While Jareth pondered the last Challenge and Sarah tended to Annie, Lithos searched the goblin colony for signs of Annie. He would not believe her dead, no matter what his fears told him. Because it would be his fault if she was gone, his fault that he couldn't have found a way to save her. And that was just unacceptable. If she was dead, then Lithos would find a way to die too, because really, what life did he have now anyway serving Jordana?

Aberdon wandered into the High Court after yet another fruitless search in the Dark Woods. He was tired, irritable and as usual, feeling guilty about Annie's death. She'd been wrong to condemn his world without trying to see it for the beautiful place it could be, but he had only flirted and made jokes, then turned on her, seeming rude and detached. He had no name for the conflicting emotions he had about the girl, and now it was pointless to examine them. She was gone and he would never see her impertinent face again.

He walked into his mother's study, surprised to see her planning a banquet. She was deep in her work and did not notice him enter.

"Are we celebrating something?" he asked, not really caring. She looked up at her youngest child and smiled.

"Jareth and Sarah will have the final Challenge in a few days, as such they will have a banquet tonight to celebrate their efforts. It's tradition, and may I assume I will see you there?"

"I'm no good at parties," he said glumly and she smirked.

"Since when? You flirt almost as shamelessly as Jamen and you sing like an angel when you aren't tormenting your poor father with your tasteless humor. I shall expect to see you there."

"Of course," he sighed, pulling at his grey leather gloves. Annie would have looked beautiful in grey, he thought. He pushed the though aside and nodded obediently to his mother. When planning a party, she would not be denied.

"And who knows, there may be a few surprises for you there," she added mysteriously. "You should wear your dark grey ensemble I believe, you will look quite dashing."

She couldn't have known he was thinking of Annie in grey, it was just another of the cruel coincidences that haunted life. He excused himself to go find food and his bed and she wished him a good night.

"Sweet dreams my son," she added as he walked out the door. After he'd gone, she smiled to herself. Aberdon's world was about to become a bit more complicated, it would be interesting to see how he fared.

JSJSJSJSJSJS

Sarah started packing her bags and getting ready for the flight home. Since she could go to the Underground from anywhere, it didn't matter where she lived Above Ground. Annie however was unusually silent as she handed her clothes.

"Something on your mind, Annie? Are you not feeling well?" Sarah's green eyes studied her friend carefully. Annie could swear Sarah's eyes were glowing slightly, but it was probably a trick of the light.

"So we go back to the U.S. right? I guess Mom will have to let me back in the house." Sarah turned and looked at her, surprised.

"You are my lady in waiting, Annie. You already chose not to go back home, remember?" Annie was confused and her face showed it.

"But where will I go?" Lydia walked in at that moment and smiled.

"Silly girl, you'll be in Sarah's rooms at the High Court, it's where a lady in waiting would normally be found isn't it? And when Sarah comes to the Under Ground, she'll need your help for the banquets and such my mother is forever planning. Such as the one tonight if you must know."

"I get to live there? After everything I've done?" Annie looked like a lost little girl and Lydia pulled her into a gentle hug.

"I told you that you're a member of the family now. We don't send family away, understand?" Annie stared at her for a moment then nodded.

"Good," Lydia said. "Now we have to find you a gown to wear to this evening's banquet. I think I have a few gowns in my closet we can start with. One thing about being an actress in the Above Ground - designers are constantly giving you things. I'm sure we'll find something wonderful for you, hmm maybe in dark grey."

"Thank you Lydia," Annie said as Sarah glanced up to smile at her two closest friends.

"Well I have finished packing most of this, thanks Annie. Now I have just enough time for a short prayer before Terrath drives me to school this morning. It's the last day of the year so it's a half day. I'll be back around noon and we can see what sort of dress Lydia's picked out for us both."

Later that day at school, she saw the signs for the end of year dance and wondered what it would be like to show up at a school dance with Jareth. All of the girls would most likely try to get his attention and she of course would have to slap them. Now that she thought about it, maybe it was a good idea she was going to the banquet in the Under Ground instead where they all knew who Jareth belonged to, or if they didn't, they would soon enough.

"Reconsidering the dance, Sarah?" Allen asked, appearing next to her. She smiled at him, he seemed nice enough and she hoped he'd find a nice girl who liked attention.

"Actually I have other plans this evening. Jareth's family is having a party, but I hope you have fun at the dance."

"I was thinking how strange it is that you've come to school all semester and talked about this guy, but I've never seen him. Is he someone you made up or something?"

"Made up? More like wished for, Allen. Have a good time at the dance." Sarah smiled at him and walked to her first class of the day.

JSJSJSJSJSJS

The night in the Under Ground was calm and clear, and all of the guests waited for Jareth to announce the final Challenge. He was a military man, trained for combat, but he was also a skilled manipulator. Most guests did not believe that the half human girl stood a chance, which was probably for the best as Jordana was just waiting for an excuse to fight Sarah without Jareth's protection.

Jareth, his brothers and Lydia stood near the large crystal staircase waiting for their parents to descend. Then Sarah and Annie would come down after them. Jareth would escort the two girls with his brothers following behind them into the grand ballroom. Lydia would walk between Teramin and Jamen. Aberdon would follow Jareth and Sarah to complete the family entrance.

Corbin and Alyssa came down first, dressed in red and gold. Alyssa kissed each one of her sons and then Lydia, happy to see all of her children together. The king and queen walked slowly into the ballroom, followed by Lydia and her escorts.

Jareth looked up expectantly as Sarah appeared at the top of the stairs. She was dressed in a pale ivory gown with her hair pulled back and covered in matching ivory flowers. She was exquisite. She slowly came down the stairs, gazing at Jareth the entire time. At the bottom of the stairs, he took her hand and kissed it, staring into her eyes.

"You are perfection," he said simply. They started in to the ballroom and Sarah turned to Aberdon.

"Will you please escort my lady in waiting into the ball? She doesn't know a lot of people and I know you'll watch over her."

"Of course," Aberdon said dutifully. He wondered just when Sarah would have had time to find a lady in waiting but glanced up at the top of the stairs and felt his heart stop. Silver heels led to long slim legs, and as he glanced at whoever this angel could be, Annie smiled down at him. She was dressed in a dark grey dress that perfectly complimented his own dress uniform. His brain stopped working as he could only stare at her like an idiot. Her long blonde hair was piled upon her head, decorated with light blue and grey flowers from his mother's garden. She was amazing and she was alive. She was here, and she was walking down the stairs.

At the foot of the crystal stairs, he took her hand and stared at her with his silver eyes. He fought an overwhelming urge to take her into his arms out of relief, then groaned inwardly. It was just shock that she was alive, nothing more, right? He couldn't feel this way about a mortal girl. She stared back, nervously smiling at him. She hoped she wouldn't start blushing again.

"You're alive," he said, trying to comprehend. "I have missed you," he added lamely. Would she laugh at him now?

"You have? I didn't think you'd want to see me - after everything I've done. I have a lot to tell you - if you want to hear about it," she said, uncertain. He took her hand and nodded, ignoring the pounding of his heart.

"I would be very interested indeed to hear how you've come back to me, I mean - all of us," he said quickly. Annie looked at him, curiously for a moment then took his arm. She seemed different, something about her eyes. They hid a faint glow and Aberdon was entranced.

"Fine then, let's go in," Annie grinned shyly.

Aberdon's mind swirled in joy and confusion. He'd thought himself fond of Jordana when they were younger, but it was nothing like what he was feeling now. He wasn't sure he liked feeling this off center, especially for a mortal child who was so easily swayed by dark magic.

Still, as he passed a long mirror next to the ballroom entrance, he glanced at himself and was amazed to find himself smiling.

JSJSJSJSJSJSJS

Alyssa's banquets were legendary and this one was no different. Creatures of every shape and size had come to see the Champion of the Labyrinth who would soon be Fae, and King Jareth, who had won the latest Challenge. Tradition stated that before a final Challenge, the contestants would have a bountiful banquet in their honor. The fact that the challengers were glued to each other only added to the festive mood, and many were the times someone would find them locked in a not so subtle embrace on one of the many balconies.

Jareth led Sarah to the large dance floor, kissing her hand as the music started. She danced a few steps then realized it was their song. He began singing to her...

"There's such a sad love, deep in your eyes..." he began, weaving love around her like feather light chains. He continued to sing to her as they twirled around the room and Sarah's heart swelled with love. At the end of the song, he bent her back and kissed her like a man starved for her touch. The assembled guests laughed and applauded as Sarah blushed slightly then grabbed Jareth to give him a kiss that nearly made him carry her off to the nearest dark corner of the castle.

"Have you thought of our last Challenge?" Sarah asked. "You aren't going to make it so difficult that I lose before I start are you?" Her loving eyes held a spark of suspicion and he feigned shock.

"You have shown that you are an independent woman, and I would never dishonor you in such a way," he purred in her ear, causing her to lean into his embrace. She shook her head, he was being very distracting.

"Jareth," she warned.

"Yes, my love?" he answered, twirling her around the dance floor again as Lydia sang in a clear voice. She was almost as talented as Jareth, Sarah thought, smiling.

"The Challenge?"

"Ah yes, the Challenge - you will have to wait until the announcement later like everyone else. Now, I'm sure I saw an empty balcony not too far away, shall we gain some privacy for a few precious moments?" He kissed her throat, running his teeth from under her ear to her lips, before kissing her breathless yet again.

"Whatever you say, my king," she teased, following him out into the dark.

Aberdon had planned to dance with Annie, but there were many young Fae who were just as enchanted. He had to wait until her latest partner had released her before expertly sliding between them and steering her out onto the floor.

"I believe you were to tell me of your many adventures and your miraculous return," he said in a low voice, sending chills through Annie. The man had a danger about him hidden behind jokes and teasing. She shivered in spite of the evening's warmth.

"Are you well, little one?" he asked gently, tears came to her eyes. People were so kind to her here, how could she have thought them monsters? He brushed the tears away kindly.

"I'm just overwhelmed. Everyone has been so forgiving and I don't deserve it," she stammered.

"You are very young, Antoinette, and life I believe has not been kind to you. Sarah could not ask for a more loyal friend. Please do not blame yourself for loving her so greatly that you would protect her from monsters."

"You're not a monster - none of you are, except for Jordana - I can't believe how she keeps Lithos trapped as a goblin."

"Lithos? That spoiled self centered fool is alive? As a goblin?" Aberdon fumed - Lithos had known Jordana was studying the dark arts and has said nothing until it was too late.

"He's not self centered! He's kind and good and he looked after me," Annie shot back angrily. "He's in trouble and I'm going to help him. I won't turn my back on another friend."

"Friend?" Aberdon said, trying to calm himself. He saw Annie's glare and sighed. "I apologize little one, Lithos has done things that have hurt our world, but if as you say he is now changed into a goblin, perhaps he is suffering for it. Please, tell me everything."

Annie paused, trying to stay angry at Aberdon. "I don't like you saying things about him when he's not here to defend himself."

"I see. You care for him, do you?" His silver eyes stared into hers and her mouth went dry.

"He's my friend, and I do care about him." She paused. "Do you want to hear about my time with him - without commentary?"

Aberdon glared at her for a minute, then laughed. "As you wish, little one. Come, let us find a quiet spot to talk about your friend."