Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Labyrinth or any genius creation of Jim Henson. I do, however, wish that I had his kind of imagination!

~Armina~

The masquerade was utterly boring, as these things go. That was, before the scent of magick hit her. The particular scent was unique, almost like honeysuckle.

Her eyes widened at the thought. A smile made its way across her features. Jareth had come, and then left the dance floor very suddenly, less than the time it took to play two songs.

Of course, she planned the whole song bit. She could see into his heart and had told the band to play his song. Her scheming meant nothing, though. Even if she had done the same thing, but Sarah didn't love him, it would have done nothing, which it hadn't.

As she'd told Jareth years ago, she knew everything important. Her only son's curse was very important. He need only find love, and he would take his true form, the form that she had seen him as. The form she'd seen him as when she fell in love with him.

Of course, he didn't know that. He assumed he would be turned into a handsome young fae again, but the curse never specified. What did the humans call it again? She pondered. Was it trolling?

Whatever the case, Armina knew that it was a matter of time before Sarah gave in and fell in love with him. Her soul was calling to him, and it would soon become undeniable.

An evil grin spread across her face at the thought of her scheming. Ah, what the hell. I can be a bitch when it is convenient. She told herself mentally. This is very convenient, indeed.

Her grin soon faded when she saw Sarah storm back to her room. She sat up straighter in her throne and saw Sarah's face covered with tears. Had he hurt her? She thought.

She got up from her seat and retreated into her deserted crystal room. In the center of the small dome, sat her greatest crystal, powerful enough to see even the dead, even though she didn't need it for that specific purpose. "Show me the girl," she growled and the crystal obliged.

Sarah's image flickered in the globe and revealed an upset aura. She hadn't been hurt, thank the gods, but she was shaken. Jareth must have shown her Toby, she thought.

Relieved that he hadn't screwed anything up, she went back to the masque, where Rūbrind still sat enjoying conversation.

~Sarah~

Jareth had obviously changed, but not in the way she thought. He seemed to have become less of an ass, but he was now an annoying, lovesick puppy. Yeah, he had Toby and Toby was happy, but Jareth insisted that she loved him. In an odd way, she kind of did. Really, he had brought Toby the happiness that he deserved.

What the hell is wrong with me? Sarah asked herself. Deep down, she had desired the king. At one point, she really wished he would ravage her, but not now. She was an adult, and she was only here for Toby, not Jareth.

She climbed out of her bed and grabbed the clothes laid out for her. She walked into the bathroom and stripped off her dress. She stepped into the welcoming water and sat there for a good half hour. Deciding it was best to just face the world, she got out and dressed in her usual outfit. She opened her door and faced the world.

~Armina~

She had called Jareth to the city for a meeting about the trolls. To be honest, she really just wanted to see him. It had been nearly ten years since she'd seen him. It was when she'd granted him the boon that guaranteed Sarah would return. It wasn't on purpose that she'd forgotten about him, but she was a busy woman.

He came into the throne room dressed in his everyday attire, which surprised her. He always used to dress up for such things. Have I missed that much? She thought.

Courtiers, handmaidens, and others gathered in the throne room, as was customary. She didn't mind them being there, but they could be annoying when they wished.

He entered and gave a low bow. His trademark smirk graced his face and she couldn't help but return a smile as well. "My son, you've returned to me."

"You called; I came," he responded as he strode over to give her a hug.

"Oh, how I've missed my only son. Do you know why I called you here?" she asked as she released him from her embrace.

Racking his brain, he couldn't think of one reason except, "Sarah," he responded.

"I smelled your magick here last evening. Did you visit, my son?" she asked as she went back to recline in her throne.

"Yes. Mother, you always know what's important."

"That, I do," she said and gave him an indulgent smile.

"Is she still here?" he said as he looked around. "Yes, but she may not be up for a while yet."

He nodded and made himself comfortable on the steps that led up to her throne. "I'll wait, then."

While they waited, several other monarchs arrived and waited for the war meeting to start. If the trolls were going to attack, they wanted to be prepared.