A/N: Hi guys! It's been a long time coming, but I promise I AM planning on finishing this. I've got the outline written out, it's just the fillers I need to work on to get the story along. For those that have been reading the entire time, I thank you. It's really great to see the reviews here on as well as your thoughts on the Labyrinth msg board I frequent. You know I simply adore this genre of fan fiction and I intend to keep on writing it, trying to follow in such footsteps as Saxonny, KLMorgan, ScatteredLogic, Cormak, Sharkdiver, Jester and so many other amazing authors I didn't mention. I guarantee smut IS to come!

Many thanks to my angel of a beta: Ms. Snape Sharkdiver ;)

CHAPTER 10

The sun had decided to work a little overtime and over-exhaust itself in the new hours of the day. At least, it felt that way, to Sarah Williams. To say that she felt like absolute crap would be a severe understatement. The air outside her windows forced her to pull her covers tighter and over her head, to hide from the crisp breeze coming through her window. For that reason, and that reason alone, she neglected to hear a single word Miss Sophie had said to her. Something about watching her drink for the rest of her stay and how she'd thought only the men acted the way she did.

She remembered the muffled sounds coming through to her from under the covers, "I've had a few ladies that have had rough mornings, but I guess they were a bit stronger. They knew how to pull themselves together for the men that ruled the castle, especially the king. When the mere thought of his Majesty seeing them under the weather, even for a moment, caused them to force sugar tablets and peppermint tea leaves down their throat. Most of the cucumbers were gone from the kitchen as they were told it was an old remedy to prevent puffy eyes. But, I can see that you are not one of them. No, not unless I get more time with you, missy. Maybe not today, but maybe in time you will see how I work!"

Sarah just moaned from under the safety of her comforter. The woman hardly took a single moment to breathe as she went about Sarah's room, taking out things for her to wear for the day, drawing a bath and fixing the morning tea. It was a surprise that she even had the physical capabilities to contain that much hot air.

Shaking her head as she walked down the passage on the way to the dining hall, Sarah tried to push back the morning's events so she could actually get a chance to relax. She was awoken so abruptly, that she wasn't able to properly nurse a hangover the way she knew how: more sleep, a slow get up, and lots and lots of Advil.

Sarah had reached the dining room doors and let herself in. There weren't any placements at the dining table, but saw that they were being served back on the verandah like the morning before. She saw Tad leaning over the stone railing, looking out at the gardens over the city walls.

Upon hearing footsteps, he straightened up and turned around, prepared for a greeting. When he saw it was Sarah, he smiled warmly towards her and nodded his head, "Good morning, Sarah. How do you fair?"

She took the first few steps outside, blinking her eyes a few times to adjust to the bright sun that had decided to follow her to the other side of the castle, "How do I fair?" She asked, approaching the table. "Not that well, I'm afraid. I could really go for some coffee this morning. I do hope you have coffee?"

"It's a vial drink that you mortals seem to thrive on. No, I'm sorry my dear, nothing like that here." The majestic voice spoke from behind her.

Sarah immediately straightened up more than her corset allowed and turned around to face the king who wasn't that far behind her in steps. Her mouth gaped just slightly as he seemed to radiate more power than the sun could shine on the brightest day. Maybe it was because she was still a little slow from the morning, or the fact that he had caught her completely off guard for the second time.

Tad regarded the king and made an effort to pull the chair out for Sarah that was placed next to the Jareth at the small square table. Jareth stood in front of his chair, looking down preoccupied with a thread on his shirt. After Sarah took her seat, Jareth took his and began to butter a piece of toast. Sarah turned her head the other way and watched as Tad took his own seat. He smiled once to her and held out his hand to encourage her to help herself to breakfast. Sarah took a deep breath, still not completely awake and ready to handle the pre-mature stress of the day.

She followed suit and did what the men did, because if you couldn't beat them, you might as well join them. She took a piece of dry toast and began to nibble on it, before the rest of her breakfast came. A hearty meal of eggs and bacon were presented before her.

The meal went on rather quietly with Jareth reading over a message that had been given to him and Tad trying to put his signature on a few pieces of parchment. Sarah just sat there, looking at her food, occasionally stirring it about on her plate. Tad looked up and realized how bored his dining companion was. He very politely folded up his papers and placed them out of his reach, to pay more attention to his lady friend. He took a sip of his orange juice and inquired about Sarah's sleep.

Relieved that the silence was broken, she answered, "I slept very well, thank you. I'd been suffering for so long, it's usually at this time that I start to get restless in my sleep. Maybe it's being in this place that makes it so different. Either that, or that wicked woman making me so nervous I'm exhausted at the end of the day."

"You mean, Sophie?" Tad baited.

"Miss Sophie! It's Miss Sophie, Tad!"

Between the two of them, they immediately turned their heads to the other side of the table. The sound of something so odd turned her attention to his Majesty. It was something she'd never thought she'd witness while he was in her presence Jareth was laughing.

As if he was in mid sentence, reading his documents, he stopped, looked up at her and broke into such a smile that every emotional piece of him was exposed. He rested his paper down on the table and lifted his napkin to his lips to stifle his laughter. It filled Sarah's ears with such delight that they, for the first time, had been equal. Both of them were amazed with one another and it had been as if a little wall had been torn down between them.

Sarah had shown a side of her that Jareth hadn't thought possible. She had a sense of humor for a dark situation. Jareth had revealed that aside from the fun and games, he found surprises in people quite humorous.

"Your Majesty?" Tad interrupted. He also was caught quite off guard with his king's surprising change of demeanor.

Jareth held up his hand to Tad to advise him that he needed a moment to compose himself. He glanced over at Sarah, once he had caught his breath, and just held his grin on her. He couldn't help it; the girl had made him laugh. After hearing so many other ladies complaints and moans, he had never once heard any of them actually say anything directly about this woman. It was always the men that teased how tough Sophie was, and that the women just couldn't keep up. But, it was the mortal Sarah Williams and her dry human wit that revealed itself to be honest. With that, Jareth felt that he needed to give her a little bit more respect…at least for the next few minutes. He looked over at her, holding his grin, and watching her eyes twinkle back at him with such question he knew he had caught her off-guard as well. For that one moment, he would let the past slide under the little bridge, for after breakfast he was sure things would return the way they were. It was just this little moment by her that had made him laugh. Sarah, who had broken his heart only a few years ago, had put a smile on his face.

Sarah wasn't sure how to react. She couldn't avert her eyes from him, for there was something hiding behind them. Was it the moment of weakness that intrigued her? Was it the idea that he wasn't as uptight as she had thought? Whatever it was, it struck her quite odd and gave her a slight bit of confidence when he looked at her.

"Sarah Williams," he paused.

She waited for him to finish the sentence as every nerve in her body stood on end. What was he going to say? Was he going to tell on her? Was he close with Miss Sophie? Was he disappointed in her? Would he lash out to make her live in fear for the duration of her stay?

She swallowed, "Yes?"

"You are quite quick with the tongue and that reflects intelligence. If you don't mind my saying, I'm quite impressed with how you're handling Sophie's more conventional methods."

Sarah felt herself relax. He wasn't going to act as pompous as he looked, "That's nice of you to say. But, conventional is not the word I'd use; more like…" she took a moment to catch herself as she watched both gentlemen look at her with interest, "It's more like a word I cannot say."

Jareth's smile returned on his lips and he reached for his morning tea. He went back to reading his documents, now with a content smile on his face. Sarah looked over at Tad when she finished with the king and gave him a smile. Tad acknowledged that he was pleased she wasn't too unnerved by the king and was happy she had made her first step in the right direction.

After breakfast, Tad led Sarah around the castle a bit more giving her a tour of the grounds, emptying out into the Goblin City. He led her down a dark passage that looked like some kind of alleyway, opening up at the end in a small market; it was complete with rows upon rows of merchants, each displaying their wears and vegetables just like theydid back at home.

Sarah stopped for a moment, looking all around her. She looked back at the way they came in and saw the small narrow passageway behind them blending into the stone walls of the Goblin City. She quickly turned her head, coming to terms with the realization that things were not as they appeared – anywhere.

"Sarah, you'll find out that this place is more than you think," Tad said as he rested a light hand on her back to urge her forward with him.

"But, Tad, this wasn't here before, was it?" Sarah said with a slight feeling of panic in her voice as the idea of another part of the Labyrinth, completely unexplored by her, left her feeling a little unsettled.

"Yes, it was. It's all been here longer than I've been around. Sarah, that's what a Labyrinth is. It's full of mystery and deception, but those are all the darker qualities. Much like the man that governs this territory it's also filled with many good qualities. Keep that in mind as you talk to him, you'll see."

Tad began his walk ahead of her, positioning his hands behind his back to peer at the goods displayed. He left her to ponder over thoughts of her having been mistaken about the labyrinth. She hadn't even been here for two days and already she was discovering surprises that she would have never dreamed existed. First, the kind staff that dwelled within the castle walls, drill sergeants for maids, a king with multiple personalities, and now a farmers market hidden in the walls of the Labyrinth. This was all going to take a lot of time to absorb.

The pair returned to the castle later that morning, after Tad showed Sarah a few other passageways that extended past the Goblin City. Other houses and neighborhoods dwelled beyond the walls, and it was up to the naked eye to spot them. Of course, any mere mortal wouldn't recognize the signs or clues given that there was a passageway, but then again it wasn't in her nature to be aware of such things; if it were, she would have gotten to the castle a lot sooner the first time she was put here with a time limit.

Tad hated to leave Sarah anywhere that was unfamiliar at this stage of the task, but he couldn't neglect his duties to Jareth. He was supposed to have rewritten several documents in another language by the end of the day to be sent out by night courier, and his time was quickly passing. Bringing Sarah to the Underground was a stretch, but it would mean the world to Tad if it were a success.

After a lazy nap, which Sarah was grateful for considering her previous night affairs, she decided to retire back to the library where she'd been secretly wishing to return to. Maybe it was the solitude, maybe it was the amount of history that ran through the walls, and maybe it was the simple idea that this was a room where all fairy tales started. Either way, it made for some serious relaxation, long needed after her hectic life back in the Aboveground. So what if Tad had to leave her for a while. So what if she didn't know the area too well. So what if there was something to do at each corner! Sarah was content to pick up a book and catch up on a passion she had long missed - leisure reading.

Sarah had been snuggled into the confines of the farthest corner of a plush couch, totally drawn into the story of the peasant and the princess for only a short time, when she had company. She heard Jareth's voice from outside the doors and then saw him push his way into the room with two others following behind him. Thankful that she had chosen the right couch for protection, the back of it was towards them so she wouldn't be in view when they reached the center of the room. She sank deeper into the couch not wanting to be seen.

"So, this is where I wish for everyone to congregate before the ceremony." Jareth walked in with business on mind. His entire physique gave away a determined mind and anyone could tell he just had this, 'let's get this over with' attitude.

The two men behind him scribbled down notes as he spoke, while Jareth looked about the room. He was thinking up possible ideas of where his guests would be comfortable with minimal effort. "You can set up the bar there, that way it'll serve as easy access to the kitchens,"

"My lord, this is your library. I'm well aware of how personal this room is and I really can't imagine you letting strangers into it without your permission." Said a man that stood a few feet away, dressed in the same fashion that Tad would have been, only in much brighter shades. He was very lean and had long blond hair wrapped back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck. He scribbled notes the entire time the king spoke, hardly looking at his notepad once, and kept on talking.

Jareth turned to address the young man and added, "Yes it is, but this is the one room I am able to see every single angle of. There are many rooms in this castle in which I do not have the ability to view in its entirety, but this one is to be seen. I've made it that way, so to speak."

"What rooms would those be, my lord?" said the second man, who up until now had stayed quiet. He was about Jareth's height and a little bit younger in appearance, with short black hair.

"You do not need to know that, Byron. I suggest in the future, you don't make yourself so interested in my private affairs. Nothing under this roof is vital to you; so only speak when spoken too. Am I quite clear?"

The man known as Byron with the short dark hair nodded and said, "Yes, your Majesty."

"Good. Now, I said to put the bar against those walls and we will move things around in here for easier maneuvering. I don't need anyone spilling wine all over my globes, although I would not put it past them to try and set a goblet down on one. So, it's best to just take all the globes and maps out of this room."

"What of servers, my lord? Do you want them walking around before the ceremony to offer refreshments?" the lean blonde man spoke as Jareth thought aloud.

"No, I don't want to be bothered with that. Let them help themselves with the two servers that will be behind the bar." Jareth spoke; putting a black-gloved hand over his jaw as he envisioned the absolute state his room of solitude would be put in after this ordeal. It was a huge sacrifice on his part to use this room for such a public gathering, but he was going to be married and he wasn't going to have too much privacy after that fateful day. He thought he might as well soften the blow early by involving something very personal into the wedding. The union was something there was no backing out of, but it was the sanctity of privacy he was truly going to miss.

Sarah stayed slumped down into the couch as the men's' business went on around her. Finally, she couldn't take his rationalizing of the wedding and personal space by making it completely inconvenient on his guests and decided to say a few words.

She lifted herself up to peer over the back of the couch that had been hiding her and watched how the three men were still discussing the layout of the room and its lack of servers.

"You know, if it were my wedding plans you were organizing-" Sarah dared to interject, her heart in her throat, but still she had to speak to him one way or another. She had too much riding on it to fail.

Jareth immediately snapped his head to her general direction, his long blonde locks flying about him, until his eyes rested on her. He lowered his head and his eyes bore through her, "But they aren't."

Sarah froze. Her mouth had gaped open when she realized that she had spoken out of turn. What the hell was she thinking? It wasn't a good idea. The fact that they shared a moment this morning at breakfast meant nothing. That was this morning, on neutral territory of breakfast, but now the moment was all his. It was his room, his castle, his couch she was leaning over, and his books! She took a deep breath, her mouth slowly closing and returning her stare. Who was going to win this one, then? She had already stood up to him once and he let her have that one. He was right in doing anything; she had been warned. To do or say anything out of line in front of the two others, would surely involve a kind of humiliation that caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand on end from anticipation.

His voice broke the silence, surprising her, "But continue."

Sarah had exactly two seconds to shrug off her inhibitions, her thoughts and fears before she said, "I was just overhearing your conversation…"

"You mean eavesdropping?" The king asked coy.

"No, I was sitting here the whole time," she looked to the other men who stood somewhat abashed with the situation of the mystery girl in his library and how she emitted strength beyond a woman's capabilities when in the presence of the Goblin King. "And heard how you're trying to justify using this room. If I were you, and I'm not, I'd have servers to help around the room to cater to the guests for the sole purpose of them not to roam. This way, they would stay in one spot, rather than loiter about the bar waiting to get served. When you're bored waiting, you tend to look around for something of interest. Someone may see something that my distract them and they'll go over to check it out."

Sarah listened to herself speak, as three sets of eyes were on her, "What I am trying to say is, get servers to cater to your guests to prevent them from wandering around your library."

As Sarah spoke, Jareth watched her with an open mind. His look was cold and serious at first, but then he relaxed, as the sound of her voice was non-threatening and non-confrontational for a change. He finally got a chance to listen to her speak with a passion, rather than a complaint. As she leaned over the back of the couch, telling her story, Jareth watched how her mouth moved. He watched as her eyes blinked and spoke for themselves, adding to the amazing piece of work that their god had created for visual enjoyment. Granted, he could only see the top of her as she leaned over, but the way her hands flew about in her storytelling made it ever more alluring to watch.

When she stopped talking, Jareth heard only the last line of her words and turned to the men behind him, "Take that into consideration, gentlemen. I think she's got a better idea."

Byron finally took his eyes off of Sarah and turned back to the king, "Yes, your Majesty."

Jareth had caught the longing look that Byron had given Sarah, and it was just another reason to dislike the man. Jareth and Byron didn't have a history with each other, but it was very obvious in the air that the two men did not get along. It appeared that Byron was there on behalf of the marrying family, not for Jareth's sake. But, now that he had been caught staring at Sarah, it was just another con to put on the king's list when it came down to the reasons why he did not trust Byron.

The king regarded Sarah one more time and then ushered the men out of the room. He followed them as they passed through the doorway and stopped at the threshold. He turned around and saw Sarah still leaning over in the position she had been in. He watched her take a deep breath, as if relieved that she was alone. She had been so tense when she spoke to him that when she finally relaxed it was as if someone had taken an invisible wall out from behind her that kept her posture straight. She lightly fanned herself with her hand and then resumed the position she was in, when she had been reading. Taking a few more minutes, she had composed herself, or relaxed as it appeared and picked up the book again to read. It was then that Jareth took the final steps out of the room and shut the door behind him, causing Sarah to jump.