Hey guys! I'm sorry this was kind of… late. Ahaha… It was because I had exams two weeks ago, then I found out I was going to watch "Phantom of the Opera" here in Manila two weeks later (Last Tuesday) and I just kind of freaked out. I got excited and I couldn't think of anything else… I'm actually experiencing a post-POTO or a POTO hangover or whatever… I just wanted to run up the stage and hug The Phantom going "It's okay… It's okay, I'm here." – Curls up in a ball – I am a person filled with feels for this play and I can't… - sobs – I just love it so much I can't even… QAQ

I decided to release my feels in this chapter! It's not as obvious but… Yeah you get my point. I've been listening to POTO and LND music nonstop and I still haven't broken down properly. – corner -

I read the reviews for this story, starting with chapter one, and all I'm thinking is: Where are you guys? Well those who used to review all the time. I miss you guys. ;A;

I also realized that writing a story without a basis or the plotline written down is HARD, hence, why I had to do so much twisting around just to accommodate the past events. I've learned my lesson and will do better in my next fic. – wink wink –

We're close to the end guys! I hope you stick and bear with me. I'll let you read now! :D


The Goblin King was a man feared, yet respected by all. He ruled over the Labyrinth far better than its predecessors much to the surprise of every creature that lived in the Underground. Anyone who came to visit was greeted by the bright green color of the Labyrinth, by the liveliness of every goblin living in the city and by the life resonating from the ground to the air. This was the opposite of what the runners see as they go through it. This was how the king set the Labyrinth, beauty to those who deserved it, ugliness to those with darkness in their hearts, be it small or huge.

You can imagine the surprise of anyone who has been coming to the Goblin City as of late, to see it lifeless and dull. Even a large amount of runners easily stumble upon the worse parts of the Labyrinth. Those who wish an audience with the Goblin King to question his rule are turned away immediately. The Labyrinth grows weaker and darker everyday, causing the question to rise in every living creature: Will it be able to live to see another day? Or will it succumb to the darkness playing at its borders?


Queen Titania entered the chamber, a silver tray with a pitcher of water, a covered plate and a few assortments of fruits in a small bowl in her hands. She set it beside a small table and took in her surroundings. The room wasn't messy or anything. There was not one piece of clothing on the floor, not one boot misplaced and the bed was made. Perfectly clean, and that was the problem. It was like no one lived in the room.

Titania sighed and set her eyes on her son. He was sitting on the windowsill again, one foot hanging outside, the other bent towards him. He was staring beyond the Labyrinth with glassy eyes, a look that had become permanent. He was holding a crystal in his hands gently. She knew what it was, rather, what was inside it and how much it meant to him. A certain necklace lay inside, a smaller version of a crystal with a chink on the side as the pendant. Jareth caressed it lovingly as he sat there motionless.

"Darling… I brought you dinner," she said. "Eat it before it gets cold."

Jareth didn't even blink. She tried again.

"Jareth, love, you haven't been eating properly. I worry for you. This is unhealthy."

No response. "You father said that if you didn't eat, he'd tie you down and shove everything on this plate and anything he can find in the kitchen in your mouth."

"I'm fine, mother… I'm not hungry. Don't worry." Jareth's voice was soft and hoarse, unused. At least he answered, she thought. She walked beside side him and placed her hand on his knee.

"You haven't been eating or sleeping properly for the past three years, Jareth. I think I have the right to worry if you're going to continue acting like this."

"I can assure you that I'm alright." He gave her an unconvincing smile. "I'm just really tired lately." Titania rolled her eyes in her mind and stared at him. She knew how much of a lie that statement was. She also knew that no matter how much they force him, he will never budge, not even an inch.

For his will is great….

She continued to stare at her son quietly. His hair wasn't as bright or as lively as it used to look. He was skinnier, his clothes hanging on his frame as best as it could, his eyes always faraway, the spark in it dead. He never sang or broke out into random dance numbers anymore, choosing to don this position and never letting go of that damned crystal. Titania's caressed Jareth's head. She missed her son.

"Oh Jareth… I never wanted this for you…" Jareth raised one arm and patted his mother's arm, never turning his gaze away.

"Fate doesn't take it into consideration what other people want. It just does what it knows is right," he whispered. "But you don't deserve this…" She told him.

"I might have," he looked down at his crystal. "I don't always assess what I say or do, if they are right or wrong. Just because I'm Fae doesn't mean I can't make…. Mistakes…." Jareth brought the crystal closer to him.

Titania held back her tears for her son. "You never used to think like this." He half-heartedly smirked. "Sometimes a person experiences a change of heart."

They stayed silent, the mother watching her son and the son watching something precious to him. Jareth held the crystal in both hands, deep in thought. "They say that for a Fae, it's more liberating to die by iron than by a broken heart," he whispered as he tried to laugh, but only managed to whimper slightly. He closed his eyes and lowered his head to touch the crystal with his forehead, a single tear falling down.

Gone was the confident and feared king in Titania's eyes. All she could see was the form of a defeated child who was trying to be strong. She was about to speak when Oberon entered the room.

"Son, a child is about to make a wish." Jareth sighed and reluctantly stood up. "Thank you father, I'll take care of it from here." Oberon tilted his head and looked at him with sad eyes.

"I can do it you know." Jareth shook his head weakly as he waved his arm to take on the Goblin King regalia. "I'm the Goblin King. It's my responsibility, not yours. You have your responsibilities as well, father. Why you insist on taking some of my duty, I don't know, but don't you have a kingdom to run as well?"

"My kingdom can handle itself without me having to guide them at every problem it comes across… But you…" Jareth looked at his father, saw the worry in his eyes and sighed.

Maybe you should let them take over for awhile… You need to rest… His mind suggested quietly.

'It's fine. I can handle it,' Jareth thought back.

"Thank you, but I'm fine. Really!" He smiled weakly. "I'm not a child anymore. You don't have to take care of me all the time."

"Parents will always take care of their child, regardless of the situation," Titania said quietly. Oberon placed an arm around her and pulled her close. Jareth gave them a real genuine smile and poofed out of the room. Titania knees gave out and Oberon caught her.

"I don't know how long I can handle seeing him like that…"

"Be strong. He needs us." Oberon caressed her hair and hugged her. "He needs us now more than ever."

"Can't we do something about it? You can influence her mind to change it!" The high king wiped the tears from his queens' eyes.

"I can't. It will only anger him if we manipulate the girl and that's not what he needs right now."

"It's just… He's trying so hard! I can't… You can really see him trying! As his mother, I worry… God knows how long he can handle this before he breaks down completely… No one's ever lasted this long!"

"Jareth is strong. Stronger than people think," Oberon placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face to face him. "Have faith, love. We'll figure something out. Let's just be there for him for now." Titania nodded and buried her head on crook of his neck. Oberon rubbed her back softly, staring outside the window and wishing to anyone who would listen to save his son.


"Ya ain't lookin' any better since th' last time I saw ya, Sarah."

Hoggle looked at his dear friend from her mirror. Sarah's been in touch more than usual, not that it bothered him or anything. He could see she was really upset and wanted to be there for her anyway he can.

"Well I'm not feeling any better since the last time I saw you so…" Sarah mumbled. Her arms were crossed on the vanity with her chin on top of them. Hoggle shifted.

"What's buggin' ya this time?" She looked down, eyes glazing over as she opted to play with the edge of her sleeve. There was definitely something wrong and Hoggle would get it out of her. He knew about Jareth's visits and he definitely knew about their huge fight. As much as he didn't like his king, he held a huge amount of respect for the man, pitying him now because of the state he and the Labyrinth are in.

"What's wrong Sarah? Is this about that Jareth again?"

"Maybe…" she whispered. She sighed and hid her head between her arms. "He was right."

"What's that now?"

"I said he was right… about Daniel." Hoggle snorted. "What did that little bug do now?" He would never admit it, but Hoggle agreed with Jareth about Daniel. He sensed bad things coming from the boy, but he never told Sarah about it. It seemed that Jareth already went down that road with her, and he knew where THAT went.

"He… He became impatient." Hoggle's face scrunched up in confusion. "Whaddya mean?"

"He…" Sarah sighed, "He wanted more. He forced himself upon me today…" The dwarf's eyes grew in bewilderment.

"What?! Sarah, are ya hurt?!" He frantically searched for any injuries.

"No. Well I guess my pride and heart but no surprise there." Sarah swallowed as she held back her tears. Hoggle grew even more frantic when he realized she was about to cry. He didn't like crying girls before, he definitely didn't like crying girls now. "He never was able to reach that far anyway… I kneed him in his pathetic manhood and ran as fast as I could."

"Well good! Although I'd give anything t' have my hands round that neck of his…" Sarah giggled at him. He was so protective of her, and she loved that about her friend. "Maybe I'd even get Ludo t' help!"

"I think just seeing you guys is enough to strike fear in his heart." She sighed and laid her head on her arms again.

You cowered before me, I was frightening.

Sarah closed her eyes and sighed again. Hoggle turned away from his anger and looked at his friend. She's been so depressed lately, especially now. How he wished he could do anything for her… He wished to be able to talk to Jareth and give him a piece of his mind but since his royal pain in the ass was currently unavailable at the moment, he would lay off for now. He had an idea of what Jareth was going through –- He had heard stories about it. It wasn't common among the Fae and it was said to be far more dangerous than iron.

"Why can't I talk to him, Hoggle..?" She pulled him out of his thoughts. "We've had fights before but he would always come back…"

"Well, Sarah… From what ya told me, I think ya hurt him real bad."

"I know but… I just…. God." She hugged her knees and let the tears fall. "I miss him so much. I was being stupid that time and I was confused. I didn't know what to think! He was just so demanding about Daniel and my time that I snapped!"

"But he had good reasons for it." Hoggle doesn't often defend Jareth, but she needed the truth, no matter how much it hurt.

"I know.. I'm sorry okay! I'm sorry I was stupid! I'm sorry I was being naïve! I just… How many girls do you think have the full attention of a handsome monarch? It's overwhelming, let me tell you!" She raised her arms in exasperation. "And what was I supposed to think? I had a history with him. He threw snakes at me! He took my baby brother, made me run his pain in the ass Labyrinth, threw the cleaners after me and stole time from my clock!" Sarah panted and Hoggle waited until she was done. "He gave me a peach that drugged me. How do I know he wouldn't do it again to control me?"

"It sounds t' me like yer just bringing back old arguments…" He mumbled. Sarah held her head in her hands. "I know." She sighed again and wiped some of her tears away. "I have no real excuse about what I did…"

"I kinda get where yer coming from, Sarah. Yer a teenage girl who had somethin' extraordinary happen t' her. If th' villain of my story came back, I would'a think he came back to finish me off." Hoggle scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Ye know how much I dislike that snake, but… I wouldn't be defending him if I knew he was wrong."

"Ye don't know what's happenin' t' th' Labyrinth, Sarah. Ever since he came back three years ago, he locked himself in his castle, appearin' only when there's a wisher. He's growin' weaker everyday Sarah."

Sarah looked at Hoggle, confused. "What…?" Hoggle sighed and shifted from one foot to another. He looked down at his shoes and mumbled.

"He loves ya, Sarah. Anybody can see that. He really loves and cares about ya. He would do anythin' for ya, move the stars or somethin' like that," Hoggle continued, "and th' Fae, they only love once. When they do, it's forever."

Sarah's eyes widened. The dwarf took no notice of her and kept going.

"Th' Fae don't always find th' one they love. When they do, their life changes an' they'll do anythin' to make 'em happy. They also give 'em their heart wholly. Not figuratively, but literally. Like they turn it into some kind of jewelry, a necklace most of th' time, an' they transform it into their symbol. In that snake's case, he would transform his heart into both his necklace (th' one that looks like a horned upside down triangle) an' a crystal." Hoggle wished that she would realize what he was hinting at. He sighed in relief when he saw her eyes widen more and bring a hand over her mouth, although he hadn't meant for the tears. Definitely not that.

Sarah was shaking as she cried. That necklace… That necklace he gave her… The one she practically threw at his face! She grabbed the edges of her vanity and leaned towards the mirror.

"Hoggle please! You have to help me! I need to talk to him! I need to say… I need to…" She covered her face and sobbed. "I need to make everything right again!"

"Ya can't Sarah…" He said hesitantly. He didn't like what he was going to say next. How'd he gotten himself in this position, he didn't know. But if it would save the Goblin City, save his home, save his best friend, he would do it. At least he knew which parent Jareth got his persuasiveness from.

"Ya can't ever go back Underground Sarah." Sarah stared at him, stunned.

"What… Are you talking about?"

"It's…" He scratched his head, wondering how to go about this.

"Ya see, there's a veil… It blocks th' real world from havin' contact with th' Underground."

"Okay… But how is this related to me…?" Hoggle sighed. He cursed Jareth for not having this conversation with her.

"Everyone has a certain veil. This veil allows 'em t' cross th' dimensions an' reach th' Underground, though they aren't permanent. They turn into walls once th' person… Once they reach th' age of 20…. It completely blocks the person from ever havin' contact with my world."

Sarah's eyes widened and slowly brought her hand up to her mouth. "I'm… I'm 22… How… How can I still talk to you right now?" Her heart beating through her chest. There still might be hope for her, to make everything right again.

"It's because yer th' Champion, Sarah. Remember that line from th' book? 'What th' girl didn't know is he gave her certain powers'. It's yer right, but that's how far it can go. Ye still can't come here." Her heart jumped in her throat and plunged down in her chest.

She breathed in heavily, trying to hold back her tears again. "So… I can… I can talk to Jareth…?" Hoggle couldn't look at her. "Ye can but…. Things ain't the same since he came back 3 years ago…"

"Is it because he promised that he wouldn't… That our paths wouldn't cross anymore?" Sarah slumped in her seat and placed her arms around her. The full consequence of what she has done slamming back at her once again. She bit her lip and hugged herself closer. "I'm so stupid…" she whispered.

"Ya ain't stupid, Sarah! Ye just…. Ye just didn't know what to do!" He waved his arms around, trying to comfort her from his side of the mirror. His heart quenched for the girl. This wasn't working as he thought it would.

"No… I… Deep inside me I knew. But I still denied it. I was scared… I just…" she covered her head with her hands and sobbed. "I just couldn't give him the power to hurt me again…" Hoggle stayed silent and watched her with sad eyes.

Well don't you have perfect timing? Waiting for three years to just admit that you love him, when you could've admitted it earlier? Her mind said quietly. It sounded like it was mocking her but she couldn't think straight. What a big twist in her story. Didn't fairytales end with Happily Ever Afters? Well, hers wasn't a fairytale at all but still. Her story was something out of a book! How can it not have a happy ending? She had hoped that their last argument would just blow over even though every fiber in her being told her that it would definitely be the end…. Guess she was wrong again.

"I wish… I wish everything would just go back to normal… I wish Jareth would be here, annoying the heck out of me… Making me fall in love with him everyday… I wish… I wish…" She sobbed harder as she said the words she knew wouldn't help her at all. Hoggle stood there silently, praying in his mind that everything would work out fine. That against all odds, Sarah would be happy again, even if her happiness was with the Goblin King.

"I'm sorry…. I'm sorry Jareth… I'm sorry…" Sarah whispered as she continued crying. She had never felt so alone and this helpless before. "I'm so stupid…" She couldn't set her emotions straight, maybe that's why she didn't feel the rapid beating of her heart and the looming feeling that something bad was about to happen.


Jareth leaned back against his throne and sighed. The runner didn't make it. He quit after taking 47 steps in the Labyrinth.

'Obviously they didn't have Sarah's determination,' he thought. He stopped, groaned as his chest tightened again. One would think that you'd get used to the pain as the days passed. He never got used to it. It just got worse and worse. Sometimes he would bend over, clutch his chest from the pain and sometimes the pain would be too great that he would be rendered immobile. He gripped the edges of his throne as he waited for it to pass.

A few minutes passed, and he gasped. He brought his arm over his eyes and closed them. The temptation of just giving in danced through his mind again, but he knew he couldn't. The Labyrinth depended on him. He was the only one who could take care of it, lest he had an heir to pass it on to.

A young boy with blond wild hair like his father.. And green eyes that matched his mother's.

Jareth opened his eyes slightly and stared off into the distance. The twinge in his chest came again, but he ignored it just like always. He recalled an image he saw from one of his crystal, which showed him his dreams. His dreams he knew would now never happen.

He rubbed his hands on his face and breathed deeply. "How you turn my world, you precious thing…" He half sang. He raised the crystal he held in his hand and stared at it. You could see the small chink clearly, and Jareth winced.

This time, he bent over and clutched his chest. His body shook as he tried to breathe.

Stop thinking about her Jareth. His mind chastised him. He only snorted.

'Like I can.'

Jareth clenched his eyes as he concentrated on pushing the pain away. It was getting harder everyday, and he wondered how long he could bear it. 24 minutes passed and he breathed slowly. He shakily stood up, regained his balance and slowly walked towards his window.

Breathe Jareth. Stop thinking about her. It wouldn't do you any good. Jareth wished he could. He wished that he could place all his memories of her in a crystal and throw it into the deepest, darkest oubliette he could find.

Who are you kidding? You know you can. You just simply don't want to forget, his mind whispered.

Jareth grinned painfully and placed his hand on the wall for support. The pain was coming back and he swore it was getting stronger.

"Don't you wish that she just made us swallow iron instead?" He wheezed and laughed. "But no… She just had to prove how cruel she can be… That little minx." Even If he sounded like he was cursing her, he knew he would never do that. He loved her too much. He loved her too much that he was bearing all this pain. Not one Fae ever lasted this long, and he would pat himself on the back if he could just stop bending over in pain every 3 minutes.

He gasped and wheezed as the pain subsided after a while. It was definitely getting worse. And each time it came, he just felt like giving in. The thought comforted him and looked inviting.

Don't you dare! Think of your parents!

He smirked weakly and his eyes widened. It came back faster than he expected. He leaned his whole upper torso on the wall, sweat beading his skin. "It's my fault," he gasped.

What are you talking about? It wasn't your fault! He shook his head.

"I knew what was going to happen… I should've stayed away but… I decided to play with fire."

You never expected that she would outright REJECT you like that!

"I should've been cautious…" he whispered as he gasped again. "I should've… Maybe I should've told her earlier…" He couldn't think straight anymore. The pain blocked out everything around him. He clutched the crystal shakily.

"What kind of person would fall in love with a monster like me…" he whispered as he stared at the crystal. He swallowed and tears started falling from his eyes.

"You were… going to be queen… The mother of our children…" He wheezed as images of her danced before his eyes. "You were going to get annoyed everytime I attempt to embarrass you… You would've been the first thing I see every morning and the last thing every night…" He laughed, but made a choking sound instead. "You… I… I wanted to hear you say it… Just once… I wanted to hear those words come from your lips…"

Sarah ran up to him and he swung her in his arms. Her laughter sounded like bells to him and he hugged her close. He first kissed her forehead, then her cheek. She giggled and caressed his cheek with his thumb. She pulled him down and they both fell on the grass. She laughed again and he joined her. She rolled them so she was on top of him.

He stared up at her and smiled lovingly. She was his, and he was hers. His wedding ring glinted in the sunlight as he ran his hands through her hair. She closed her eyes and savored the feeling. At that moment, he felt mischievous. He pushed her head down and barely saw the surprise in Sarah's eyes as their lips met. He placed his other hand on the small of her back and pushed her towards him.

Sarah overcame the shock and tangled her fingers in his hair. Their mouths moved together. Jareth ran the tip of his tongue on her lower lip and she moaned, granting him entrance. Their tongues danced in a sensual tango, dancing to a rhythm they had in their heads. They pushed towards each other, wanting to be closer, wanted to feel every curve. Soon they separated and tried to catch their breaths. She lightly slapped him on the shoulder and he laughed.

"Jareth?"

"hmmm, Love?" He stared deep in her eyes, seeing the happiness and love she had for him. He returned that with a gaze of his own.

"I love you…"

Jareth clenched his eyes as he forced the vision to end. He knew how it would end, and he hated how much he wanted it. How he knew he would die if he didn't have it.

"Ironic…" he snorted. He clutched his chest again and started coughing hard. Beads of sweat continued to fall.

"This is what I get for playing with fire… Everyone knows you'll only get… Burned…" He whispered as he looked at the crystal and smiled sadly.

"You make even the most intelligent man stupid, my dear…" He laughed weakly and leaned his head on the wall. He let his tears fall freely, giving up on trying to hold them back. He guessed that was what he was doing now… Giving up. It was useless fighting it when he knew it would just win at the end. Learning from his experience, he would stop fighting and just let it be.

"I'm so sorry… Sarah… I'm sorry for falling in love with you." He gave a weak and painful smile and clutched the crystal tighter, tears streaming down his face. "Sarah…" He gasped and closed his eyes.

Jareth stopped fighting, and the darkness rushed towards him greedily. The last thing he saw was his beautiful Sarah, laughing, reaching out towards him and calling out his name.

"Jareth!"

Titania screamed as she saw her son completely collapse. She ran towards him, choking back a sob, unknowingly kicking aside a crystal that her son never let go, not even once since he got back three years ago.


So…. – awkwardly stands – Obviously the ending has taken a turn from the main plotline… But I like this ending better so… Please don't kill me. – runs and hides –

Oh! My laptop's LCD is acting funny so it might take awhile for me to update the next chapter. I'll get it fixed as soon as I can or I'll use my mom's laptop to write. xD

I'd really really really really really appreciate if you review. D: I mean, I love getting emails about people favoriting, following, alerting, etc-ing my story, don't get me wrong! But I'd also like to hear what you think so I can improve… Especially in this Chapter... Pretty Please? It'll make Jareth (And me) better! :D

So please, Review? For the sake of Jareth? D:

Dreamers see the future

Lys~Rayn