Author's Note: Yikes! It's been a while. :) This chapter made me do a little happy dance. (Not really but you get the picture.) Shout out and thanks to lkaplon, notwritten, and hisoka-ai9 for reviewing and commenting!

Don't own Jareth, Labyrinth, or any of the other characters or songs. (Do I really need to do this every time?) I only own Shaylee and other OCs.

Chapter 9: Another Heart

Shaylee's eyes slowly blinked as she began waking. She frowned as her surroundings began to come into her spinning vision. Looking around, she felt a little panicked at not knowing where she was or how she got there. She propped herself up on her elbows, too weary to sit up any farther. The sound of the door opening caused Shaylee to turn her head slowly away from staring curiously out the window across the room. A woman with waist length, ash-blonde hair walked into the room, her gold eyes focused on a parchment of paper in her hands. Shaylee opened her mouth and tried to greet this person, but she found that she could not get anything past her lips. Her panic grew.

The woman looked up and smiled warmly. "I am glad to see you are awake, Shaylee." She saw the worry in the young Sprite's eyes and continued speaking in a calming, reassuring voice. "I am sure you're very confused right now, but you cannot speak at the moment because your vocal chords are recovering from a poison that you ingested the other day. It will be a few days - maybe weeks if you're not careful - before the magic I have used corrects all the damage." The woman picked up a chair and brought it over to the side of Shaylee's bed. Sitting down on it, she said, "Do not worry though. I have full confidence that you will get your voice back fully and you will be able to continue singing."

Settling back into the chair, the unusual Fay continued chattering for the both of them. "I am Elder Panuiquar. Panui for short. I am a Fay - of a sort." Panui laughed at her own comment, earning a timid smile from Shaylee. "You will have plenty of visitors I am sure from the kitchen staff who are very worried over your condition. None of them know of the poison though. The king did not want to alarm his servants and send them into a gossiping fit. Can you imagine the chaos that would ensue from the guests if they should learn of the incident?" Panui shook her head solemnly. "Of course the king wishes to speak with you when you are able to. I will inform him when I think you are able to speak at least in a whisper. I normally would not consider making you talk until you were fully recovered but due to the circumstances - I think it would be best that this person is caught sooner rather than later." Sighing, Panui asked, "Do you remember who did this to you or what happened?" Shaylee had settled back down on the bed some time ago and now was staring in concentration at the ceiling. A frown creased her brow as she tried to remember. She remembered a vague moment in the library of singing - being forced to sing but she could not remember who had been with her. She knew that she had seen the face of her attacker. Hadn't she? Looking tearfully up at Panui, she shook her head.

Panui took Shaylee's hand and squeezed it comfortingly. "Don't worry! You're probably experiencing a laps of memory lose because of how traumatic your experience was. It will come back to you eventually." Glancing down at her parchment, Panui nodded. "Time for some medical magic! Now just relax. This won't hurt at all."

~*~/*\~*~

Jareth stood observing the game of croquet that had been started by one of the queens of a far off land. Her red hair was symbolic of her temper that lashed out whenever the game was not going her way. Many of the other Fays simply rolled their eyes and lost on purpose to assuage her. Her younger sister shook her head in silent protest, sending her white hair flying around her shoulders. Jareth had declined partaking in the sport. He did not have the patience for the game. It had been a week since the incident involving Shaylee and that woman. He had been watching her progress through a crystal ball that he had strategically placed in the infirmary for her own protection. She was whispering now, but still very silent. Panui still did not think that the Sprite was ready for his 'interrogation' as the medical Fay had phrased it.

Jareth's eyes glanced over at one Fay that stood off to the side observing the crowds milling about playing the game. The Goblin King had asked his friend Reus to keep an eye out for the woman with dark brown hair and green eyes but so far, not one of the guests had matched that particular description. Jareth had a sneaking suspicion that the woman had disguised herself. He berated himself for signaling his arrival by calling out to Shaylee. He could have caught the despicable woman by now! He watched as a goblin shuffled over to Reus and tugged on the man's pant leg. Reus bent down to hear the whispered message. Reus' blue eyes looked up at Jareth before returning his focus on the goblin. There was a whispered conversation between the two before the goblin ran off and Reus stood. Jareth was standing beside his friend before the man had a chance to turn and begin walking. "What news?" Jareth asked in a hushed voice so he would not be overheard.

Not looking the least bit startled, Reus answered, "Elder Panui has sent for you. She believes that Shaylee is ready for an interview."

Jareth nodded. "If anyone asks of my absence, say I had urgent business." Reus returned the nod. The Goblin King wasted no time and disappeared from the gardens only to reappear in the hall outside of the infirmary where Panui waited.

"Good day my king." She bowed her head in acknowledgment.

"What is her condition?" He asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"Improving." Panui answered, "But she has a ways to go before she is fully recovered. That being said, she can only whisper and that tires her voice. Do not think that she will be able to speak for very long." Jareth made a slight nod. The Fay woman placed a hand on the door knob. "Very well, let us go see her." Panui entered the room first and walked immediately over to the closest to the window. Jareth recalled from looking into one of his crystals he had conjured to observe the Sprite that she had insisted on being moved to the window. She missed the outdoors. The part of him that loved flying as an owl felt her lose and for a moment - a very brief moment - he felt sympathy for her. He shut the door behind him as he watched Panui shake Shaylee's shoulder. She had fallen asleep sitting up with her face turned towards the window. Shaylee's eyes fluttered open as she turned towards Panui. A smile broke out on her face, but Jareth could see that the expression did not reach her gray eyes.

"Shaylee," Panui began, "you have a visitor. Remember I said he would be coming today?" Shaylee's eyes darted to Jareth, who was standing a few feet behind Panui.

He stepped forward as Panui walked away to retrieve a chair for him. "How are you, Shaylee?"

"Better. Thank you." She whispered, her voice rasping in her throat. Jareth wanted to wince. It did not sound at all like the musical voice that had a hint of teasing to it.

Jareth did not thank Panui for the chair but sat down instead, waiting for her to withdraw to someplace else in the infirmary. When the Fay woman walked away to a desk and sat down, he continued. "Do you remember what happened the day you collapsed?"

Frowning, she nodded slowly. "It is very - vague. There was - a woman - but I cannot recall what she looked like or what she said. I know she forced me to sing - but nothing else."

"Do you remember a woman with brown hair and green eyes?" Jareth pressed, offering the only hint he had as to what the woman looked like. Shaylee shook her head slowly as she stared at the bedspread in concentration. He sighed as he tried to think of another question he could ask her. "What was she wearing?"

"I - I don't remember." Her shoulders slumped sadly. "I am sorry Your Highness."

He waved the apology off with his gloved hand. "Well, do you remember what you had to eat that day?"

"I made myself my breakfast as usual. It was - oatmeal, I believe." She swallowed, hiding a wince at how sore her throat felt. "Thumble had made some extra dishes for us for midday meal and supper." Looking up at Jareth with a frown on her face, she said slowly. "Someone made me some tea in the morning - I think. I cannot remember who or if I am confusing another day with that day."

"Is it unusual for you to have tea in the morning?" Jareth inquired.

Shaylee shook her head. "No - but - what was unusual was that someone had woken up before me. I'm always in the kitchen before any of the servants have woken up." Her voice sounded a little hoarser than a few moments earlier. "I like to have some solitude before the hard work begins." She began coughing and Panui rushed over to press her cool hand against Shaylee's throat.

The Fay woman murmured a few words until a soft, golden glow grew then died down. She helped settle a weary Shaylee down on the pillows before beckoning the king away. The pair left the room, Panui closing the door silently behind her. Jareth was frowning - in anger and concern. "Will she be all right?"

Panui looked up at him in surprise. Out of all the questions he could have asked, that he would ask about Shaylee's well-being, was the farthest one from her thoughts. "Yes. She tired herself out today though. I will make sure she takes it easy in the next couple of days just in case." He nodded, satisfied. Panui cocked her head and watched him for several moments before asking. "What have you concluded from her answers?"

"Not enough." He scowled. "All I have so far is that it could have been someone on my own staff that could have poisoned her! I do not want to believe that." He asked irritably, "Why can she not remember more?"

"It was - most likely - very traumatic for her. Her mind is trying to suppress the incident so the memories do not harm her anymore." Panui answered in defense of the young woman.

"Can we not use our magic to draw the memories out?" Jareth asked as he began to pace.

Panui straightened and glared at the man before her. "No! That would most definitely harm her! We must wait until she remembers on her own."

"I have someone trying to poison people in my castle!" Jareth turned on her angrily. "I need to find out whom so I can stop them!"

"I will not allow you to harm her just so you can protect your guests!" Panui argued as she planted herself in front of the door should the Goblin King try to push her aside. He knew full well that he could simply teleport himself into the room without her interference.

"It is not my intention to protect my guests solely." He growled.

The Fay woman asked, "Who then? Yourself?" In a hushed, knowledgeable voice, she continued, "Shaylee?"

Jareth straightened to his full height, placed his fists on his hips, and glared down his nose at Panui. "That is none of your business now is it?" He disappeared from her sight, but his voice rang through the hall. "See that she is given great care."

Panui turned and opened the door wide enough to look in on her sleeping patient. A smile curved up on her lips. Oh Shaylee, she sighed. It seems you are breaking the spell on the king better than time pouting has done.

~*~/*\~*~

The night was cool and the wind refreshing. A white barn owl beat its wings against the wind, propelling itself through the air and towards the stars. It let out a screech of pleasure, overjoyed to be in the skies after a long absence. Turning reluctantly away from its path above the Labyrinth stretching below, the owl flew towards the castle that could be seen from any direction standing in the middle of the maze. The bird's talons clacked on the railing of a balcony with its rich, navy blue curtains drawn. In a flash of light and glittering dust, the owl transformed into Jareth. He stepped towards the light drapes and pushed them aside to enter into his room. With a single thought, the fabric hanging over the opening to the balcony swept up so he could still feel the cool night air circulating around him.

Collapsing on a chair beside a silent fireplace, he let out a contented sigh. He was exhausted from the excursion, but pleased that he had not waited as long as he had intended. Jareth loved flying. He had needed to feel the wind through his feathers after the day of stifling duties as host and the aggravation of not being able to find the person who had poisoned Shaylee. That, and he was slightly angry at what Panui had been insinuating about his concern for Shaylee. He was not concerned! He simply wanted to get the person out of his castle before anyone else fell prey to this hateful creature. For all he knew, she would never remember! What then? I am not concerned for her. Jareth growled to himself. Glancing disinterestedly at the fireplace, he thought of wanting some light. The logs burst into flame but the heat that would be associated with it did not emanate from the fire. He only desired the light. Again, his thoughts returned to Shaylee and he wondered absentmindedly if she was sitting up in the infirmary and if she had seen an owl flying through the skies with the starlight shimmering off of its white wings. He knew Sarah had watched for him once in a while after she returned from the Labyrinth all those years ago. Jareth conjured a crystal and began rolling it back and forth on his hand from his palm to the back of his hand.

Lazily, his eyes followed the crystal's path. He sat up with an agitated sigh, holding the globe still in his hands. He stared at the glass surface, scowling at his own reflection. Against his better judgment - at least that was what he was telling himself - he commanded the crystal, "Show me - Shaylee." Colors swirled around inside the crystal then settled on the image of Shaylee laying on her side facing the window so that all that Jareth saw was her back. He felt a little bit at ease and was about to dismiss the crystal when his attention was called back by the sudden shake of her shoulders. He thought for a moment that she was coughing, but when her shoulders shook again, he had the impression that she was crying. Jareth wondered where Panui was and why wasn't there someone there comforting the Sprite. Glancing over at a clock that ticked silently above the mantle of his fireplace, he saw that it was midnight. Everyone was asleep inside the castle - except himself.

He stood and disappeared from his room. Jareth stood silently in the infirmary and watched Shaylee carefully in hope that she had not heard him. She remained on her side facing the window. He remained where he was for several minutes, wondering if he had imagined her crying. Her shoulders shook again and a gasping sob escaped her lips. Jareth stepped forward. "Shaylee?" She turned and quickly sat up. Her hand reached up to swipe away the tears, disguising the movement by pushing her hair behind her ears. He kept walking towards her, flicking his hand so that a chair flew over and settled down silently beside her bed. "Why are you crying?"

"Why do you care?" She asked in a whisper, turning her head away to look out the window. She was blushing and Jareth was not sure if it was from embarrassment at being caught crying or in her nightdress or both or if she was angry that he had caught her crying.

"I don't." Jareth shrugged, leaning back in the chair and hooking his arm around the back of the chair. "I was just popping in to check on you."

"Why?" She asked as she shivered. Her hands began rubbing her arms and Jareth was wondering if it was because she was cold. Glancing over to the end bedpost, he saw a robe and assumed it was hers. Flicking his eyes from the object over to her, he saw to it that the piece of clothing floated over to where her hands could reach it. Hesitantly, she placed a hand on it and turned to look over at him. Pulling the robe over her shoulders, she glanced away again. "Thank you."

"In answer to your question. I came to check on you because I wanted to be sure no one had come to harm you. I thought that whoever poisoned you might return." Jareth did not worry about the slight lie. It was partly the truth and partly was not.

Shaylee looked at him with a worried expression. "Did you have information that they would return?" He shook his head, giving her a chance to sigh with relief. She winced and tried clearing her throat which resulted in a coughing fit. Jareth made to get up to go in search of Panui, but Shaylee shook her head and waved him back to sit. "I'm fine." She rasped out. Looking out at the sky she said, "It is beautiful tonight."

"The skies are perfect for flying." Jareth nodded. She was trying to change the subject. She still had not answered the question concerning the source of her tears. Just like Blythe now. He smirked at the thought of the pair of them tag-teaming against him.

"Flying?" Shaylee turned back to look at him with interest.

"I can turn into an owl." He informed. "I needed to get into the air tonight. There have been - too many stresses lately." And he truly questioned why he had admitted that to her.

"I am sorry I could not have been of more help." Shaylee's shoulders slumped in despair as she turned to look back out at the sky. Before he could say anything, she continued, "What is it like? Flying and being so free?"

"It is hard to describe." Jareth looked out the window and relaxed. She turned to press him into saying more, but he was pleased to have such an eager audience so he spoke without encouragement. "The land beneath you looks like a tapestry or a quilt with intricate designs stitched into a background of brown, gold, and emerald green. The sky above you has dazzling jewels casting light down on you and the moon reaches out with a special healing, soothing power that cannot be explained by anyone. The wind whistling through your very bones feels like the caress of a mother's gentle touch and a kiss from a loved one against your face." He fell silent, lost in his remembrance of flying through the skies. Sadness descended on him. "Sometimes - not even those happinesses can ease a broken heart."

Jareth was startled to feel a gentle hand land on his arm that was resting on his leg. Looking over at Shaylee, she smiled at him sadly. "The only thing that can heal a broken heart sometimes is another heart." She blushed and brought back her hand to rest it in her lap with its companion and Jareth was shocked even more to feel the absence of her hand's presence as a great lose.

"Why are you up so late?" He asked quietly. "Why were you crying?" Her head turned away once more, but Jareth did not miss the tensity that clutched her jaw and pressed her lips into a thin line. "Shaylee." She turned ever so slowly to look back at him.

Tears were swimming in her gray eyes, threatening to fall down her ivory skin. "It hurts." She whispered, swallowing painfully and wincing as proof. "I couldn't sleep because my throat hurt so much."

"Why did you not tell Elder Panui?" Jareth searched his mind for where the Fay woman's quarters were.

"The medicine she gave me to help me sleep wasn't helping my throat." Shaylee admitted. "I didn't want to bother her. She has done so much for me all ready and she was so tired." Jareth arched an eyebrow before leaning forward and tugging one of his gloves off. He did not have to look up from this task to know that she was staring at him in wide-eyed shock. "Your Majesty?"

"This will hurt only for a little bit." He freed his hand from the confines of the leather glove as he stood and bent a little so that he could gently press his fingers against her throat. He watched his hand intently as he thought of a healing spell that he knew would ease the pain. Once he was certain that the spell was underway, he chanced a glance at Shaylee's face. She was starting to look peaceful again - like her usual self. Once the spell was done, he stepped back and sat down again.

"Thank you. That's - much better." Shaylee smiled and this time it reached her eyes. Her gaze alighted on his still bare hand and she stared in open curiosity at the pale, lean, and strong looking hand.

Jareth replaced the glove with a self-conscious thought. He flexed his hand that was once again encased comfortably in the familiar glove. "Do not think of it." He was tired now from all the magic that he had spent that day and from flying. He only wished that the Full Moon Ball would come soon so that he could replenish his stores of magic like all the rest of his guests. Noting that Shaylee was as equally tired as he, Jareth stood. "I believe that you will be able to sleep now so I will leave."

"Jareth?" She asked hesitantly. He hid the chill she gave him by saying his name in such a hushed voice by standing rigidly straight.

"Yes?" He looked down at her warily. What was she doing to him?

"Thank you. For everything. You've been very kind to me and - I don't deserve any of it." Shaylee was looking up at him with a look akin to nervousness.

Jareth wondered at why she did not think she deserved kindness. Did she mean from him or from anybody? Once again he said, "Do not think of it. Good night Shaylee." He watched her carefully, curious what her reaction would be at him saying her name. Shaylee blushed all the way up to the tips of her ears in the way that amused him so much. With a slight nod of his head, Jareth disappeared from the infirmary and reappeared back in his room. The fireplace was still flickering with the light he had requested earlier. Not wanting to use more magical energy than was necessary, he did not bother with using his magic to change out of his outfit. Jareth pulled off his white poet's shirt and tossed it over a chair. Sitting down on the corner of his bed, he pulled off his boots and swung his legs up onto the bed. Laying back against the pillows with a sigh, he conjured a crystal - ignoring the fact that he had used his magic anyway. "Shaylee." He whispered. His eyes waited for the colors to stop swirling and watched the image of Shaylee sitting up in bed, still staring up at the night sky.

Slowly, she pulled off the robe and tossed it towards the end of the bed. Jareth watched as she settled down against the pillows and turned away from the window. She was facing the room and now Jareth could see her face. Shaylee stared out at the room but to the king it looked like she was staring right at him. He almost thought about sending the crystal away but changed his mind when he saw her eyes slide shut. Jareth kept his vigil until her breathing became even, signaling that she was asleep. The crystal popped like a bubble. Jareth rolled over onto his side and closed his own eyes. And he, the Prince of Dream Weaving, dreamt that night of two little boys running through his room with laughter ringing through the halls.

Yay! :D Happiness! :) Hopes you all like it. Doh! I forgot to run spell check. :/ I'll come back later and fix it. Sorry! Review! :D

I'm thinking of having like a mini contest type thing. Let me know if this is against the rules or something, but I would like to see if anyone on deviantart is reading this or if any of my readers would like to have a chance at this you can send me a PM and ask for details or something. Whoever draws a fanart for this story gets to read the next chapter before I post it on fanfiction! :D Trust me, the next chapter is going to be REALLY special for Jareth and Shaylee. *Nudge, nudge, wink wink.* ;) Due date for notification of entries is June 10th. I can't make people wait forever. :)