Chapter 2: As The World Falls Down

Jareth was lounging on his throne looking at a crystal and sighed with sadness. The crystal held the scenes from the dream ball he and Sarah had shared. He often stared at this crystal in the last year of Aboveground time, though for him it had been closer to 3 years of time. Sadness often filled him as Sarah had rejected his offer and blocked him from coming to her as little more than his owl form to watch her from a far. He sighed again observing the crystal, which morphed to a view of her home, he knew what had been going on in this past year. He had been a silent observer through his crystals and sometimes in his owl form, but when she said those six faithful words, he had been bared by magic from getting any closer, at least until the birth of his children. Were this not the case he would have come for her many times over as the last year unfolded before his disbelieving eyes. How could parents be so neglectful to a child as lovely and loving as Sarah? He shook his head, at least it afforded her some protection from discovery. He sighed again in pain. He knew of his children. Had known since she realized it herself and had actually told her friends to advise her against bringing them to his attention. He told Hoggle he knew but also knew the children were in grave danger should they come to his kingdom and him right now. It was the hardest thing he had ever had to do, even harder than letting Sarah herself go. But just as Hoggle had later told Sarah, the children were safer away from him for now.

He sighed again as the view in his crystal chanced once more as he looked over his kingdom. At the borders, an army was gathered, no sense trying to surprise him, so they were gathering in numbers. It was the Ashray king moving against him. The very same king that Hoggle had told Sarah about. After the murder of his family the king had become cruel and a power-hungry tyrant, who hunted the world over for the one that killed his family. Though Jareth himself hadn't even been born yet when his family was killed, the king had decided to blame Jareth for the deaths and wanted revenge… Oh let's be real Jareth. What he wants is far more than mere revenge against someone not to blame. What he wants is the ability to go Aboveground. He sighed. He knew it was true. As king of the Goblins, he was one of the few fae who could travel to the Aboveground at will. That was a huge asset to anyone. Jareth was also High Prince of the Underground, as his mother ruled the Underground with his stepfather, a man Jareth did not like. He laughed quietly. He and Sarah also had that in common. His father had died many years ago and his mother had been made to remarry to help her run the kingdom, as Jareth himself had been a mere babe not much older than Toby at the time and his younger siblings had not yet been born. His new stepfather had taken over as High King Regent since Jareth himself was the true ruler along with his mother by inheritance, but as a baby had yet been too young to rule. But even now Jareth's mother thought he was not yet ready to take the burden of the rule of the whole of the Underground and so remained High Queen. Her stepfather had been unsuccessful over the many years he had tried to impregnate his mother to give himself an heir to challenge Jareth for the title of High Prince.

Jareth himself had no wish to be High King and may have gladly abdicated, content to be King of the Goblins and taking care of his subjects and the unwanted children. The burden of the high throne was enormous and one he did not relish to have, unlike his stepfather. But Jareth's stepfather was left sterile in a battle after the murders of his wife and children, so he had not produced his desired heir. Jareth sighed again. It's funny how I once through my stepfather liked me, Jareth thought to himself sarcastically as he reviewed the armies at his borders. After all, it was actually his very stepfather who was moving against him, The High King Regent and King of the Ashrays. And his mother could do little to help her son right now. Why did his mother have to marry that SOB? It was clear she couldn't stand him herself. They often fought like cats and dogs. The arguments between the mythical Oberon and Titania in the Aboveground stories being nothing to the skirmishes between his mother and her husband. But it was what it was. He still wasn't sure what bug had gotten up his stepfather's ass this time to have him move against Jareth, maybe his mother had denied him sex again as she had been for years, but whatever it was, Jareth was left dealing with an army at his borders and the inability to even meet his children because of the danger to… them…?

Wait, is that it? Does my stepfather know about Sarah and the kids? After all, part of the reason I am considered unready is that I have no queen or heir. But wait, how could he know? I know, mainly because of the crystals, but Ashled does not have the same power as me, he's only Regent, the power of the male crown passed to me on my father's death just as the power of the female crown would pass to my queen if my mother steps down or dies, or to me if I have no queen at the time. He, like other fae can create crystals containing spells but he's not able to create view crystals to see anything beyond his own blood kingdom, and certainly not to see anything in the Aboveground. I haven't seen Sarah personally in months and no one besides her friends knows about the children, and Hoggle, Sir Dydimus and Ludo would cheerfully cut off their own arms rather than ever betray Sarah's trust in them. Hells everyone here loves Sarah dearly and would cheerfully kill to protect and preserve her, and even more so if they were to know of the children she'd mother, my children, their Prince and Princess of Goblins. Only my mother has the power to view the above like me. I know she's aware of everything. Jareth laughed with real humor for the first time in a long time. I mean she nearly ripped my ass in half with that kick in the pants after Sarah left and again after she had received the energetic confirmation of my impending fatherhood, just as I had received it.

But there's no way my mother would ever share that information with anyone as she knew they weren't safe, let alone my stepfather who had HUGE reasons to want to cause harm to my love and babes. Jareth shook his head as he continued to observe the army. And it's not like my stepfather could ever reach her in the Aboveground. Again, he needs my power to do so and only through my death can he gain that, but if he were to kill me now my power would just transfer to my daughter and firstborn who was safe and out of reach of that bastard in the Aboveground with her mother so it's not like anything would come of it for him, so what's the deal? Or am I overthinking this and the reason is entirely different?

Jareth observed the main basecamp of the army where his stepfather had arrived and was in conference with his generals. Jareth summoned his own war council including Sir Dydimus, Hugo and Hoggle. He had made a decision to send Sarah word of the danger and have her disappear with the children. He'd find them when it was safe. Her friends were to deliver the message and go with her and needed to be informed. When his council arrived Jareth looked them over, he had a critical decision to make. His council was small. Only those who with word and deed had proven their love and loyalty to him over many years were appointed to it. Sarah's 3 friends being the newest additions and not very welcomed by the other 3 members of it. It was no secret after all that Hoggle did not like his king, but he was loyal through and through, if not always to him then always to Sarah and that mattered to him. Same with the other. The rest of the council was comprised of only his 3 generals and advisors. Broiln, had been his best friend since boyhood. He was part elf but mostly fae as his grandmother has been a half-elf. Jareth knew he could trust him with his life. Hell Broiln had saved his life the last time his stepfather had moved against him. Beside him stood Bodargt. A fae night who could almost pass for Jareth if he were taller. An asset as he Bodargt could hide his king and had on many occasions. And lastly was Marior. She was of the horsemen tribes that reside at the Southern edge of his kingdom. Marior had been instrumental in Jareth being able to rest power from the regent of the Goblin Kingdom who was a cruel tyrant that had been appointed to rule until Jareth was of age after the death of his father, the former Goblin King.

Jareth nodded to himself as he straightened in his throne and summoned his table and placed his Crystal in the Center of the table, it was time to make his own plans. "You know why I have called you all to me," Jareth began.

"The army," Marior answered.

Jareth nodded. "It's unknown why my stepfather moves against me again. But I have some ideas."

"One question my king," Bodargt asked. Jareth nodded for him to ask mashing his lips together already knowing what it was about. "Why are the dwarf, dog knight and rock caller here. It's no secret they aren't totally loyal to you. And we 3 believe there may be a traitor amongst the kingdom."

Jareth nodded deciding to settle this once and for all. "They are loyal to me." He held up a hand to forestall protest. "While it is true that that loyalty could be considered questionable, they give their total loyalty to the Lady Sarah, and by extension to me as her protector. They will not do anything that places Sarah in danger, would cheerfully cut off their arms before doing so and to be disloyal to me is also a disloyalty to her as it places the Lady of the Labyrinth in danger."

"Her ladyship isn't…" Broiln started.

"Her Ladyship," Jareth interrupted deciding to just come out with it and stop this nonsense, "is the mother of my two children and heirs. Yes, Sir Didymus I already know, I received the energetic confirmation of their conception and birth when it happened and have been watching over them ever since. Only reason I haven't gone to Sarah is due to the danger to them that might follow me. But back to the topic, Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didymus are her friends and the only others in the kingdom besides myself who knows about the prince and princess and never breathed a word even to me. And only Hoggle was aware that I knew when I told him to tell Sarah not to bring the children to my attention and by extension that of the kingdom until we settle this. Were my stepfather to know of their existence, they would be in mortal peril and my children are only barely 2 weeks old and unable to defend themselves." Jareth sighed. "I wouldn't even reveal this to the council, but should something happen to me in this war, Sarah and the babes need to be protected."

"Nothing will happen to you my King, and your children and her Ladyship have our loyalty as you do," Broiln said effectively ending the coming argument. Though Jareth was sure this may not be the true end.

Jareth turned to Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didymus. "You three need to find a way to get to Sarah if possible and warn her of what is happening. Help her disappear with the little ones. I will come for them when it is safe."

"My liege. Perhaps her ladyship would best be safest at your mother's castle," Marior mentioned, then held up a hand. "Yes, the queen cannot take sides between her husband and son elstwise she would have put an end to all of this long ago. But as the grandmother she would best move heaven and hell to protect your young."

Jareth nodded at the advice then turned to Sarah's friends who nodded in agreement. "If we can get to the Lady Sarah we would take her to your mother for safekeeping," Sir Didymus said. Jareth nodded. At least that was one burden off his shoulders. Should something happen to him, Sarah and his babies would be safe. He felt his heart breaking for a moment. He hadn't even had the chance to see their eyes or hold them and now he worried that he might never have this chance, but no matter their safety was above any desire he might have. If that was all he could do for them then he would. With that Jareth turned to the matter at hand, instructing his council on what needed to be done, like finding the traitor if there is one and taking his stepfather's head, now that would be nice.

The planning session had lasted long into the night. Everyone retired to their rooms for a little rest before the coming storm. Jareth was done and he would challenge his stepfather and put an end to all this. But as they headed to their own rooms one of the council moved elsewhere. Broiln moved to a balcony near his chambers and released a dagrit dove, a part carrier pigeon and part dove creature that he was fond of using for delivering messages as they were sneaky little creatures. Then turned to his own chambers closing the door behind him. Broiln sighed as he closed the door finally free. There were enchantments in his room to prevent any from discovering his secrets or so he thought. A little tiny goblin, not much bigger than a mouse, had made his way into his room as he had been observing Broiln. The little goblin did not like this man his king seemed to trust so much. His soul was dark so the little one watched out for his king and for the Lady of the Labyrinth and whom he hoped would one day become his Queen. Broiln sat at his desk pulling out his notebook and after banishing its enchantments began to write as the little goblin watched and read.

Perhaps it is foolish of me to keep this diary, but how else am I supposed to suppress all that I feel, keep it from showing. My Jareth, My King, and My Love. How do I long for you to pay me any mind. We the Fae are not like humans who disdain at relationships between the same sexes, it is just a part of nature, and as your companion I have known all your dalliances with women and men alike. I know your appetite is more towards female flesh, but you are also no stranger to men. Ah, but who am I kidding Jareth, I know you will never look at me as anything worthy of you. I know you need a Queen, but I hate this so much. And it makes me sick to my stomach to watch you pine daily for the love of your chosen when she did not choose you. That simpleton child is unworthy of your magnificence and now to be told by you that she has mothered your children is a blow I cannot endure. How could you choose that simple child over me, your faithful and loyal friend who would move the heavens for you if you so desired? And chose her you did, of course you did. You'd not impregnated her if she weren't your choice. I have slaved at your side, but you never turn to me, yet this child refuses you and you pine for her, hoping for but a moment at her side again. I guess at least you know how I feel now. My hatred for this empty-headed human girl is only equal to my love for you Jareth. And when she is gone, I will comfort you as you need and we will finally be happy.

Broiln closed the book and ensorcelled it again to hide his thoughts before placing it back in its hiding place. Betraying Jareth to his stepfather had hurt but the old man had assured him that he meant no harm to his King, only wanted to get rid of the blight of the human girl that Jareth had sullied himself with. For this Broiln would do much, even betray his King. But he felt he could remedy this treason if given the chance. His arms would comfort his King as he mourned the loss of this dastardly human girl. He knew the King would be in pain, but his love would set him straight very quickly and then they could be Happy. The brat had produced the heirs his king required so he had to leave the littles alone, loath as he was to not destroy their tiny lives, but Jareth required them in order to remain King. Children that Broiln as a male could not provide so he would have to accept them. As he would have to accept that Jareth would have to take a Queen, but it will be a marriage of convenience. Plenty of Kings married for the need of it and kept a lover. Broiln would be content with being his King's lover. As he turned out his lights and went to sleep Broiln daydreamed about how it could be for them if Jareth would give him but one chance and missed the little goblin who snuck into his desk and stole the book in which he had written, then stole himself out of the room and to his King.

Sadiki knew he was a sneaky little guy. His King kept him for his ability to get him information and Sadiki would do anything for his King. When Jareth had asked him and the other Sneekery goblins to find information for him as to who was betraying him, Sadiki had had some ideas. He had checked and now had proof it was whom he had thought. His Kingy needed to know so he took the book as proof of the treachery after watching baddie Broiln send away that dagrit dove. Carrying the book that was 3 times his size as he was only the size of a small mouse was no problem and he headed to his King's chambers to warn him.

As Jareth settled himself in his bed, the very same bed to which he had brough Sarah during her dream ball and made sweet love to her, conceiving their children, Jareth sighed as he pulled out his view crystal and watched Sarah in her home go about the business of her life. He smiled a small smile watching her as she woke up to the tiny cries, little more than the mewls of a tiny kitten, of his little prince who rested on his cot beside her bed. He heard Sarah shush the tiny boy, who looked so much like himself, then settle him at her breast to feed him while she reclined in her bed. He longed to be at her side, longed to hold his love in his arms playing the role of her pillow as she reclined against him while nursing their children. And let just a few tears fall at not being able for to do so would bring them danger and they were safe where they were. He knew he now could of course. Sarah may have said he had no power over her but that binding was broken on the birth of the babies. His daughter still slept on and when he was done, Sarah changed his diaper and settled his tiny little boy back in his bed before taking his beautiful princess in her arms to feed her as well. Oh, how beautiful his tiny daughter was. His heart both sang and wept for how much he loved his family and how much he wished he could be with them. When Sarah had settled the baby back in her bed and went to sleep herself, Jareth allowed himself to put the crystal away and settled himself to sleep as well. Tomorrow was the beginning of very long and difficult times ahead. He was done playing and waiting. He would meet his stepfather in the battlefield and put an end to all of this.

But tonight, was not to be his night for rest. As he was settling himself in bed, his door opened. Curious, Jareth sat up, already knowing by the sight of the book moving seemingly of its own accord that it was one of his Sneekery goblins. He smiled, those little guys were very useful. As the tiny creature jumped up with the book to land on the king's bed Jareth saw it was his little Sadiki, the tiniest of the Sneekery, but also the one that was one of his best spies. "Sadiki?" Jareth questioned in a whisper after closing his door and warding it.

"Kingy," the little creature whispered back. "Bookie hathi big baddies plans. Ugly luky bady wite notis." Jareth was glad as he often was that he was so used to his goblin's way of speech. It wasn't always easy to tell what they were saying, but he had long ago become adept at doing just that. Jareth nodded and took the book from little Sadiki, giving him a tiny marble crystal which would become a sweet as a thanks.

Jareth took the book and felt the ensorcelling on it, clearly someone was trying to hide something. As Jareth broke the spell and began to read his whole body went cold as ice and hard as stone. As is often the case, his betrayer was the one whom he least expected, and in hindsight should have been obvious. Jareth was so angry he was seeing red, but as he shot up out of his bed and called his Goblin armor to him, ready to render punishment to the one who betrayed him, a huge explosion rocked the castle and exploded the outer wall of his own bedchambers. Screaming in fright, little Sadiki barely had time to jump off the bed where he still sat before a huge beam crashed onto it. Jareth was not so lucky, another beam caught him in the shoulder knocking him to the ground and trapping the King beneath its weight. Jareth was sure, from the searing pain that it had to be broken, but luckily, he had called his armor to him so, although bruised, nothing else was damaged. However, he could barely move. His Goblins were trying desperately to get int the room to help their King but his wards prevented them. With much effort Jareth banished the wards and let them in. True, he could move the beam on his own, but he had landed at an awkward angle and the searing pain in his left arm left his thoughts too scattered to dig himself out effectively.

His Goblins fell through the door and quickly dug their King out and brought him to safety. Other than his shoulder Jareth thought he was fine now that the weight of the beam was no longer on him. He quickly checked to ensure Sadiki had also made it out, which he was as the little guy ran beside his other Goblins and they headed away from his chambers as the sounds of battle raged on around them everywhere. Jareth was sure that his betrayer had informed his stepfather of the impending confrontation and he had moved to attack him tonight. He saw the Ashray army all around him as he ran and fought his way outside. His goblins were pushing him to head to safety, but he has enraged and wanted a fight. His targets were clear, his betrayer and his stepfather. Jareth saw Hoggle and Ludo fighting off Ashrays with everything they had to keep them from the mirror passages, passages that would allow the Army through to the Aboveground or anywhere in the Underground. With a sinking heart, he pulled his power from the mirrors, shutting them off and quickly warded them against reactivation by any but his own magics. It hurt his heart to do it as it would mean little chance of assistance coming quickly but he had to keep everyone safe, especially Sarah innocently sleeping in her world. This also meant that her friends could not reach Sarah, only he as High Prince and Goblin King could travel between the worlds at will.

What he did was obvious to the army and they turned their fury on him. Now Jareth was a strong fighter and a powerful monarch, but he was severely outnumbered. Still, he persevered against the Ashray warriors outnumbering, for what choice did he have but to fight on? Still Jareth and his warriors were pushed back into the recesses of the castle by the sheer numbers that attacked them. Jareth was pushed into his throne room still fighting several warriors at once and saw his actual targets there. Feeling equal parts highly insulted and glad he had long ago taken precautions against this very act, Jareth glared at his stepfather as he sat upon JARETH'S throne. "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" Jareth roared, dispatching the warrior in front of him, before turning to the man.

"Why my dear son, is this any way to greet you King and father?" Ashled mocked him.

Jareth glared. "You are neither Ashled, you filthy worm," what in the Hades are you doing?"

Ashled smiled. "What I want," he merely said. "By right of revenge I can act against any king or crow that harbors the murderer of my family," Ashled stated.

"Oh, piss of you sniveling worm," Jareth shot back. "That excuse might have worked with the Kingdom of Driads and the Kingdom of Meneids but not with me. You're just a power-hungry fiend trying to conquer lands as a rightful throne would never be granted to you!" Ashled glared at Jareth and shot a crystal at him.

"JARETH!" Broiln screamed as he watched the crystal smash into his King's armor, his protection wards barely holding off the worst of the attack. Jareth was shot backwards and smashed against his stone walls. He's head cracked hard against the stone and he was momentarily disoriented. Broiln turned on Ashled screaming, "You said you wouldn't hurt him, only his human bitch!" he yelled as he raced forward towards Ashled. Bodarrgt and Marion had bought fought their way into the chamber and were rendered frozen at hearing this, confirmation that one of their own had betrayed the King.

"Told ya it had to be someone close, Jareth," Hoggle said as he helped his King to his feet. "One of your three most trusted could only be tha one to know enough."

Jareth nodded, "You were right and I foolishly trusted him with more information."

"Mirror's are closed, they're safe," Hoggle said as Jareth straightened beside him.

"Ah but as the current Goblin King who sits in the throne, I can reach Jareth's mortal whore and bastards and get rid of them. Then I will be High King," Ashled crowed in glee as he slapped Broiln's attack away.

Jareth grinned, "Might be true, were I so dumb as to keep the power of the Goblin in a chair where anyone can sit," Jareth crowed gleefully as vines snaked out of his throne to trap Ashled and push him off the seat and to his knees before the throne. "The power of the Goblin's throne is mine alone, that is merely a chair." Ashled screamed incoherently as the vines tightened around him. He turned to his former friend, "Et Tu Broiln?" The glare on Jareth's face might as well have been lava burning Broiln. He abased himself at his king's feet as the Goblin Warriors created a circle of protection around the scene.

"The mortal whore is unworthy of—" Broiln tried but Jareth viciously backhanded him across the face, breaking his jaw.

"Never speak of her with such insolence," Jareth roared, "Sarah is the GOBLIN QUEEN!" Jareth yelled, hitting him again. The room was suddenly quiet as everyone silenced at his proclamation, enemy and subject alike knowing what this proclamation meant. Though they were not wed, if the Goblin King named her as such, the Kingdom had a new Queen and the wedding would be a formality if it were to happen. Jareth's throne glowed and split in an identical copy but with more cushions awaiting the girl who would sit on the throne beside him. Broiln's eyes were huge as he saw this display, the Kingdom itself recognizing the King's proclamation of the name of its queen, and throughout the Kingdom the force of the proclamation was felt as the subjects felt the very land of rejoicing in welcome of its queen. His heart broke further, feeling the proclamation course through him as al the subjects did. For him it was a horrid pain, more proof the King would never love him, while for all other subjects, they were infused with joy.

Jareth turned away for a moment and called his sword to him from the floor where he had landed after Ashled's assault. With sword in hand, he turned to Broiln. "For your treachery against the crown. I, Jareth the Goblin King, sentence you to death." And so saying Jareth stabbed him through the heart before beheading him. Broiln's body dropped to the ground. Jareth then turned to his stepfather, who glared at him fiercely. Jareth ignored the look, thinking the vines held firm. "As for you, Ashled King of the Ashrays, for going against the rightful sovereignty of the Goblin Kingdom, I—" Jareth was cut off abruptly as a sword slashed deeply across his abdomen. Dropping his sword and clutching his abdomen, Jareth fell to the ground.

Ashled stood over the Goblin King after cutting himself free of the vines, as his warriors surrounded the Goblin warriors, vastly outnumbering them and keeping them from coming to their king's aid. "Foolish welp," Ashled pointed his sword at Jareth. "still playing at being King behind your Mama's skirts but leaving yourself open to all attack." Ashled mocked him as he stalked towards the injured Goblin King. "So foolish of you to transfer half of your power to a mortal wench. Broiln was right, you know, she was not worthy of the title of Queen you have so foolishly bestowed upon her. And now where is she? Not at your side to protect her King for upon his death the shock will kill her too." Jareth struggled to his knees and barely managed to block the parry as his warriors desperately tied to reach him. Jareth was struggling, barely managing to defend against Ashled's attacks but one caught him across the chest carving a shallow cut across his chest and another slashed his left thigh open. His blood was leaking from his many wounds and he was weakening rapidly. Jareth knew he was in trouble as his counters became more and more weak. Soon Ashled would take his head. At this realization, Jareth was at peace. With his death the Goblin throne and the High throne pass to his Queen and children, his subjects were safe from this monster as long as they lived as he would have no power over them. And the monster could not reach them in the Aboveground without the Goblin Crown, which Sarah held.

Jareth's sword was knocked away from his hand, leaving him defenseless. But before Ashled could take the King's head, Hoggle, whose small size had allowed him to get closest to his King, pulled a crystal from his pouch. The very crystal with unformed magic Jareth had given him earlier to hand to Sarah for protection. "Jareth!" Hoggle cried as he threw the crystal at the King's chest, watching in relief as it hit him square in the chest and the King disappeared from the throne room. Now, what Hoggle had done was a bit foolish, he knew this well as he continued to fight the warriors around him. Crystals with unfocused magics were dangerous because they lacked a direction to use the true power. But what choice did he have watching his King about to die, and knowing his dear friend Sarah was also in danger, the most danger she could ever be in for she was now being hunted? At least this desperate action on his part would give his King and Queen the chance to survive, or so he hoped as he and the others continued to fight.

Far and away from everything, the fates watched the scenes unfold with a grim smile. Hoggle's desperate action had in fact done as they wanted and saved the Goblin King. For at the moment that the crystal touched his chest Jareth's thoughts had been with his beloved Queen and as the power was his own it rushed to complete the King's desire and transported him away from danger and to the side of his mortal love. They smiled as they crossed lines to further assist the young king and made him to his owl form, granting him enough strength to reach his love's home from the park a few blocks away where the magi had taken him. They had done all that they could for the young royals, giving the a chance to set everything right and now could only merely watch and hope all went well. For they were merely the guardians of fate but the power of it rested in the hands of mortal and immortals.

Jareth was confused and in a lot of pain as he found himself out in a snowstorm, unsure how he even got there. He looked around and then at himself and saw with shock that he was in his owl form, but where in the devil was he? It was difficult to discern anything, the storm buffeted him, and he was SO COLD, both from blood loss which stained the snow around him and the snow that flew all around him. After a moment, he spied the shape of a tower in the distance as he heard it till the hour. 12 Bells, midnight in a snowstorm. It was a familiar sound, and for a moment Jareth allowed himself a grin. Hoggle has been foolish to throw his crystal at him like that with unformed possibility, but because he had been thinking of her, his magic brought him to Sarah. Suddenly feeling stronger, Jareth spread his wings and fought his way to Sarah's home, needing to see her and warn her of the danger she was in. He doubted he would live much longer but hoped it would be just long enough to reach her. He would die happy if he could ensure his love and children were safe.

But as the storm buffeted him from side-to-side, Jareth realized he was NOT strong enough to fight it, not strong enough to reach her. He flew on anyway, fighting but as his blood continued to leak across his plumage and freeze against his skin, he became weaker and weaker and he was disoriented. With the storm raging around him, Jareth could discern little but could see the somewhat familiar shapes of the houses in Sarah's street, but everything was dark with no light to guide him. Looking around in desperation Jareth tied to find Sarah's window but could see nothing in the storm's fury. Then all of a sudden a light appeared before him and Jareth tried to head to it, hoping against hope that he was going the right way. The storm blew all around him and was starting to pick up strength. Jareth's left wing was screaming in pain. His injured shoulder protesting its use, when a particularly harsh gust of air painfully folded his wings back over his back. Jareth could feel that something broke and he could no longer control his flight. He fell from the sky, being blown all over by the wind and saw only the snowbank that met his already abused head. At least it was fresh snow that he impacted into so his landing was somewhat soft, but Jareth had already been badly injured, and the hit had been hard enough to knock him unconscious. With a last weak hoot in place of her name, Jareth lost consciousness. He had failed her and would die in the snow alone. The last thing he felt was a sudden warmth enveloping him…