I don't own the the characters or the story.

Chapter 11 - The Ball

Sarah stood feeling puzzled, a lingering taste of peach in her mouth.

Where am I?

She was surrounded by people all wearing masks and extravagant clothes. Necks and arms hung with jewellery.

I don't belong here, do I?

I'm sure I was looking for something, but what?

Images skimmed though her mind, close enough for her to catch a fleeting glance of but far enough away for her to remain confused and lost.

Laughter, music and chatter surrounded her. Couples skimmed past, dancing to some strange music, music that she was sure she had never heard before.

She moved forward and looked down as material skimmed her legs.

She was dressed in a shimmering silver-white gown that was brushing the floor as she walked. The long sleeves cam to a point and stopped at her knuckles. It fit her perfectly as though it was made just for her. She stroked the fine material carefully admiring the dress.

Maybe I am supposed to be here. I seem to be dressed for it.

She looked around at all the strange masks that surrounded her. Laughing faces hidden behind grotesque expressions.

She felt her own face and found it bare, nothing covering her features.

She continued walking, panic rising in her.

Shouldn't I know someone?

She skimmed the crowd trying to remember a face but the only thing that greeted her were frozen disguises, the faces motionless. None of the masks ever left the faces surrounding her, though some were not fixed in place but being held firmly. She recognised nothing.

Then, someone caught her eye.

A tall man who was also mask less was standing a solemn expression covering his features while gaiety surrounded him. Sarah stood and stared at the stranger as a feeling of calm washed away her panic.

I think I know him. Don't I?

Jareth watched as Sarah stood motionless her expression confused and lost, the memory spell working it's way through her mind. Fogging her memories and thoughts.

She is beautiful.

She began to wonder aimlessly around the room dodging couples and weaving between groups her simple gown standing out from the extravagant costumes and finery that filled the room. His mother had chosen well for her.

He watched as most of the court ladies stole glances at Sarah as she walked past them. Wanting to see the mortal girl who had snared the Goblin King. He watched as the women lowered their masks when she had her back to them. Their eyes raking her up and down as they cut her to shreds in their mind. Their eyes filled with scorn and hate as they mentally dug there nails into her.

How dare they. They don't even know her and they are passing judgement.

Jareth felt his anger boil his blood as he fought his every instinct. Every cell in his body straining to whisk Sarah away. Far away from all the cats that filled the court. But he held himself in check, knowing what must be done.

He followed Sarah closely, watching as her eyes darted about the crowd as though she was looking fro someone, her quick movement telling him that she was worried. Then her eyes were on him.

He met her gaze cautiously not knowing what he would see.

Her eyes were filled with confusion and panic but there was also a tinge of recognition. A frown appeared on her face and he watched her puzzle through things in her mind.

He hated being the cause of her confusion and he knew that she must be feeling frightened with her memories gone and no real substance to grasp hold of in her mind. But he saw the panic filter from her eyes and sighed in relief, thankful that she was calmer.

He allowed himself to vanish from her mortal vision, and saw the look of panic return as she peered quickly around the dancers trying to find him again.

A glow filled his chest at the thought that she was calmer because of him.

He could no longer keep his distance from her as she began to turn about in a panic in the middle of the dance floor, the dancers crowding in close to her.

So he approached her slowly and watched, awestruck as she calmed one more and let him take her into his arms.

Happiness and contentment filled him as he held her close.

Safe. Safe and secure.

The thoughts filled Sarah's mind as the man before her held her closely to him and swayed her to the music as they whirled about the floor.

Safe, secure and ...loved.

She looked into the eyes of the man and recognition tugged at her foggy mind, as she took in his tall frame and blonde-white hair.

The surrounding dancers disappeared from her vision as she focused all her attention on her partner and felt a curious flip in her stomach as he held her tighter to him, his hand enveloping her waste.

The thoughts continued to flit through her mind, shadows that vanished with no real substance as she reached for them.

She latched onto one.

One of this man standing behind her, speaking into her ear.

"You have thirteen hours to solve the Labyrinth or your little brother will be mine."

The words echoed through her mind.

I don't have a little brother. Do I?

The thoughts continued to dart about her mind but she found it impossible to hold onto any of them, they slipped through her fingers like sand.

Ding...ding...ding...

Her mind froze when a clock began to strike the hour. She took her eyes from the man in front of her and raked the room with her eyes trying to find the clock as it continued to announce the hour.

She found it.

It was striking the twelfth hour and there were thirteen on it.

Thirteen?

Everything fell into place as her memories suddenly took on substance with in her mind, no longer floating, unattainable and untouchable, but heavy and real.

Reading Toby the book, the Goblin King, the Labyrinth, Ludo, Sir Didymus...Hoggle.

The images collided in her mind.

I am standing in the arms of the Goblin King. The man who took my brother.

Anger bubbled in her as she fought her way free from his arms and through the crowd that had been pressing close to them. As soon as she was free from his grasp she felt cold and alone.

Toby, Sarah. He took Toby. He is trying to distract you.

She tried to reason with herself as she ran, dodging between the party goers, but she still couldn't stop herself from feeling that she had left a part of herself behind.

She ran until she came up against a wall, a wall that curved around to join the ceiling, and she could see her own distorted reflection in it.

She needed out.

Picking up a flimsy chair from the table beside her she threw it at the wall before her.

Air filled the room, battering against her face and body as shrieks filled her ears from those behind her.

And then she began to fall.

Hey everyone. Hope you like this chapter.

This will be my last update for about three weeks as my exams =( start next week. I will update as soon as i can though.

Thanks for the reviews and feedback on this chapter would be great.

Thanks :-)