The birthday party was beautiful. Fae from far corners of every realm had come to pay homage to the mortal girl who had chosen to walk amongst them as a Princess of the Above Ground and rightful queen of the Labyrinth. The ceremony later today would give her a new title - Goblin Queen, and Sarah was thinking about her new role as she made her way to the ballroom. Jareth would be waiting just inside to escort her to the head table, just as Lithos was waiting for Lydia.

Lydia walked on her left, both brides glowing in their wedding gowns. Annie walked on the other side of Lydia, in a glorious silver grey dress with tiny blue jewels adorning the bodice in an intricate pattern. She also wore a ring Alyssa had given her earlier with a silver falcon on it, wings outstretched - it was Alyssa's great grandmother's ring, the last Grey Lady to walk among them. All three women wore matching royal medallions around their throats and servants and Fae alike bowed as they passed.

"I don't envy your weddings," Annie whispered. "I'd die of stage fright if I had to get up in front of the entire Fae world and look regal."

"You'll still be next to me as my maid of honor," Sarah reminded her, hiding a grin. "So put on a regal face and deal with it." The women laughed and Annie pinched Sarah's arm lightly.

Ludo walked a few paces behind her, guarding her as she walked. Sir Didymus was out in front, waving his sword around as a warning to all who would harm her. And dear Hoggle walked next to her in his silver suit, muttering about how ridiculous he looked. Sarah grinned down at him.

"You look very handsome, Hoggle. I am proud to have you walk with me." Hoggle's mutterings stopped and he gave her an embarrassed grin.

"Now don't you start with that nonsense. I'm just makin' sure you don't run off and leave the rat cryin'. I'd never hear the ends of it if you went and got some common sense. He don't deserve you and that's a fact."

Sarah laughed and even Lydia smirked. "He's right," Lydia whispered, "Jareth doesn't deserve you, but he does love you and that's a start."

"And I love him," Sarah said dreamily. "I'm the lucky one, you know. He's perfect, kind and generous." Annie arched a brow at Lydia who laughed.

"She's still in the throes of the first binding," Lydia explained wryly. "Let them have sex a few more hundred times and the stars will dim a bit for her."

Sarah blushed and covered her face with her hands as the other two laughed and her bodyguards pretended not to have heard. But Hoggle muttered something dark under his breath and Sarah coughed to hide her giggle.

"You mean, it will get boring?" Annie asked, shocked. "I don't think Aberdon could be boring in bed - um, oops - you probably don't want to hear about your brother," she offered weakly.

"Never boring, I'm sure," Lydia smiled. "But Sarah's body is still changing to Fae, the intense need for her mate will be very strong for quite some time. If they were separated now, it would not be a pretty sight. They'd most likely kill anyone who tried." She looked at Sarah, "Not that anyone would try."

"I can't believe I'm this nervous," Sarah said, rolling her eyes. "I mean - technically I've already chosen Jareth and am his wife. The choosing ceremony seems a bit pointless now."

"I know," Lydia said, "but Fae are traditional about certain things and everyone here wants to say they were there when you proclaimed your choice. Silly but we live for pomp and ceremony. And none will be able to say that the choosing was not made in accordance to our law - Talon will have no recourse."

"If I ever see that slug again," Sarah said bitterly. "He could have killed Jareth." Annie reached out and squeezed her friend's hand.

"Alyssa has that under control, Sarah - all you have to do is remember you and Jareth have a lifetime of happiness ahead of you."

"Thanks, Annie - and I'm so glad you get to share that lifetime with us. I don't think I could go through eternity without you."

Annie blinked back tears and Lydia gave her a quick hug.

"Yes, you are our sister now, and we love you Antoinette. Our family is stronger because you are with us and Aberdon is lucky indeed to have found you."

"Oh damn, if you two make me mess up my make up with stupid tears," Annie glared, but she was smiling at them with love. "I think the weddings will be beautiful but aren't we already married? I mean - it seems a bit of overkill," Annie said waving her hands around.

"You just don't want to have a bunch of people staring at you while you make goo goo eyes at Aberdon," Sarah said solemnly and Annie laughed.

"The wedding ceremonies are only because we are royal, most weddings as you'd think of them happen once the couple has made love. The energy expended flows into the realms and all of us know the deed has been done, then there is a celebration in their own families. With us, everyone will be celebrating - it will be quite the feast."

"You mean, when Jareth and I -" Sarah said, eyes wide. Lydia smirked.

"Of course - and we were all quite impressed at how loudly the energy seemed to course through our realm. There is no doubt you enjoyed yourselves."

"Oh my -" Sarah said, blushing. Lydia laughed again.

"It only happens the once, no one hears you anymore. Thank everything that is holy - I don't think I could stand hearing the two of you having sex on a regular basis."

"But you have no problems walking in on us," Sarah teased. Lydia rolled her eyes that hid a hint of embarrassment.

"I get impatient. I'm working on it," she said, primly.

Finally they were at the door leading to the birthday party. Once they went through those doors, there was no turning back - by the end of the day, Sarah and Lydia would be High Princesses and Annie would be publicly proclaimed their advisor. It would be the start of intense training for all three women and they were overjoyed that they would be together in their quest to protect their home and their families.

Robert, Karen and Toby would be waiting in the ballroom as special guests of honor, seated just to the right of the head table. Most of the older Fae knew of Robert Williams from stories and hushed whispers and all were eager to see who Abilena had wed so many years ago when she left her life as a Fae.

The three bodyguards bowed to the ladies and went inside to find their seats.

As they entered the ballroom, Jareth walked up to Sarah and offered his arm. He was dressed in white and gold. His cape was made from white owl feathers streaked with gold. His shirt beneath was dark gold and tailored to show off his royal medallion, gleaming on his perfectly muscled chest. Sarah thought about how she had been kissing that chest only a few hours ago and her face turned red as he gave her a knowing smile. Her eyes drifted down to see his white leather pants that left nothing to the imagination and she was imagining him out of them just as soon as possible. He smirked at her, reading her mind as easily as he'd read her body earlier that day. Her blood danced within her and her mouth watered. He was splendid, a fantasy made real just for her and she wanted to drag him off to a secluded corner of the room and claim him yet again.

Will this yearning for you ever dim? Sarah thought sped towards Jareth and he raised an elegant brow as he glared down at her innocent expression. His eyes locked onto hers as he raised her hand to his lips. Oh how she wanted to slide her finger into his mouth and let him rule her body as she made him her slave. He knew exactly what she was thinking and he grinned with an evil leer that set her heart pounding.

It shall never dim as long as you love me, you are my willing slave, Sarah Williams.

As you are mine, she thought back, smiling. He kissed her hand as he gazed into green eyes that saw only him. The world slowed down as they stared into each other's soul and found everything they'd always wanted.

As I will be for all of time, my precious love.

Aberdon took Annie's arm as Lithos did the same for Lydia. All three couples walked to the head table and sat down. Sylvia and Tristan walked in, hand and hand and went to two thrones on a raised dais behind the head table. After a moment, Corbin and Alyssa walked in and sat in the other two thrones on the dais. They seemed happy and watchful, all four knew of the threats lingering just out of eyesight.

"Welcome all to our humble celebration," Tristan proclaimed. Everyone laughed, a royal double wedding and coronation was hardly humble. "We are honored by your presence. Our first joy is to celebrate our dear Sarah's birthday and welcome her into our family officially. Sarah," he said, holding out a hand, "come to your old grandfather and let us talk."

"I told you before," she said taking his hand, "you shall never be old, Grandfather." He smiled at her and winked at the crowd.

"We rehearsed that bit," he said, making everyone laugh. "She can say that now without laughing."

Sarah smirked at him and bowed low. "Thank you for welcoming me into your home."

"We now welcome you into our family. Tell all who are here, do you choose humanity or life as a Fae?"

"I am Fae, and I am proud to be part of your family." She was so happy she remembered what she was supposed to say, all she could think about was Jareth sitting so near to her, watching her, wanting her.

"And who do you choose as your mate for all of eternity?"

Sarah pretended to consider. "Hmm, tough question." She heard a warning growl in her mind and grinned. Jareth was very close to claiming her on the floor in front of her family, the need for her filling his veins just as her need for him filled hers.

"I choose King Jareth, Goblin King and ruler of my heart."

Jareth stood up and took her hand. "I am honored by your choice and will turn every day into whatever you wish for, every night into proof of my devotion."

"They have chosen each other and are free to wed." Tristan was grinning. He knew they'd already claimed each other, but for Sarah's human family, he would not make jokes about it just now.

"Lithos, eldest son," he said happily. "As you are now to be wed, I again proclaim you as mine heir and High Prince of the Above Ground. Once you have made the vows at the Cathedral, Lydia shall be mine heir as well and Sylvia and I will start training you both to be High King and Queen."

Corbin stood up and bowed to Lydia and Lithos, then turned to Jareth and smiled.

"Jareth, eldest son," Corbin said, rising. "As you are now to be wed, I proclaim you as mine heir and High Prince of the Under Ground. Once you have made the vows at the Cathedral, Sarah shall be mine heir as well and Alyssa and I will start training you both to be High King and Queen. Someday, when you are ready, the two of you shall be rule the Under Ground and our blessing will be complete. Lydia and Lithos shall rule the Above Ground. Our worlds will be ruled by four true and steady monarchs who will bring joy and prosperity to all realms of the Fae and beyond."

Everyone cheered and the procession to the Cathedral was begun.