Sarah sat in her room, gazing into the small picture she had taken with her into this world. Toby beamed out at her, her father clutching him tightly at the end of a football game. The mud splattered faces exuded so much warmth and so much love that it almost tore her heart in two. In the sanctuary of the silence, she allowed herself to cry. After dinner, her and Jareth had bid each other goodnight, and in her wine induced haze she had walked unsteadily back to her chambers and crawled into the bed. Her mind rocked with the truths he had told her. How could a human be something so despised in this place? How could the bright faces of her father and Toby be branded as evil?

Past sins had been committed that she had to pay for. And as she sat with Jareth at the table, observing his pain and misfortune she had found herself swathed with pity and shame. But now she was alone, away from him, she started to devise another thought. His plan was grand, spanning years to bring his world back from the brink. And as the wine flowed through her veins she had begun to accept it, wanting to be the hero she had always dreamed of being, not the villain he had once called her. But now, the reality of it was setting in. Could she truly devote her life to this cause? A cause that, in reality, had nothing to do with her? He was persuasive; he had a way of spinning words before her and weaving them into truths that spoke directly to her heart. But as her fingertips traced the glossy photo she realised that it was all too much. Nothing was worth losing them.

So as she sobered and the night grew colder, she decided on a new plan. She would stay for a while. She would stay and do everything she could to help him and his people, she didn't want any of them to die, of course she didn't. So she would show the world that a human could be kind and gracious, but after that, she would leave. She couldn't marry him and she couldn't carry his children. She refused to give up her life for a man who she barely knew. But if she achieved what he wanted above all else, to show people the truth, then he would have to agree; even he wasn't that cold hearted. Well, she hoped. And if he didn't allow her to leave she supposed she would have to find her own way home. She just wondered how she would tell him…and more importantly, how he would react.

Trumpets sounded through the cavernous hall, announcing the arrival of the King. The heavy doors to the chamber groaned as they opened and murmured greetings sounded as Jareth walked calmly to stand before the Council. He took his place on a small podium before the great table, steadfastly ignoring the seated people in the stands around him. At the head of the Council sat a wizened old man, clothed in scarlet robes that made the ferocious blue of his eyes visible from miles away. His lined face twitched as he regarded his King.

"Your Majesty." His voice shook, an emotion that Jareth could only describe as rage thundered through the room. He quirked a smile, bowing his head.

"Master Lukin. I presume you know why I'm here?" Lukin leaned forward in his seat, the old wood creaking as he did so.

"You have brought a human, one of them, into our realm. And she is not a runner for you to play with anymore, she is here as your concubine, correct?"

"My intended actually." Jareth quipped lightly, raising an eyebrow at the indignant huffs and gasps that filled the room.

Lukin scowled, his lined face peering at his King.

"Your Majesty. Forgive me for saying, but I am lead to the conclusion that you have lost your mind. Of all the foolish-"

"Watch your tongue." Jareth said, his voice low with warning. Lukin sat back, adjusting his robes.

"Do you not remember the war? Your own father was lost; he died at the hands of the people this female belongs to. Why do you want to bring this misfortune to your own kingdom?" He lamented.

"Do you not remember what they did to you? Your own mother?" At the mention of the lost Queen the Court silenced, a deadly hush falling over the crowd as they looked to King for some kind of reaction. No one spoke of her in public. Not anymore. Jareth frowned, his eyes boring into the old man's.

"I remember better than you think. I carry the scar on my face, everyday. Is that why you find it so hard to look me in the eye? You don't want to be reminded of what happened do you? But if I, perhaps the most wronged of you all, can see past it, then why can't you?" Lukin smiled bitterly.

"We are evidently not as gracious as you." Jareth raised his eyes to the ceiling, almost amused.

"Is it really so preposterous? Many kings of old took human wives, and I need an heir."

"There are many fae women-"

"Women who may as well be barren." Another outraged gasp swept through the crowd. Lukin gazed at his King incredulously.

"You believe this girl to be of a higher calibre?"

"Yes. She is pure, good of heart and passionate and so very strong. She would be fit for any King."

"You cannot do this."

"And who will stop me? I am the king of this land and if I wish to take a human bride then I shall. Just as my forefathers did before me. It is my right."

"That was centuries ago Jareth. Before we knew the nature of these people. This whore you bring before us will be the same, it will be the same story written in a different ink and you will be to blame!"

Jareth regarded the shaking finger of the old man, barely noticing the deadly quiet that had fallen over the court. His blood boiled and he told it to quieten. Now was not the time for brash actions. His fingers formed a crystal and lightly tossed it into the air. As it flew across the court it fell at Lukin's feet, bursting into a shower of sparks to reveal a leather bound book.

"You seem to have forgotten that she left me no choice. Through her ignorance she shared her tale of the Labyrinth and told the humans the wrong words. We have barely received any true summons in the last few months because of her."

The silence deepened.

"If I had done nothing then without those children our numbers would have dwindled away to nothing. Without numbers our magic would be too weak. This world and us with it would fade away into nothing." Lukin swallowed, staring at the name emblazoned on the book.

Sarah Williams

So this was the harlot who had brought a King to his knees.

"Well, it seems you have not killed her for the crime. Did you at least make her correct this foolishness?"

"No." Cries of protest filled the room, and Lukin threw his hands up in exasperation.

"With no children our fate is still sealed." Jareth observed the mayhem with no more than a quirked eyebrow, tired of his kingdom's dramatics.

"Not entirely, I gave her a choice." His voice, although still calm, cut across the crowd.

"A choice? The king has grown merciful all of a sudden?"

"She could recount her words, or come with me." The Council looked to one another, each more confused than the last.

"And why would she do that."

"To unite our worlds once more."

At the shocked quiet he continued.

"Our children will be half fae and half human. They shall have our longevity and her fertility, and those children will go on to marry into other families and do the same. A human's blood is strong, every descendant of hers will share this trait, and for generations and generations her blood will sustain us."

Lukin was silent; tapping his fingers against his chair

"Her blood will taint us." He growled. Jareth stepped away from the podium, his heeled boots tapping loudly against the stone floor in hall. The old man seemed to shrink away from his King as he neared. When he spoke it was with a deadly ferocity.

"She will show all of you that humans are more than hatred. And even if only a few of you see it, her work will be accomplished. Perhaps you'll join the world Above once more. You have not seen them as I have. They are still as ignorant but now they are more accepting. Between her blood and her passion you all will see. One day it will be as it once was." Lukin sighed at his King, almost saddened by his wistful thinking.

"Jareth-"

"Your Majesty." He corrected.

"Your Majesty. I cannot tell you what to do. We can only advise. And we advise strongly against this." Jareth stepped closer until he was before the bench, leaning over to whisper quietly in the old man's ear.

"Our world is dying; it has never been the same since we parted ways from humanity. Surely even you can see that?" Lukin's brow creased as he gazed through the window at the sight of the withered trees and barren earth.

"We all see. But maybe we should accept that our time has ended." For a moment Jareth looked at him, outraged, before composing himself.

"Give her a chance. Let her show you that the past does not mark the future. And let our children show you. And their children and theirs, and believe me there will be plenty." He said with a wink, and a small laugh bubbled through the crowd.

"You are a gracious King. But I fear you are not a wise King." Jareth waved him away, stepping back from the bench.

"If you are right then you will have my permission to scold me. But until then you must give me your trust. You must all give me your trust." He looked to the crowds at that, imploring them all.

Lukin looked around to the faces of the council, some stoic, some smiling at their King and heaved a sigh.

"We will cause no problems in this marriage your Majesty. As you said, you will do what you please. Maybe one day I will think differently, but for now I cannot bring my heart to love her as you do."

Jareth nodded, satisfied with the answer. As he walked from the chamber Lukin spoke once more.

"Does she know the price it will cost her?"

Jareth halted, his back tensing at the teasing tone. And it had all been going so well. He sighed, giving in to the request.

"She will."

"It must happen soon, Jareth. Time is ticking away and she has been here for a number of days now. She must give us penance."

"I thought you would cause no problem?" He spoke through gritted teeth, trying to quell the panic flooding through him.

"We won't. But the kingdom is uneasy at her presence. They are unsure just what to make of her. If your people don't see that she is willing to show her penance for past sins then I fear you will have an uprising."

Jareth lowered his head, unwilling to show the emotions flying across his face to the crowd.

"She will give penance."

"It must be public."

Jareth nodded tersely.

"I suggest it be at her coronation, after the wedding. How soon shall you be wed?"

"In a couple of weeks. The engagement ball shall be sooner."

Lukin nodded.

"I shall expect an invite."

They locked eyes for a moment, challenging the other to break first. After a few moments Lukin looked down to his papers, and Jareth gave a satisfied smile. The trumpets sounded once more as he departed. At the sound Lukin frowned at the back of his King. How could he be so foolish? No, he thought, this was too far. Something would have to be done.

As Jareth walked from the chamber he released a breath that he hadn't realised had been held. How could he tell Sarah of what she must do? She would hate him for it and it would destroy any chance they had. No. He would wait. He would wait until they were married. Until there was no turning back.

Sarah paced the throne room. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth until the goblins had gotten dizzy watching her. They had grumbled that the game was no fun and left her to continue her pacing in silence. She cursed herself again and again. How could she have allowed him to sweep her away with tales of heroics and pretty words and accept it with little more than a smile? She was still a foolish girl she deemed. And now she would break whatever truce they might have had. The wait for the King was killing her; no one seemed to know where he had gone, so there she had paced for half an hour, waiting for his return.

"The Lady Sarah, I presume." Sarah jumped at the unfamiliar voice, turning to spy a man she had never seen before standing in the archway. The old man before her was swathed in robes of scarlet, a heavy gold chain adorning his neck. He had a kind face, but one that looked as if it had been marred by years of scowling. She stood, straightening her shirt and giving a wary stare.

"Hi."

He stared at her for a moment, running his eyes over her form. But it wasn't the same way Jareth did, lustful and appreciating. This was clinical and almost disappointed. After a moment he collected himself, a disarming smile forming on his lips.

"Excuse me for not introducing myself. I am Master Lukin. I represent the Council."

"Oh, right. Jareth said something about seeing you…" Sarah stepped away, leaning against the throne behind her for some form of comfort.

"Indeed he did. Today in fact. I was curious to see the human he was keeping hidden away in his castle."

Sarah offered a smile that didn't reach her eyes. The way the man looked at her unnerved her; the cool calculations that were lurking behind his eyes gave nothing away.

"Please, relax. We have much to discuss." With a wave of his hand he conjured two small seats, motioning for her to take one. Sarah swallowed, slowly walking over and joining him.

"Where's Jareth?" For a moment he looked towards the ceiling as if trying to recall the information.

"I believe he is riding through the city on his way back here. I prefer the use of a little magic to help me get around." He chuckled softly and gave her a sly wink. Sarah tried to return the grin, but saw his eyes flit to her clenched hands in her lap.

"Tell me…what has Jareth told you of this world?"

"He told me about the war." She said quietly, wishing for the man in question to stride in and throw Lukin out. Somehow she knew that Jareth wouldn't appreciate his presence here.

"Oh yes…the war. And I presume he has mentioned his plans for you?" At her silence his smile deepened.

"I'm afraid it will never work my dear." Sarah frowned, regarding the intruder with a sceptical eye.

"He seems to think it will-"

"What do you make of him?" The rate at which he changed subjects dizzied her for a moment, and as she tried to find her words she fumbled.

"I don't know. I think...I don't know what I think if I'm honest."

"I can tell you a few things about our King. He is a selfish man. He is a foolish man. And he can be a very cruel man." Sarah gazed at him, shocked at his audacity. She was a stranger to this place but even she was sure this was improper.

"I think you should go." She stood from her chair, walking away from him but his words stopped her.

"To take a young girl such as yourself away from her home and draw her into this ancient war, I find it very cruel. And yet you are strangely accepting of it." Whirling around she regarded him with a fierce gaze.

"I don't accept it! There's a long way to go before I forgive him or even begin to accept it...But he told me what happened to you and your people. He told me you'd all die if I didn't help. I don't want my friends to die. And I'll stay and I'll help, and maybe one day he'll let me go home."

The man stared at her, incredulous.

"You are willing to marry this man, have children with this man?"

Sarah deflated before glancing around, checking for any prying ears.

"No. Maybe I'll have to marry him, for my own protection, but I will do no more than that. I want to prove to you all that a human can be kind and accepting. And when I do, I'll go home. I'm not going to have his children. I'm not going to stay here forever. Maybe...if I can change your minds before the wedding then I don't even have to marry him." Lukin stood and waved away the seats. He took a step towards her, amused when she took one back.

"You think he'll let you leave?"

"Maybe. If I do my part then maybe." He looked at her with something akin to pity.

"And if he doesn't?" Sarah took a shuddering breath in, closing her eyes at the words.

"He'll never let you leave." She opened her eyes, trying to control her temper.

"Then I'll escape!"

"And who will help you do that?" Lukin pressed her, playing on the fears that had become deep rooted in her heart.

"I have friends here. They'll help me. I need to go home, I need to have my own life and see my own family." There was a pause as the words resounded through the air. Lukin shifted, cocking his head at her.

"Why will he not let you see them now?" Sarah stilled, confused.

"He said it was complicated." He let out a small bark of laughter, a harsh sound that pervaded the air around them and her wince.

"Oh, sweetling. I'm afraid our dear King hasn't told you the entire truth." Her throat went dry.

"What?"

"You don't think he has the power to take you to and from the Above? You don't think he has the power to do that?" Lukin asked, an amused look crossing his face at her naivety. Sarah shook her head, bewildered at the news.

"He said, one day…" Lukin tutted admonishingly.

"Oh, sweet girl. I'm afraid he's been lying to you. He could take you to visit home in the morning and be back in time for supper." Sarah swallowed hard.

"Why would he-"

"Lie? Because he's infatuated with you! He's scared you'll run away from him if he takes you Above. And besides, he'll do anything to make you stay. Even tell you that you can save us all from dying."

"I can't?"

"We're all dying, Sarah. Even you yourself, every breath you take is but another step closer to death. We survived for centuries after the war, maybe now is our time to fade away. Everyone accepts the end but him. Our King is a coward. He fears death and defeat; he'll do anything to avoid it. Even steal a pretty little human girl away and fill her head with pretty little lies."

Sarah was still, but her hands betrayed her, shaking as they were fisted at her sides.

"I do admire your heart, however. Willing to sacrifice your life for others? Willing to accept a man like Jareth to do so? You are a better person than me."

"Master Lukin."

Sarah gasped as Jareth's voice sliced through the air. The old man turned, greeting the King with a smile.

"Ah, your Majesty. I was just becoming acquainted with young Sarah here. And I must say, she is a beauty." Jareth stepped towards him with a cold gaze, looking down his nose at him.

"I think it's time that you leave."

"Of course, of course. Do forgive the intrusion, I shall call on you tomorrow to discuss the matter." With no more than a smile, Lukin vanished from sight to leave the two of them very much alone.

After a moment or so, Jareth turned to Sarah.

"And just what were you talking about?" He demanded, barking the words at her. But she stood still, staring at him with wide eyes and a tensed jaw. At her silence he growled, grasping her by the shoulders.

"I asked you a question, Sarah."

"You're a liar." She said quietly, her fingers scratching against her palms. She could almost hear his breath stop.

"You said you couldn't take me home." He released his grip on her, taking a step back.

"I cannot take you home, Sarah-"

"And why not? Because you're scared I'll run away?" She hissed, advancing on him as he retreated.

"Sarah...please...do not ruin what we have begun to build-"

"We've built nothing. You lied to me to win my obedience and it's all rubbish, Jareth." He looked at her incredulously, in disbelief that everything was being ruined so perfectly.

"Last night you accepted your fate-"

"I pitied you, Jareth! I pitied everything about your world and I thought, you know what, I'll help them. I'll save this world and everyone in it because I wanted to be the hero. I wanted to prove to myself that I was not this villain you keep telling me I am." The King was silent, almost struck dumb by the extraordinary display of rage before him. Sarah breathed heavily, trying to claw back breath into her lungs. She took one more step towards him until they were nose to nose and she could gaze into eyes with a cruel sneer.

"It had nothing to do with you. It was everyone else I wanted to save. You can rot for all I care." To her fury he stared her down.

"Then you'll rot with me." She laughed, quietly and bitterly.

"Then I'll run away."

"You think I won't find you?" Shrugging almost nonchalantly, she maintained his gaze and refused to break first.

"Then you'll find me. And I'll run away from you again and again and again, until one day you'll just get tired of chasing me." Her heart sang as he looked away. She took a step back, unable to stop the smile on her face.

"You know why I was waiting for you here, Jareth? I was waiting to beg you to let me go. I don't want to marry you, I don't want to have your children not even if it meant saving the entire universe." His head snapped towards her, a sneer gracing his own face to match hers.

"The damage has already been done, Precious."

"Then undo it yourself!" She shouted, her chest heaving as she tried to scrabble at the prison he'd trapped her in. A small thought ricocheted around her mind that for every truce they settled upon, it would always end up shattering, each time more spectacularly than the last. To her chagrin, she saw Jareth swallow, trying to collect himself.

"Sarah. Last night things were pleasant. We spoke and you understood. You maybe even agreed with me. And because this snake in my kingdom has hissed at you that has all changed?" He whispered, gazing at her in earnest. She shook her head, running a hand through her hair.

"Don't blame him, Jareth. You're the liar. You're the snake. You said maybe one day I could go home, like it was some impossible feat. When in fact I could flit to and fro as I please. How dare you let me believe they were lost to me. How dare you let me grieve for them!"

"It was the only way you would accept this situation. It was the only way you would help-"

"It's not just about me helping you though, is it? You want me; you've been watching me since I was a child like some Godforsaken predator! This whole thing is completely selfish Jareth, no one even wants this plan of yours to happen except you!" Her shouts echoed throughout the throne room, and somewhere in the castle a group of goblins shivered in fear at the noise. Without a word to her, Jareth strode forwards, thrusting her up against the wall. She was lifted off her feet, held by his hands clasping her arms to her sides and his lips inches away from hers.

"Perhaps you're right. Perhaps I am a selfish and dishonourable man. But I tried to do this nicely. I tried to endear myself to you and for one foolish moment I thought you were mature enough and smart enough to accept this world and all its problems and try to help me. Evidently I was mistaken." His breath whispered across her mouth and this time she felt no desire for him, only a gut wrenching disgust that she did not even attempt to conceal.

"You know what? I'll help this world. But not for you. I'll do it for Hoggle, and Ludo. Sir Didymus. For everyone I love here. Hell, I'll even do it for every rat and worm that lives in this world, but I won't do it for you." A flash of some indescribable emotion flashed in his eyes, and for a moment his grip tightened on her, bruising her arms deeply. But she carried on.

"And when it's done…when I've convinced even a few of your people. I'm going to run far, far away from you. And I'll never stop." She whispered. There was a beat before Jareth crushed his lips to hers, silencing her and stealing her breath away. She cried out in anger, the sounds muffled against his lips. As he released her she gasped for breath, outraged at his smug smile.

"Fine. You run away from me all you want. I'll enjoy the chase." With that he let her drop, collapsing into a heap on the floor. She heard him walk away, the leather of his boots creaking as he did so.

"The marriage will happen though, even if I have to bind you in chains to the altar." Sarah laughed, almost hysterically.

"That sounds like the sort of thing you'd do." She could see his hands curl into fists by his side.

"Oh, does it? Perhaps you'd like to spend the remainder of your days bound somewhere in a dungeon?" He warned, his voice causing the very bones of her to shiver. She was silent, settling only for a defiant stare. After a few moments he began to walk away once more.

"I wanted to be friends, you know. I came here to ask you to spare my life, but I still wanted to be your friend. Hell, I probably would have even married you willingly, even if it were only to protect myself. Because you were right, last night, I agreed with you. Everything you said my species had done to you, I wanted to help. And maybe, in time we could have had something real. A real friendship. But that…that was the most foolish thing. You're a liar. You're a manipulative, deceitful person and you can never have anything real, Jareth. You're not that sort of a man. And now I'd rather face anything and everyone that wants to hurt me rather than be tied to you."

He never once looked at her as he left.