Author's Note: And another chapter up! Originally, this was just going to be a collection of drabble-like pieces, but I've decided to add some plot to make things more interesting. Remember, I only own my ideas, please review, and enjoy!
"Welcome, Jareth, King of the Goblins, Ruler of the Labyrinth, and Caretaker of Lost Wishes."
Jareth looked around at his surroundings with confusion. One second he was in his room, trying to decipher a student's essay on symbolism, and now he was in the courts of the High King. "How-" he started, and then saw that Glerrin, the High King was holding a crystal filled with a pale pink mist. "Aah," he said, bowing his head. "High King. I see you've called me here by DreamSpeak."
The High King looked up from the document he was reading and smiled slightly. His violet eyes were filled with the wisdom of one who has seen and experienced much, and for that, Jareth respected him highly. "Well, Jareth," the wise king said. "I've been trying to contact you in your Labyrinth for ages, but it seems that you've been absent from its walls."
"I wouldn't exactly call it my Labyrinth," Jareth muttered, frowning. "It has a mind and spirit of its own. I can only try my best to control it." He shook his head to clear it and looked back at the king. "And I am sorry, High King. I was called to Aboveground a while ago for important business."
Glerrin frowned and studied his document. "Yes, I was informed that you went to Aboveground to seek custody of the mortal child, Sarah Williams and her brother, Toby. May I ask why you left your kingdom under the care of no one to attend to these two children?"
"I was answering a wish," Jareth said, bristling. "Sarah and Toby recently lost their parents to a fatal accident, and they were in the need of a guardian. Sarah Williams wished that she and her brother would find a guardian that loved them, and I was obliged to answer that wish."
"Oh?" Glerrin raised an eyebrow skeptically. "I thought that as Ruler of Lost Wishes, you had control of what you have to answer and what you can ignore. Isn't that so?"
Jareth sighed and rubbed his temples. "That is the general belief, but I have to admit that it's not entirely true. Some wishers I have to answer at all costs." But what no one knew was that the King of the Goblins had fallen in love with the girl, and he had given her certain powers.
"I see. And I'm assuming that by some wishers, you mean Sarah Williams. Am I right, Jareth?" Glerrin shoved his document to the side and got up from his chair to stand in front of the flustered Goblin King.
Jareth's heart sunk deep into his stomach. So the High King had discovered his secret. Yes, indeed, the Goblin King had fallen in love with the girl. "You are correct, High King."
Suddenly, Glerrin's stern face turned to a sympathetic smile. "Jareth, you are my only remaining relative and you were always my closest nephew, so I always know what's going on in your life. I know why you brought Sarah into your Labyrinth; why you gave her the chance to run it. And I know you were broken when she didn't choose you."
"Uncle," Jareth said, shaking his head and trying to bury his emotions. Then, he broke. "She was my Champion," he said in a whisper. "I knew when I first saw her that she was going to beat my Labyrinth one day, so I gave her the power of always having her wishes heard. She was supposed to choose me in the end, but instead, she made it so that I couldn't even look in on her anymore. That is, until she made that wish, and practically invited me back into her life."
Glerrin placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder. "You know it's not allowed for a mortal to know of the Underground."
"But Sarah's always believed," he protested. "She believed in the Underground the minute she picked up that little red book, before she even wished that I would take away her brother!"
"I know, Jareth. But either way, it's still not allowed, and something will have to eventually be done about it. She will have to forget everything."
"No." Jareth squeezed his eyes shut. "She needs me; they both do. And I need her."
Glerrin turned away from Jareth and slowly began to pace the empty court room. "There might be another way," he said quietly.
Jareth looked up. "Anything."
"I can tell that you care about her deeply. And you need a Queen, Goblin King."
Jareth was stunned. "Sarah? You want me to make her my Queen? She's not even seventeen yet!"
"Think about it," Glerrin said fiercely. "If Sarah became the Goblin Queen, everything would work out. She wouldn't have to forget about the Underworld, because she would be living in it. And eventually, when you take my place, she would rule it at your side. You would always have each other. And Jareth, for the sake of your Labyrinth, and your future kingdom, you need a Queen. Otherwise, things would fail."
"No," he said, shaking his head. "Sarah would never agree. She's still hurting from the death of her parents, and deep down, she still resents me for taking her brother. She's too stubborn, and I would never force her to wed me. I am not my father."
"I know you aren't, Nephew." Glerrin's eyes got a faraway look as he remembered the evils of the past. "What my brother did to your mother still leaves scars on this land. I would never allow it to happen again. But Jareth, you have to think of something. I can only help you so much."
"Thank you, Uncle," Jareth said quietly. "If you don't mind, I'd like to return to Aboveground now."
"Of course." Glerrin smiled and touched Jareth's forehead. "If you need anything, just call."
Then, Jareth woke up in his bed at Sarah's house. He had fallen asleep with the lamp on and a stack of papers in his lap. Looking over at the clock on his nightstand, he saw that it was getting late, but he had to see her. Maybe her face would calm his racing mind and fearful thoughts.
He got out of his bed and knocked on her closed door. She opened it with a grumpy expression, and even then she was still beautiful. "Sarah," he said, looking for comfort from her silvery green eyes. Yes, her face did bring him peace.
"I was almost asleep," she growled. "You'd better need something extremely important, or I might just kill you."
He couldn't help but smile. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to say goodnight."
She rolled her eyes. "You drive me crazy, Goblin King. Goodnight." She shut the door in his face, and he sighed with relief. He conquered up a crystal and watched her crawl in bed. He sent her a blessing of sweet dreams, and watched as she drifted to sleep.
"Everything will be alright," he whispered. "You are my beautiful Champion, and I will always seek solace from you."
Then, Jareth went back to his room, and as he was about to drift into sleep, he wondered how in hell he was going to convince her to be his Queen.
