A/N: Well, guys, it's me! I'm gonna be doing NaNoWriMo this November, for the first time, so if the story is not finished by then it might be a bit before it gets there. (It will at least reach the end of the ball before then, so.) We are finally through my tiny hiatus from Jareth and Sarah's main story, so I hope you guys are excited for some romance! Note: This is the last day before the ball, so it will be split into at least two chapters. Lastly, because of that, this chapter is a bit shorter. I hope you all enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth. The Labyrinth owns me.

Chapter Twenty-One: Born To Die

Sarah woke up in the morning alone, but the sheets still held his warmth, so she knew Jareth had not gone far. The old crone that ran the infirmary stood at her side, one arm already extended to help Sarah to the bathroom.

"The king had to go greet a large batch of incoming royals and make sure they don't kill each other."

Sarah nodded, letting the old lady lead her into the bathroom before she pulled away. The medic seemed to sigh in frustration, but she stepped from the bathroom just enough for Sarah to shut the door.

As soon as she was alone, Sarah went to the mirror and peered at her reflection.

The mask looked awful, like a badly put together jigsaw puzzle. Pieces were missing here and there, the nose's tip was gone, and spiderweb fractures ran throughout it's entirety. Sarah got the feeling that Arcadia would be looking a lot healthier when they met at the ball.

And they would be meeting. It was the twelfth day. Tomorrow was the ball. Sarah was nearly out of time, and he hadn't said he loved her. He'd shown it, but he had not said the words she needed to hear. She was going to fail.

There was a soft knock on the door, and Sarah sighed through her nose before turning away from the mirror to run herself a bath. She made sure to make plenty of noise to prevent any unwanted interruptions from the woman caring for her.

Jareth sighed, glaring at the Satyr king as he rambled on about what wines he liked and disliked. The ogre queen and king sat nearby, waiting their turn to petition Jareth with specific foods they wanted in their rooms. In fact, many of the royals had finally arrived. Auberon was helping where he could, but Jareth was host, and so he could only accept so much assistance.

Jareth nodded without truly listening as the satyr droned on about cheeses now.

Sarah would be waking up around that time, and she was sure to notice his absence. He'd left his head medic to care for her, but he worried all the same. He did not wish to be gone long, in case of another emergency.

But the satyr did not consider Jareth's wants. The satyr just wanted to make sure none of the cheese in his room came from goats.

"I don't see you eating cheese made from your mother's milk, it's only right that I shouldn't have to."

Jareth sighed, noting that his mother was decidedly absent today, and settled into his throne, resigned to the fact that he would not be escaping the throne room before lunch, at least.

Titiania did not carry the responsibilities Jareth did, at the moment. For the high queen, the Samhain ball was nearly a vacation.

She took advantage of this by skipping out on the annual whine fest in the throne room and visiting her son's future queen.

She entered the room without knocking, smiling sweetly at the head medic, who was standing guard beside the closed bathroom door, listening to Sarah go about her morning business.

"You are excused, I will see to her."

The old woman nodded curtly, exiting the room with a speed unexpected for her age.

A moment later, Sarah emerged.

Sarah stopped short when she saw the high queen seated beside her bed.

Titiania seemed perfectly comfortable, clothed in silver and gesturing regally for Sarah to lie back down. The human sighed, obeying grouchily. Her book was in her bed anyway, and she would need it if they were to communicate.

"So, Sarah, I thought we would talk about she who cursed you."

Sarah balked at Titiania, her mask buffering the expression almost completely.

"Yes, I know how unusual this is, but surely you have some questions?"

Sarah sighed, pulling her book out, and began to write.

'I do. Jareth mentioned she loved him?'

The high queen sighed then, rolling her eyes.

"She was infatuated with him, and then dark magic twisted that infatuation into something disgusting and wrong. She feels nothing for him, really, but she thinks she does. She will think she does until her last breath."

Sarah blinked, eyes narrowing as she processed the new information.

'What do you mean by dark magic? Those shadows she uses?'

Titiania nodded, a slight sadness settling over her features.

"Long ago there was very little, just a light and a darkness. These two fractured, darkness going down one path and light going down the other. Fey and humans alike are touched by both their whole lives, but many choose one direction more than the other. Arcadia was a foolish young thing, and she wandered into a dangerous, dark land. A land outside fey rule, here in the Underground. Something happened there, and she killed one of Jareth's old lovers to help it happen. After that, she was changed. A madness overtook her, and her kingdom rose quickly."

Titiania paused for a moment, waving a hand so that a small tray of tea and sweets appeared beside her. She served herself, gesturing for Sarah to do the same.

"She caught herself many servants, both fey and mortal, but they eventually died to feed the darkness she let take her. If she ever runs out of servants to kill, which she nearly has done, she will die. If she, say, was forced to return a large enough amount of magic to a specific being, she would likely die or be weak enough to kill. Does that clear things up for you, Sarah?"

Sarah nodded slowly, watching Titiania carefully, but then she thought of another question.

'You know what I have to do, don't you?'

Titiania smirked, eyes glittering with mirth and mischief.

"I know much, my dear. I know something else that might interest you, as well, in regards to the task you've been given."

The high queen glanced about quickly before leaning in and whispering conspiratorially.

"There is no rule preventing you from saying you love him." At Sarah's stunned look, the queen continued.

"And if you were wondering, Sarah, I have kept my eye on you ever since you left the Underground the first time. It is uncommon for mortals to retain their memories of our home."

She then stood and exited the room, leaving a shocked Sarah to digest all that she'd learned.

Part two of the twelfth day to come soon! Also, there will not be as many POV switched in the next chapter.