I do not own the Labyrinth or any of Jim Henson's work - however the additional characters are all my own creations :)

Sorry for the long break, had quite a bit going on personally this past month but things are finally settling down, and my muse has returned once more!


Sarah blinked awake in her dream. The white walls shifted like clouds as her eyes fell into focus. She was sitting up this time, leaning against something hard and cold. When she glanced back, her nose was tickled by red hair, a charming smile welcoming her from Dream Jareth. She chuckled to herself.

"Am I going to be seeing you every time I get aroused now?"

Dream Jareth nuzzled her ear. "I simply show up when you call. Perhaps you just enjoy my company."

"You would think I get enough face time with Jareth to avoid seeing any version of him in my dreams." Sarah pulled away, sitting across from him instead. He just smiled mischievously.

"I am rather addictive." His cocky grin made her to laugh.

"A nightmare, more like. One I can't seem to get away from."

"Perhaps you don't truly wish to get away."

"Stop assuming my thoughts," Sarah replied tartly.

"Always the tragic damsel turned heroin aren't you?" Dream Jareth teased. "What's so wrong with simply enjoying your stay here?"

"Besides the fact that I'm not staying permanently?"

"You're just not giving it a chance. Where would you go? You can't return to the Aboveground, you'd be a shell of yourself again in weeks. And it can't be any worse here than it was with Cruex." Those mismatched eyes briefly danced with something dark.

"It's not like I've forgotten everything I've lost just because he saved my ass."

"A lovely ass at that," he winked.

"If you weren't so charming I'd think this was just Jareth using his dream-casting tricks on me to convince me he isn't so bad. I'm still not convinced that isn't the case, actually."

"I'm just reasonable. Besides, your Queen now. Aren't you enjoying it?" Sarah ignored his change of subject.

"Maybe I would have in a different life," she shrugged.

"What's wrong with this life?"

"He was a little late if he thought he wanted any kind of successful future with me."

"Wasn't that your fault? Casting away his power over you and all, rendering him unable to find you?" Dream Jareth mused casually. Sarah hid a wince at the remark, refusing to ponder that fact.

"I thought this was my dream. I don't want to discuss him anymore."

"Good, I hate talking," Dream Jareth smiled mischievously, brushing his lips lightly over hers.


Sarah's eyes fluttered open, waking herself from yet another dream. Her body was not even remotely stiff or sore as she expected it to be after the hours she'd spent locked on her knees the night before. There was no way of knowing how late she'd finally slipped into a blissful sleep, but she still felt like she needed several hours of sleep. She didn't have to look around to know she was alone in the bed again. Jareth's scent lingered in the air but his presence was not filling the room as it always unmistakably did when he was near. As she stretched her tired limbs, it dawned on her that Jareth had probably healed her muscles in the bath. She threw an arm over her face and grimaced. She didn't want him being nice to her. It was out of character and she didn't want to warm up to him. The cuddling at night was driving her insane. It was forcing a type of comfortableness between them she did not want. Tonight had to be different. She had to sleep in her own bed, no matter what.

Sarah tried to remember the way to her chambers but wound up getting lost rather quickly. She was already getting frustrated when a burst of little grimy goblins came pummeling down the hall, almost too distracted by their game of 'toss the chicken' to even notice her at first. Sarah watched them with an amused grin as they passed. They were charming, but catastrophic. They left a blaze of feathers and debris behind them as they played. One small goblin finally noticed her and shrieked in excitement.

"Queeny! Queeny! Queeny!" it scuttled over toward her feet, sniffing at her toes like a curious puppy. The others followed suit till she suddenly found herself surrounded by wide eyed, curious little buggers, all sniffing and poking at her bare feet and legs.

"Um, hello," she laughed. "How are you all this morning?"

They seemed excited by her acknowledgement of them.

"We fine!"

"Play with us!"

"Catch the chicken, Queeny!"

The little goblins were jumping and rolling around in a flurry and she barely dodged the poor chicken as it came clucking past her head into the hands of a goblin right behind her.

"I do hope you all are not bothering our new Queen." A stern voice broke the noise, the goblins quieting instantly and sulking back away from Sarah. Caldo stepped into view, his demeanor authoritarian and cold as he gave a chiding look to the goblins.

"Oh, they're fine. I've dealt with drunks worse than them." Sarah joked. Caldo turned to her with a tight grin before he gave a dismissive jut of his chin to the goblins who scuttled away hurriedly.

"My Lady Sarah, did you wind up lost this morning?"

Despite how quickly he veiled it, Sarah caught his eyes dip to the silky nightgown she was wearing before meeting her eyes. He kept his distance from her, that friendly smile on his face, but Sarah couldn't help but notice the emptiness in the hall surrounding them. She crossed her arms over chest to hide the prominent curve of her breasts beneath the garment.

"It seems so. Mind showing me to my chambers?"

"Of course." He didn't offer her an arm this time, instead turning and walking off as she followed.

When they arrived, Annalise was sitting quietly on the couch with coffee awaiting Sarah.

"Good morning, your Majesty!" she smiled brightly as they entered.

"Please don't call me that," Sarah groaned. "Have you been waiting here long?"

The girl brightened and nodded. "I didn't know what time to expect you, but I am so excited you are here finally. Your dresses have arrived!"

Annalise pulled open a massive wardrobe for Sarah to see the few new dresses that hung within. Sarah took a long look before turning to the two watching her for a reaction.

"You are joking, right?"

Annalise's grin fell instantly in confusion. "You do not like them?"

Sarah pulled out a dark plum gown. The weight of the dress alone was unbearable, but the satiny material and the ridiculous puffy skirt and frilly edges were absolutely hideous and incredibly uncomfortable even just looking at it.

"I mean maybe this would have flown in the 18th century, but look at it! Am I going to a masquerade in this? I can't be expected to wear something so cumbersome on a daily basis? I mean, I liked your dress because it was simple and much more like the dresses I wore for theater."

Anna looked crestfallen. Sarah turned to Caldo.

"I am used to wearing things that are functional and show off my figure, which happens to be one of the few perks of immortality. I knew I'd have some adjustments in style, but you can't expect me to wear this."

Caldo seemed intrigued more so than confused, as Anna was. "I can't say I would encourage it, but if the attire displeases you, I am willing to submit any requests you have."

"Perfect! I'll sketch out a few ideas for them to get started on minimalizing these gaudy things. Do you have any paper or pen?"

Caldo procured some from the air before handing it to her. Sarah sat at her vanity, scribbling away a few pieces while Caldo and Annalise shared a coffee patiently waiting for her to finish.

"Here." She handed several pages to him once they were complete. His eyebrow raised in surprise at the pieces.

"I don't think his majesty will approve of such changes, Lady Sarah. Goblin City attire is known for its flare, but these are... rather simple, and perhaps to revealing."

"If he has a problem with modernizing these ridiculous dresses, he can kiss my ass," she smiled brightly as she took the coffee Anna had prepared for her.

Caldo laughed. "A feet no man has ever dreaded, no doubt."

Sarah frowned at his forwardness, but turned quickly so he didn't notice.

"I'll need something for today, though. Do you think you could get me another dress, Anna?"

"Yes, my Lady." Anna stood to leave and Caldo followed suit.

"I'll be back for you soon to assure you do not get lost again." Caldo bowed before closing the door behind them.


Sarah and Annalise were chattering patiently as they waited for Caldo to escort them to class when the door opened without any knock or warning. Jareth strolled in casually, looking regal as always.

"Good morning, Sarah darling. Did you sleep well?" His cape fluttered through the air behind him, dark shirt and leather clad vest over his creamy flesh, those eyes masked with his royal markings as always. The entire room succumbed to his presence instantly.

Sarah felt a little off in the dress Annalise had brought her suddenly, the muted blue and stiff material making her feel inferior standing in front of Jareth. The feeling of dominance he held over her when they played his wicked games was one thing. Feeling his dominance in the daylight and in front of others had the opposite effect. She stood tall, her body turning away from him with every movement as a silent challenge of his control over her.

"What are you doing here?"

Jareth gave her an annoyed expression. "I thought I'd walk you to class this morning."

"Where's Caldo?"

"He's been detained." Jareth gave her a look that dared her to question him further on it.

Sarah smiled sweetly instead, taking arms with Annalise firmly.

"Lead the way, then, your Majesty."

Jareth sharpened his eyes on her as if he disliked her feigning pleasantness. "I don't believe you will be needing your handmaiden today."

"I enjoy her company in class."

"I believe she'll find her plate rather full today." He turned to the girl with every inch of a kingly demeanor. "You'll be needed by the grounds keeper today. Best be on your way, girl."

Annalise did not hesitate to exit immediately, despite Sarah's protests, leaving the two alone. Jareth gave her a once over with a displeased look.

"Have your seamstresses still delivered nothing to you that you must waltz around in such garments? Even Annalise should be dressing better by now."

"Yes, they have, but I'm having them altered."

He raised an eyebrow at that but didn't push her on it, instead extending an arm for her to take, which she did, falling into step with him as they began walking through the halls. Her skin tingled at the contact of his arm wrapped around her own so possessively.

"Nothing to keep you busy this morning?" she asked after several seconds of awkward silence, trying to instigate casual chatter.

"Not particularly, though I will be detained the rest of the evening."

"So no more torture classes?"

He laughed, genuinely. "What a warped idea you have of torture. But don't fret, I've set aside time for you, precious."

"Lucky me."

"You know, there are women who would envy the privilege to spend uninterrupted time with me."

"Perhaps they should run your Labyrinth and be on the receiving end of your torments. I'm sure your pool of courtesans would surely diminish." Sarah gave him a contemptuous gaze.

"Darling the mere threat of running my Labyrinth is enough to deter all unwanted advances. I doubt any Fae lady of court would last an hour within those walls."

Sarah put a hand over her heart, feigning a gasp. "Was that a compliment?"

"If you weren't anything less than impressive, do you think I would have asked you to stay?" His words were somber, the easy chatter dipping slightly toward a more real conversation she wasn't comfortable with.

"Why did you send Annalise away? I don't want her thinking she's a servant around here."

"She is a servant 'around here'. And I've decided to host court to welcome my new Queen."

Sarah stopped abruptly. "What? Why?" her tone was much more alarmed than she'd intended it to come out.

Jareth turned toward her, his features turning cold at her alarmed look, their bodies' mere inches apart as he stared at her. "It is customary to introduce the new Queen of any court."

"But why celebrate twice? Won't we be having an official wedding anyways?"

"Would you like to?"

"No! I mean, that's what Belthar had said, I just assumed…"

"Weddings are usually rather extravagant endeavors, they take the place over the span of a week, sometimes longer. I am not one to host, nor do I particularly enjoy having my halls crawling with Fae, without a moments rest in my own kingdom for days on end. But if you wish it, I will make the necessary arrangements." He brushed a hand gently through her dark curls, his eyes following the motion intently.

Sarah hesitated to answer. She hadn't really thought of an actual wedding, but the ordeal sounded unpleasant enough. If he wasn't going to mind skipping, neither would she.

"I'd always seen myself as the eloping type. I think we've already covered that part."

Jareth grinned, his usual arrogance gone, replaced with something genuine and appreciative.

"Don't look so excited," her eyes narrowed. "I know how to torture you now if you push me."

"Fiendish girl," he continued walking, his arm dropping down to his side and taking her hand in his glove-clad one.

Their fingers intertwined and Sarah felt that nagging resistance kick in once more. This was too intimate, too normal. It was hard to see him as a villain when he dropped the airs of an enigmatic, pompous ruler when they were alone. She was still working on her own feelings, she didn't need this charming and flirty Jareth distracting her. With her mind and body finally finding coherency amidst her adaption to being more than just a shell of herself, now that she was constantly being nourished by the magic of the underground, she was finding it easier with each passing day to sift through the feelings that she had harbored dormant for years, and the feelings that were new and fresh. Though he had a habit of riling her up when he came around, making the two nearly indistinguishable once more.

"Why do you wear gloves every day?" She asked, thankful her voice sounded steady and unfazed.

"For Fae, most magic is emitted through our hands, so we cover them to avoid harming those who are not as accustomed to it."

"What do you mean?"

Jareth stopped and removed a glove before bringing up the hand he still had clasped, holding her palm out toward him. He traced a finger over her palm and a static shock sparked through her, causing her to jump instinctively.

"Oh. How odd. But you've touched me before without shocking me?"

"It's relatively easy to withhold, as I do whenever I touch you, but accidents still happen if you are not always paying attention."

"Will my hands do the same once I've been able to absorb more of the Labyrinth's magic?" Sarah eyed him curiously. His lips thinned as he pulled his glove back on, eyes distant until he finally laced her fingers with his own once more.

"One step at a time, precious. It takes quite a bit of magic before you have to worry about accidentally killing your more fragile guests." Sarah did a double take at his him, but he just smirked and began walking once more. She huffed, her hand now tingling out of fear as he clasped it.

"So just a single night of entertaining then? Nothing I should dread or be worried about?" Sarah continued on with their earlier conversation.

"Depends on how much fun you wish to have with it," he shrugged casually.

"What do you mean?"

"We are known for being an unruly bunch in the Goblin City. I won't deny that I enjoy imbibing in the cases where I have to endure hours of formalities to dull the ache of it. Though I would encourage you to pace yourself."

It was Sarah's turn to laugh. "Are you insinuating I can't keep up with you?"

"Sarah, you haven't the slightest idea how far under the table I would put you." His voice rumbled in a challenging purr.

"I think that sounds like a bet," her face lighting with amusement, the odds already filtering in her mind of what to toss into the gambling pit.

"I should inform you how ill-advised it would be to make a bet with the Goblin King." They stopped outside of the Library door, but he positioned himself in front of it, eyes glimmering with excitement as Sarah crossed her arms and jutted a defiant chin at him.

"I bet that I could go toe to toe with you and still leave a lasting, dazzling impression on your guests."

"And if you do?"

"I want to see my old friends from the Labyrinth."

Jareth gave her a bored look. "I would have given that to you anyways."

"Fine, then I want to start sleeping in my room. Alone."

"Intolerable."

"Afraid you'll lose?" The decadence of her voice as she eagerly challenged him lit his insides. How thrilling to know she liked to play with stakes on the table. Oh how he would use this against her in so many naughty ways. He flashed his razor sharp teeth at her and watched the flicker of trepidation in those intoxicating green eyes that pinned him in place.

"I'll agree to it. Now if you do not, and you run yourself into the ground and make a fool of yourself in front of my guests. What do I get?"

Sarah nibbled on her lip in thought, until the idea came to her. "I'll give you a kiss."

"I already receive those," he grasped her around the waist and tugged her into him, hardly attempting to hide his growing arousal, bringing his lips just to brush over hers.

"Yes, but not this kind." Sarah let her eyes dip down between them suggestively.

She grinned devilishly when his eyes went black with desire, his arousal hard against her abdomen sending a rush of heat straight to her groin. She knew she shouldn't toy with him, or get his hopes up, but she couldn't help herself. She had no intentions of losing, she'd had her share of raves and parties in the Aboveground after all, and the idea of making him work for something he wasn't going to get made her insides bloom with heat, the power play just to delectable to pass up.

"I should go, I wouldn't want to be late," she breathed casually, eyes batting innocently.

Jareth grasped her chin and kissed her, devouring her lips and pushing his tongue past them to tangle with her own. She shouldn't have pushed him, her mind scolding her for it, even as she enjoyed how easily she had made him come undone. Tit for tat. If he was going to bring her to her knees, quite literally, behind the doors of his chamber, then she would just bring him down with her. He nipped her lip, harder than usual, when he pulled back from her.

"I believe we have a deal. I'll see you tonight, precious."

He disappeared then. Sarah's fingers brushed over her bottom lip, the sting almost unbearable. It was surely going to bruise, she thought.


Sarah had to use all of her energy not to keel over from fatigue during class. The whole time her mind kept slipping into daydreams, thinking of the feast, and her bet with Jareth. What had made her do something to impulsive? She had no idea how much a centuries-old Fae could drink and party. She wasn't even allowed to drink the same wine as him. Perhaps it was her exhaustion that had spurned her to do it. She couldn't seem to control herself when he was so close, her reservations and logic melting away like butter on toast.

When the class ended, Caldo was waiting for her in the hall. He seemed reserved, and less than willing to chatter as he had the day before, but he didn't say why or bring up his absence that morning.

The rest of the day passed by slowly, her mind growing increasingly numb from exhaustion. When her second class ended, she requested to have dinner in her room with Annalise, to which Caldo seemed arguably enthused about, his eyes darting away constantly as if he had something urgent he wanted to see to. He promised to let Jareth know and hurried off. Sarah was too tired to inquire about his behavior, and she wasn't sure she could handle seeing Jareth before their 'lesson' so she took the reprieve no questions asked. Annalise had immediately run off to gather food for them from the kitchens when they returned to Sarah's chambers, leaving her alone for the first time in hours. She wasn't quite used to this much socializing, being such a loner for so long.

Sarah paced in her room enjoying the silence, and attempted to find that link to her connection to the Labyrinth as she waited for Annalise. Once again it was nowhere to be found. Sarah plopped in the chair of her vanity and stared into the pale face staring back at her. Her eyes were muted, the bags unbearably noticeable. She wasn't quite sure how she was going to survive another night of Jareth's mind control with so little energy, let alone if it resulted in another round of hours of physical excursions and then a bout of orgasms. She had wanted to ravage him as much as she had wanted to run and hide from the intensity of her own feelings. After her apparent sleep-deprived induced flirting that morning, she wasn't sure if her reasons to not sleep with him would win out the next time. A noise from the hall pulled her eyes away, but it just sounded like goblins causing a ruckus. When she looked back toward the mirror her breath froze.

Her reflection stared back it her, but it wasn't quite right. The woman staring back looked like her, but had skin that looked almost translucent, her eyes were large black pools staring emptily back at her, lips cracked and blue. Sarah cocked her head to the side inspecting the reflection, and the being mimicked her. Sarah waived at the mirror, and the thing repeated the motion. Sarah frowned, her brows furrowing. The thing smiled, sharp yellow teeth gleaming back at her. Sarah yelped and fell backwards out of the chair in terror.

"My apologies, Majesty. I did not mean to frighten you." the thing sang in a siren's voice. Sarah jumped to her feet and stared at the terrifying reflection.

"What are you?" Sarah asked.

"I am a friend."

"How did you get in my mirror? Why are you here? Why do you look like me?"

"I have no form, my Lady. This was the only way I could finally reach you."

"Why were you looking for me?" Sarah had the sense that she was very much in danger at the moment.

"I wanted to meet my new Queen," it hummed cheerily. "And offer my services to you."

"What services?"

The thing grinned again, the sickly yellow teeth wet with saliva.

"I am your link to the Labyrinth, my Queen. I can give you the power you are looking for."

"Who said I was looking for it?"

"I felt you last night, calling for me. I could not reach you where you were, but here I finally can."

"What does that even mean?" Sarah looked around nervously hoping Annalise was going to come through that door soon.

"You are heavily warded, my Queen. I cannot come to you as I would like too. But they cannot keep me out entirely. I know these walls like a mother knows her child."

"What do you want?"

"It is not what I want, but what you want. I can help you, make you stronger. Have you not noticed something missing?"

Her link to the Labyrinth. Sarah couldn't believe this. This terrifying creature was the link between her and the Labyrinth? There was a reason she hadn't been able to find her string to the magic since she'd arrived here? The thought that Jareth had blocked that link infuriated her beyond reason.

"And I am just supposed to believe you want to help me? I don't trust anything about the Undeground. That includes weird creatures that pop up in my mirrors."

"I will earn your trust, my Lady. Take this as a gift."

The being blew Sarah a kiss, a dust of dead flower petals fluttering from the mirror and hitting Sarah in the face, the sickly sweet smell filling the air and causing her nose to scrunch in disgust.

"What was that?" Sarah pulled a dead petal out of her hair.

"Just a bit of power to help you, my Queen. His Majesty is strong, but we are stronger. He cannot keep us apart for long."

Sarah didn't like the use of 'we' in that sentence. She still didn't know what the hell was going on.

"Someone is coming. I must go now. Until we meet again."

The thing smiled again and abruptly disappeared. The only thing in the mirror staring back was Sarah's shocked reflection. Annalise walked through the door several seconds later.

Sarah was able to mask how perturbed she was that the Labyrinth, or some creature from the Labyrinth had just contacted her. She let Annalise chatter away animatedly about her responsibilities for the upcoming Court. throughout dinner, her thoughts consuming her over what to do about the creature from the Labyrinth. Should she tell Jareth? Was he the one blocking the connection? If he was, then why? Was the being dangerous? It looked like it would be, the image still giving her the creeps. But regardless, if he had rendered her defenseless without even caring to mention it, then perhaps he'd simply been fooling her this whole time. Perhaps he didn't simply desire her, and instead he had is own motives for keeping her here and was simply distracting her in the easiest way he knew how. She laid on the bed immediately after Annalise had left and promptly passed out, her mind unable to keep working against the fatigue of the day.


Thank you so much everyone for the reviews! I love reading them and hearing from you as the story progresses!

Please keep them coming!