Crystal Nightmare

by PaisleyRose

Jareth had tricked Sarah into bonding with him by prepending to be Garrett King...Now Miles is out to split them up by reordering time. Can Jareth save his Sarah? Can Sarah resist Miles?

21. Chapter 21

Chapter 21.

Warrior Queen

Miles looked at his luxurious bedchamber. As lavish as it was, he didn't want Sarah to be in a room that had been used on other women. Sarah warranted special treatment in his mind. An entirely new room would need to be created just for her, a room that was as pure and fresh as she herself. It would be his gift to her, he mused, a courtesan's chamber. Besides the west wing of the house was too dark for his fair Sarah. She was like the light, and therefore she belonged in the east wing. The eastern wing of the house was empty; the only thing on the second floor between the wings was the gallery. Miles entered the large suite of rooms that faced the rising sun. The walls were a soft sea shell pink, with cream accents. He looked at the soft pink marble mantle of the fireplace in the sitting room. He could picture Sarah standing there, awaiting him. He closed his eyes and envisioned the furnishings of a sitting room worthy of Sarah. When he opened his eyes, the soft ivory winged back chairs and tables pleased him. He filled the space with things that would please a lady, plants and artwork. Moving toward the bed alcove he spoke to himself aloud. "A bed fit for a queen." The chamber then held an overly large canopy bed decked out in white linen, eyelet lace curtains and covered in lavish bedding. He brought a warm Oriental rug into the space to keep his lady's feet warm. Standing back he viewed his work, and placed a hand on the bed.

Stephens watched from a place that he could not be seen, not liking what he was seeing. He was still smarting from having been beaten for setting Bowen on the wretched Williams girl.

Miles moved to the bath chamber and filled it with gifts of perfume and exotic oils. Soft sea sponges and exotic soaps made from sea grass and lemon grass, as well as dusting powder made from dried honey. Miles took care to make the bath as luxurious as the bed chamber and its sitting room. Long silky curtains flowed from the ceiling to the floor and draped dramatically over the huge sunken tub. A tub he was sure he'd share with the luscious Sarah after hours of lovemaking. He wanted Sarah to have every comfort she'd ever possibly desire. He vowed that once she was his, she would never want for anything. He would give her everything he could, including immortality. Never would she leave him.

Miles frowned slightly, feeling something but not able to put a finger or a name to it. He looked at the bath, and for an instant didn't see the dark haired vixen he was envisioning, but rather a red haired beauty with creamy skin. He blinked and the apparition vanished.

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Sarah looked at the little boy sleeping soundly. She had spent many of the nights and early mornings of the last week watching him. Suddenly at her side was the presence of the Goblin King, as if it were natural that he be there. He gazed at Sarah, then smiled at the sleeping boy. Gathering Sarah into his arms he placed a kiss at her temple. Together they stood watch for a time. Sarah whispered. "What if my parents walk out of their room?"

"They are asleep Sarah," he said with the confidence of one who knows more than others.

Sarah nodded and left the boy to sleep on and returned to her room, followed by the King. She looked at him and shook her head, "Who'd have thought six years ago we'd be on the same side?"

Jareth reached out a hand, gloved finger tips touched her face. "I was never your enemy, Sarah."

"I know." She acknowledged. "I understand now things that I didn't then." She didn't flinch under his touch, but stood still and resolute.

Jareth stepped closer, ominously. "What do you understand, beloved?"His voice was like spun honey.

"You are not a thief. You could not have taken Toby with out me wishing him away." He listened as she spoke, "The Labyrinth is designed to test and challenge."

"You were the only one to ever make it as far as the castle," he praised.

"Jareth, when did you mark me?" She asked the question that had been on her mind for some time now.

He stepped closer and crooned in her ear, "It's only forever. Not long at all.Lost and lonely. That's underground. Underground." His breath was warm on her ear, and made her shiver. "The first time I sang that to you, was in a park."

"That was when you marked me?"

His lips stayed at her ear. "From the first moment I saw you in the park, child, you were mine."

Sarah shivered, "Jareth."

"I watched you for the longest time, waiting. Knowing someday you'd call on me. And you did." Leather clad fingers slid round her waist. "What is mine, I keep." His lips still at her ear he teased and vanished.

"Not if I'm not willing," she said to the empty air. "Not if I'm not willing…"

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Pacing his study, Miles began to formulate his master plan. "I need something that will keep that boy King busy. Too busy to worry about Sarah," he said out loud. "I need something big to distract him with, but what?"

Stephens crept out of a shadow he'd been keeping to. "I hear tell the Goblin King is fond of the brother of the Sarah," he ventured darkly, thinking of a new means of revenge.

Miles turned his attentions to the Faun. "What did you say?"

"Watches over the brat he does," the Faun sneered, cowering a safe distance from being struck by his master. "Keeps close eye on that one."

Miles took a seat and pondered. "Why would he concern himself with a child he'd lost?" He looked at the faun and motioned him to speak further.

"Had plans to rename him in his own right," spoke the Faun. "Called him Jarethkin, and sang to him. Danced with the child and let goblins play with him!" The words spoken came out in a mocking tone.

Could this be true, the Fae wondered and Miles blinked, "Where did you learn all this?"

The Faun drew away, fearful of punishment at his Master's hand. "Sources have I. Good and true."

"What else do your sources say?" Asked the Dark Fae amused by the cowering of the Faun.

"Goblin King planed on keeping the boy and his sister." Spat the faun. "Adopt the one, bed the other." He began to laugh unpleasantly.

Miles smiled. "Well, well, that does put a different light on things. So the boy King was going to adopt the boy…. I can use that." He reached out a hand and the Faun came to him, he stroked the creature's head. "Good work, Stephens." As he stroked the creature he thought on how to use the information he'd just been given.

"Master going to do something evil?" Stephens was hopeful.

"No, not evil," Corrected Miles. "Something that will win me time; I'm going to kidnap the boy and hold him somewhere that only Jareth can save him."

'Why let brat be saved?' thought the Faun. "Thee has a plan?"

"One in the working," Miles sighed. "These things must be done carefully… the spells involving children are delicate… and can not be rushed."

Stephens fled back into the shadows, making plans of his own. Dark plans.

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Miles watched the sunrise on Monday morning, the first of February. In twenty-four hours it would be Candlemas, and by the end of the Feast Sarah Williams, beloved of the Goblin King would be his. She would give herself freely to him, he was sure. Not only to save Mora Montgomery, who was beyond saving, but to save her precious little brother! He looked over at the bed that he was sure would be hosting Sarah. "All is in readiness, sweet Mortal," He sighed.

The Faun snarled watching Miles from a dark corner; in his black heart he hated the Master. More than the Master, he hated the Mortal girl who had bewitched his Master. "For all the pain thee has caused me, mortal, thee shall pay," he vowed under his breath; "First with the blood of thy brother, and thy Fae King lover… then with your own."

Miles closed the door to the rooms he'd prepared for the woman he lusted after. He called the Faun to his side. Together, they went magically to where Toby was playing in the schoolyard. Miles allowed the Faun to point the boy out. He looked at the boy and wondered what it was about him that the Goblin King saw as worth adopting. When the children went in after recess, Miles turned to the Faun. "I want you to entice the boy to follow you tomorrow afternoon. You will take him to the place I've stipulated. I will meet Mora, at the same time and entice her to the estate. By sunset both our birds will be in the snares and I can spring the trap on Sarah."

Stephens nodded, "Yes, Master. Take boy to holding, and let him out not."

"No, take boy to holding, and leave him there to be rescued by the Goblin King. He'll have his hands full, and by the time he sees the trap, I'll have Sarah. He can have his boy."

The Faun sneered. "And tasty Mora? She be mine?"

Miles cuffed the Faun, feeling more violence toward the dark creature then he'd ever felt before. How dare he utter the name of his mortal playmate… "No! Mora remains a tasty morsel for me."

The Faun glared picking himself up off the ground, "You said perhaps she be mine." He nearly howled his protest.

"She's too good for the likes of you." Miles stated firmly. "Now off with you. Go set the traps at the holding."

Dark eyed and furious the Faun vanished, muttering to himself.

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It had been a restless night for Sarah. Even with owl feathers, she found sleep eluding her. Rising before dawn, she bathed, and stood in her closet. "What does one wear to a war these days?" She wondered aloud. Something in the back of her closet caught her eye, something she'd not seen for a long, long time. It was a simple poet styled shirt in raw muslin. Over the shirt hung a vest with gold threads in a flower and squiggle design. On the vest just above her heart hung a gold pin, an oval amber stone in its heart. Touching it, she felt the power it held from days long ago, from a battle that won her brother's freedom. It was if the magic of the Labyrinth and the Underground had clung to the fabric. Sarah took the shirt from the closet. The jeans she'd worn that night were long gone, as were the shoes. Looking back in the closet, she found a denim prairie skirt, and a pair of boots that always made her feel like she was on top of the world. That was what she needed today; she needed to feel powerful and confident. Over the shirt, which still fit, she placed a large wide leather belt. To grid herself, and give her more confidence she wore the shield pendant from Garrett and the charm bracelet that held charms from both her Kings.

Sarah paced the room, thinking of items she would need in a battle of wits with Fae. She began to assemble them on her bed. Her statue of Oberon that Garrett had given her. A trinket that Hoggle had pressed into her hand before he'd departed her room after the victory celebration. She had many long owl feathers, and she took three of the best ones. She chose some petals from the Bird of Paradise that Jareth had given her for her birthday and lastly her precious book 'The Labyrinth'. She placed the items in a pouch that hung off her belt. She suddenly knew how Hoggle felt with his bag of treasures hanging at his side. She looked into the mirror of the vanity, the very mirror her friends had used to see her. The only reflection this morning was hers but she could hear their words telling…

Sir Didymus had said, slowly, "Well, if that is the way 'tis done, then that is how thou must needs do it." He raised his staff and squinted along it. "But shouldst thou have need of us ..."

"Yes," Hoggle added, "if you need us ..."

Sarah touched the glass of the mirror. "I'll call," she whispered the promise yet again. The slivery reflective surface seemed to tingle at her touch. "I'll call."

The minuets were dragging like hours as she went down to have her morning coffee. She looked out the window at the fortress, covered in owl feathers blowing on the early morning wind. Toby looked at her when he came into the kitchen. Her eyes cautioned him to keep his questions to himself. Karen was making a fuss over his lunch and Sarah didn't want her disturbed. "I'll take the squirt to school," Sarah offered.

Her father looked at her. "I don't remember seeing you wear that in a long time."

Karen sighed, "Sarah you have so many pretty things, why choose this?"

Sarah smiled, and lied smoothly, too smoothly. "Oh we're doing an inventory, and I have to be up on a ladder against dusty shelves. I don't want to ruin my nice things." She looked at her brother, "Ready to go?"

Toby nodded gravely, kissed his mother good bye, and walked over to where Robert was seated going over notes for the trial. He leaned in and gave his father a hug. Robert smiled and told the boy to have a good day. Sarah took his hand and led Toby away.

"What was that?" She asked.

"Just in case," he said. "I had bad dreams last night."

Sarah stopped and knelt down, "I won't let anything happen to you."

"You may not be able to prevent it," Toby said softly wisely for his youth.

Sarah nodded, "That's why I have the big guns…Jareth." The brother and sister shared a secret smile.

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Sarah entered the bookstore as she had for years. It should be just an ordinary day. A day of working on invoices, restocking shelves and helping customers find tomes to read. But today was far from ordinary. She hung her coat and went about the duties she had preformed countless other times. Emrys came in early; the look on his face was one of grave seriousness. He called her over to him. They entered the little office, and he closed the door. "Sarah, you asked me once if I was superstitious, do you recall?" The eyes that usually twinkled were like stormy seas.

"Yes, I remember," she said.

"I had disturbing dreams last night," he stated. "They were of you, and of strange beings."

Sarah took his hand in hers. "Emrys, I'm Fae Marked. I'm Kindred."

"I suspected as much." He confessed, 'actually I've know all along, sweet child.' He thought to himself. 'Oh child how I wish I could tell you all that I know… someday… sweet child we shall share all our secrets.' He vowed to himself.

Sarah looked at him, "Emrys, in your desk you have an 'Ardduc'. I'm asking you to give it to me."

Emrys wordlessly went to the desk opened the drawer and removed the disc. He placed it in her hands. "It's yours. I give it freely. Use it well."

Sarah tucked it into the cup of her bra over her heart. "I pray I have no need to use it at all." She looked at the man she considered her mentor. "Tell me about the Oberon the Welsh know."

"The Woodland King is a fair and just King," stated Emrys, eyes now sparked with the glow of enchantment. His body language changed, and if Sarah had not been so intent on his words she'd have noticed. "He holds court over the seen and unseen. His word is law." He led Sarah back to the area where some old manuscripts were kept under glass cases. "These tell of his deeds. What do you need?"

"If called upon by a mortal, can that mortal accuse a Fae of crimes before the King?"

"Yes. It's not unheard of." Emrys felt the surge of pride in his 'student'. She was a better study than even the boy who'd pulled the sword from the stone. Her heart was as true as any knight he'd ever met.

"How do I plead my case?" She asked staring at the manuscripts. She'd longed to open the case over the years, and sit and read… but the parchments were fragile and would most likely turn to dust if handled she feared.

Emrys opened the glass case and took out one scroll. His fingers unrolled it with ease and the parchment looked as fresh as the day it had been scribed. "You must address the King directly. Declare who you are, name and title. Then the charges you have against the accused. You must speak in court vernacular. Are you familiar with the colloquial differences?"

Sarah looked at him with fire in the depths of emerald eyes. "I, Sarah, Lady of the Labyrinth bring forth charges of grievous misdeed upon my person and the persons of my bother and the maid Mora Montgomery." She pulled back into herself. "Like that?"

Merrily Emrys snickered. "It will do quite nicely." He held out his hand to her. "Come Sarah, there's work to be done. We must prepare you for a war."

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The Faun stayed hidden, watching the schoolchildren play. He hated human children, right down to their tapioca and rice pudding scents. In his mind the world would have been a far better place had man fallen by the wayside. The Fae creatures should have had dominion over this world as well as the other realms they lived in. The loss of the world inhabited now by humans was painful to this Faun. Over the years he'd taken his anger out on many helpless humans. He sought out the ones he felt the most anger and pain towards… tellers of tales of the Fae world were at the top of his list… such as Robin Zaker… None had caused him more pain and irritation than the mortal girl that had besotted his Master. His Master had given the Faun orders: entice the boy and take him to the holding place, and set up traps to occupy the boy king in his endeavor of rescue. The holding was in readiness for its captives. More than ready, as the Faun had placed traps of a deadly nature. Could he be held at fault if the boy king or the mortal child made a mistake and got them selves killed? Stephens could not see any reason his Master would mourn either.

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Miles stood inside the vestibule of the library, awaiting the arrival of Mora at the appointed hour. Soon he'd have Sarah and Mora on the side. This pleased him. He'd wed the one and keep the other for the unforeseeable future. He'd only give the appearance of allowing her freedom… he planned on keeping the delectable Mora… Mora, who was a volcano of passion….

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Jareth paced the throne room that was now clear of goblins and their messes. He tapped his boots every now and then with his riding crop, bit at his lower lip with sharp teeth and sigh deeply. He'd stop and look at the clock and pace again. Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didymus had gathered in the throne room, uninvited but not unwelcome sentinels. They stood watch as their King paced and waited for a call he dreaded coming. It had been hell going though this the first time, this time was worse… He could not stop what had been put into motion; he could only repeat his actions and pray that Sarah remembered something of the reality she'd been abducted from. Jareth returned to pacing.

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Toby came out of the school, and wondered why his mother was not there waiting. He shrugged and went to the playground, thinking he could wait there as well as in front of the school. He heard a soft voice call his name, and looked round. In the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of movement, a shadowy figure. The voice called him again. He moved toward the sound that no other child on the grounds seemed to hear. As he neared the source he could see in the shadows a creature that didn't belong to this world. "Who are you?" He asked his hand in a pocket full of owl feathers.

"Master sent me to fetch thee," the Faun oozed sweetly.

"Master, what master?" Demanded the child with a regal presence.

'Ugly thing,' Thought the Faun. "Sent thee this, so thee would know me." The creature held out in his hand a crystal to the boy.

"Jareth!" Cried the child in joy; "Is it time to go home?"

The Faun smiled at the boy with a hideous smile. "Yes, time to go." He kept the crystal just out of the boy's reach, enticing him to come closer. Toby moved closer and reached for the crystal. The Faun let the orb fall into the hands of the boy. As he did, he placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and they vanished from the schoolyard.

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Mora moved as if she were in a dream. At the door of the Library Miles stood awaiting her. Her eyes shone, and her breathing was slow and steady and she remembered. She saw him reach out his hand to her. She placed her hand in his, and a moment later the vestibule was empty.

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Sarah dropped the stack of books she was carrying to the back of the store. Her knees buckled and she dropped to the floor on top of the books. A strangled cry escaped her throat. As Emrys rushed to her side to help her, she took hold of the offered hand and held on for dear life. There was a throbbing pain in her head, the sound of blood roared in her ears and she felt sick. All precautions and protections could not prevent her from feeling the magic as it washed over her like a tidal wave. "Breath," ordered the old man. "Don't fight it, Sarah. It is the oldest of forces. It is what formed this world, what formed the above and the under…. Accept it! Breath!" Thousands, perhaps millions of visions filled her mind all at the same time. The knowledge of the ages, the laws of people who were thought to be a memory worked their way into every fiber of her being. Then as quickly as it had come upon her, it was gone and she was left feeling empty. Something had been stolen from her, and she felt the sense of loss. Emrys helped her to her feet. "Can you speak?"

Sarah nodded. "I've never had anything like that happen. I've had visions, and premonitions. But never anything like that."

"What did you see?"

"Darkness," she whispered. "Utter darkness. And danger, so much danger."

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Matiland had been sitting at her desk feeling miserable. Her life was a living hell of her own making, and there was no way out. 'I have need of you,' a disembodied voice declared. She looked up, "Yes, Master," she moaned as she rose from the desk and left the office that had once been her citadel. Matiland now stood in the room of living statues, hating the need to be part of what they were doing. Watching the statues as they fornicated and frolicked with abandon gave her dark urges of her own.

She knew that Miles had arrived; the statues were turning a gaze to the door awaiting the Master. She also turned to face the door. Miles entered, on his arm was a beautiful girl with long red curls. Matiland felt a jab of jealousy, but forced it down. "You sent for me, Master?" She asked as she bowed to the Dark Fae.

Miles nodded, as he led Mora to a bench. "Sit, Mora." He commanded, and obediently she complied. He stroked her hair, "Good girl." Matiland frowned; he had never once been so patronizing with her. Never so gentle, or so compassionate either. Miles saw the consternation on her face and snickered, "Jealous again, pet?" he asked the woman.

"You never treat me like that." Liz sniveled and whined a bit, complaining bitterly.

Miles continued to stroke red curls, "I treat you as you deserve, Lizzie." He caressed Mora's cheek. "This girl, unlike you, is a sweet thing. I treat her as she deserves." He took a seat beside Mora, and drew her to him to be kissed. He knew Matiland was watching, hurting and hating. He smiled at Mora. "Give me your scarf, my dear."

Mora unwound the scarf from her neck, "Anything." She said as she handed it over.

Miles kissed her brow. "Thank you, Mora." He stroked her again.

Matiland frowned. "What are we waiting for?"

"Stephens," said the Fae. "I sent him to perform a task. When he is done, I will send you on yours." He turned his face to Mora. "Isn't that right?"

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Colin was draped in the overcoat as he entered the bookstore. With quick steps he closed the space between himself and Sarah. Emrys looked at the man with interest. Colin let the coat slide to the floor. Beneath it, he wore the armor of a Greenbrier Knight. His knee bent and he bowed his head to Sarah. "My Lady." He addressed the young woman with homage.

Emrys looked at the girl. "The Gauntlet is about to be cast down."

Sarah nodded. "I know."

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The Faun bowed to his Master as he entered the gallery. He handed him the cap from the child he'd taken. "As thee requested, my Master. All is in readiness." 'More than you could ever know, fool Fae Master.' The Faun thought to himself.

Miles took the cap. "You left the charm from the Queen on the boy?"

"As you requested, it has been done," Stephens said. He looked at Maitland with hungry eyes. "The pretty is back, playmate for me, Master?"

"Lizzie has work to do, Stephens." Miles handed the woman both the scarf and the cap. "I will send you to the place Sarah works." He said smoothly. He gave her the rest of her instructions. "You will hand these items to her, and tell her to meet me in the park. Tell her she knows where I'll be waiting for her." He stood. "Go now!" Matiland vanished. Miles looked at the Faun, "Perhaps you can play with Lizzie when she's done her task…would you like that my evil little pet?"

The Faun slid his hand to his genitls, "I would like to play with Lizzie… seen her play with your statues… I could give her a better ride…"

Miles sniffed and looked away.

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Sarah wondered why Emrys was so accepting of what was happening. The store was empty, there was a medieval knight kneeing to her, and she was having visions. Yet Emrys was acting as if this were a daily occurrence. Emrys turned and faced the door. "Someone approaches," he said quietly. The old man with the dancing eyes moved to flank her side. Standing like a wise councilor.

Matiland entered the store, not looking anywhere but where Sarah stood. She walked toward her, hate in her eyes and a sneer on her lips. "I've been sent with a message for you."

Sarah stood proudly, head held high. "Give it then." The voice was regal, the voice of a Queen.

Matiland handed the items over, "He says to meet him in the park. He said you'd know where."

Sarah recognized the cap. "Toby," she confirmed. She handed the cape to Emrys who also confirmed the owner.

Colin stood at her other side, "That's Mora's scarf," he acknowledged.

Matiland turned to go, Sarah spoke to her. "Why did you help him?"

Liz turned and glared at the girl; "To win Garrett!"

"I pity you." Sarah said without emotion, "Always wanting something that was never yours. Go now, before I forget I'm a Lady."

"Lady my ass," Matiland growled and turned to leave.

Sarah turned to Emrys and Colin, "I ... I have to face him alone." The sense of Deja vou was nearly overpowering. She had said these words more than once, she was sure.

Colin was about to protest, but Emrys nodded, "Because that's the way it's done." His words echoed hers in the halls of time. The old man kissed her brow, "Gods speed."

Colin took her hand and placed it over his heart. "Well, if that is the way 'tis done, then that is how thou must needs do it." He raised his sword and squinted along it. "But shouldst thou have need of us ..."

"I'll call," Sarah promised, remembering the offers of another Knight during a different battle.

Emrys watched as the girl pulled on her coat and stepped out of the store. He looked at Colin. "Come Sir Colin, Guardian of the Greenbrier. We've work to be done before she returns."

"Thee knows me?" Colin asked.

"Of course, my boy." Emrys would have loved to drop the glamour but dared not, not just yet. "And thee wilt know me, soon. Come now, Sir Colin… I must gird thee for battle…"

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The girl moved slowly from the trees toward the middle of the glade, where a pool glimmered. She was concentrating. Each deliberate step took her nearer to her purpose. Her hands were open, and held slightly in front of her. The wind sighed again in the trees. It blew her coat tightly against her slender figure, and rustled her hair around her wide-eyed face. Her lips were parted. She'd lived this part over and over, and now she was ready for the battle of her life. "Give me the child, and the maid." Sarah said, in a voice that was low, but firm with the courage her quest needed. She halted, her hands still held out. "Give me the child, and the maid." she repeated, as she crossed the bridge to the glade. The water of the pond was no longer frozen and it rippled in the wind.

Miles leaned on the obelisk he applauded as she approached. "How bravely spoken." He stood upright and leveled his stare at her. "However, you know how this works, don't you Lady Sarah? I have two captives, and you can save but one. Choose."

Sarah felt her heart race for a moment, but the 'Ardduc' at her heart gave her the courage to continue. "What do you want, Miles?"

"You Sarah. I want you," he spoke the words with the force of passion. "I will give you one of my hostages in exchange."

His speaking of her name didn't stir her heart, only one person in the world could speak her name and cause her knees to go weak. Only one voice said her name like a caress. "I want them both," she demanded.

"Unless you can save them both, both will parish," Miles snickered. "You have fifteen minuets. You can save but one, choose. When you've made your choice, come to me at the estate." He tossed a coin to her. "Speak my name and the coin will bring you to me." He bowed. "Don't keep me waiting, my dear. We have a forever to begin living…" He vanished as if he'd never been in the park at all.

Sarah ran back to the bookstore. She shoved the first display of books over in rage. Gathering all that was within her she cried out. "JARETH!"

A moment later the Fae King shimmered into full view. Neither he, nor Sarah cared if there were mundane folk witnessing this. He moved to Sarah's side. "You called me my dearest?" He looked deeply into her eyes, seeking a sign that she remembered. Seeing none he sighed and resolved to play out the scene as it had happened before.

"Did you mark Toby?" She demanded to know.

Jareth didn't bother with denials. "Yes, of course."

She grabbed the King's arms. "Can you feel him?"

Jareth searched, "Not well. Not as well as I should." Colin and Emrys stood back, watching.

"You told me not long ago, that Hoggle was the best nose in the Kingdom." Sarah shoved the little cap into the hands of the King. "Have Hoggle sniff this!"

Jareth touched her face. "Yes, my Queen." He turned. "Hoggle!"

There was a flash and the dwarf appeared. He bowed to Sarah, and then turned to his King. "What can I do?"

Jareth handed Hoggle the cap and looked at Sarah. "With my dying breath," He reminded her of his given oath.

"I'm holding you to that oath!" She said as he vanished. She turned to Colin. "Gird thyself! We are about to go save thy sister." She held her hand out and once he'd taken it she raised the coin. "Take me to Miles. Sarah and Colin appeared on the steps of Miles' house. Sarah looked at the Guardian. "I have to go in alone and bargain for your sister. If I'm not out in fifteen minuets, storm the gates! Get your sister and get out, do you understand me? This is not a request, it's an order."

Colin smirked. "You sound like a Queen."

Sarah turned as she mounted the stairs. "I am a Queen, just ask Jareth." Head high, back straight, the woman stood before the double doors. "Open!" She commanded and the doors flew open on their own; "Not bad." She said.

Colin watched as she disappeared behind the doors that closed as she entered. He knelt, "Soon, Mother, soon you shall be avenged." The man checked his gear one more time; the blade was in his belt, ready to be used. "Into the gates of hell we go, once more…" He sighed as the memories poured into his mind of the first reality. "Go give em hell, Sarah." He said with a smile.