A/N I do not own Labyrinth and write for fun but I hope you enjoy my stories. I like to try and finish all my stories there are too many good ones on here that are left incomplete

Ch 12 Love and Loathing

Sarah lay with her head on Jareths chest and his arms wrapped around her. She really couldn't understand how things had gotten to this point. She had gone from Jareth being someone to fear and avoid at all costs to someone she could not be without. The feelings for him had always been there but they had been buried after her return home and other than the dreams she had tried hard not to think about him. Now she just wanted to stay in his arms forever. Titania's soft voice broke into her thoughts.

"As much as it pains me to disturb this lovely scene I believe Sarah would greatly benefit from a bath and a change of clothes and you and your father Jareth have a matter to attend to"

Sarah gazed down at her dirty blood stained clothing a bath sounded heavenly. As she raised her head from Jareths chest and began to move her way he suddenly grasped her wrist, his other hand touched the side of her cheek and she winced. Jareth growled, he had forgotten that Rayden had hit her just as he had arrived and the start of a bruise was forming across her cheek. Titania saw the rage in her sons eyes as he gazed at the mark upon Sarah's face.

"Jareth, I will attend to that, now release the girl"

Jareth gently placed a kiss on Sarah's forehead while vowing to make Rayden suffer for everything he had done to her, then he released her. Sarah followed Titania through a side door and found herself in another bed chamber similar in size to the one she had just left but dressed in midnight blue and silver stars. On the bed lay fresh clothing similar in style to those worn by Titania. The next room she was lead into had a large tub in the centre filled already with sweet smelling water. It had been a while since Sarah had washed and the warm water was a more than welcome sight.

"Would you mind if we talk while you bathe my dear"

"No of course not"

Sarah sank lower into the water letting out a sigh, it felt bliss and she could feel her muscles relaxing.

"Sarah, this is a rather delicate subject but I must ask you. Do you love my son"?

Sarah was a bit surprised by the question.

"I think so; I would be lying if I said no but am rather confused by it all. Everything seems to be moving so fast. Seeing him lay there thinking he was dead was the most awful feeling ever it was like someone had ripped out my own heart"

Titania smiled fully understanding how Sarah had felt.

"Do you remember the words you said to him at that point"

Sarah blushed she fully remembered doing a lot of cursing but doubted it was those ones.

"Sarah specifically the words that Jareth may have said to you at one time"

"Yes, I remember I said I would fear and love him and"

Titania silenced Sarah by placing a finger to her lips

"Here words have power Sarah and those words gave your acceptance of a marriage proposal"

Sarah starred at her in surprise. Titania held a towel up for her signalling bath time was now over.

"Come Sarah I wish to show you something".

Sarah reluctantly left the tub and wrapped herself in the towel before following Jareth's mother back into the bed chamber. Titania seated her in front of a large mirror, she then lowered the towel covering Sarah to just above her left breast. Sarah's eyes widened as there just above her breast in what looked like silver lining was an owl perched on top of an orb.

"This is Jareth's insignia; this symbols your heart bond. It signals to other fae that you belong to him and him to you"

"You mean I have been branded like cattle" Sarah shouted

"Calm down Sarah it is not like that at all it is a sign of love and commitment".

"O I bet he is bloody loving this, I'm surprised he isn't in her now gloating with that daft smirk on his face. I have just given him power over me".

Titania was not expecting such an outburst.

"Actually Sarah he doesn't know yet. You swore the oath in front of myself and Oberon as we are the High king and 'Queen and part of the high court it makes it official. Other high court members heard the vow and will be arriving shortly

"He doesn't know?

"No"

"Does he need to know?"

"Underground weddings happen quickly Sarah the ceremony takes place within thirteen hours of acceptance, yours would be expected this evening"

"And if I refuse?

"Only Jareth can release you from the oath. Do you want to refuse?"

Sarah sat starring at the symbol her fingers gently stroked across it and a slight tingle spread through her body. The thought of being without him hurt.

"No, I don't want to refuse"

Titania smiled at her.

"But I don't want you to tell Jareth just yet, I have an idea"

Sarah knew he would be smirking from ear to ear as soon as he heard and she didn't want him having that much fun. This had been a shock and she wanted it to be a similar shock for him. As a plan formed in her mind she smiled at Titania.

"Is there any way we can organise all this without him knowing I mean get him to the wedding and everything".

"A bit of mischief Sarah" Titania arched an eyebrow and her eyes glinted "you are certainly well suited to my son".

Sarah began to explain her plan to Jareth's mother. There would be a large amount of Fae arriving for the wedding so a cover story of a celebration ball was decided. After Jareth's near death experience this was easily believable. The two women discussed their plan for some time amidst a lot of giggling.

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Rayden ran through the Labyrinth an angry horde of goblins closes behind him biting and snarling. As he ran the fowl stench in the air increased until it was nearly suffocating his senses The goblins seemed to find the smell just as repulsive and had stopped chasing him. He was exhausted and no nearer leaving the Labyrinth. Just as he turned to go back down the path away from the vile smell the floor opened under his feet and he fell into the pit below. The figure of a women with white flowing hair and piercing red eyes watched in annoyance, fists clenched at her side.

Jareth was watching all this closely through his crystal a smile upon his face. He felt the Labyrinth call to him.

"That was unfair my lord I was sending him into the bog"

"As may be but I am not having my castle stink of that place while he is held in my dungeons. The pit of despair will do nicely for now"

Jareth felt the shift in the Labyrinth and he knew why.

"Don't sulk you had your fun".

"I do not sulk my lord and a little more fun would be nice"

Jareth's laughter filled the room and he shook his head

"You are like a child sometimes"

"I am not"

The crash of the Labyrinth walls was heard throughout the castle.

"Enough, you will get plenty of time for fun now go"

Jareth dismissed the Labyrinth from his thoughts as the high court began to fill the throne room around him. It was time to bring his attacker to justice. He waved his hand and Rayden appeared cowering before them in the throne room. Oberon's voice bellowed out above him

"lord Rayden you are hereby charged with the attempted murder of the High Prince and Goblin King. As this crime finds you a threat to all you will be banished from the underground and stripped of any magic you may possess".

Rayden remained quiet throughout the sentencing, his head bent low.

"You will be held in the dungeons of the Goblin city until a time is arrange to transport you above during which you will experience punishment decreed by the High Prince himself"

Rayden quickly looked at the faces of the High court searching for that of Jareth, he failed to notice him walk up behind him. Jareth quickly took the advantage and lent down to his ear

"Never turn your back on the enemy my friend" Jareth sneered

With those words he dropped a crystal at Rayden's feet sending him screaming with his own nightmares into the dungeons below.