, it only showed this would happen. That he had a child was unimportant; but the second he thought that, he knew he would regret it-it seemed as though he would love his son one day if he tolerated reciting aloud such a horrendous nursery rhyme. But his disappointment was unjustified, for a moment later he saw Sarah enter the room.

She was beautiful, more so than her mother. Her presence held a kindness and regality her mother could never possess. Sarah's hazel eyes sparkled in the fire light and the shadows played against her features as she rested her head on her arms as she leaned against the back of the armchair, just listening. Her black hair fell softly against her cheek as she closed her eyes a moment to listen, but a moment later she reached a hand over the armchair and started stroking his hair. He saw his image-self grin at her touch but continue on with the story. When this rhyme ended, father lifted a limp son into his arms.

"Is he asleep?" Sarah whispered, her voice soft and joyful. His self nodded, and Sarah laughed quietly, "That's good, because this one's not." She then rested her hand on her swollen belly.

Jareth nearly laughed out loud to know that he wouldn't just father one but two, maybe more. He watched as the couple walked to a room that Jareth didn't recognize in his castle-it must have been created for the boy. They tucked the child into the small bed, then strolled down more corridors Jareth didn't recognize, eventually stopping in the kitchen. And he, the Goblin King who had never cooked his entire life, fixed a sandwich for his pregnant wife. How curious.

The scene in the crystal changed to one of himself and Sarah, she perhaps five years younger than in the dream before, but Sarah here was obviously not happy with her king. She was staring at him, fire gleaming in her eyes, but not exactly with hatred. Jareth saw himself to be sitting on the throne, an infant in his lap, which he handed to a goblin, apparently so that he might discuss Sarah's anger. But she ran off before he could stop her. He ran after her and caught her in the Goblin City, near the dwarf fountain. She stood there silently, unable to look him in the eyes, but her tears gave away her anger.

"Look at me." Jareth heard himself say, and when Sarah refused, he watched as he took his hand and made her-only forceful because she resisted.

"What are you going to say?" Sarah sobbed, "That you had no choice, that it's what you have always done? I told the goblins not to take anymore!"

"And you do not control them." Jareth stated.

"I did when I told them. Did they not tell you?" She asked-and he averted his eyes only for barley an instant and she knew they had, "They did…and you took the baby against my will…"

Jareth saw his self let go of her and head back to the castle, pointing his finger at her as he went; "You have no say in this, Sarah."

"No say?" She rushed after him and tried to pull him to a stop. "If I am going to live here the rest of my life, I am damn well going to say something."

He stopped and said closely to her face, "What then? I told you my reasoning for taking those wished away and you did not condemn me then, so what do you have to say?"

Jareth wondered what they were talking about and was surprised to see Sarah easily backed down. She had seemed so fervent before, but now she looked impish. He must have been in the right for this situation.

"I'm sorry." She said softly, "It was just unexpected. With the Labyrinth not being well, I didn't think anyone should go through it. I didn't make anyone go through it when I was called."

Both his present and future selves were astonished, but the one in the crystal voiced, "Someone called on you?"

She nodded, "Before I brought you back. I hadn't even been here ten minutes and the goblins brought me a baby. I thought of what you had me do, so I went to the mother. She knew me by title because of her copy of the book." Then Sarah scrunched up her face in remembrance, "She wasn't sure if she wanted her baby…and I got mad at her. I was going to put her in the Labyrinth out of spite…"

He grinned, "Now you know how I felt with you."

Sarah snapped her head up, "You hated me?"

"At the time," he nodded while stepping into her, wrapping his arms around her to pull her body against his, "but not anymore."

Jareth raised his eyes in wonder at how physical he turned out to be…of course he knew his son would have to come from somewhere, but he honestly didn't think he had it in him. He watched as he was just about to kiss her when the faint cry of someone in need floated across the Labyrinth and Sarah turned towards it, "Is that her?"

He nodded, "She has ten hours left. She hasn't fared too poorly."

"Is she safe in the Labyrinth?" Sarah asked with concern.

Jareth shrugged, "It's navigable. I flew over it this morning. It seems to have returned to its permissible state."

Sarah smiled at him fully, "It's incredible what you can do. What I'd give to fly over this land."

"You are still learning your magic. Who knows what we will find you can do," then he leaned into her with a wicked grin, "I know another way you can fly."

Jareth rolled his eyes at his future self for being so banal, but Sarah seemed to take to the line well. She didn't push him away, not even when he forced his tongue into her mouth. In fact, that action seemed to spur her further. Jareth wasn't sure how far she would allow his self to ravage her, and he might have switched to a different dream if it hadn't have been for Sarah's sudden collapse. He saw himself catch her but his expression proved he had no clue to what was attacking her. She held to his body, eyes squeezed shut from pain. Suddenly they were both in a different part of the Labyrinth. Which one had teleported them there, Jareth couldn't tell, but it was Sarah who moved away, touching her hands to the walls of the Labyrinth. There was another woman with them too, frightened by their sudden appearance-the wisher, Jareth demised from the way they had been talking before.

His focus went back on Sarah when she spoke, "Jareth, I can't stop it. It won't listen to me."

The wisher was babbling about dieing, that it had been futile to try and save her baby. It grated on his ears.

"Cease your prattle women." Jareth commanded her, causing his present self to agree. Then to Sarah, he said, "It never disobeyed me. It's turned."

Then Sarah said something Jareth currently didn't understand, because he had yet to say anything of the sort to her, "Jareth, use me. You've said it forever, it is your Labyrinth. Speak to it through me. Use my magic."

Jareth watched his future self try to make a decision. Even without knowing the exact circumstances of this future, he knew she was asking him to make her a slave to his magic. He didn't even know how a mortal could have gotten magic since they weren't yet wed. If they had been, he would have been able to see the same aura between them, which was not present. For him to use her magic they would virtually have to bond their souls-something that could never be broken. Such rituals were against Fae law without permission and he was certain they did not have consent. He didn't know who he would be, what he would choose, but right now, as his present self, he would have denied her request and found some other solution. But his future self didn't seem to agree.

He kept urgency out of his voice and asked gently. "Sarah, do you love me?"

"Forever."

Jareth watched as he gently turned her around so she didn't face him. Then he placed his right hand over her heart and his left on her forehead. But before he started the ritual that would bind them, he feathered a kiss on her neck whispering, "I love you." He started whispering an encantation that would begin their joining. Sarah's body went ridged at the initial bonding of their magics, but soon she relaxed and didn't fight it. Jareth watched his yellow power invade her blue…no, not invade but conjoin for she figured out she could help him. Once there was nothing left of their individual souls, still holding Sarah to him, Jareth removed his hand from her head, commanding the wall opposite them to move back. It fought him only momentarily before it complied. Only one wall need be moved to free them from the trap. The other walls he commanded to remain motionless.

When this was done, Jareth finally understood what was happening. The Labyrinth had chosen to be rid of him, only to have the power given to Sarah, who it thought it could control. It probably never intended for Sarah and himself to join in love and in power. Its plan backfired in this future. But apparently there was more to see of this vision, for it continued.

The wisher, seeing that the Labyrinth no longer moved, gave a sigh of relief before sobbing and running out. But once safe, she turned to them. Her eyes said she wanted to yell at them, blame them for trying to kill her, but she wisely remained silent.

Sarah looked across to her but said quietly to Jareth,"Does she still have to do this if the Labyrinth is dangerous?"

"As long as it obeys me, I don't see why not. I'm not yet convinced that she realizes what she was wished was wrong." He said lowly, "How can we give the child back if we are not sure?"

Sarah leaned against him, "You said 'we.' Does that mean you're going to let me help decide?"

Jareth heard himself say something he would always believe, "I'll take your suggestions into account, but my word is final."

Sarah nodded but pulled away. Apparently she did not agree with him. She wandered over to stand before the wisher, her steps planned and threatening letting the woman know she was not finished yet.

"Are you the Mistress of the Labyrinth?" the woman asked.

Sarah raised her brow at the title the woman gave her, yet said confidently, "I am. Do you still want to reach your son?"

The woman laughed, "If it doesn't kill me."

"Do not fear for your life," Sarah told her. "This was…just a test."

The woman looked at Sarah knowingly, "You were scared."

"And you," Jareth heard himself say in anger, walking up with Sarah, "have only eight hours and thirty six minutes left. Shouldn't you get going?"

"What about my safety?" The woman pressed.

Sarah smiled slyly, "Nothing comes for free. You want your safety, it will cost you time."

The woman reluctantly agreed to loose two hours.

Jareth smiled as the image in the crystal changed, pleased that Sarah would understand how his methods worked, that she learned his trade. That proved to him she truly was meant to be his queen. He loved her just with that thought. But his contentment with the revelation was short lived.

The next image Jareth stopped at filled his mind with confusion. This certainly was a different future, for Sarah was even younger than in the previous vision, maybe just out of her child years. In the last vision, he had not been joined with her. But here, in this future, he was in her bed, making love to her. What the hell would lead him to do that with her when she was so young? He heard Sarah scream out in pain and saw in disgust that it was because his future-self had slit a wound into her neck with his pendant and attacked the wound with his mouth, drinking the blood that flowed from her. Jareth was about to rip his eyes away from the crystal, to stop the knowledge that he might one day kill Sarah in a horrible act when he saw his image leap out of the bed. Jareth wanted to know what had made him stop.

Sarah was afraid and confused, but her courage struck him. Her words showed she wasn't some naive little girl he'd taken forcefully to bed; she knew what they had been doing. Who ever he turns out to be in this future led her to believe it was their marriage bed. He heard himself tell Sarah his violence was only due to her theft of his magic. But Jareth could see in her eyes she honestly knew nothing if it were true; but his future self wouldn't believe it. Listening further, though, Sarah knew enough magic to forever curse him. At her wish, he saw the magic leave his body and how crushed he was for her to have cursed him like that. Further, she cursed him to never know her, and it too was a wish fulfilled, for he transformed into the owl and left.

Why would Cestral want him to know this? What could it possibly do but make him hate Sarah and hate himself? God, he loved the girl already from just her bravery, but her powerful words in this future sould destroy him.

He wanted to move on to another vision, to find something that would provide some redemption, some salvation in his relationship with Sarah, but the crystal wouldn't let him. Instead, it burned a bright white fire within its depths, blinding Jareth's sight. With the light came a piercing shriek, something he had never heard before; almost like a bell but bells don't ring straight noise. Jareth lowered himself to the stone floor, afraid he might loose balance and fall out the window if he remained there. He dropped the crystal and it rolled away. Once out of his hand, the noise stopped. However, a great dizzying headache remained. He leaned his head against the wall, willing the pain to subside.

Jareth opened his eyes and wondered how he came to be on the floor. His head hurt, but he didn't remember hitting it on anything. All he remembered was he had left Cestral, she had given him a crystal. He rose, holding on to the wall for support, as he felt was very lightheaded from the movement.

Jareth was disoriented, still unable to think clearly, but he knew enough to form a crystal and call on Cestral, "What have you done?"

Cestral appeared within and looked sadly at him, "What do you remember?"

He placed his other hand to his head, putting pressure so the headache would subside, "I don't…Sarah. It had to do with Sarah."

"Yes," Cestral answered, "anything else?"

His eyes were still blurry, the ache too great for him to think, "Cestral, damn it! What did you do?"

The elf nodded her head in agreement with only herself, "I did what I thought best. I let you see your future but also placed a spell in that crystal so you wouldn't remember what it showed you, but only if you chose to watch one moment with Sarah to the end. You must have or you would be able to remember everything you saw."

"Why keep it from me?"

"Why? Because if you knew, you would change things that are supposed to happen and that's not what prophecies are for. They are to show us what will be, and though different choices lead to different outcomes, Fate is Fate, no matter how painful it may be. Change one event and you can destroy a whole intended time line. It's not just your life it will be effecting, so I didn't want you to remember."

"But why do I feel like I remember? Like I hate…?" He turned his head and looked away, unable to confess it.

"You hate Sarah." Cestral answered sorrowfully.

"No, I hate myself."

"And Sarah, what do you feel for her?"

Jareth searched his soul for that answer, for his mind could not summon it, "Does love also hurt?"

"Yes, it can at times." Cestral grinned, "Do you believe me now, that you can love this girl?"

"I don't know, since I can't remember." Jareth chided.

"Then create new memories."

"How can I do that when she isn't here?"

"Watch her, but do it from afar. I am quite certain she will come to you. That was something all of the visions showed"

"When? If it is too long…many humans have journeyed my kingdom, but I know many did not believe in magic when they left. They probably remember it solely as a dream. If she comes too late, will she be able to accept magic, become one with it?"

"I suggest that you send her reminders. Make her believe magic is real, even though it does not last in her world." Cestral brushed her brown hair behind her shoulder, a distraction from her thoughts on what to say. "Start now, she will be ready when she comes."

"Thank you." Jareth smiled to his friend, then raised a challenging brow to her, "But do not think I will forget you erased knowledge from me."

It had been days since Linda had been home with Sarah and she still wondered why the child had been returned to her. She knew that she had meant the wish when she had said it and knew that she in no way could ever love Sarah enough to pay for what she had selfishly wanted. Now Linda wanted to make it up to Sarah, to be the mother she had yet to become-but she knew she wasn't strong enough to change everything, especially not her feelings towards her husband.

After their argument the night Sarah was wished away, Robert changed, became silent. He used to take an interest in everything Linda did, but he hadn't even asked her if she'd heard back yet about her audition. He was merely civil with her. It was as if he knew that when Linda played with or fed Sarah, she was only mimicking the role of 'mother' and not really putting her heart into it. To Linda, it was a role, but only because she believed that if she acted it out enough, she would naturally and willingly begin doing it. Try as she might, though, she was pointlessly exhausting herself.

It was storming outside, an unusual storm for August, and Linda wasn't enjoying it. Not only had the cable television gone out but Sarah had been spooked by the storm. Robert called to say he had gotten stuck twenty miles away with a flat tire, so again it was up to Linda to comfort the child. But nothing she tried would calm Sarah so Linda left her to cry herself to sleep.

To keep from being bored-and from listening to Sarah's persistent wailing-Linda went to the kitchen and blared the radio as she started to empty the dishwasher. The radio suddenly went dead and she felt something solid bump into her foot. She stared down in dread at a round crystal that could only have come from one person. Linda watched as it rolled away a distance and then paused until she figured she was supposed to follow. It glided up to Sarah's room, where Linda found the child asleep, laying on the chest of the Goblin King.

"What are you doing here?" Linda asked in a forced whisper.

The Goblin King lay Sarah's little body down with care before turning on the bed, blasting a cold gaze at Linda, "I don't know why I let you keep her. You left her in here alone."

"Because she wouldn't shut up. I tried to see what she wanted..."

"She wants comfort, but obviously that is too hard for you to give."

"Hey, I tried, alright? Is it my fault she's afraid of the storm?" Linda yelled down at him, tired of being blamed by someone who knew nothing about her.

"She isn't afraid of the storm, she's in pain." He spat the words at Linda, but then turned a soft gaze down at Sarah, brushing the side of her face with a gloved hand, "I could only heal her so much before; I only knew of the fever then." He turned his hot eyes back on Linda, "You should have had her to a physician by now."

"Robert did. She's on medication. But, she hasn't had a fever in days. How can she still be hurting?"

"The air change brought with the storm hurt her ears, but she shouldn't feel it now."

A moment later, when the Goblin King had returned his gaze to her daughter, Linda asked, "Why are you here?"

Jareth rose from Sarah's side, making sure the tattered teddy bear was tucked snugly against her, and then indicated for Linda to exit the room. She followed him the short distance to the living room and sat rigidly on the couch. He remained standing.

"So?" Linda prompted when he looked as though he couldn't find the words.

Jareth wasn't sure what he was going to say. He had only come to check on Sarah but found her crying, again being ignored by her mother. He held her in his harms and made the pain disperse, humming her to sleep. She trusted him so easily even though she probably didn't remember him. He didn't want her to forget him, ever. And believing her to be mistreated only solidified his decision, "I've come for Sarah."

Linda's heart panicked. She was trying to be a mother, she needed more time, "No, you can't! You just gave her back."

"Which is proving to be a mistake." Jareth growled.

"Why now? Why didn't you come for her days ago?"

"Because I didn't know who she was until now."

"Who she was? What do you mean?"

Jareth looked straight into Linda's eyes, "She is to be my wife."

Linda had to stop herself from laughing, "She's only three years old."

"Of course we would not wed now. I'm merely going to take her to..."

"You're not taking her anywhere, got that!" Linda shouted, "She is my daughter and I'm not going to just let you take her, like she has no choice in this. You have no right."

"It is my right. She is mine. You gave her up to me." He hissed, "I gave her back only to prevent her from becoming a goblin."

"Why, huh? Isn't it your job to make goblins? What's so special about Sarah that you saved her then if you 'just' found out about her?"

Jareth looked off in thought, "I suppose I knew I loved her."

"Love-for a three year old?" Linda huffed.

"Mrs. Williams, in my world we live for nearly an eternity. We are taught not to judge with our eyes but with our hearts." He knew he had to find a better way to explain it to her, "When you were in the Labyrinth, did you feel the earth shake?"

"Yeah, there was an earthquake, so?"

"That quake was caused by Sarah."

"How?"

"Somehow, through me, the Labyrinth connected to her."

"Why? What does it want with her?"

Jareth smiled sadly, remembering the reason, but he needn't tell her that. He only had to tell her what he knew to be official, "All I know is this was foretold long ago, a child of Earth would shake the foundations of the Underground and that child would give the ruler of that land a son..."

Linda stood and glared at him, "So you're totally assuming Sarah is to give you a son?"

"It is no assumption."

"Do you know where you will be in a few years? Are you so sure you'll still be king when Sarah's ready?"

"Quite certain." He looked down on her, "You aren't going to be able to talk her fate away. She will come with me, whether you want it or not."

"So what? Why take Sarah now? She wouldn't be able to even have kids for another fifteen years at least."

"Do you think I'd want her living that long where she was unhappy because she isn't loved." Jareth asked coolly.

"I do love her. I try, but you can't tell me you can do better with her. Look at where you live. Well, I mean, I didn't see your actual home, but everything else was so...weird."

She was right. Sarah was destined to be raised on Earth, despite his opinion. Jareth sighed, "What do you propose?"

"Let her stay here with what she's used to."

"If she doesn't come with me now...your world has no magic and the longer she stays, the harder it will be for her to accept what I will ask of her. I do not want to be forgotten."

"I wont let her forget. I promise I can do that." Linda sighed, not looking away, "She needs to know, so she can be happy."

It surprised him at how genuinely Linda stated her words. She truly didn't want Sarah to leave her. Maybe the woman had changed after all.

"Give her this." Jareth conjured a ring from a crystal, "Let her know it is from me."

Linda took the delicate ring, unable to tell if the stone were garnet or amethyst. The band was astounding; the intricate pattern on its band was of a maze. How such delicate work was possible in a ring amazed Linda. But the meaning behind the symbol surprised her more, "A promise ring. I can't give it to her now-she'd never understand."

"Then someday, when you think she will." Jareth said before he silently turned to walk out. Best leave now before he changed his mind.

Linda looked at his fleeting form, "So that's it? You're just leaving?"

Jareth turned back to her, "That is what you want, is it not? I'll be watching you, and if I can't, my goblins will. If it is deemed Sarah is unhappy or mistreated, I will take her. Otherwise, she will come to me when she is ready, or I will come for her when I deem it. Don't let her forget."

Linda nodded and he faded away.

Though Linda had her flaws, she actually did keep her end of the bargain. She never let Sarah forget the Labyrinth. If she saw something that resembled a creature she had encountered in the Labyrinth, she would give it to Sarah…like the bookends she found at some antique store that greatly resembled the dwarf Hoggle. And when she couldn't find something she thought Sarah should see, like the monster Ludo and the strange Firey creatures, she had them hand made into dolls for Sarah to play with. Linda never did promise the Goblin King she would tell her daughter the Labyrinth was a real place, she merely agreed to keep it always near Sarah's heart.

As for telling Sarah she was betrothed to a king from some fairytale land, Linda just couldn't bring herself to do it. Not that she didn't want to be true to her word, it was just so hard for even her to believe. Something in the way Jareth had looked at Sarah-Linda knew he loved her. His eyes held a love for Sarah that Robert never shared with her. Jareth had a true love built on faith, not like Linda's that was balanced on appearance and shared experience. Jareth knew nothing of Sarah but that he was to love her. He had no idea how Sarah would grow or what she would think of him and his world. He trusted that she would love him back. Linda didn't want to ruin that for him or for Sarah. Her daughter was lucky to have a love waiting. But it was just too soon for her to say anything to Sarah. Not that she didn't give the girl the ring; she did that when Sarah was eight because after five years of trying to stay, she had finally had enough of Robert. She gave Sarah the ring then because she didn't know if she would be back to give it to Sarah properly when she was of age.

So though Sarah grew up loving the creatures of the Labyrinth, she thought the gifts dearest to her heart were merely from a mother who sometimes loved her, not knowing they were inspired by a king who forever would.


Final Author's Note:

Thank you so much to all of you who have reviewed; keeps my Muse excited.

YES, for those of you who are wondering, "The Thief, The King, and The Son" is a sequel to the movie based off of "Linda's Wish." HOWEVER, "TKS" will not be the only sequel...and I hope I set it up in Chapter 9 of "LW" so that many sequels are a possibility.

AND for those of you who do read "TKS", please don't get discouraged that it is based in the real world for the first 18 chapters...it WILL NOT stay that way. In fact, I wrote 10 chapters of it before I even got to chapter 3 of "LW", so I really can't change what I have already done with it. It was hard for me to visualize Jareth as a mortal also, but you know, he's having a hard time too. BUT theydo go Underground, there will be magic and Hoggle, Didymus and Ludo will be there. Come on, can you imagine a Labyrinth Story without them? I can't, which is why I worked my darndest to get them into "Linda's Wish."

If you have any further questions, comments, or suggestions on changes in "LW" or "TKS" feel free to e-mail me.