Chapter 31

It's the rule of the Labyrinth Kingdom

Sarah could not get over the dress Jareth had given her for Christmas. For five days now she had worn it at least part of the day and looked at herself in the mirror over and over.

"I wonder what it looks like when I am slim again", she kept murmuring to herself. After eight month of pregnancy she had reached the stage where she had enough and only wanted to get it over with.

"Can I go ahead and give birth already. Not sure how much longer I can take this", she complained to herself, especially when the baby would start doing summersaults and other acrobatics which made her fall onto her knees. Mara made sure she was even closer to Sarah now.

After Christmas Day, Sarah had to tell Jareth that his good times were over.

"It's not working anymore", she sobbed. "Our baby is getting too big and active."

Sarah almost felt like she had let Jareth down, but he only held her in his arms and kissed her gently.

"Babe, I knew it was coming. That's all right. Let's make sure our child will be fine."

"You still love me even though I won't be able to full fill my duties as your wife?" Sarah sobbed. Jareth chuckled.

"Oh sweet Sarah, I don't love you because of the love making. I love you for who you are, you are my soul mate. I have waited five years for you. Our marriage is not build on lovemaking alone. We are bound on a much higher level."

He looked deep into her eyes and smiled at her gently. Sarah heaved a big sigh and held him tight.

"It's those damn hormones talking again, isn't it?"

"Yep", Jareth agreed and patted her gently on her back.

"Do you feel like doing anything for New Year's Eve this year?" Jareth looked at her with compassionate eyes.

"I just want to stay here with you, alone, if that is ok", she replied with a tired voice.

"Precious, that will be just perfect. We can stay in the study, or up here in the bedroom; snuggle in front of the fireplace or the window sill, and when midnight comes, I get to kiss you under the fireworks. How does that sound?"

"Like a dream come true", Sarah whispered blissfully and gave him a tender kiss.

"So how much longer are you going to wear the dress?" He asked with a grin.

Sarah looked at him as if she had just been caught with her hands in the cookie jar.

"Um, the dress?" she asked as innocently as she could muster. "What about it?"

Jareth laughed loudly.

"You've only been wearing it for the last five days."

"It makes me feel so pretty when I have it on. Like, when I had a perfect body."

"You still have a perfect body. Perfection comes in all different sizes and you are carrying my child." Jareth kissed her on the forehead and got up to leave.

"I have to hold a meeting with the goblin army command. If I'm late for dinner, don't worry. It's going to be a long day." He sighed deeply before he kissed her again and petted Mara on her head.

"Watch over her", he told her telepathically and she replied with a "you got it".


Sarah spent most the day doing light chores in the study and calling Marjorie on the phone. Even though they could communicate via crystal ball now, Sarah still preferred the phone. It seemed easier and more instant. She liked to send the crystal balls when she wanted to show Marjorie a lot of movie like scenes. For that, they came in real handy.

"Gosh, if we could only combine the best of both worlds into one, it would be glorious", she contemplated. Mara heaved a huge sigh as if to agree with Sarah. She had grown fond of the dog biscuits they could only get in the Surface World, and Jareth would bring them down every so often, along with his coffee.

Indeed, Jareth was late for dinner. Not only was he late for dinner, he hadn't come back to the castle until it was nearly dawn, and then he went straight into his study. Sarah woke up to an empty bed, and judging by the covers, Jareth had never come to bed last night. She was about to get up to look for him when she heard knocking on her door.

"Just a minute", she called as she quickly put her morning robe over her nightgown. "Come on in Hoggle", she called.

"How did you know it was me?" he asked perplexed.

"Mara told me", Sarah answered with a grin.

"Of course she did", he handed her a folded note. "I'll have breakfast ready for you any time. Do you wish to eat up here or in the dining room?"

"What?" Sarah asked absently as she looked at the folded note, "Oh, I'll come downstairs. Give me ten minutes."

Hoggle bowed slightly and left the room.

Sarah quickly opened the note. It was from Jareth: "sorry precious, but I have urgent business with the goblin army commanders and won't see you until this evening. I promise to be there to give you your kiss at midnight under the fireworks. Forever yours. Love, Jareth."

"What on Earth is going on now with these goblins?"

Sarah sighed, folded the note back up, and laid it on her nightstand before she went downstairs for her breakfast.


Sarah took her daily walk with Chayrone in the afternoon. They had decided to take a stroll through Goblin City, which seemed to be busier than usual.

"What's going on?" Sarah inquired, looking at the goblins running around with boxes in their hands, giggling, and kicking each other through the air.

"New Year's Eve", Chayrone answered with a grin on her face. "A big night in the Labyrinth Kingdom for Goblins. They get to blow up fireworks all night long, to their heart contempt, just like the winter solstice; so long it is not people's houses or businesses, and fully functioning bridges and roads."

"Yeah, that explains it", Sarah laughed as she dodged a flying goblin barely missing her head. Mara growled and snapped at him, but he had already passed her.

"I have not seen Jareth all night long, and I won't see him until this evening. Do you know what he is so busy with? He only mentioned the goblin army command in passing. Anything going on I should know about?"

Sarah looked at Chayrone with questioning eyes and a hint of worry.

"Nothing to worry about ", Chayrone assured her. "They had a small intrusion into the Labyrinth by goblorks, but they got it under control, I believe. Their new defenses and traps held."

Chayrone tried to look confident, but Sarah could detect a hint of worry in her eyes. She decided not to prey into it any further. Jareth surely would tell her if there was a danger to her or the Kingdom, and so far Mara had not acted up either.


Dinner had passed and there was still no sign of Jareth. Sarah began to worry, but she kept telling herself Jareth would be home soon. He had promised, and he had never broken a promise to her before as all promises were binding to a fae.

Even when she had accused him of breaking a promise with Krum, he had held up his end of the bargain, and she had felt like a complete fool afterwards. Sarah swore to herself that moment she would never doubt him again, but it was hard, as the thought of goblorks put a deep fear into her heart.

Sarah put on an overcoat as it was rather cold and brisk and sat by the window in the bedroom. Midnight was approaching. She looked up at the stars and the first quarter moon, clearly visible in the cloudless night sky.

She heard a whoosh and felt a breeze as she turned around. Jareth had teleported into the bedroom in his full battle regalia.

"Babe, please tell me I am not late", his eyes pleaded as he came rushing towards her. Before she could answer he had her in a full embrace and held her head tight against his chest.

"You're not late, honey", Sarah assured him. He looked into her eyes and smiled.

He looked so powerful and strong, and had his goblin king aura all around him as he stood there in front of her. Sarah always loved that look, as it reminded her of their very first meeting over six years ago.

"We had a few issues, but we have it under control now. Everything is fine", he took her hand and placed her in front of him as they sat down on the window sill.

"Goblorks, I know", Sarah said in a low voice. "Chayrone told me."

Jareth gently stroked her hair and kissed her on the top of her head.

"Yes, goblorks. But we beat them back. No need to worry about it any longer. I ensure you."

Sarah squeezed his hands and kissed them as he tighten his grip around her with his arms.

Midnight was upon them and they had watched the goblin fireworks show now for the last one hour as it revved up in intensity.

"Wait for the huge explosion", Jareth warned Sarah, "It will be extremely colorful, loud, and bright. That's when we know it is midnight and you can make your wish."

Sarah had sat up as she held on to Jareth for support.

And suddenly, the big explosion boom came. Sarah had never seen so many flickering and glittering lights in one explosion. It seemed to last forever with changing colors pulsating across the night sky, dancing across the stars. She was stunned and almost forgot to make her wish and kiss Jareth.

Jareth hadn't forgotten. He gently took her head and kissed her, first very gentle, and then with all his passion.

"What did you wish for precious?" He asked as he looked deep into her eyes, which reflected the colors of the firework in the sky.

"For the goblorks to go away forever, and for us to have a peaceful happy life for eternity." She whispered. Jareth smiled softly.

"I see you didn't wish for much", he replied.

As the fireworks continued with their colorful display to the whoops and cheers of the goblins in the garden, Jareth and Sarah forgot the world around them. They were in a deep embrace, and a kiss that spanned into the next year.

"Happy 1993", Jareth whispered and resumed his kiss.


This time, the New Year had started off much better than last year. No fighting between Sarah and Jareth, her pregnancy checkups were good to go, and her doctor ensured her it would not be much longer.

"Three more weeks and you'll be a mother", he had smiled at her before he left and gave Jareth his report. Jareth became more and more excited, but also more and more protective again. He had doubled up on his elite guards around the Kingdom and within the Labyrinth, which was now also heavily patrolled by the goblin army. He kept telling Mara over and over to watch Sarah, which made Mara roll her eyes at him and shake her head.

The goblins had started to place bets on the baby, whether it'll be a future king or queen, and the odds for a king were outpacing a queen. More goblins bet on a little prince, as faes and elves seemed to prefer a little princess.

"I'm glad I keep the bookies going in this town", Sarah frowned with sarcasm. Jareth laughed and placed a bet himself.

"Ten Labyrinth gold coins say it's a prince."

Sarah only shook her head when Krum tattled on Jareth and told her.

Bets were also placed on the day and time of birth, the hair color of the baby, whether it would look like a human, a fae, or a goblin. Most goblins bet on the goblin look of course.

"I want the baby to have your eyes", Jareth told her as he put his arms around her.

"Is that a bet you are placing?" she asked him slightly irritated.

"No, precious, it's my private wish for our child."

Sarah could not help but to give him a tender kiss for his wish. She, however, secretly hoped the baby would have his eyes.

"Well, one of us is going to get their wish, I would assume", she laughed to herself and went back to her breathing exercises with Jareth as the coach.

Jareth had felt uncomfortable to be part of her Lamaze class at first, but over time found it quite interesting.

"Not much different than the breathing technique for fighting in an intense battle. Piece of cake", he declared as Sarah looked at him dumbfounded and shook her head.

"So I'm going to be watching you give birth?" he asked with a look of self-doubt and a grimace.

"It's the newest thing. The father has to be present. It's all about bonding." Sarah replied with an encouraging face.

"Can we bond in a different way, like afterwards?" Jareth had asked and Sarah busted out laughing.

"Oh don't tell me you are afraid to be in that room with me during childbirth", she gave him a challenging look.

"I am the goblin king, I am not afraid of anything", he declared louder than anticipated and with a perturbed look on his face.

Sarah smirked in a devious way as she moved her face right against his.

"You are afraid, admit it. You go battle goblorks, but you are scared watching a woman give birth." He held her gaze with his piercing eyes before he withdrew.

"I know what to expect with goblorks. Granted, I'm may be a bit nervous, but it is a huge difference from being afraid", he grabbed his goblin stick and turned to leave.

"I am not afraid of anything", she heard him proclaim as he stomped down the hallway.

"Right", Sarah laughed to herself; and even Mara had to chuckle about that one as Sarah winked at her with one eye.


Sarah had been feeling uneasy all day long and had to endure some light cramping.

"False contractions", she murmured when another one hit her body. She was fully aware this would happen in the last few weeks before giving birth.

"Great, make the last three weeks more horrible for me", she grunted. She didn't feel like eating much during dinner, and afterwards sat in her little reading chair in her nook listening to Jareth play his piano. A seething pain moved through her abdomen and Sarah jumped up with a loud moan.

Jareth stopped his playing and looked at her surprised.

"You're ok, babe?" he asked, as Sarah moaned again and a water puddle formed on the floor between her feet. She looked at Jareth with wide open eyes and mouth.

"My water broke. I think it has started", she said with a heavy breath and fear in her voice. Just as Jareth started to run up to her, Sarah vanished. Jareth stopped dead in his tracks and looked around in bewilderment.

"Sarah?" he called out. "Sarah, where are you? Answer me. Sarah."

He kept calling as panic set in. Then he noticed Mara was gone too. They had both disappeared, and he had no idea where they had gone to.

When Sarah rematerialized, she was in her apartment holding on to her chair as the water gushed out onto the floor and the contractions prevented her from moving.

"Aaaah", she let out a muffled scream. After the wave had dissipated she looked around and realized she was no longer in the castle but in her old apartment. She looked around in panic, calling Jareth' name. She looked at Mara who was by her side.

"Where is Jareth? What happened?"

She was panicking and had trouble breathing.

"It's the rule of the Labyrinth", was all Mara said to her.

"What?" Sarah groaned as another wave of contractions swept over her body.

She managed to get to the phone and dialed Marjorie's number. She barely had the strength to tell Marjorie what had happened, but luckily Marjorie didn't need much info to realize what was going on.

"I'm dialing 911 for you. Hang in there, we're on our way. You're having the baby. I see if I can get Mark to contact Jareth."

She hung up and Sarah crouched onto the floor. "What do you mean it's the rule of the Labyrinth?" Sarah heaved looking at Mara with sweat in her eyes. Mara only stared at her.

"Answer me", Sarah demanded with all the strength she could gather.

"You'll see. Don't worry, it is all happening the way it is supposed to be."

Mara had unlocked the front door before the EMTs arrived, and had made herself invisible. Sarah could barely detect her as a shadow. She was comforted by her presence, but also felt confused by Mara's answers.

She tried to find an answer, but her brain was not cooperating as it was being preoccupied by her labor pains. Marjorie and Mark had arrived nearly at the same time as the medics and gave the EMTs all the info they needed about Sarah.

"We're taking her to United Hospital. That baby is coming folks, move it", the medic in charge ordered, as they loaded Sarah into the ambulance and rushed off with sirens blaring. Marjorie and Mark followed closely behind.


Jareth was in a full blown panic mode as Faron appeared in his study with a flustered face.

"Jareth, quickly, you must go", he tried to catch his breath.

"Go where?" Jareth asked confused and panicky.

"Sarah is in her world, at the same hospital they took her dad to. She's having the baby right now. You must go there now."

"What? How?" Jareth tried to make sense of it all.

"I'll explain on the way", Faron demanded and grabbed Jareth as they both vanished.

They rematerialized outside the hospital in an empty corner of the parking lot. As they hurriedly made their way to the front door Faron had a few moments to explain.

"I looked it up in some very old books", he breathed heavily from the running.

"Sarah cannot give birth in the Underground. It is the Labyrinths' rule that all kings, past, present, and future be born outside the Labyrinth. You will have to abduct your own child Jareth. Sarah will have to ask you to take the child with you. That's the rule of the Labyrinth."

Jareth was nearly out of breath when they arrived at the front desk in human form.

"When did you find that out?" he asked Faron, still slightly confused.

"Only a few minutes before it all happened. I came to see you immediately as I had felt it beginning."

Jareth gave the front desk nurse all his and Sarah's info. He had a magical driver's license he had created for his Surface wedding and emergencies, in case he may need to provide identification, and also for their marriage certificate which he had framed and hung over their bed.

Sarah had been so touched by his gesture of love that she had given him two special kingly audiences that night.

"Your wife is in delivery room one Mr. King, just down the hall. Jareth ran as fast as he could, leaving Faron behind.

He fought his way into the room as the nurse did not want to allow him access.

"I'm her husband", he called out angrily and pushed her aside. The doctor lifted his head and nodded to let him in. Sarah was in the middle of another contraction and cried out. Jareth ran up to her and grabbed her hand.

"I'm here babe, it's all going to be ok. I'm right here, and I'm not leaving you."

"Jareth", she whispered with sweat running down her face. Jareth smiled at her with soft eyes and wiped the sweat out of her face with a damp washcloth. She squeezed his hand and let out another grunt as another contraction hit her.

"Push", the doctor instructed her and Sarah started pushing. Jareth supported her upper body as much as he could while holding her hand. Sarah refused to let go of him. She breathed heavily as she reclined.

"Ok", the doctor said softly, "push again, now."

Again, Sarah bend slightly forward and groaned, breathing heavy.

"Keep pushing, I can see the head", the doctor exclaimed and Sarah gave her best. Just as her strength gave out she felt a deep release and then heard a faint baby whimper which strengthened into a full cry.

"Congratulation, you have a boy", the doctor smiled at Sarah and patted her on her foot. Jareth stood there with his mouth open, completely in awe, from having witnessed the miracle of birth for the first time in his life. A nurse quickly took the baby and wrapped him in a clean towel after washing off some blood.

"Can I see him?" Sarah asked.

"Not yet, we are not done here", the doctor replied as another painful contraction reverberated through her body.

Jareth looked at her with utter confusion as Sarah's body writhed and she pushed again.

"Twins", the doctor murmured to Jareth. "She's having twins. There's another one in there."

Jareth felt like passing out and had to pull himself together to help Sarah deliver the second one of their babies.

"Push one more time, Sarah", the doctor instructed her gently and after letting out a deep groan, baby number two greeted the world.

"Another boy. What do you know", the doctor smiled at Jareth and winked. "Great job, both of you. Mark the births as 9am and 9:15 am on January 8th, 1993", he directed a nurse before taking care of the rest of the delivery. It was the afterbirth that got Jareth' stomach in a twirl and he had to hold on to a chair.

Sarah' breathing had now relaxed and she lay on the table resting comfortably. The nurse brought both babies up to them.

"Want to hold them?"

She gently placed one baby in each of Sarah's arms. Sarah had tears in her eyes when she looked at them. Jareth had recovered from the afterbirth nausea and stood close beside her, gently stroking their heads with one finger.

"Twins", she gasped looking at Jareth with big eyes. They started to shimmer in the most intense brownish green Jareth had seen and he was hoping none of the medical personnel would take a close look at Sarah's face.

He gently kissed her, tears starting to form in his eyes.

"We're parents now. Parents of two boys; two future kings", he whispered in her ear. The nurse came and took the babies away again to bring them to the newborn nursery.

"We'll bring them back after you are settled into your room. Congratulation", she said with a smiling face, carrying the two newborns out of the delivery room.

Jareth had to leave too, since the doctor still had to do some work on Sarah. Jareth sat down in the hallway with Faron. Marjorie and Mark had also arrived.

"Well?" Marjorie inquired impatiently. "What is it?"

Jareth sat there silently with a stunned face for a few seconds before he said in a quiet shaking voice: "Twin boys. She had twin boys."

Marjorie wanted to scream and had to really restrain herself. She opted for a victory tap dance instead with a quiet woot, woot, drawing the attention of the nursing staff at the front desk.

Faron smiled quietly, but the look on his face said it all. He was beaming with exceptional pride. Jareth sat there like he had been struck by lightning as his brain tried to comprehend the situation. A twin birth in the kingdom was nearly unheard of.

Sarah had settled nicely into her room and looked a lot better when Jareth and company entered her room. Mara lay by her bedside on the floor as a dim shadow. Marjorie ran screaming to Sarah and hugged her.

"Oh my god, Jareth just told us. I'm a double aunt now." She laughed and cried at the same time, and so did Sarah. Faron came over and gave Sarah a kiss on the forehead.

"You did wonderful my dear. We are so immensely proud of you. I already informed Chayrone about the two boys. There will be a huge celebration in the kingdom for sure. Twin princes, this has never happened, ever."

His baffled look spoke volumes.

He stepped back and let Jareth come up to Sarah. They looked at each other for a few seconds in silent before they embraced and kissed passionately.

"I was so scared Jareth", Sarah started, "I didn't know what was going on. I still don't know what happened. Why am I here and not in the castle?"

"It's the rule of the Labyrinth", Jareth replied. "Faron found out that according to Labyrinth Kingdom laws no male baby can be born to a king within the Underground. I will have to abduct our own children, and you have to ask me to take them."

He looked at her with a tilted head and a soft smile as he gently caressed her face with the back of his hand.

Sarah nodded, as she understood immediately.

"I only wish Faron would have found out about this sooner. I was totally freaked out", she sighed.

"That makes two of us", Jareth replied softly and kissed her again.

"So when are we going to go through with the abduction?" Sarah asked.

"Let's make sure the babies and you are taken care of first and pass your checkups. No need to rush. Tomorrow will be plenty of time", Faron stated and put his hand on her arm.

"I am going to inform the Elder council of the royal birth. Jareth will handle everything from here on out."

He looked at Jareth and gave him a nod before he dematerialized.

Jareth was allowed to spend the night in the hospital with Sarah and was given plenty of opportunities to hold his sons. Sarah had decided to breastfeed them instead of a bottle and Jareth was truly amazed at that concept.

"Can I try some?" he asked and Sarah declined with a loud laugh.

"No, you can't."

He threw her a disapproving look which made Sarah only laugh more.

"That's ok, there's plenty of time in the castle. You'll have to go to sleep sometime", he mumbled under his breath. Sarah threw an empty plastic cup at him. "I heard you."

After Sarah's second checkup the next day, it was time for the abduction.

Jareth was eager to get his family back to the Labyrinth Kingdom. That's where they belonged, not up here in the Surface World. Not anymore.

He had disappeared in the evening after dinner and Sarah knew what she needed to do. The nurse had left her for the night and it was getting dark outside.

Jareth had ensured Sarah that nobody in the hospital would ever remember her giving birth there as she was worried she and her children would appear on milk cartons as missing. She did not want to become a fugitive.

Sarah took a deep breath and called out quietly to Jareth.

"I wish the Goblin king would, take these children away from me."

Within seconds a breeze stirred and Jareth appeared in his regalia in front of Sarah. He had a stoic look, but a hint of a smile surrounded his lips as he gave her a tender look.

"Goblin king, I wish for you to take them to your kingdom", Sarah said again, and Jareth picked up his sons and disappeared as quickly as he had arrived.

The room was still and quiet and Sarah looked over towards the empty little baskets where her babies had been just seconds before. Mara stood by her bed side as a faint shadow and looked at her with her green eyes.

"It's time", she told Sarah, and before she could think about what she would have to do next, she vanished from the room and left behind an empty bed.