Toby sipped at the water glass he'd just poured for himself. He, Inara, Palath, and the small contingent of centaurs who had escorted them had arrived in Lefalin several hours ago. Queen Ioelena had greeted them warmly and invited them into her palace with open arms. Inara had told Toby that it had been almost two years since she'd last seen her mother. However unlike him if he hadn't seen his parents in over two years, the two elves were stiff and formal when solemnly greeting each other. The Queen had business to attend to though, so she apologized and said she would send a messenger to fetch them once she was finished.

Inara, at Toby's request, gave a private tour of the palace, showing him her suite of rooms, the ballroom, library, throne room, and most importantly to Inara, the conservatory where she would often come to find peace and quiet when she was younger. A messenger came to find them a few hours later and they were then invited into Queen Ioelena's private sitting room. They were left in the room with a pitcher of water to tide them over. The room was not overly large, more intimate with a large window letting in natural light, an abundance of plants around the room, and a sitting area with a circular table and several padded chairs. Toby, who was nervous about embarrassing himself and Inara in front of her mother, asked Inara about Lefalin and what it had been like growing up there.

"You must understand that my experience will be different than your average elf's," she had started as she seated herself on a settee near the window. "But for the most part, it was very calm and quiet. Elves, by nature, are close with the plants and wildlife that make up our world. So a lot of my early years revolved around learning about our forest that we live in. I, of course, also had etiquette lessons on top of that. As a princess, I was expected to be present with my mother and father for all court functions. So I had to learn quickly."

"Didn't you get to have any fun as a kid?" he asked.

"Some," she nodded. "I had very few friends growing up. Each and every one of them were chosen by my mother though, and all of them knew I was a princess and treated me differently than a normal friend. When I discovered my unique powers later in my adolescence, those friends retreated from me even more. No one wants to touch a scryist for fear that they will be able to see their darkest secrets."

Toby looked over from where he'd been examining a giant tapestry hanging on the wall to see Inara with her head down. He then walked over and deliberately grabbed her hand. "I'm not afraid," he said quietly, he could feel a kind of anxious fluttering in the pit of his stomach that did not belong to him. It surprised him. Was he starting to feel what Inara was feeling?

Inara gave him a small smile and squeezed his hand. "That's why I like you, Toby. You're not afraid to treat me as an equal, and I think you're the first being I've ever met who wasn't afraid of my powers."

Toby shrugged and sat on the settee beside her. His hand still holding hers. "Tell me more about growing up here. What did you like to do when you were a kid? Did you ever get into trouble? Are there secret rooms and passages in the palace? Because honestly a palace without secret rooms or passages is just boring."

Inara laughed and gave him a genuine smile. They spent the rest of their time waiting for Queen Ioelena talking about Inara's childhood in Lefalin. Toby was happy to find out that there were indeed secret rooms and passages, but they were mostly just for private use by the royal family in case of an emergency.

Queen Ioelena marched down the hall. Her latest meeting with her advisors had been about what to do with her husband. Ronsyth had already been stripped of his titles and sent to live in exile outside of Lefalin in a guarded and magically warded house, but some on the council felt this was too harsh. Others thought it wasn't harsh enough. They strongly believed that because the individuals who Ronsyth had offended was the Lady of the Labyrinth and the Goblin King, that they needed to appease the powerful rulers. A solution had not been given though and the subject remained stalemated.

Ioelena arrived to her private sitting room to find her daughter and her guest laughing and talking animatedly together. She had never seen Inara this happy while talking with someone before. Even with the friends she'd had when she was younger, the little elven princess had remained formal and poised. Now however, she was holding hands and actually giggling with the young man beside her. "I apologize for my tardiness," she said after a moment of watching them. Both jumped in surprise and stood upon seeing the Queen.

"Your Majesty," the young man said deferentially and bowed low.

"Mother," Inara nodded her head. "I would like to introduce you to Tobias Williams, brother to Lady of the Labyrinth and Honorary Member of the Herd."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Tobias," she nodded at the young man who gave her another bow upon being introduced formally. "And I see you've become fast friends with my daughter."

"Yes, your Majesty," he nodded. "Princess Inara has been very helpful to my sister and I, and I've enjoyed spending time with her."

"That is good to hear," she smiled. "Come, I've ordered tea," she gestured to the table. Tea was brought in a moment later and they all enjoyed goji berry and hibiscus tea. Scones and jam were also brought in and they each helped themselves. "I am glad to see you again, daughter. Have you finished your travels with the Goblin King and Lady of the Labyrinth?"

Inara shook her head. "Not quite," she admitted. "We still have a few things to complete. However I came for another reason, mother."

"Oh? And what is that?" Ioelena set down her teacup to give Inara her full attention.

Inara took a deep breath and looked at Tobias before continuing. "I have started to form a bond with Tobias," she stated. Ioelena's eyebrows rose and she opened her mouth to say something, but Inara cut her off. "And before you say anything, it's not what you think."

Ioelena's lips thinned for a moment before she said, "Then by all means, explain."

"The bond that was created between Toby and I was done so on accident," she started. "A malevolent force attacked his mind and I rushed to help him. In order to save him, I needed to reach into his mind and evict the attacker with my powers. However in doing so, I seem to have inadvertently created the start of a bond between us. I can feel his emotions and we feel the need to be physically close to each other."

Ioelena steepled her fingers and studied the pair across from her. They both seemed to be awaiting a harsh judgement, and at first she had been prepared to deliver just such a judgement. However upon reflection, Ioelena thought this might not be as scandalous as it first appeared. The boy, despite not being an elf, was well connected politically and could offer strong alliances. And then there was the fact that he made her daughter happy. Even though happiness was secondary in royal marriages, Ioelena had to admit that she would be overjoyed to see her daughter in a marriage for love. Especially when she looked back to her own bonding with Ronsyth. "He is not an elf," she said simply.

"No, mother, but…"

"But he may still be a reasonable suitor."

Inara's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open at these words. She recovered a moment later and looked over to Tobias who also appeared stunned. "Are you serious, mother? I thought for sure it would take everything I had to convince you."

"Are you asking me to reject him?"

"No! No, not at all! I'm just surprised that you are agreeing he is a suitable match so quickly."

"Well, aside from the fact that you've already created a bond with him which is very difficult to reverse, you already stated that he is well connected to more than one kingdom in the Underground. And…" she paused for a second and gave her daughter a fond look. "He makes you happy."

Inara and Tobias both blushed, but didn't contradict her. "Thank you for your kind words, your Majesty," he said. "Inara makes me happy too."

Ioelena opened her mouth to say more, but a knock on the door interrupted her. She frowned, but called out for the person to enter. A messenger opened the door, bowed low to those around the table, then deposited a folded and sealed message in front of Tobias. He looked at it in surprise then back up at his companions. "Go ahead, open it," Ioelena said. "It may be important."

The young man did as bid and his eyes widened in surprise as he read. "I - I need to leave," he said as he rose from his chair. "I'm sorry, but I need to get to the Goblin Kingdom immediately."

"What has happened, Toby?" Inara asked, rising from her chair too as she felt fear rising him him.

"Sarah's been hurt. She and Jareth and some others went to the Labyrinth to confront Lady Keelin."

"Oh my!" Inara covered her mouth. "Will she be okay?"

"I don't know. The message was from King Rhihart and he only said that she'd been injured and was being healed in the Goblin City." The young man turned to look at Queen Ioelena. "Your Majesty, I'm sorry, but I need to go to my sister. Do you have someone who can help me with a transportation spell?"

Queen Ioelena nodded and rose from her seat. "Yes. Come with me and we will gather your friends who came with you."

A half an hour later, they were gathered in the outdoor courtyard in the middle of the palace. A spellcaster had been called for and was ready to create the portal to the Goblin Kingdom for them. The centaur, Palath, placed a hand on Tobias's shoulder and stilled his pacing. He leaned down to whisper something to the young man and Ioelena saw him nod and relax a little. She turned to her daughter to see that she was looking at Tobias with a worried expression. "Inara," she said. "You will be careful, won't you?"

"Of course, mother," she replied absently.

"Good, because I expect you both to come back and allow me to properly meet your young man."

Inara's mouth fell open a little in surprise, but then she closed it and nodded. "Yes, of course we will. You have my word."

"Good. Then go, be with him in his time of need."

Inara hesitated for a moment before reaching out and hugging her mother. It wasn't often that the two displayed affection so openly, but Ioelena could practically feel the gratitude emanating from her daughter. She hugged her back tightly before pushing her towards the group that would be leaving. "Send me a message when all has been sorted," she said and then nodded at the spellcaster to create the portal.

He did so and Ioelena watched as the centaurs, the young human boy, and her daughter walked through. She sighed as the portal closed and hoped that the Lady of the Labyrinth would be well.

Toby, Inara, Palath, and the small contingent of centaurs accompanying them were deposited at the doors to the castle in the Goblin City. Duke Andrius Simoniet, who Toby had become friends with after the Battle of the Labyrinth, was waiting for them. "Freyr said you would be coming," he greeted them. "Come, I'll lead you to her."

Toby nodded and he, Inara, and Palath were quick to follow the elf into the Labyrinth. They walked for some time, seemingly taking paths at random, until they reached a courtyard with a large gaping hole in the middle. Toby felt his stomach jump into his throat at the sight. "Come, your sister is down here. Don't worry, the Labyrinth will catch us." With that, Andrius calmly stepped into the void.

Palath eyed the hole and then turned to his friend. "I think I will stand guard up here."

Toby nodded. "Yeah, don't blame ya." He looked over at Inara who nodded encouragingly. Grabbing her hand, he took a deep breath and let it back out before looking back at Palath. "See you soon... Hopefully."

With that, he and Inara stepped off the edge and fell into the hole. However, just as Andrius said, the fall was controlled. They fell for several long seconds before slowing and gently landing on a patch of thick green grass. Looking around and trying to catch his breath, Toby saw Andrius waiting for him with a smile. "Bit of a rush, is it not?"

"Not sure that's what I'd call it," Toby replied before they set off down the tunnel in front of them.

They walked for perhaps a couple of minutes before reaching a large chamber with two tall black and white stones twisting around each other. Near the stones lay his sister on a raised bed of vines and flowers. Jareth sat in a chair near her, holding her hand. Golden light was coming from the vines, indicating that the Labyrinth was healing her, just like when they first arrived after the hellhound attack. "Jareth?" Toby called out to the Goblin King.

He jerked a little, startled at the interruption to the otherwise silent room. However a small smile graced his face upon seeing the teenager. "Toby, I'm glad you're here."

"How is she?" Toby asked as he and Inara moved closer.

"She was injured and suffering from iron poisoning. The Labyrinth has been healing her for almost a day now and she has not woken."

Toby continued to move closer, but was halted for a moment when Inara stopped moving. He looked back to see that she had been stopped by a transparent barrier. "What's this?" he asked.

"A protection barrier," Jareth answered. "So far, you and I are the only ones able to cross it. Apologies, Princess Inara, but apparently the Labyrinth will only let next of kin cross."

Inara nodded in understanding. "That's understandable given the circumstances. I will wait here."

Jareth then conjured a matching chair to his for her to sit in on the other side of the barrier. He then turned back to Toby who was standing beside his sister. "I called for healers to come, but neither Healer Watts nor Healer Ilsa could cross the barrier either."

"But they're healers! They wouldn't hurt Sarah."

"You and I know that, but I believe the Labyrinth has some trust issues," Jareth raised an eyebrow as he looked up at the spiraling stones, almost as if he was speaking to the Labyrinth. It gave no acknowledgement to his statement though.

"So what happened to Lady Keelin?" Toby asked after a moment.

Jareth glanced over to a patch of grass that looked greener than the rest and frowned. "She's dead," he said simply.

"You killed her?" Toby's eyes widened. He didn't really see the Goblin King as a killer.

"No, your sister did."

His eyes widened even further at that and he looked back at his sister. "Sarah?"

Jareth nodded. "She was provoked and suffering from iron poisoning at the time. However all things considered, it's not the worst thing that could've happened."

Toby frowned and shook his head. "No, I don't suppose so." Jareth conjured a chair for him as well and he sat down near Sarah. "So what do we do now?" he asked.

"Wait," Jareth answered. "There is nothing else we can do."

Toby sighed, but nodded as he settled into the chair.

Three Days Later

Sarah was so comfortably warm. She opened her eyes to see sunlight streaming in through the bay window in her parents' house. Dust motes floated through the golden light. She'd fallen asleep while reading, but that wasn't hard to do with the cozy cushions and pillows lining the window. She stretched, the book she'd been reading falling to the cushion below her. Looking out the second story window, she could see down onto the street in front of her house. Late summer was in full swing and the children in the neighborhood were playing outside while they still could before school began.

Removing the blanket from her legs, Sarah rose and stretched again. She walked down stairs and into the kitchen. No one was around, but there was a steaming carafe of coffee on the counter, so Karen must have been in here recently. The rich smell of dark coffee reached her nostrils as she poured herself a cup and walked out the back sliding door to sit in the hammock and drink it. She could hear birds chirping and the children in front of the house playing. However there were no sounds coming from her own house. Perhaps Karen, her father, and Toby had gone out for a minute? She checked her watch. The analogue face stared back at her with thirteen numbers. She shook her head, but when she looked back, it was still thirteen. "What the heck?" she muttered.

Setting her coffee cup on the small patio table, she made her way back into the kitchen. The clock over the sink was the same way, thirteen numbers, and the digital clock on the microwave blinked rapidly at 00:00 as though the power had gone out and reset it. She wandered into the living room and noticed that the clocks in there were the same. It was at that moment that she also realized there were no more sounds coming in from outside. Glancing out the window, she could see that there were no more children. Their bikes and scooters were laying in the street abandoned. The birds had stopped singing too, leaving an unsettling stillness.

"What is going on?" she asked aloud, her voice loud in the unnatural silence. She moved towards the front door and opened it, but once opened there was no street and no front yard. Instead she saw stone paved path lined with tall hedges on either side. There were several turn offs from the path until it reached a T intersection about fifty feet away. Sarah stared, wide eyed. She slowly entered the hedge lined path and began walking down it. When she reached the first turn off to the right, she looked around the corner to see a paved courtyard with large stone vases on Grecian pedestals in the corners. A simple stone throne sat in the middle with a small wooden box sitting on the seat.

She moved towards it, but a shuffling sound from behind the tall throne drew her attention. She jerked upright and tried to see around the chair. A mirror image of herself emerged. No, Sarah realized, this wasn't a mirror image. This Sarah was wearing a long elegant mint green dress and her eyes had no pupils or irises. Instead they were completely white, and seemed to be glowing slightly. A circlet of golden leaves rested on her brow. "Who are you?" she asked.

"You know who I am," the woman answered and her voice sounded like Sarah's, but as if there were multiple Sarahs speaking all at once. "It is time, my Lady."

"Time for what?"

"Time to return. You have been away for too long."

"But," she looked back the way she'd come.

"Come, take my hand," the other Sarah held out her left hand, palm up.

Sarah looked at it for a moment, hesitant. However every instinct inside her was telling her she could trust this being. She reached out and took the hand. A jolt of lightning flashed through her body and she gasped. Memories flooded back to her in a rush! When she looked up again, she could see the Labyrinth smiling at her. "You remember now?"

"Yes," she whispered. "I remember." She was silent for a moment before saying, "I killed her."

"Yes, you did."

"But I - That wasn't supposed to happen."

"And what was supposed to happen?"

Sarah let out a heavy breath and looked down at her hands. "I don't know," she admitted. "But I didn't want it to end this way."

"Even though this way ensures the safety of your remaining loved ones?"

She looked up at the ancient magical being. "A life is a life, no matter whose it is. Lady Keelin may have been driven mad, but I am not supposed to be judge, jury, and executioner. No one is supposed to be that."

The Labyrinth nodded. "I think I understand. And I think that this moment, though tragic, will help you in the future. Sarah, I chose you to be my Lady for more than the fact that you fit so well with the Keeper of the Gate. I chose you because of your bravery, compassion, responsibility, and intelligence. Your ability to grow and learn from your mistakes were also key in my decision."

"So you're saying don't worry about it? That I'll learn from my mistakes? I don't think that's good enough." She shook her head.

"You want consequence for your actions?"

"Yes, as there should be."

"Fine then, Sarah Williams, I hand down these consequences in retaliation for the death you have caused. Let it be noted though, that while this death was at your hands, it was done in a bid to secure safety for the innocent. With that said, I decree that you will serve as Lady of the Labyrinth for the remainder of your days. For each successive day that passes you will reflect on what you can do to be better. To better serve those who look up to you and depend on you. I also decree that you shall mark a moment of observance on this day each year wherein you will remember those who have fallen, including Lady Keelin. Is this acceptable to you?"

"It should not matter if it is acceptable to me, but yes. I will agree to these terms, though they seem remarkably lenient."

"Are you questioning my authority?"

Sarah eyed the Labyrinth then gave her a smile. "Yes, and you had best get used to it with me as your Lady."

"Ah, yes… I forgot to mention stubbornness before, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did."

She sighed, but didn't remark on it further. "As you agree to these terms, I welcome you back, my Lady. May your rule be long and prosperous." With that, she reached up and pressed her fore and middle finger against Sarah's forehead, resulting in a bright light filling her vision.

Sarah gasped and her eyes flew open. She was in a dim cavern with roughhewn rock walls and ceiling. Dead vines covered her entire body, but they brushed away easily. Her body felt heavy and she found it difficult to sit up. Even so, she managed it. On one side of her sat her husband. He rested in a padded arm chair, his head tipped forward onto his chest as he slept. On the other side of her sat Toby in a matching chair. He sat slouched in the chair, also asleep. Taking in her surroundings, she recognized the chamber at the heart of the Labyrinth. The twin black and white twisting pillars of stone almost seemed to hum with magic.

"Lady Sarah?" a soft voice said.

Sarah looked over to see Inara sitting in a chair matching Jareth and Toby's. However she sat a little distance away. "Inara? Why are you over there?"

"The Labyrinth set up a protective barrier around you that only next of kin could pass through. Not even Healers Watts and Isla could pass through."

"Oh," Sarah's eyes widened. "I imagine it's down now."

Inara stood and slowly reached forward with her hand. Sure enough, she met no resistance. She moved closer until she stood beside the still sleeping Toby, and rested a hand gently on his shoulder. She smiled at the close contact. "Toby," she whispered as she shook him.

The young teen jerked and his eyes flew open. He blinked up at Inara. "Whaisit?" he muttered. "Inara? How are you…" he trailed off as he noticed that Sarah was awake and sitting up. "Sarah!" He lurched forward and wrapped his arms around his big sister.

Sarah grunted as his body hit hers, but didn't protest the tight hug. She wrapped her arms around him as well, holding him close. "Sarah?" Jareth had woken up at Toby's cry and was now staring at his wife with wide eyes. "Cariad, you're awake," he smiled. "How do you feel?"

"Tired and sluggish, but otherwise fine," she replied. Toby was still holding her close. She could feel him shaking a little and suspected he might be crying and not want anyone else to know. So she just continued to hold him close.

Jareth stood and leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead, and then gently hold her face, his forehead pressed to hers. Their bond flared and she gasped before letting out a long breath. The relief that instantly filled her was a mixture of both their emotions. He leaned away from her, but kept one hand on her shoulder.

She looked down at her brother and gently drew him away. "Hey, Tobes," she pulled his chin up to look at her. Sure enough, there were tears in his eyes. "It's okay. I'm alright."

He took a deep steadying breath and wiped the tears away. "I know, but it was real close, Sar. I thought…. I thought I might've lost you too for a while there."

"Nah, I'm not that easy to get rid of. You're going to have to put up with me for a while longer," she smiled.

Toby choked on a laugh and pushed himself upright. Inara placed a steadying hand on his back as he wiped his eyes again. "Are you feeling up to walking, Cariad?" Jareth asked. "Healer Watts and Isla insisted upon calling them as soon as you were awake, but I think we will need to get you back aboveground first."

Sarah nodded and grabbed Jareth's hand for support as she slowly stood. Her legs shook a little, but she was able to remain upright. He wrapped an arm around her middle and held her hand with his other as they made their way down the tunnel entrance. It took them some time, but eventually they were aboveground and the Labyrinth had parted to allow them up to the castle. Freyr had made sure their rooms were ready for them, and Sarah received a warm welcome from the nobles of the Goblin Kingdom. The goblins who were present picked up on the positive mood and hooted and hollered as they clapped their little hands. However they didn't quite seem to know why they were clapping as several of them were just clapping at each other or for the chickens that had wandered in.

"I expect those foul beasts to be out of my throne room by the time I get back," Jareth remarked.

"Which ones, the goblins or the chickens?" Freyr asked. Jareth gave him a raised eyebrow and the fae nodded. "Got it, I'll get on it," he hurried to obey his monarch.

The royal apartment, unlike the throne room, was chicken free and ready to receive them. Sarah settled onto the four poster bed with a sigh of relief. She'd managed to walk the whole way with Jareth supporting her, and she was regretting it now. Her breaths were short and she felt ready to fall asleep that instant. "Hold on a moment, Cariad," Jareth murmured. "Let the healers look you over before you go back to sleep."

Sarah nodded, but couldn't really focus beyond that. She wasn't sure how long had passed, nor was she aware of Jareth calling for the healers, but a little while later both Healer Isla and Healer Watts were hovering over her. "Your Majesty," Healer Watts addressed her. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired. Very tired," she slurred.

Healer Isla leaned closer and pressed two fingers against her pulse point on her neck. "Her pulse is racing! What were you doing?"

"She walked here with my support from the heart of the Labyrinth," Jareth replied, concern evident in his voice.

"Fools," she muttered then sighed. "Lady Sarah, I realize you are usually a very independent woman, a fact which I respect, but when you have literally just spent three days healing from ironing poisoning, perhaps consider taking it easy?"

Healer Watts moved forward then with a small dose of a lavender potion in a crystal bottle. "Some dreamless sleep wouldn't go amiss, I think?" he said as he handed it to Sarah.

"Not before I run a couple of diagnostic spells," Healer Isla said.

Sarah nodded and just held the bottle of dreamless sleep potion. Healer Isla incanted the spell and began to examine her, a familiar golden light shining from her palms as they hovered over Sarah's body. It took perhaps a minute or two before she was finished. "You have healed well," she said. "Your body is still exhausted, but with time and patience, that will pass. Provided you stay in bed and rest." She gave her a stern look.

"Yes Healer Isla," Sarah replied groggily.

Healer Isla rolled her eyes and gestured towards the potion bottle. "Take your dreamless sleep. You're too tired to argue right now."

"Yes Healer Isla," Sarah said again and knocked back the potion. Her eyes closed almost instantly and Jareth reached forward to catch the bottle before it fell.

"She will be okay, won't she? She didn't exhaust herself too greatly?" he asked.

"Well, the walk certainly didn't help," Healer Isla replied. "However she will recover."

"Yes," Healer Watts agreed. "Healer Isla and I have agreed to take turns staying here in the Goblin Kingdom for the next two weeks to make sure her recovery goes well. However she will be unconscious for quite some time with that potion."

Jareth nodded. "I'd best go see if Freyr managed to get those chickens out then." He rose from his spot seated on the bed. "Come, Toby. We can't do her any good hovering over her."

"But what if she wakes up and needs us?" he asked, reluctant to leave.

Jareth waved a gloved hand and a small hand bell appeared. "When she rings that, I will hear it no matter how far I am."

Toby nodded and followed Jareth from the room, Inara holding his hand. The two Healers stayed behind, working out the details of when each of them would be at the Goblin Castle. By the time they got back to the throne room, the chickens and goblins has been cleared out. Freyr stood waiting for them, his hands clasped behind his back. "Your Majesty," he bowed to his monarch. "I have several reports ready for you and waiting on your desk to read at your leisure. However to concisely summarize the time you've been away, it's been business as usual."

Jareth grinned and raised an eyebrow. "And how many times did the smaller goblins try to start a rebellion?"

"Seven, Sire. It was nothing I couldn't handle though."

He chuckled and approached his throne. However he stopped upon seeing the solitary chair there. Crossing his arms in thought, he considered the arrangement for a moment before forming a crystal and starting to roll it between his hands, gathering power. A moment later, he muttered, " Cruthaigh." Upon landing, the crystal sphere burst and a cloud of dark glitter filled the area next to his throne. Once it had cleared, a second chair sat next to his. It was of the same height, indicating equal status. The design, too, was similar to his, but had vines and roses carved into it. The drapings around it also held the symbol of the rose, the symbol of office for the Lady of the Labyrinth. "What do you think?" he asked Toby.

"Nice, I'm sure Sarah will like it," Toby replied, considering the throne. "Not too fancy, but still on equal footing as yours… yeah. She'll like it."

"Good, now come along, we have work to do. Freyr, you too!" he gestured for them to follow and started leading the way to his private study.

"Your Majesty?" Freyr asked. "What is it you wish us to assist you with?"

Jareth didn't answer until they reached his study. He entered and motioned for them to take seats as he leaned back against his desk. "We are going to be planning how to make the Aboveground police drop the case against Sarah. Now, here's what we know…" he began explaining everything the police thought and what they suspected. Toby, Inara, and Freyr listened closely, interjecting at points to clarify. They spent the rest of the day in conference like this, adding in the opinions of Duke Andrius, Count Eadric, and Countess Cymbeline once they joined them later that afternoon.

One Week Later in the Aboveground

"What do you mean the woman has an alibi?" Detective Valenti asked in a gruff tone.

"I mean, sir, that she, her brother, and her fiance were all caught on camera at a gas station in Vermont only an hour after the crash is supposed to have happened. Additionally, they were caught on a traffic camera going through a toll gate about an hour before the crash and almost a hundred miles away," the officer explained. His brow was dotted with sweat. It was obvious his superior was not happy with these camera sightings.

"She still could have tampered with the boat's navigation before that though," Valenti contradicted, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Um, actually, sir," the officer countered. "The boat was under lock and key in a marina with a camera pointed at it right up until the victims took it out. No one, aside from the owner, approached it in the month leading up to the crash."

"How reliable is this security system? Are we sure it was recording the entire time?"

"Yes, sir, I watched the tapes myself. And the marina keeps the recordings for a whole year just in case. They said their clients pay them well to protect their property."

Detective Valenti sighed and leaned back in his office chair. He had been so sure the Williams's daughter was the perpetrator. She gained a rather hefty inheritance from the whole thing, after all. That and her alibi until now had been lackluster to say the least. "How did we miss these tapes to begin with?!" Valenti growled. "I thought we looked at all the tapes!"

"Um, yes sir, but apparently we missed some."

Valenti grabbed the stress ball his wife had gotten him last Christmas and squeezed it tightly. "Get out," he grumbled.

The officer quickly left the office, shutting the door behind him. This left Detective Valenti alone with his partner Detective Brennan. The woman had listened to the officer without interruption. The more she had investigated this case, the more she thought that Sarah Williams was being set up for this. However Valenti had been insistent. "Well," she finally said. "I think we can call this case closed. It was a murder suicide at worst and mass suicide at best."

Valenti looked up at her from his chair frowning. "I'm still not entirely convinced about that. I could just feel it in my gut that something wasn't right with that woman. Her story had too many holes."

Brennan rolled her eyes. Her partner was like a dog with a bone, never wanting to give it up once he got his teeth in. "Maybe her story didn't add up because she had just experienced a severe shock. People don't always say what's best when they hear news like that."

"You're too soft, Brennan," he countered.

"And you're too harsh. But it doesn't change the fact that Sarah Williams is now in the clear." She started towards the office door. "Come on. Let's call it an early night and I'll buy you a drink at Jimmy's."

Valenti sighed and stood from his chair, grabbing his jacket. "Fine, but I still want to know how those tapes were missed!"

Brennan chuckled. "You say that as though evidence always comes to us in such a nice neat package."

"Whatever. Let's get out of here." The two detectives walked out of the precinct and towards Jimmy's Bar a few blocks down. They never noticed the lingering smell of magic in the air of the evidence room.