~ Favorite Review for Chapter 17:

"This worm became creepy in some indefinable way. When he goes to his wife and child they are so worried that a human has come and somehow brought extreme danger.. He even says it could have ended had he been successful in enticing Sarah into their home. Would she have been killed?... - Guest 2020 ~

So many dangers to come! And now the dangerously sexy King... - S.

Chapter 18: Tra La La

The King was focused. His perplexingly handsome face scanned the group with a calculated stare that quieted them into silence. Even the smallest among them ceased fidgeting and laid back to rub a fist over its aching gums. Jareth nodded as the gathered calmed into a peaceful lull.

"Better." The Goblin King smiled slowly and strode forward. His boots barely graced the floor as he moved. His body swayed with natural elegance and his cloak fluttered behind him like a cape. Many of the children reached out a hand or two to grasp it.

When he stopped in front of the elven woman her pale eyes looked up with dewy longing.

"How well thy little ones obey thee, Majesty." She observed in a sweet, melodic voice. The King glanced down at the gilded female and inclined his head slightly.

"Maid Oaralin." He addressed her.

"My King." The female whispered. A soft expression formed on her perfect pink lips. "Thy silver spirit doth soothe the restless youths."

The King smirked and looked beyond her. The light from a nearby star shined gold in the garden and tinted the wild flower petals with a misty glow. Jareth breathed in deeply and felt his body relax as the scent of juniper engulfed him. He smiled as his eyes trailed across the soft grasses of the gently sloping hill. When the delicate lady beside him smiled back, The King turned away.

"How are the babes? Are any of them ready?" He asked, suddenly. Jareth crossed his arms as he looked at each of the frolicking children. They had begun to play again and the sounds of laughter filled the magical scene with joy.

Maid Oaralin stepped around her king. She lifted a slender wrist and waved a hand to the corner of the field where three children sat.

"I give thee, three."

Jareth followed her direction and gazed upon the babes in the grass. Two were boys and the other a girl. They sat apart from the other children and did not play. Their eyes were on their king.

"Three." The King repeated with a sigh. So few.

The maiden tilted her long neck to the side and let her magnificent braid slide down a beautifully bare shoulder. The gold strands, just a few shades darker than Jareth's own, reflected the rays of light back into his purple eyes. The King did not blink.

"Three, Majesty. But do not lament." The elven maiden answered and raised a hand to place it on The Kings arm before looking into his eyes and changing her mind. "The others shall follow soon."

The King nodded and ran a finger across his lip. He did not notice the soft peach glow that spread along the pointed tips of Oaralin's ears nor her quiet inhale of breath.

Another elf walked across the long green field. In his hand was an ornate silver bell that he rang twice. The elven lad turned and waited for those that heard the bell to look up and follow him.

The babes that followed the elf sat by the teacher. He placed the bell on the grass in the middle of the circle of children and waited. After a moment it rose magically into the air and stopped before a boy child. Then it began to toll.

The melody was quiet at first. The child's magic was timid. Then the bell rolled on to the next babe and rang louder.

Child after child nodded their heads and, through thought alone, caused the bell to ring. The song began to get more complex as the training became competitive. When one child would jingle the silver instrument, the next would wave it, and the following would tip it back and forth fiercely.

The music lifted up and soared along the blossoming trees above the children. Round and around it's tune went, always picking up speed but never losing its song. Jareth watched in silent approval.

As he began to turn away he saw a movement in a different part of the garden. In a small patch, quite separate from the others, sat Tobias, the child that had caused him so much trouble to acquire.

Jareth slanted his eyes as the babe gave a giggle and clasped his hands to his chest. He bounced to the sound of the bell, and kicked plump, dimpled legs onto the grass. Then to the surprise of all who were present, Tobias summoned the bell away from the dueling toddlers and to himself.

It flew with a demanding speed and stopped mere inches from the babe's grinning face. The bell began to jingle above him smoothly. The glinting light that bounced off of the silver played across the toddler's eyes and made them sparkle brightly.

Tobias rang the bell a little faster. Then faster. The twinkling began to echo across the field and the melodic dance drew the looks of all present. Everything else went silent and The King simply watched.

It lasted for a few minutes more before Tobias reached up and grasped the bell. He gave it a simple shake with his hand before promptly stuffing the handle into his mouth with a happy gurgle.

The elf beside Jareth sighed lightly.

"Tis a lovely power." She spoke dreamily. "And a lovely child."

Jareth remained silent.

Much, much later as he lay in his bed he would hear the song again before he fell asleep.


Lay in bed he did, but The King could not sleep. His ears kept ringing with the babe's song and his eyes, no matter how often he turned away, would wander to the long mirror.

The King growled and placed a cold palm to his eyes. His breath came out in an irritated huff as he sat up quickly. He didn't walk over to the silver glass. Instead he poured a glass of black wine and swallowed it down in a single gulp. The sweet flavor glazed his pale lips and he dragged a tongue across them before putting down the glass.

Then he walked to the mirror.

Her image appeared instantly. Did he even order it? He wondered in the back of his thoughts.

Sarah's dark hair blew on the breeze, curling around her face and throat. Nights in the labyrinth were cold and the human's nose held a reddish tint. She sat on a stone with her face turned up to the starlight and her arms wrapped around her knees.

Jareth watched for a moment as she breathed small white puffs of air out into the frigid open.

He closed his eyes.

When he opened them again the girl was draped in a cloak of pale white. The thick cloth dazzled in the moonlight like glistening snow.

The King watched as Sarah jumped and looked around herself. Her gaze tightened as she bit her bottom lip. Then she raised her chin and shrugged her shoulders, letting the cloak slide down her slender arms. Jareth took a step closer to the mirror as Sarah stood and walked to where Hoggle the Dwarf lay sleeping. He watched as she laid the cloak over Hoggle's still body.

"It was not intended for the dwarf."

Sarah almost tripped. She twisted suddenly at The King's voice and her eyes widened at the sight of him.

Jareth felt a breeze blow against his face and lift a sterling strand of hair across his brow. His long black cape whooshed back from his shoulders and the front of his shirt plastered itself to his muscular chest. In the dim light he saw Sarah's cheeks flush in surprise as she glanced from his face to his body. A slow smile played along The King's lips.

Sarah held her breath for a moment and then turned away. "I have no need for it." She spoke softly, but with a husky firmness. Her expression was lost in the dark but Jareth remembered it plainly and his smile deepened.

"You have no need for warmth? Were you raised in the snow like an animal, Sarah?"

When Sarah didn't respond, he continued. "Or perhaps you are part witch. Does heat run within you? Shall I inspect your fingertips?"

Jareth stepped closer.

Sarah turned her head back to The King and her blue eyes looked puzzled. "My fingertips?" She asked, taking a few steps backwards down a pebbled path.

The King nodded and crossed his arms as he followed her. "Of course. To see if they are red from fire." He answered, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Sarah smirked. "Of course." She said with a short laugh and shook her head. "Why wouldn't there be witches with fire in their fingertips? Just now, there is a dwarf using my medicine bag as a pillow. Evil fairies tried to murder me...then there was that odd worm..." Sarah shook her head and swung a hand toward The King. "Not to mention this magical man who appears out of nowhere to make clothing."

Jareth frowned and tilted his head. "To whom do you refer?"

"You, of course. " Sarah dropped herself back on her stone again.

"A magical man…" The King muttered and shook his head. Her brain must not be fully recovered, he thought with a frown. "Sarah, must I explain again who I am?"

Sarah shook her head and raised a hand. "No, please, I understand. King above all kings. The King. Whom I may call Jareth."

"You may." Jareth answered with a nod. "For now."

Sarah dropped her head back and tilted her face to the sky. Two bright moons beamed down on her, casting her small body in a bluish glow. The King stepped closer.

"You traveled far today, my lady." His deep voice played with the frosty air making it feel just a little warmer as he spoke. "Farther than I expected. Farther than you should."

Sarah didn't open her eyes but she released her bottom lip. "No." Sarah stated plainly.

"No?" Jareth questioned, genuinely puzzled.

Sarah opened her eyes and looked up at the majestic image of royalty. "No. I will not go home."

The elegant figure drew closer but didn't speak. Sarah inhaled the scent of lavender and spice that seemed to cling to him. His body, now very near, seemed so tall and imposing. Strength pulsated from his flesh like waves of heat. Strength and power. Bridled power, Sarah thought, power that he holds onto with a tight grasp. She suddenly felt very small and hopeless. Toby seemed further away than ever before.

Sarah suddenly felt tears prick at her eyes and she looked down at her knees to hide them.

"Is-is Toby safe? Is he, I don't know, fed? Warm? Happy?" Sarah spoke her words quickly and Jareth was silent for a moment.

"He is well."

Sarah lifted her head and stared at The King. A rebellious tear fell down her cheek before she could blink it away. His eyes did not miss the wet trail that ran down her face.

The girl nodded and swallowed. She willed her courage to return and hold. "Why are you here?"

Jareth raised one eyebrow but didn't answer.

Another wind blew and Sarah shivered despite herself.

The King was very close to her. When he lifted a hand and touched her cheek, the coolness of his fingertips were even more startling than the labyrinth's breeze. Sarah shook slightly as his touch grazed the damp trail.

"Tears, Sarah?" He asked, his dark voice turning to velvet.

The sky above seemed to draw close, holding them in a tight cocoon of starlight. Sarah shook her head.

Her face was soft beneath his fingertips and he felt the odd urge to touch the delicate place on her throat were her pulse was racing.

The King sensed Sarah body respond to his touch.

Her skin began to flush and tingle where he held her. The palms that held her knees went cold and Jareth watched the girl's blue eyes darken. Her heart thumped loudly and The King heard its beat. His thumb moved gently along her cheekbone and Sarah blinked a few times in confusion. Her breath released in a small gasp that only he would have noticed, though she would not have wanted him to.

The King dropped his hand and turned his gaze away, allowing Sarah some space.

Jareth cleared his throat and pushed his hair back from his face. He did not look back for a moment, but when he did, she was once again the poised and refined Sarah who had told him on no uncertain terms that he was not taking the child.

Jareth forced a smirk and leaned back on his heels. "Why am I here? Do I need an invitation to be in my own labyrinth, Sarah?"

Sarah dropped her legs and crossed her arms. "It seems to me you never need an invitation, Jareth. You simply come and go, whether you are welcome or not."

The King's smile turned smoldering and he saw the woman blush. "I assure you, my lady, I am welcome with all, only yourself excluded."

Sarah swallowed before flipping her hair over her shoulder. "I doubt that, sir."

The King laughed lightly. "Sire. Hmm, I wonder what your basis for comparison is?"

"Only my own tiresome encounters with you." Sarah responded quickly.

Jareth nodded. "Well, then I shall end this one. I'm sure you will need your rest before tomorrow. I wouldn't want to be too tiresome."

Sarah wet her lips and nodded. "Good. Thank you."

The King chuckled under his breath and took a few steps away. Then he paused and flung a hand back over his shoulder. Another cloak, this one a deep royal purple, appeared around Sarah's shoulders.

"Keep this one, Sarah. It only gets colder from here." His words lasted longer than his presence, and soon he was gone.

Back in his bedroom and standing before his silver mirror, The King gazed upon the girl as she stared after him. For a moment it seemed as if she was going to shrug off the cloak again, but then she paused. Her hands tightened on the dark opening for a second or more. With a sigh, Sarah pulled it tighter around herself and closed her eyes. Her body relaxed slowly and she leaned back, turning her eyes to the stars.

The King looked away. His own cloak left his body moments before he reached his bed.

He was asleep in an instant.

A.N I do not own Labyrinth

Hello everyone! Anyone else feeling a little tra la la out there? Tell me, what are your thoughts on our talented little toddler or our very talented Goblin King? Let me know what you think and I'll tuck you in a warm magic cloak and play some Bowie!

This world is crazy right now and more than a little upside-down. I want you to know that I am thinking of you. Stay well friends! As always, thank you so much for reading, reviewing, following and/or favoriting. - S.