As news spread throughout the High Court of Jordana's claim on Annie, voices raised in fear were countered by others raised in battle cries. Sarah was led to the throne room, the safest area of the castle. Jareth would not release her hand even when giving orders to the guards to comb every inch of the palace for traces of Jordana's magic. Annie could not have acted alone and Jareth was determined to find out just how she'd gotten into the palace.
Of course finding the answer to that would not be pretty. Aberdon came running into the throne room to find his brother clinging to the Champion's hand as if she'd disappear.
"What has happened?" Aberdon demanded, watching the flurry of activity.
"She's taken Annie," Sarah said looking very frail. Aberdon cursed and looked at Jareth quickly.
"I had no idea the little fool was working with Jordana," he said. Jareth's expression turned savage as he advanced on his brother, pulling Sarah along with him. She gently removed her hand and watched the two brothers.
"You let her come back here?" Jareth's voice thundered and servants scattered back into the outer rooms to escape.
"She said she wished to apologize to Sarah, I had no clue she was insincere."
"She's been looking for a way to get Sarah away from me since the moment she's arrived," Jareth yelled. Sarah put a hand on his shoulder, but Jareth was in no mood to be placated. He began pacing, hands gesturing wildly. "She's declared herself an enemy and must be dealt with."
"Dealt with, you said you'd help find her," Sarah said, dazed. Jareth turned to her, pleading.
"Sarah, your little friend has aligned herself with pure evil. She's made her choice, I can't help that. The wizards will try to track her, but have no doubt. She will be called upon for that choice."
"You can't hurt her, she doesn't understand," Sarah said firmly. Jareth went to say something but stopped, running a hand through his hair. "You must leave, go back home and forget this place."
"Excuse me? I have to help find Annie. Then I have to win those Challenges from you. I'm not leaving."
"Do you think this a game, Sarah? A whim perhaps to amuse everyone involved? Jordana has compromised the very walls of the High Court thanks to your little friend and we have no way of knowing if any of the evil is still lurking somewhere on the premises. It is not safe for you here."
"You think it's safe for me in Ireland? Isn't that where Jordana is 'still lurking' waiting for me? Your father told us events were set into motion and asked what my choice was. This is my choice. I'm not backing away from that, not now." Her hand touched the side of his face gently, making him look at her.
"Jareth, like it or not, I'm part of this world now." At his silence she gave him a small smile and put her arms around him. "Hide from me if you want," she said, echoing the fairies words from the library, "but do not hide from the truth."
At her words, he seemed to deflate and pulled her to him, hiding his face in her hair.
"I will not lose you again, Sarah. No matter what path you eventually choose, I walk it with you."
"As you wish," she answered softly. She had no doubt that they would walk together as friends, but she knew he was the true ruler. She had no claim on anything here, no matter what was said to her. She knew that he was glad she was there, but she was not what he needed in the end. She held him closer, realizing that their time together was growing short.
After a few moments Aberdon put his hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Command me brother, and I will gladly give my life to protect your Sarah." Jareth looked up at him slowly and took a deep breath, clearing away the thoughts of helplessness he struggled with each day Jordana roamed free.
"Let us hope it does not come to that, my brother."
Alyssa stormed into the throne room, fire in her eyes. "That little witch dares to trespass on our palace? I will have her bloody head served to me on a platter made from her very bones fused together in the fires of hell."
Sarah blanched but Jareth nodded to his mother. "She gave Antoinette a pendant of Carman - the little fool placed it around her throat and disappeared. Can the seers not locate the child?"
"They've tried - they did sense a glimpse of the girl but it's gone now, like she was never here." Alyssa crossed her arms and fumed. "Here, in our home the she-devil attempts to attack her own niece." She turned to Sarah, "Things are changing rapidly Sarah, the first real Challenge must be sooner than we anticipated. You will have to go to Ireland as soon as possible and ready yourself."
"Why, what is happening?" Sarah asked, reaching out for Jareth's hand without thinking.
"Jordana's spells are affecting more than the Above Ground spirits. Humans are starting to notice the changes in weather, the more frequent attacks on farm animals. Their excuses sound like childish gibberish. Global warming and coyotes. Madness. Her demons are absorbing power at an alarming rate. If we do not have your victory over Jareth, there will be no Champion of the Light Kingdom to face down Jordana."
"This was never really just about Jareth getting his kingdom back was it?" Sarah asked. "This is about my grandparents."
"Yes, there must be balance. To defeat Jordana there must be a Champion of Light. She has unbalanced all in both kingdoms. She has used our own creatures against us, corrupting the flow of magic. She drains our power with Carman's spells, uses our rules to her own advantage. All for the sake of ruling over the world. Demons fly to her side as we speak."
"Demons," Sarah said warily. "Aren't they of the Dark?"
"Yes, but as you have pointed out, free will is always there for the taking. This is why we have wood nymphs and library fairies here and the Above Ground has assorted goblins and dwarves. Officially they follow us, but free will is always there." Alyssa's voice broke and Aberdon put an arm around her. She coughed, and composed herself.
"The time comes quickly when we must part. Jareth will take you back to your world and when you arrive in Ireland, all will be put into place for the first Challenge."
One of the royal wizards approached. "The girl is no longer in our realm, Majesties. There was a large burst of power from the Dark Woods then nothing."
"What does that mean?" Sarah asked.
"It means," the wizard said patiently, "that the girl is no longer in the Under Ground. She was in the Dark Woods, but now she is not. We cannot sense the human anywhere, she is likely dead."
"Dead," Sarah repeated, sinking to the floor. Jareth knelt beside her wishing he knew the words to say.
"It's all my fault," she said dully as he held her.
"It is not, if anyone is to blame it is Jordana for setting this in motion." Jareth tried to reason with her, but Sarah was suddenly very tired of trying to hold it all together. Tired of being brave, tired of being more than she knew she could be, tired of pretending she could do this.
"Jareth, just take me home," she said softly.
"As you wish," he answered, picking her up like a small child and carrying her from the room.
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The alarm clock buzzed loudly and Sarah opened her eyes. She sat up and called to Annie to tell her about the dream, but she was alone. Putting her feet into slippers, she made her way to the bedroom mirror and stared into it, not sure what was real.
"Jareth," the name on her lips felt like pain and she sat waiting to see if he'd appear. After a moment, he did and stared back at her with sorrow in his eyes.
"Sarah, your parents are on their way up to take you to the airport. But I shall be nearby."
"Thank you. I guess I should get dressed." Her voice seemed distant and his heart broke at the reserved look she gave him. "Will I see you in Ireland?"
"Only if there is need, we both have our roles to play."
"Of course." There was a pounding on the door, "Wake up sleepy head," her father's voice boomed through the door. "You have a plane to catch in a few hours."
"Coming, dad - let," her voice broke for a moment. "Let me get dressed and I'll be right down."
When she looked back at the mirror, it was empty.