A/N: Thank you to everyone who takes the time to give my story a read, this is my first Labyrinth fanfiction, and I was nervous as all get out about posting it. There isn't going to a set schedule for me to upload the chapters as I have work and real-life issues to deal with.

Please leave a review if you have time, I would absotively posilutely love the feedback. And without further ado…

I do not own anything except any OC characters that I choose to add into the story. Thank you.

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VIII.

Sarah stood up, spun around, and as the voice echoed in her mind, her emerald eyes were met by a pair of silver ones. Walking towards Sarah was a beautiful woman, who looked to be almost the same age as herself, dressed in silks. She had luminous pale skin, pointed ears, floor length wavy golden hair that almost glowed, and she was holding a tray with what looked to be a couple of cups with saucers and a teapot. The woman's dress was billowy, as though it was blowing in the wind, even while they were inside, and it had trumpet style sleeves. The color reminded Sarah of the walls in the labyrinth, and then she noticed the silver etchings along the edges of the collar, the sleeves and around the bottom of the dress. With further inspection, Sarah noticed that the etchings were mini-Labyrinthine markings that all seemed to be seamlessly connected in one endless pattern. Sarah realized she was staring and cleared her throat as she let her gaze shift back up to the woman's face. When Sarah realized what the woman had said, her expression became somewhat confused. "Labyrinth?" She said softly.

The woman smiled warmly at her and brought the tray over to the small table, proceeded to pour both herself and Sarah a cup of piping hot tea. After she sat in the flamboyant fuchsia chair that was opposite Sarah, she took sip of her tea and met her confused gaze. The Labyrinth's voice echoed in Sarah's mind. "You are confused. I understand. I felt the need to choose a form that would be better equipped to converse with you. If I have made you uncomfortable, I apologize."

Sarah shook her head, gingerly grabbed the other teacup and blew on the hot liquid before she took a small sip. "I'm just surprised is all. Going from a strange ball of glowy light to, well…" She paused, not sure how to phase it but continued, "Um…this. I have to remember that nothing in this place is ever as it seems." She replied, taking another small sip of her tea.

The Labyrinth continued to smile as she took another from her own cup, "I was quite surprised to see you here again, but you were never the type to stay out of trouble, were you, my Champion?" The voice had an amused tone behind it.

Sarah nodded, a blush creeping onto her cheeks, but her glacial gaze met the Labyrinth's. "Just another case of misogynistic tendences made known due to being an underling of a power-hungry POS who is treated like a god." Sarah took another sip of the tea before continuing, "Ain't the first, sure as hell won't be the last. I have a penchant for dealing with men like that. It's an art." She finished, her icy gaze softening as she let the tea and the fire warm her.

The Labyrinth nodded and the soothing voice echoed in her head again, "I admire your spirit, my Champion. You have a fierce heart. Dealing with corrupt men is no small feat. I am proud that you can keep a clear head whilst being subjected to that imprudence." She replied, giving Sarah another warm smile. "I am sure you have questions, my child. Although, there are some things I cannot speak of, but I will be as truthful as I can."

Sarah pondered on what the Labyrinth said before responding. "You spoke of destiny. You spoke of mine and Jareth's being connected. Is there anything that can change destiny? I've never been a destiny believing-type person." She asked, staring at the swirling liquid in her teacup.

The Labyrinth paused a moment before her voice echoed in Sarah's head again. "It is said some lives are linked across time. Connected by an ancient calling that echoes through the ages. Destiny.(*) It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.(*2) We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny. But what we put into it, is ours.(*3) There are no wrong turnings. Only paths we had not known we were meant to walk.(*4)" She replied, smiling warmly at Sarah as she took another sip of her tea.

Sarah sighed and shook her head because, the Labyrinth spoke in riddles and half-speech, which Sarah didn't quite understand the clear meaning of. Everything in this place was smoke and mirrors, hidden behind layers of illusions.

The Labyrinth's soothing voice echoed in Sarah's head again, "All I ask is that you trust his majesty. He has always had a good head on his shoulders, and he will not steer you wrong. He needs you just as much as you need him, even if you do not know it yet. Give him a chance, my child." She said, smiling warmly at Sarah.

Sarah sighed and took the last few sips of her tea before placing the cup onto the tray. "I will try to do as you ask. Not that I'm opposed, it's just we haven't seen or heard from each other in 15 years. Who knows what he thinks of me now?" She replied, looking towards the fire, her gaze getting caught up in the flickering flames. "And what are we going to do about the situation we are in? The man in robes said that something was going to happen during Beltane and with Jareth out of the picture, it won't. And that I play a role in it as well." She paused before she rested her gaze back on the Labyrinth. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

The Labyrinth's crystalline laughter filtered through Sarah's mind, "Beltane is the beginning of the summer season. It has been this way for many years. It is an important milestone in the year for many who rely on the seasons for their way of life. Both the above and underground have and will continue to celebrate it for some time until it is forgotten." She replied, taking another sip of her tea.

Sarah kept her eyebrow raised. "I know the history of Beltane, what does it mean for Jareth?" She asked, looking pointedly at the Labyrinth.

"Alas, all I tell you is that the marking of the seasons always holds great power for special rituals. I am afraid I cannot say more. The powers that be bind me also to this fate." The Labyrinth replied, a twinkling glint in her silver eyes.

Sarah sighed deeply as her gaze wandered back to the flames. Her eyelids began to drift shut, exhaustion claiming it's hold on her. She could hear the Labyrinth's voice floating through her mind, "Do not forget to come visit me when it is time, my Champion. I will be waiting…" As Sarah's mind wandered through the blackness, a soft voice singing a familiar tune filtered through…

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A/N: I have a few quotes that I used that need to be recognized. I do not own any of this material, it belongs to the original owners. I only borrowed it for my story.

* - Prince of Persia Movie 2010

*2 - Winston Churchill

*3 - Dag Hammarskjold

*4 - Tigana by: Guy Gavriel Kay