Sooo, it's been a while, I know and I've been busy with "The Forgotten One". It's been getting as popular as this one. On a happy note, one of my poems is getting PUBLISHED!!! It's sooo amazing! In a book called "The Silence Within". It's coming out this summer and the poem is titled "A Daughter's Love" so look for it if you can. I'm getting paid $69 American, which is more here and it's entered into the semi-finals of a contest for about I think $10 000 or something like that. The best part, I can do a little bio about myself, really getting my writing flying. But I should get to my story as you are all anxiously waiting for it.

Like to thank my readers: Sky Dragon (My most faithful. I love reading your reviews. 'Goblin king commands it?' XD Great! LOL), Unicorn Lady (I always love having you read my stuff. You are an amazing writer and I can't wait for more of "The Searcher"), Sara Beth (another faithful. Always asking more:) ), Silver Space (The begging eyes are cute. LOL), Melissa Davis (One of my fave writer. I love your reviews), and to all other readers, thank you so much! I'm also looking for a Beta Reader, if any would like to volunteer. I'm especially asking Unicorn Lady or Melissa Davis. Also, my pen name will have a little alteration to it but never fear. It isn't a big one. I'm changing it to Faerie Star. It shouldn't effect searching for my name, I don't think or change links. The basic name it still there. Anyway, may we continue.

*~SFS~*

Disclaimer: Yada yada and so one and so forth. Dar is mine, as well as Felara and any other characters that may pop up that you don't know. the rest, Jim Henson.

Chapter Nine
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Darkness
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Jareth woke, blinking. It was not yet morning. Tiredly, he rose and headed for his room. Carefully checking to see if Sarah had left, he entered and lay on his bed, looking at the canopy of the bed. Turning to his side he held a pillow, sighing. It smelt of Sarah, sweet rose scent.

He clenched his eyes shut. What did the dream mean? Why couldn't he see the faces, hear their true names? But the court he recognised, it and the king and queen. strange he did not remember seeing these unknown faces. But then so much was missing, a large chunk of it and he didn't know why. Felara had said it was vital that he remember. But how could he remember what was not there?"

it frustrated him greatly. After tossing a bit, he fell into a troubled sleep, the nagging feeling that he was missing something, running through his mind until darkness overcame him.

* * *

He enjoyed showing this girl around. As a week passed quickly, they enjoyed riding, exploring the wood, playing tricks on officials and generally having fun.

Queen Titania watched from a window in the palace, grinning at the couple walking through the garden below. Yes, it would be perfect.

Laughing as well as out of breath, the girl sat down on a bench in the garden and he soon joined her, grabbing her from behind and sending her laughing again.

"I can't believe how easy that was," she chuckled, "Running through the garden without anyone seeing. Hoo hoo, if only the guardians could see it. they would be so displeased." That sent her laughing again.

He chuckled, "Are they that strict?"

"Yes, sometimes," she sighed as he sat down beside her, "I sometimes feel I'm in prison. But I suppose it's worse for my cousin. She wished to visit here more often but it seemed she gets tied down with more lessons to learn and all such nonsense. But then, she will one day be queen of her kingdom so I suppose that adds pressure. Do you know of the human kingdom?"

"Yes actually," he replied, "We share a peace with them though sometimes I worry things will someday go to head."

Her brow creased worriedly, "Really? my cousin has fallen for one who lives there. I hope it is not a mistake."

He smiled, "I believe I know who and he is a good man."

"Brother." A dark hair fae strode toward them, smiling, "Why, who is this lovely lady?"

his brother sighed, "Princess Quafina, meet Prince Darren, my brother."

"How do you do," she nodded as he took her hand. "Quite well," he looked sly as he kissed her hand, causing her to gasp slightly involuntarily.

"Ediean, why had you not told me of her highness' presence here? I would well have liked to meet her sooner," he grinned, "So that we may have been better... aquatinted."

For some reason she shivered at his words and Ediean took her hand as a comfort. "Darren, thou rarely hath come to court. I would think thee not interested in royal affairs."

"Oh, I am," he looked slightly in Quafina's direction, "I am."

She moved closer to Ediean. Darren gave a stout bow, "Nice to have met thee, Princess," and he left.

She was shaking as he held her arms, "Why does he seem so cold?"

He held her to him, "I don't know. Something has happened to my brother and it seems worse even now. I wish I knew."

He noticed for the first time how close they were. This was the first time he had held her. Blushing she looked up, right into the eyes that gazed down. They were drawn together and for the first time, they shared a kiss.

The sound like a soft 'yes' was heard and they glanced about, "Did you hear that?" she asked.

"I'm not sure." They walked hand in hand out of the garden.

* * *

"What? Close the Gates? But why?"

Because we believe a threat may come to this place. We cannot allow anyone through." Oberon spoke sternly.

"And yet you allow the humans through? They are the threat," he argued.

Oberon rose, "That will do. This 'threat' thou speakith of cannot be here. it is unheard of. the humans are a peace with us. These 'rumours' are just that. Why would the humans break our sacred treaty? (AN: Deja vu, anyone?) Thou would do well not to speak of it."

"And what of the other kingdom. Surely you can see no threat there. It is because of them we've had peace this long."

"Actually," Titania spoke up, "it was their idea. the queen had suggested it for both our protection. Apparently danger will come from outside."

"Rubbish!" he argued, "The threat lies in the humans. They are being deceived by... by... I'm not sure what. But it is there. Already it attacks even this court!"

"Prince Ediean!" Oberon thundered, "Thou darest to defy even this court?!"

"It is because of thy councilmen that thine judgement has been corrupted."

"How dare you!" Oberon spoke in a harsh whisper, all formalities dropped. The small group of men near by glared as if planning something for the prince. Oberon looked to do something dangerous to the young man before Titania laid a gentle hand on his arm and whispering to him. His anger dimmed little but her looked back to the prince," Because of my queen's good nature, you are spared my full wrath. You defy me, Prince. My own counsel will I keep. Leave this court if ever you wish to breathe again!"

Ediean frowned, "This may very well be your last mistake, majesty." He bowed to the queen and with a swish of his cape, left the court forever.

It had been months since the visit but still his love did visit. But now it would be in secret. It was maddening. Why had the court not been willing to reason? Could it be that it was here already? No, he wouldn't believe it, but he knew there were fae who were being influenced by something. Already he knew of one.

His brother. He disappeared weeks ago and he was afraid of what might become of Darren. he seemed very intent on doing something before he had vanished.

Sighing, he arrived at his secret glen, sat atop the boulder and began playing his flute.

She would be coming soon and sure enough a lone figure appeared from the woods soon after.

He smiled.

* * *

He watched from his mirror, the events passing. It seemed Jareth did dream after all as he was tossing a bit as he slept. Dar kept his hand to his chin, stroking the stubble there as he waved the other over the mirror and saw Sarah. She too slept but peacefully. He fumed. No enchantment could he use on her. She was protected.

"Curse you, Jareth. Still, you can't protect her mind. It will be difficult but I'll find a loophole. Perhaps I should mess with yours." He chuckled and the mirror returned to Jareth. Dar began saying something indecipherable and a dark mist wafted over the mirror. His eyes glowed and then returned normal, the mist gone. He smiled, "Whatever you're dreaming, let's make it unpleasant."

* * *

Darkness, the woods growing cold. What was happening? This didn't feel right. The woods disappeared entirely and he was in a black void. he looked around, confused.

"Why?"

the voice came from behind. He spun and there she stood, her hair held back loosely and wearing a simple white gown. her face was pale and tears stood in her eyes, "Why?" she asked again.

He couldn't understand but words left him anyway, "I did not forget. You were not there, I couldn't find you. I tried."

"You left." Her words cut like deep blades, so sad in sound.

"No," he protested, going forward, his voice choking back the growing sadness and fear in him, "I would never abandon you, my love."

Tears fell from her eyes as she brought her hands to her chest, "Why? Why did you leave? Why?!" She brought her hands to her face, weeping as a wind seemed to blow. She was being pulled away.

"No!" he ran after but it was like staying in one spot. She grew farther and farther away until suddenly a darkness took hold of her. She cried out as flames burst forth where she had stood.

"NOOOO!!" he cried in agony, falling to his knees, tears falling. Suddenly he saw glowing eyes over the flames and a dark laughter. He cried out her name as the flames burned brighter and the dark laughter grew.

* * *

He sprung up, sweat dripping from his face and gasping for air. His heart felt as if it would burst from his chest. After a bit, Jareth levelled his breathing and beating heart but could not calm down. Quickly he transported to Sarah's room and rushed to her bed.

She slept peacefully. He sighed with great relief. Somehow that dream had caused him to think instantly of Sarah. Perhaps he was growing to be more like this man in his dream. He ran a heavy hand through his messed hair. Why did he feel he should not be here, with her alone? The feeling beat at him but he wanted to fight it. That dream had awakened something in him and it rushed with pain at not being able to stay right here.

Sarah mumbled in her sleep as she turned on her side. Jareth grinned. Gently he pushed aside the hair from her face. Face like pale moonlight.(AN: Ooo, hint to a future series II)

The thought startled him. but before he could contemplate it, a rustle at the door sounded Hoggle coming with breakfast. Jareth quickly disappeared and returned to his throne room, his appearance neater as morning light began to creep in. Wearily, Jareth sat down on the steps in the middle of the room. It was very uncanny of him but he really didn't take notice. he had too much on his mind.

"highness?" a goblin guard happened to come and seemed surprised to see his king sitting on the floor.

"It's nothing, Stickle, "Jareth muttered, "Go about your duties."

the guard nodded and left. Sighing, Jareth watched the rising sun for a bit and then stood up, frustrated. Could it be that this 'force' was now attacking him in his dreams? He clenched his fist. How dare they even try.

"Hoggle!" he spoke loudly. The dwarf came in hurriedly, "yes, your majesty?"

"I am going out to search for this menace. Watch over Sarah while I'm gone."

Hoggle, taken quite by surprise, quickly nodded. Jareth summoned a crystal, tossing it to Hoggle, "Hold this and call me if trouble arises." and then he disappeared, reappearing at the same wall from the day before.

"We're going to meet, one way or another." He went owl and again tried the wall. He went right through! Seemed this spelled wall only stopped his fae form. He found himself flying over a beautiful meadow, surrounded by woods. They looked normal but could feel the darkness. He's been here before, not just when he saved Sarah but sometime long ago.

the Black Forest. Memories of it floated from his time with the fae court. A place of enchantment and danger for those who did not know it well. his eyes narrowed. that's what seemed familiar when he saved Sarah. But what made her go through a wall? Unless she didn't see a wall. But this place... was it not gone forever? When the fae had been attacked so long ago and were basically destroyed, the forest had been burned. Hadn't it? Jareth could not remember all exactly. A large part of his memory seemed to be severed from him, barely leaving a breadcrumb trail to follow. Something began to nag at his mind. All this seemed to remind him of his past, leading up to that moment where he could no longer recall anything else. By chance was he suppose to recall that memory? Felara had spoke of something like that. Was this it?

his sharp owl senses suddenly picked something out. A particularly dark part of the woods seemed to glow a bit, flash once and then fade, like a lightening storm. Curious, Jareth glided down into an open glen where the charred remains of a manor stood. It must have been elegant once but now it was mostly darkened structure supports and frames. A quarter of it was still whole but badly burned, vines and moss growing over it. Apparently someone still lived there as a firelight glow came from a few windows on the ground floor.

As Jareth alighted on a tree branch near by a window, he was suddenly assaulted with flashing images: a woman's laughter, kids playing, crying, the manor before it was burned, an angry face, feeling of betrayal, crying out a name, fire licking up the walls of a room, a woman's scream.

his feathers ruffled as he shuddered. the scream seemed to echo around him, fading. This place... it held such sadness and anger. And yet a faint trace of a long ago happiness. Glancing about he looked through a window where he saw someone pacing about in the room. There was a bit of a crack in the windowpane and words floated outside.

"Curses! Why me?! Where is he? Why can I not see him?!" the man seemed to be yelling this at a mirror. Very curious, Jareth thought. Then something really caught his attention. "Jareth, you can't hide. You'll be dead and I'll have that girl again! Oh yes, she will have the time of her life!" he was very cynical at this and laughed like a mad man.

Jareth's eyes narrowed. He would have charged the window but for a small voice in his head that stopped him. Not yet. It wasn't time. Frustrated, Jareth flew off, not understanding that inner voice. One thing was clear however, and it stood out more then the rest.

He had found the dark on.