Thanks for all of the great comments about Dan's punishment! Pineapples up the butt and honey and fire ants? OUCH! Still think I twisted his sick mind very well.

However, Sarah has a new enemy to face down. And people this will not be pretty. It also ends in a cliffhanger.

*Runs in fear for life and limb only two steps away from the monster crowd that is building*

I promise this will all have a happy ending!!!!!!! Her dad even makes up to Sarah everything he has done to her in the past!!!!!

Just go on and read!

DISCLAIMER: Labyrinth and all that is connected to it belongs to someone other than me!!!


Chapter Nine

Sarah rushed about, thankful for her King's ability to re-order time. What would have taken weeks to plan was finished in mere hours. She was certain that Jareth had given her extra time, and adding on all of the help and advice she had received from Queen Tryamon, Sarah was finally pleased with the everything. In fact this was the happiest that she had been in far too long. It had been much harder than she ever dreamed being a Queen was when she was a child.

Sarah was in charge of every aspect of the ball, running the castle from the moment she became the Winter Queen, meeting guests as they arrived, making sure of their comfort, seeing to dinner (after finding out she was in charge of choosing out the menu), and then set up breakfast the next morning's breakfast. By the time she made it back to her room, poor Sarah just wanted to collapse! But in her room were four goblin ladies. "Good Evening your Majesty."

"Ladies, I think we can use first names in private at the least." Sarah smiled. Inwardly she was groaning. She had never been so tired in her life, and she just knew that there was something else she didn't realize she had to or had forgotten to do.

The eldest goblin came forward, and to Sarah looked like a grandmotherly type female. "Not just yet, your Majesty. Wait till you make your choice. The King has left this potion for you and asks you to hurry getting ready for this evening, because he has need to see you in the Solar at your earliest convenience."

"Alright then. Let's see I know there's dinner, and at least one last meeting. I wonder what this does?" Sarah said mostly to herself. She was so tired she didn't see the sneaky grins, or the strange eyes that glared at her, nor when they shifted and began to slowly merge together once she turned her back to it all. She sniffed the potion and noted it pleasantly reminded her of wildflowers, sunshine, apples and cinnamon, and snowfall. With a smile she swallowed the liquid, closed her eyes, sighed, felt herself float a moment, and then opened her eyes to a dark room.

After a minute or so her eyes adjusted to the light and realized that she was home – in her room. This was confusing. Only a moment ago she had been in the Castle Beyond the Goblin City. Shacking her head a moment, Sarah reached over and turned on her light. Yes, it was her room back home with her dad, Toby, and Karen. This was too weird. Had it all been just a partially awful dream? If that was true, how much of it had been a dream?

She opened her door and nearly collapsed in shock. She smiled at the sight of an older version of herself – Linda Williams was alive and well and home! "Mommy!"

"Are you alright, Sarah?" Linda eyed Sarah warily. That hurt.

"I'm fine, just had a really weird dream. Why?" Sarah asked, wishing that her mom would hold her and tell her it was all better now.

Linda sighed and rolled her eyes. "You just called me mommy, and you're asking me why? Sarah, I don't know what you and my brother-in-law are into sexually, and really I don't want to know! Please just keep it in your bedroom in my home. I don't want Tobias getting weird ideas."

Now Sarah was really scared. "Brother-in-law? Tobias?"

"Yes Sarah, your husband Dan. He's my husband's brother. And Tobias is my son. Anything ring a bell yet? Jeesh, whatever you guys are doing, just keep it from my baby boy. You should have married that Jareth guy." And with that Linda went downstairs.

Sarah felt a sick twisting in her stomach. Dan was her husband? And Sarah had picked him over her sweet Jareth? Linda wasn't her mother? Toby was her son? Sarah leaned back and shut the door. Looking at the room, it had changed! Her toys, books, and other things were gone. The room was a sparsely decorated near guest room – except for the clothes all over the room. Looking down she was in an oversized tee shirt, and also found that she was very pregnant! In the bed was Dan, snoring away!

What was going on? No, this wasn't happening. Then she saw it on her finger – a plain gold band. She was his wife?! No, she was supposed to be Jareth's love!

Sarah softly whispered out. "Hoggle … I need you." Nothing. She sat on the floor and waited a few moments. Maybe he didn't know how important it was? "Please Hoggle? I really need you now more than ever!" Again there was nothing … Sarah couldn't understand it! "Jareth?"

"What you whimpering about bitch?" Dan groaned half into the pillow.

Sarah was instantly terrified. "Nothing. I'm going to the bathroom."

"Hurry the hell up. Damn bitch, needing to piss every time I turn around!" Dan growled as he turned over.

"It's the baby laying on my bladder." Sarah slowly eased herself up from the floor. Dan threw a pillow at her that barely missed her. "Told you to get your tubes tied, but no … you wouldn't get wet enough, you wanted kids, you, you, you. Now pick that damn pillow up and bring it back here!"

Scared what he would do to her or the baby if she defied him, Sarah quickly grabbed the pillow and went over to the bed – holding the pillow out. Dan grabbed her arm harshly and yanked her onto the bed. "Who owns you bitch?" At first Sarah cried from fear and pain. Dan yanked and twisted the appendage when she didn't answer him. "Who owns you bitch?"

"You do Dan." Sarah finally whimpered.

"Damn straight. Get out of here before you soak the bed and I make you lick it dry." He threw her away from the bed hard. Sarah hit her head on the table and blacked out.

***

Slowly Sarah opened her eyes again and groaned at the bright light coming through the window. Her head still throbbed. And then she realized that her belly was flat! She had miscarried a baby she hadn't the chance to get to know! But, then she saw the room had changed again. It was the bedroom Jareth had given her! Gingerly she touched her head to find a bump and her head was bandaged. She must have fainted and hit her head. Someone found her and put her to bed after bandaging her head.

Bit by bit, Sarah got up and made it to the door. It opened to a near empty hallway, near empty because Jareth was walking towards her with a smile on his face! "Jareth!"

"Sarah, you're awake! You had us all scared to near death!" Jareth's smile got brighter as she ran over and leapt into his arms. Finally she was safe. "Will you listen to your big brother the next time I tell you that a horse is not fit for you to ride? You're the only sister I have, and I want to keep you with me forever!"

That broke Sarah's heart. She was his sister? What was happening? Numbly she nodded and groaned at the truth. She still loved him as a man – not as a sibling. Jareth swept her into his arms as Hoggle came into the hall. "Well, the Princess is awake at last? 'Bout time."

"Can you get the healer so he can make sure that Sarah hasn't worsened her condition further, Hoggle?" Jareth looked at the dwarf over his shoulder. Hoggle shook his head and looked at her and Jareth with pleading eyes. "Don't get caught. You know the costs will be if ya's are."

Jareth smiled. "I will never put Sarah at risk."

Sighing sadly, Hoggle left and Jareth carried Sarah back into her room shut the door and tucked her under the blankets. It hurt that she couldn't help adoring him and wishing they were not related. Closing his eyes a moment, Jareth got a smile on his lips. He created a crystal that burst and vanished. Sarah could feel some spell wrap around the bed.

Instantly Jareth pulled her back into his arms. "Sister mine, never frighten me like that again. I can't lose you my dearest love!"

Hungrily he kissed her, and Sarah happily gave back as good as he gave. Finally they broke apart to catch their breaths. "Ask for time to finish healing in peace, and I will volunteer to guard over you."

In that moment the spell broke and there was a knocking at the door. Jareth got up and started to close the drapes, indicating the door with his head. Oh, yeah … her room. "Come in."

Linda rushed into the room with tears streaking her face. "My baby girl! Sarah!" She collapsed onto the side of Sarah's bed and pulled her into her arms crying. "My baby's awake!"

"Enough Linda. She isn't a child now." Sarah saw her father walk into the room with a dark, cold look on his face. At that Linda clutched Sarah closer. "Don't do it! Please … they can't help it!"

Jareth was alerted at that. Robert shut the door and locked it without touching it. "Whore … Bastard! Did you think I wouldn't feel the spell you cast to be hidden in your courting your own sister?!"

"Father, can't you feel it? Sarah's mind is disheveled from the accident! Do not blame her for my actions!" Jareth stepped between Sarah and Robert. Now she was scared. He was taking a big risk with their father.

Robert slapped Jareth hard, and Sarah cried out. "No! Leave him alone!"

"Shut up, whore! Did you to not think the doctor would report it to me?"

Linda clutched Sarah closer. "What do you mean?"

"She's carrying his child!"

Sarah covered her belly in shock. Jareth rushed over and moved her hands to replace them with his own. He closed his eyes and she felt her belly warm gently. Jareth paled slightly as a tear came to his eye. "I feel him. A son. Our son."

Sarah smiled up at him, and wrapped her arms around her baby's father. Jareth's voice haunted the back of her mind. 'Forgive me my only love. I should have been more careful as we made love. This is all my fault.'

'I only regret that I can't remember the love making we did to give this little boy life.' Sarah whispered back as she rubbed Jareth's back.

Jareth clutched her slightly tighter in his joy. She still loved him as a man rather than her elder brother! Robert sent the nearby table crashing to the floor. "You two shouldn't have been in a position to create this bastard child of yours in the first place! Do you not see the truth? You are brother and sister! This baby can never create a swelling in her belly! End its life girl, or I will!"

"NO! If this baby wasn't meant to be, then he wouldn't be in my belly now!" Sarah wept as she clutched tighter to Jareth.

Jareth in turn growled. "Leave my love and son alone!"

The rest went so slowly. Sarah felt the blast of her father's rage shatter her ribcage. Obviously, she and the child would die together. She cried as she gasped. "I love you forever Jareth. I'll return … look for me."

"SARAH!"

***

Sarah woke up coughing and gasping for air. She was tied down to the bed. An old man stood at the foot of her bed. "Take it easy, Mame. It was a bad dream. Do you know where you are?"

"No." Sarah gasped as she fought to get free. "Please let me go."

The old man looked at some papers in the folder in his hand. "Once we know that you are not going to be a danger to yourself anymore. Do you know your name?"

"Sarah Williams."

The man nodded as he wrote something down. "And do you know how old you are?"

"Twenty-one."

At that the man sighed. "Do you know who I am?"

Sarah shook her head. Again the old man wrote in the file. "I am Dr. Tobias Higgle. You are in the Gobansaty Mental Hospital. Your husband brought you here after the accident."

"Accident?"

Dr. Higgle nodded his head. "Yes, after your car accident. You stopped knowing the difference between reality and fantasy. Now, I'd like to ask you some questions while you are responsive."

Sarah nodded numbly. She had a husband? She had been in a car wreck? "Why did you say that your name is Sarah Williams?"

"Because that is my name."

"No it is not. You are Mrs. Linda King. Sarah Williams is a character you played in your youth in a movie that you did with your husband David King."

Sarah was stunned. She was an actress? "Um, no. I am Sarah Williams. I'm not an actress, that's my mother's profession."

"Mrs. King, your mother died when you were a baby. She never was an actress." Dr. Higgle was forceful with that name. "What frightened you so as you woke up?"

"A strange dream. Like it was a dream I just couldn't wake up from. I kept waking up to a different reality. It was so confusing."

A knocking on the door interrupted the session. Dr. Higgle sighed and nodded before coming back to the end of the bed. "Your uncle has come to visit you, Mrs. King. Feel up to a visitor?"

Sarah nodded, and beamed when Jareth came into the room and rushed to her side. He glared at the doctor. "Why is she tied down?"

"She was becoming violent, and gave us no choice. She is just now becoming more compliant."

"Well, let her free." Jareth rubbed the sides of Sarah's face. "Linda, how are you feeling?"

"Jareth, my name is Sarah. Why won't anyone believe me?" Sarah felt like crying. Even Jareth didn't seem to know her.

Jareth shook his head before growling at the doctor. "I said free her! She is coming home with me!"

"I cannot authorize that. She is still a danger to herself and others." Dr. Higgle shook his head.

"Linda is not dangerous! She only got that way when she was stuck here and you started doping her up!" Jareth started growling.

"Mr. Bastion, she is only now improving because of the drug therapy."

Jareth shoved Higgle against the wall and threw some papers at him. "These say that Linda is coming home with me. And as for your drugs, shove them down your own throat!"

Two orderlies came in and forced some kind of liquid down Sarah's throat, choking her. Sarah fought against the restraints and awful medicine that was being forced down her throat.

***

Then she awoke on that hill she remembered so well, where her adventure through the Labyrinth began. It felt like a lifetime before. Looking at herself, she found that she was wearing the outfit she had worn that night long before rather than the gown she wore when she walked into her room. Above her was Jareth! Her love was there! In her joy Sarah leapt into his arms, only to be flung onto the ground harshly. "Jareth?"

"That is where you belong mortal whore. You are not worthy to even look at me, much less touch me! Now unless you'd like to scrub and clean as a goblin's mindless slave, you had better get through the Labyrinth again. Though it isn't as you would like you demanding, spineless, sniveling spoilt brat. The clock is ticking, time is short, and I am not in a generous mood." And with that Jareth vanished as he had years before. The look on his face was colder and crueler than even in Sarah's worse nightmares! What had she done to make him hate her so much?

"Jareth?" Sarah whimpered before simply running down the hillside.


Jareth stormed through the hallway. He could feel that something was very wrong – and Sarah was in the center of it. As he went he saw Hoggle leading a shaken Robert, at least now he knew the truth. "Hoggle, when was the last time you saw Sarah?"

"A while back, she said she's gonna take a nap befer dinner when she was workn' with da cooks." Hoggle had never seen the King so angry before.

Jareth shook his head. "I'm going to check on her."

Then a scream ripped through the night. Robert paled. The King too paled. All three men ran towards the sound of the screaming female Goblin. The sight shattered them all. Sarah was on the floor writhing, gasping, and groaning. The empty flagon only a few inches away from her. Down one cheek was a shimmering substance. Jareth brush some off and smelled it. "Chameleon Essence, why would Sarah drink it?"

"This is why, Majesty!" Hoggle rushed over to hand Jareth the small flagon. He sniffed it and felt his heart stop. No! Anything but that! "Lunacy Draft! Sarah, wake up." Jareth shook Sarah gently, but there was no response.

"Sarah baby, it's dad. Come on Sarah, you need to wake up now. Please baby, wake up." Robert cried as he brushed the strands of hair out of Sarah's face. He looked up at Jareth. "What are Lunacy Draft and Chameleon Essence?"

Jareth at first ignored the man, and looked at Hoggle. "Get the healer quickly! Go Hogbrain!" The he moved Sarah to the bed before finally looking at Robert. "Lunacy Draft is only given to criminals who are guilty of the darkest of crimes. It twists their minds until there is nothing left. Chameleon Essence changes anything to the best in the senses of one using it."

"She's been tricked into this!" Robert growled as he rubbed his baby's hand. "Can she hear me?"

Jareth shook his head. "No it blocks off all outside stimulus."

The healer, High Queen Tryamon, High King Eban, and Hoggle rushed into the room. All were shooed from the room while the healer tried to rescue Sarah. For over an hour all were in or near that hall, pacing, talking, and praying that Sarah could come out of it without needing rescue. As the time passed, all hope quickly drained. It was obvious that the Seelie Court would have to be convened. Eban left after the second hour passed to do just that, but Jareth still vainly held onto hope that his love was not destroyed mentally. Tryamon sat beside her son, but just couldn't muster the hope he still held. It had been so very long. Into the third hour, Toby climbed onto Jareth's lap and simply sat there. By the fifth hour he was asleep, and Jareth began to lose hope.

Finally the healer came out looking as if he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. "She is not completely lost, but Lady Sarah is losing the battle. All that can be done is for two to go in and talk her back to reality."

Everyone groaned, and some wept. In all of the centuries of the Underground, only two had ever been allowed to be aided through the Draft's effects, but by then it was too late to help. It took time to summon the court … would they even hear the case? Jareth was determined to try – even if he had to sacrifice everything he had to save her, he would without a doubt or a moment's hesitation. Eban however had proven to be the devoted father to his son as he had always been. "Jareth, we haven't much time left. There is no way to know how long Sarah has been under with any certainty. Come the court dislikes waiting."

"Thank you father." Jareth settled Toby into Karen's arms and all left for the Court – all that is but one.

The hard eyes were lit with jealousy and rage. That mortal bitch could not be allowed to recover. Only a short time left and Lady Sarah would be gone in mind. That meant the case had to be lengthened. Only an argument against would do that. With a chuckle the last in the hall left for the Seelie Court.


After a shorter time than before, Sarah found herself at the wall of the Labyrinth. Hoggle was sitting there. She was thankful that she did walk up on him relieving himself like before. Would he be angry with her too? "Hoggle?"

"Sarah! I'ves been waitin' on ya!" He hugged her a little closer than ever before. She brushed it off as his worry. "Why is Jareth so angry with me?"

Hoggle took a deep breath. "I's don't know. Ya gotta get goin' though. Call and I's be with ya soon as I can."

Sarah shook off the strange feelings of fear and dread. She had her friends to help her. "Thanks Hoggle. I'll set things right again, you'll see."

The doors shut behind her and Sarah went to the right, just like she did before. The stones were dark dray and black, the sky above her looked as if it was about to break into thunderstorms, and the walls were crumbling around her. She stopped right where she met up with the blue worm and knelt down. "Hello?"

'Hssss,' was the answer she got. A giant blue furry snake crept out of the hole in the wall! Whoa, that was not expected! Sarah ran the same path she took years before, with the snake slithering fast behind her!

Sarah ran through the shifting and crumbling maze, trying her best to lose the snake. She was running out of energy, and out of time. It was eerily quiet. This time she wasn't here to save Toby, so his crying didn't fill the air like that time. She turned around a corner and found the doors finally, but there were no guards? Sarah didn't like this.

She started to go through the door she had before, but then she had a thought. So far the way had been very different. What would happen if she went through the other door? It opened and she peered out into darkness. Sarah heard tinkling, but not the footsteps coming at her from behind. She did feel the shove that sent her through the door and slammed it shut. The guards had betrayed her! "Help!"

This time there were no Helping Hands, and she knew that she wouldn't end up in an oubliette.

***

Sarah opened her eyes and she was in the mental hospital, with the same doctor at the foot of the bed. "How did I get here?"

"Your family brought you here after your outburst, Miss. Williams."

Sarah felt relieved. This doctor knew her name! "What outburst?"

The doctor wrote something in her file. "You are not well enough to deal with it, right now. But, you do have a visitor."

In came Robert. Sarah felt safe and smiled. "Daddy!"

"How could you?!" His eyes glared at her. "How could you drive her off like that?"

Sarah was confused. "Did Karen leave? I'll go find her, daddy. I'll be nicer to her. Please help me get out of here."

Robert growled at her. "I don't know who this Karen is you've made up, but I'm talking about your mother! Damn it Sarah! How could you have hurt her so much? To tell her I left her and remarried? To try and bed my brother? What the hell is going on in your mind? Am I next on your list?"

"Daddy, uncle Dan tried to rape me! I would never hurt mommy, she left us! Don't you remember?" Sarah could feel the tears pouring down her cheeks.

Once again the orderlies came in and force the awful fluid down her throat.

***

Sarah opened her eyes and found that she was laying in the park. She was wearing her favorite medieval costume, and it was a beautiful evening. The clock chimed out five. She knew that she had to get home. She smile and got up, taking a deep breath in. It had all been a bad dream. She decided as she slowly made her way across the bridge that she'd call her friends and tell them about it. Maybe Jareth would come and she could tell him how she felt? Maybe he still wanted a chance with her? There was only one way to find out for sure.

Sarah smiled, even with the strange looks everyone was giving her as she walked home. This would be the first time she would be home this early. Karen would have a heart attack! At the least she would be whipping out the thermometer to make sure Sarah wasn't sick. Sarah could help but give a belly laugh at that image, as she walked behind the houses she would often run past trying to get home as she ran late. Through the field and she stopped in her tracks. Something was wrong! Police … ambulances … flashing lights? Something was wrong!

"Daddy! Karen! Toby!" Sarah screamed as an officer grabbed her. "Let go! I live here! Where's my dad?"

She felt and heard the cuffs lock around her wrists as the cops started reading her rights. Was that Didymus' voice she heard? "Didymus! How did you get out here? And how did you get so big?"

A man in a trench coat came over and lit a cigarette. "Sarah Williams, you're under arrest for murder."

"What murder?! I've been in the park. I guess I fell asleep and came home as soon as I woke up!" Sarah fought to get away. "Daddy! Karen! Toby!"

"They can't hear you because they are all dead." The trench coat man blew smoke in her face, causing her to choke and cough. Sarah was shaking. "When? How? Who?"

"When was two hours ago, how with that butcher knife the officers wrestled out of your hands, and the who is you!"

"No!" She hadn't been holding a knife, but there in an evidence bag was a bloody knife! Sarah looked down on her gown and saw that it was coated with blood! Suddenly she could smell it thickly and she nearly gagged from the scent. She was lightheaded. "I didn't kill them! Please believe me!"

"Tell someone who cares little girl." Didymus growled behind her ear. "Friends don't let friends kill."

As he shoved her into the cruiser, Sarah slammed the side of her head against the doorway. Everything was black.


Jareth held his head high and stood there emanating his determination. This was one court hearing he wanted over with quickly. Thirteen on the council and he was only certain of the votes of four. The old man with the yakking bird hat. Jareth's own aunt, Rhiannon. And Lord Pan. But, what of the other nine?

Oberon was always the hardest to read through any proceeding. Aine too was a hard fae to predict, she might be swayed by Sarah's heroic deeds and troubled life Aboveground or she could easily take no interest in Jareth's plea whatsoever. Jenny Greenteeth never liked Jareth since he taunted her in their youth, but maybe Sarah beating his maze would give Jenny cause to help one who put Jareth in his place. The Lady of the Lake, as the leader of the council, always followed the rules of the court and never voted unless the vote was deadlocked. Cerridwen was one of great wisdom and keeper of the Great Caldron. Jareth prayed she would see how wonderful and unique and precious a woman Sarah was to him. Cuchulainn was a well known lover, perhaps he would understand how much Sarah meant to Jareth?

Corann, Hoggle told Jareth, was a Mountain Dwarf. Their kind are the most friendly to humans out of all dwarfs, but that wasn't hard with Sarah forgiving Hoggle time and again. And Hoggle told Jareth that Corann was a fair Dwarf, but he had yet to hear from Jareth, so the Goblin King just wasn't certain at this point. Alastrine was a silent elf, only sent her thoughts and vote to those on the council. Yet her kind Jareth had heard respected and cared for Sarah since she defeated the Labyrinth. That gave Jareth slight hope at the least. Jareth also gained hope in seeing Epona, the Dryad who lived within the tree that grew outside of Sarah's bedroom window, was on the council. He knew Sarah took good care of that tree, and had Epona's respect. Sarah often left out thimbles of milk and water for the pixies she always seemed to see. That was why Jareth hoped that their representative, Morna – whom Sarah herself named, would be open minded and open hearted as well.

Before Jareth could say a word, Jenny looked to his father. "For what reason have you gathered this court, Eban – High King of the Underground?"

That meant Jareth had no say! He couldn't speak to plead for his only love's mind and spirit! Eban stood tall and spoke gravely. "Time is of the essence, Jenny. All of you have heard of Lady Sarah Williams, and some of you know her. She is in dire peril and is in need of a spirit council."

"Such is only called for when Lunacy Draft is ingested needlessly." The Lady of the Lake pointed out.

"She did. It was mixed with Chameleon Essence to mask its smell and taste." Eban was visibly upset. Obviously Sarah had made a good impression on Jareth's father – a rare thing for a human to do. Corann nodded. "But, how did she come by it Draft?"

Eban shook his head. "That is a mystery that only Lady Sarah knows the answer to."

Cuchulainn shifted in his seat. "Are you sure she did not come by it on her own and willing took the draft? The Chameleon Essence could have made swallowing it more bearable?"

"But, if she wanted to die, why such a tormented path? She just as easily could have come across a poison, in fact that would have much more easily gotten than Lunacy Draft. Plus she couldn't have known about that Draft. She has lived her entire life Aboveground. Those of her world have forgotten nearly all of our ways." Eban could feel Sarah's spirit fire dying. The time to save her was fading fast.

Morna sighed as she looked at Epona. "We know Sarah well. She gave me my name, and has taken good care of we pixies. She has also taught her brother of the old ways, and respect life in all of its forms. She would not take her life when she is here where she feels most at home."

Epona nodded. "There has been many a night I have been privy to her thoughts and feelings as she spoke to the Mother. She loves the Goblin King deeply, and she wanted desperately to return to our world. She only feared that it was too late and she had given up all ties to the Underground."

Cerridwen looked at the faces that each told of their want to save Lady Sarah. "Are there any who speak against intercession?"

For a heartbeat it looked as if there were none. Yet, just when the other relaxed slightly, that last presence made her voice known. "I do!"


Sarah opened her eyes to find herself huddled in a corner of a padded room. She started crying. What was happening? Why would Jareth have done this to her? Wait, maybe he didn't … but then who would? That Dr. Higgle was hovering over her. "Mrs. King."

"MY NAME IS SARAH WILLIAMS!" she screamed at him at the top of her lungs.

"Alright then, Miss. Williams. Do you know where you are?"

Sarah broke down into harder sobs. Was she going crazy? Had she really killed her family? She didn't even feel real any more. Her body felt as if it was made of smoke that would blow away on the wind. "No."

"You are in a mental hospital. I am Dr. Goban."

That was a new twist. "No, you're Dr. Higgle."

"Sarah that was one of your other selve's doctor. You have a multiple personality disorder. And we are here to help you get better. How old are you Sarah?" He started writing in the folder in his hand.

"I'm twenty-one."

Then she heard a key twisting in a lock … it sounded like when Hoggle had opened the door in the oubliette! The door behind the doctor opened and Sarah felt her heart race when two orderlies came in with a small bottle on a tray. It looked familiar – and Sarah knew that she didn't want any of it! And then she saw a familiar head pop around the door – HOGGLE! He urged her to follow, and Sarah wasn't about to look an offer from her friend in the mouth.

As fast as she could Sarah dogged the orderlies and rushed out of the room to find herself in the catacombs under the Labyrinth! "Hoggle you have got great timing!"

"I knew you'd get yerself in trouble, so I's came to give ya a hand." Hoggle looked both ways down a cross path a couple of times. "It gets a lot worse after this, Sarah. Maybe you should give up?"

"No! I'm not giving up now! I've come too far! I beat Jareth's Labyrinth once, and can do it again." Sarah said stubbornly. Hoggle shook his head. "I don't promise nothing, but I'll takes ya as far as I can."

"You I trust Hoggle, lead on." Sarah nodded.

Then they came up on the stone faces – Sarah remembered that Hoggle last time called the 'false alarms'. So she paid them no mind. But each of them spurred the little dwarf to quicken his pace.

Don't go on!

Go back while you still can!

This is not the way!

Take heed, and go no further!

Beware!

Beware!

Soon it will be too late!

Beware, for the path you take will lead you to certain destruction!

As she rushed to catch up to the now running Hoggle, Sarah went through an opening, to find herself back in that padded room! Hoggle was on the bed laughing! "Looks like yer in a broom closet of yer own, Lady Sarah. Well, can't be right all da time! Ooh, ha, ha, ha! Yer ferget nutin' is what it seems in the Labyrinth – especially yers mind's own!"

Once again Sarah was forced to swallow that awful drink!


Out from the shadows came the Crown Princess of the Aspara race, Brenna. Jareth leapt into action by casting spells on Toby and Robert. Brenna made a tisking sound and shook her head. "Little Jareth, why must you always spoil my fun?"

"They are off limits to you, Brenna!" Jareth positively growled. The rest of those present remained silent, for they knew Jareth remembered Sarah's plight. Of all of them, he needed no reminding of that.

Brenna smiled wickedly as she looked over Jareth, Toby, and Robert with hungry eyes. "What makes you certain I don't already own them?"

"Because if you had a hold on either of them, they would be fighting to get to you! We all know your hold of human males." Jareth took a step to put himself between Brenna and Sarah's family.

The Lady of the Lake spoke up to end that battle of words. "What do you have to say of the case before this gathering Princess Brenna?"

"I say that Ms. Williams is no Lady. She is an ordinary mortal … a peasant by our standards. So, what if she defeated the Labyrinth? She had aid, not only from the creatures that live within the maze and cities – but also from King Jareth himself. She took the drink of her own free will, and Jareth just doesn't want to part with his precious pet who cannot rule beside him because she is not of his station." Brenna grinned at that last one.

All of the creatures of the Labyrinth knew how this witch had been eyeing Jareth's place as Crown Prince of the Underground. She had been dropping poorly veiled hints at her status and position, and at how Jareth would need an heir. Jareth had dismissed her time and again. He was willing to wait eternity if he could be with Sarah again.

Toby saw the truth behind Brenna's words. "How would you know if the stuff wasn't forced down her throat? Only Jareth and his mom and dad and the doctor and my daddy and Hoggle went in the room!"

Jareth smiled. His sister heavily influenced the boy, but he also had Sarah's fiery spirit as well. Brenna growled at Toby, who wisely stayed close to Jareth's legs. "That is not how you speak of a King, peasant boy!"

"Enough!" Robert shouted. He had his fill of this so called Princess. His little girl was more a Princess than this loud mouth! "Sarah is too a Lady and she is a Duchess!"

The Lady of the Lake smiled. "In the Underground, when a noble holds more than one title, he or she is raised in rank according to the highest rank held."

All of the Labyrinth residents cheered at that! Sarah had just been raised to a Princess! Cerridwen calmed them all. "Now that the question of Princess Sarah's station has been answered …"

"Based on the word of a human!" Brenna shouted. Her plan was working out better than she dared to hope for!

Oberon saw the truth in that moment. "A human who right now has a higher standing than you do Brenna." Whoa, Oberon rarely spoke up in court. But to put a lesser noble in her place? That was even rarer. "You have been charged with helping the Princess Sarah defeat your maze, Goblin King."

"Oh my honor and on my title, I did not help Sarah defeat the Labyrinth. If anything I twisted the mazes, and made it harder to keep her with me. I even opened myself to her and offered her what I had never and will never offer to any other." Jareth pledged.

Toby spoke up too. "Sissy gave up her dreams for me. I asked Jareth to come back and help me save her."

"She wouldn't have come back if it weren't for that." Brenna accused.

"She hated where she was! You made everything go all wrong!" Toby snapped. Brenna started to attack Toby, but Epona moved to protect Jareth and the boy who clung to him. "I know you appeared at the Williams' home. I saw you. You spoke with Princess Sarah's uncle. And after that life for her went wrong."

"I did not!" Brenna growled. The entire court stood. "We have made our decision. Brenna obviously you were the one who interceded to ruin Princess Sarah's life. As to the Draft, let us go see." Aine pronounced. And the council moved all to Sarah's room that would fit – the rest listened in the hall and waited.


Sarah opened her eyes to find herself in the hedge maze. But it was all brown and black … as if it was dead. And then she heard it. "YEEIAAH!"

"Ludo … and it sounds like he's in trouble!"

Sarah crept up silently and saw that this time Ludo wasn't hanging upside down. His teeth and face was covered in blood! The goblins … they were laying around him … ripped apart! At that moment his glowing eyes spotted her and chuckled horridly. Sarah would have fainted, but he started lumbering after her! "Ludo don't … please Ludo! It's Sarah … remember, I'm your friend?"

"Sarah … Sarah yum!" He growled and started after her at full speed.

Sarah screamed as she ran. The hedges grabbed and ripped her clothes and skin. The smell of her blood just served to inflame Ludo's blood hunger and lead him straight to Sarah. The doors again appeared – this time without the knockers. She banged on the one she hadn't tried before and barely got through it before Ludo caught her.

She again found herself in the mental hospital cell. The doctor grinned at her as she leaned back against the door. "Welcome back Mrs. Haughty."

"My name is Sarah Williams!"

"Give the young lady her medicine gentlemen."

Again two orderlies forced Sarah to drink that awful liquid. And then she finally saw just past them to a woman with dark hair and metallic eyes that looked like copper. Her skin was so pale and her lips reminded Sarah of recently made blood blisters they were so dark a red. The smirk on her face was one of victory. Just as she was forced to swallow the fluid, this woman kicked Sarah hard in the head. The two combined made Sarah pass out.


Pan glared hotter at Brenna than even Jareth at that moment. "So, you are the one who tricked Princess Sarah into drinking the Draft."

"That's not what she thinks." Brenna smirked.

Jareth and Robert could barely keep their rages in check, while the former clutched Toby close to his side. Cerridwen send the message amongst them all that it was time to decide. The Lady of the Lake did not have to cast her vote, as the decision was unanimous. She stood and spoke for them – one and all. "High King Eban, you gathered this group on behalf of your son, so King Jareth will be the one to lead the attempt to rescue Princess Sarah from the Lunacy Draft that was unjustly given her."

"NO!" Brenna shouted, her eyes glowing with rage.

To the Crown Princess of the Aspara race, The Lady of the Lake glared harshly. "Until such time as you have successively made reparations to Princess Sarah, her family, King Jareth, and the High King and High Queen of the Underground, you are banished from all polite society, Crown Princess Brenna of the Aspara race!"

That was a slap to Brenna's face. She adored gatherings, and was the most vain of fae. Now she was forbidden from any gatherings by law, and none would ever accept her invitations. Brenna was effectively excommunicated from fae society.

In her rage, Brenna cast a powerful spell before shimmering away. "Try and find her, Goblin King. Find your precious peasant Princess if you can!"

Turning around Jareth couldn't believe his eyes! His only love … his Princess … his Sarah … she was gone!


I know that I am being a complete tease after nearly a year. But I have other fics to finish and little time before school starts up again. I will get a new chapter out before then (hopefully). So was this chapter worth the wait?