Jareth could not believe that the same innocent baby he had seen with Abilena was this headstrong, stubborn girl. How had he not recognized her when he was called to her side? He'd never gone to see a mortal except the once when he'd visited his friend and was mesmerized by her infant. He had known that she would be a strong princess someday, but he had also known he'd never see her again since Abilena was dead and who else would know of the child? His parents, that's who - they as always, had their own agenda.
He had never felt the thrill of the chase as he had when Sarah had wished Toby away, but still…Abilena had died in a hospital, Jareth had only seen Sarah as a baby – how was he to know that they would meet again? And she had no real idea of what she was, the heir to the Tuatha Dé Danann, the only one with the bloodline to challenge Jordana for the world above. He closed his eyes and sat where she'd left him, in the great hall near the royal library and tried to calm himself. But the feel of her so near to him was a curse.
"Jareth? Is that you?" Aberdon's voice came out of the shadows. Within moments, his brother was sitting next to him on the low sofa, staring at him in concern.
"Of course it is. Who else would be sitting here alone in the dark wondering where his sanity had fled?" Jareth rubbed his eyes and grinned ruefully at his youngest brother.
"Hmm, I wonder what has you so in fits," Aberdon wondered as he adjusted his grey leather gloves and pretended to consider.
"You know very well that the girl is still here. I would not have thought her stupid enough to remain now that she knows the risks."
"Mother seems to think the girl is up to the task."
"Yes, Mother seems to be talking to everyone about Sarah. Why couldn't she had just left things as they were? Jordana would have challenged for the Goblin Kingdom regardless of Sarah returning."
"And Sarah would be safe?" Aberdon asked mildly. Jareth glared at him then sighed.
"Yes, damn it all - she'd be safe. Now she's thrown herself into a battle she has no hope of winning with no hope of rescue. I cannot for the life of me imagine why she continues to vex me at every turn. Wasn't her previous victory enough of a treat?"
"Perhaps she didn't win what she was after," Aberdon suggested smoothing back wild black hair.
"Perhaps you need a drink to clear your fool head," Jareth said, standing up abruptly. "Come, Father has some excellent wine in his study and I have need of wine."
"Lead the way, older and wiser brother. I'm sure we have much to discuss this night, and I'm tired from my ride."
"Ah, I forgot - the other girl, Amy?"
"Annie - I left her at the path leading back to her world," Aberdon said not meeting his brother's eyes.
"And?"
"And nothing. She's knowledge of this world but rejects it. I'm certain we won't be hearing more of her anytime soon. Someone so disgusted with our world should not be a part of it." Aberdon's voice was a bit harsh and Jareth gave him a more interested look as they made their way to Corbin's wine.
"Perhaps you need the wine even more than I, dear brother."
"Oh shut up," was Aberdon's elegant reply.
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Annie told Lithos all she knew of Sarah's time in the Labyrinth, which wasn't much. Sarah had only given her the basics. She'd wished Toby away, Jareth had taken him, and somehow, with the help of beings she had met along the way, Sarah had gotten Toby back from the Goblin King.
"And that is all you know?" Lithos asked, somewhat disappointed.
"Isn't that enough? The jerk stole her brother and made her try to save him. Then at the last minute he tries telling her that he loved her. Men are all the same, they lie and they twist your words until you don't know your own mind anymore. Mom's always saying that and I guess I never really listened."
"I see. Well - it is late and you are tired. The housekeeper will show you up to your room," he said, rising to leave.
"Where are you going?"
"Off for a brisk walk before bed. I find it clears my head a bit. Sweet dreams Antoinette."
"Uh yeah, good night."
Back in her room, Annie pulled out the goblin pendant. The face seemed to be staring at her, into her soul. Annie laughed mirthlessly. Now she was filling her head with nonsense. Staring out the window, she watched Lithos walk deeper into the woods, whistling softly. The night was calm and she could hear the happy laughter of the villagers downstairs, drinking to another good day Under Ground.
Fairy tales and Goblin Kings had no place in the real world. You had to grow up fast and watch your back. Life was just waiting to trip you up and Annie wouldn't let that happen to Sarah. She was the only friend Annie had and she would not lose her to a bunch of story book freaks. If she did, she'd be alone again with only her mother for company. And her mother's customers. Soon to be her customers if she didn't finish high school and escape.
She held the pendant tightly to her. She would not be alone in the world. Sarah would not leave her for this fantasy world. She fell into a restless sleep, lost in her own fears and insecurities. And the pendant watched her.
Off in the woods, Lithos stopped and waited. A orange glow filtered through the mists and formed into the evil Jordana.
"Well, have you learned anything?" Jordana asked, smoothing a perfect eyebrow into place.
"The girl knows nothing, Jordana. She's petty and insecure and she wants to take Sarah and leave. She'll fit your plan, not to worry."
"I never worry. I only need to know how that little twit was able to summon Jareth to her without magic. I need to know just how powerful my little niece is now."
"They say he loves her deeply, perhaps that love brought her summons to his ears."
"Love! Jareth is incapable of love which is why he and I will rule as one mind over all others. Once his family is destroyed and we are set to join the two kingdoms there will be nothing stopping me from my plans."
"Do you honestly think you can destroy the humans Above Ground? And what then? A world full of slave labor? What do you hope to attain by this madness?"
"You dare question me, Lithos? When I spared you from the attack on the Tuatha Dé Danann? Mother and Father pleading for their pathetic lives and the lives of all their people, it was pathetic."
"And turned me into this - thing."
"Goblin, my friend. How else were you to learn anything in the Goblin kingdom? How else was I to learn of Abilena's little brat? How I long to go back to the Above Ground and see Ireland once more. Once I clear out the palace of all those petty naysayers."
"They can't stay locked in sleep forever Jordana. The prophecy..."
"The prophecy only says the princess would return things as they should have always been. And my ruling the world with Jareth fits that description completely. Do not attempt to soften the blow of their defeat with your outdated sense of honor. We were the rulers of the world long before humans existed and we shall be the rulers once again. The child will be dealt with in time, once that little fool gives her the pendant, Princess Sarah will be transported to my dungeon for a little girl talk."
"And the other girl? Antoinette?"
"Oh her? Well as soon as she does her job, you will kill her." Lithos' expression did not change, but Jordana came closer and stared into his eyes anyway.
"Am I perfectly clear on that point, Brother? You will kill her."
"Of course my queen. Very sensible plan." Jordana misted into nothingness again and disappeared into the night. Lithos, son of the High King of the Above Ground and a kitchen maid walked slowly back to the inn.
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Sarah tossed and turned, feeling Jareth next to her in dreams. She could have pushed him away earlier but her body would not listen. Even in sleep she could feel his long fingers stroke her throat and tuck hair behind her ear. Hot whispers and chills, smoke and mirrors - that was Jareth. She should be furious with him, but all she felt was a deep longing for him to be near her again. For his fingers to stroke her throat again, going lower until all thoughts of fleeing were gone.
She stretched in sleep, moaning to herself. He was madness and danger and she was beginning to think those weren't such bad qualities. The look in his eyes as he held her against the wall had made her want to grab him and kiss him with all the bottled up fear and passion she had been holding in since her return to the Above Ground. She was a fool, and she knew it.
Her hand snaked down over her stomach, going lower to the front of her panties, pushing the material aside. Stroking herself in sleep, her mind called out to him.
"Jareth," she screamed as her body arched back over the bed.
Somewhere in the castle, Jareth heard the call in his mind and opened another bottle of wine. But he grinned just a little knowing that he had no part in her dream this night. No, this was all Sarah's making and she would have to decide where it took them both.