AN: Thank you so much for the reviews! They make me so happy! (Even though I know my story isn't very good and I'm not really a writer...) Also, sorry about grammar and spelling mistakes, I try to fix them, but sometimes I miss a few.

Recently I finished the fourth chapter and I will check it and make the finishing touches so I can post it. And then I'll start working on the fifth. It might be a while, with school and work and everything.

Disclaimer: I don't own Jareth, Sarah, or the other characters, except the ones I created myself.

I hope you enjoy the latest chapter!

Chapter Three: The Dark Kingdom

Sarah spent the next couple days looking around the castle and gardens. Many times Jemima joined her, and sometimes Ada was persuaded to come along. Jemima and Ada, although they were mistress and maid, had a very good relationship. They bantered like good old friends and watched out for one another. Sarah was extremely glad for their company.

One morning after breakfast, Sarah, having nothing to do, followed Jareth to his throne room. Once there, he paused and looked around, just as Sarah did. It was empty of goblins, but full of filth. Sarah wrinkled her nose. How can he live with this mess?

Sarah couldn't see Jareth's face, only his back, so she didn't see his frown as he examined the destruction. With a wave of his hand, it was clean. He nodded curtly in approval and sat in his throne, elegantly draping one leg over the curved arm.

As he got situated, Sarah took a closer look at the room. It was much nicer clean, though, it wasn't decorative or colorful. There was barely any other furniture minus a couple, small, beat up chairs. I don't know how he spends so much time in here, it's so... dull! I guess his minions keep him entertained.

Jareth watched her as she slowly moved around the room in a magnificent, well fitting green dress with thin gold vines and flowers trailing all over it. Gold lined the low neck-line, the slightly flared sleeves, and the hem. On her feet were matching green slipper-like shoes. Her hair was piled on top of her head and secured with gold ribbons. She was breathtaking as she gracefully moved about his throne room.

"What is it, Sarah?" he asked casually.

She didn't look up or even turn towards him. She shrugged, looking up at the stairs she had climbed up to find the Ecsher room.

"Why don't you go to the library? I don't believe you've set foot in it since I showed it to you."

Sarah looked up at him. He wore all black, and no vest or cape. It set off his pale complexion and light blonde hair, he looked very handsome. I seem to always think he is attractive! Frustrated, she nodded and walked out.

Once out of the room, Sarah looked up and down the hallway. Now, which way was it? She went in search of Ada. The elf would remember the way.

Just my luck, Sarah thought after searching her room and the main halls and even Jemima's room for Ada. I can't find her, and I don't know the way myself.

With a sigh, she headed back to the throne room and looked around the corner to where Jareth sat on his throne, looking into one of his crystal balls. He sat for a while, only his eyes moving, looking into the crystal. With a small sigh, he threw it up in the air and it popped. Then he turned towards Sarah.

"Yes, Sarah?"

She stepped into the doorway, and was going to ask him for directions to the library, but he didn't give her the chance.

"You don't remember the way, do you?" Sarah blushed and shook her head. He got up and walked towards her. "Come on then," he said, offering his arm. Sarah hesitated, but put her arm in his.

He led her down the winding halls and finally opened a door to his right, taking Sarah into the room.

She smiled, looking at all the books packed into the big bookshelves. She turned to thank Jareth to find that he had come up right behind her without her knowledge. He was looking, seemingly, over her shoulder, just as he had when she first laid eyes on the Labyrinth.

Sarah gasped with the shock of finding him so close and closed her eyes to regain composure. She took a few deep breaths and opened her eyes again, to find that Jareth hadn't moved, and he was grinning down at her.

"Thank you," Sarah said quietly.

"I trust you will remember the way from now on," Jareth replied, voice just as quiet.

Sarah nodded. Why won't he move away? She thought, a bit uncomfortably. She took a step back only to be stopped by one of Jareth's arms snaking around her waist. He lifted her chin and kissed her, much like he had the first time.

Sarah's heart pounded in her chest and her hands found their way to his shoulders. As she once more debated whether to push him away or not, her treacherous lips responded to his kiss, shy and unsure.

Jareth broke the kiss and looked down at Sarah's wide-eyed face. He watched as she touched her lips and blushed. He let her go and backed up a step, still watching her. She was searching his eyes. She was actually very cute and her flushed face oddly pretty. He smiled, half amused, half reassuring.

Sarah watched as he smiled at her, turned, and walked out of the room.

She stood, watching the door for a moment, scared and excited at once, before shaking her head and turning around. So many books!

She started at the first bookshelf and looked at the book titles, trying to find one that would interest her. She finally picked up "Creatures of the Underground" and "A Brief History of the Underground" and sat down in one of the over-stuffed chairs. She opened the book of creatures book and lost herself in the words.

Elves, nyphs, fairies, fae, unicorns, gryphons, pegasus, wizards, dwarves-

"Sarah?" Ada called for the third time. Sarah jumped and looked up, sighing with relief when she saw that it wasn't Jareth. "I wanted to make sure that everything was well." Sarah nodded. "Midday will be served in an hour; do you know the way back?"

"Yes, thank you Ada," Sarah answered softly. Ada curtsied and walked out, and Sarah went back to her books with a sigh. This was such a magical place, full of so many creatures that seemed to come right out of a storybook!

Sarah got up, carefully placing the book on a small desk, where she'd be able to find it later. She didn't want to leave, but she started to, very slowly, make her way to the dining hall, thinking about all that she'd read. Apparently, the Three Elven Kingdoms were some of the oldest kingdoms in all the Underground. The only kingdom older was, of course, the Goblin City, which held sway over the entire Underground. The "chief of chiefs," she thought. Of the Elven Kingdoms, Rose City was the newest. The first King was considered crazy, but he passed away, and his son took over, and then his grandson, Prince Xavier. Sarah shrugged and walked on.

As she had read about the dwarves, she thought about Hoggle. Where was he? Would she get to see him? What about Ludo and Sir Didymus? She had read about their kinds as well. I'll just have to ask Jareth about that. It would be nice to see them in person again.

Ada walked into Jareth's throne room where he sat, watching three goblins fight over a scrap of food. He tried to cover a yawn.

His "minions" were everywhere! More than half of them were drunk, and all of them were acting like idiots. Ada knew they could be civilized and hard working, when they chose to be. Of course, if Jareth ordered it, they would be so, too. Some were fighting with their fellows while others watched. Nearly all of them were making a variety of noises. Chickens ran by, followed by one or more goblins. It looked like a great storm had swept through the place. And just after Jareth cleaned it, too! She picked her way across the floor towards the Goblin King.

I don't know how he can stand it! It's so dirty and loud! She walked up to his throne and stood, tapping her foot until he noticed that she was standing there. Or until he decided to acknowledge her, was more appropriate. She was determined to find out what that look on Sarah's face was today, and the first day she was here, and she suspected that he was the source.

"Yes Ada?" he sighed, not looking at her.

"What are you up to, Jareth?"

"'Up to'?" he repeated, elegantly raising his eyebrows.

"Do not use that tone with me, Jareth, or would you enjoy me making a fool of you in front of your," she looked around the room. "court," she finished bitterly, voice thick with sarcasm, knowing that insult would get his attention.

Jareth knew she was serious. "Come on," he said, walking up the stairs to the Ecsher room, but stopping right outside the entrance. "What is it that you have to be so serious about?"

"Jareth, I know you have been doing something to Sarah, the poor dear."

Jareth eyed Ada. "By this you mean..."

"You know very well what I mean, and I have a pretty good idea of what's going on. Be careful with her, Jareth. Be careful, she is fragile," she warned softly.

He dropped his mask of formality, indifference, and arrogance. "What's happened?"

"She seems a bit frightened. Confused and unprepared. Her attention wanders too often to be normal. Think about her before you say or do anything more," with that bit of advice, Ada left, walking back to find Sarah.

Jareth watched her climb back down the stairs into the chaotic room and put his hand to his chin in thought. How had Sarah reacted to those small displays? He hadn't stayed long enough to really find out. He wondered what she thought about it, and shook his head. Ada's right, Sarah is such an innocent, he thought, remembering the ballroom. She was the only one without a mask, and that, along with her pure white dress, showed her innocence. He could see it in her eyes. He really must be careful with her; the last thing he wanted to do was to scare her away.

At midday meal, Sarah decided to ask Jareth her questions. "Jareth?"

Jareth looked up at her, and so did Jemima and Ada, who had joined them. "Yes, Sarah?"

"Jareth," Sarah paused. "Does anyone, back home, know I'm gone?"

"No, your roommate received a letter from you saying that you were spending about another week at home. For all your parents know, you are back in that dreadful city," he commented, going back to his food.

Sarah just looked at him oddly, with her head cocked to one side, as if studying him. He finally sighed and looked back at her. "What is it, Sarah?"

She shook her head, taking her eyes off of him. This the only meal that he hasn't changed clothing for, she thought, glancing at his black outfit. "What of my friends from before?" she asked quietly, meeting his eyes.

"They are still here, and doing fine," Jareth answered.

"Will I get to see them again?" she asked eagerly, leaning forward, with a silly fifteen-year-old's grin on her face.

Jareth had to keep from smiling at her reaction. "I should think so," he answered when he was sure he could keep a straight face.

Sarah, still smiling, sat back and started eating again.

"Who are your friends, Sarah? Some you met on your-" Jemima passed a side-long look to Jareth and finished, "last visit?"

Sarah nodded, swallowing. "Yes, Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didymus. They were a great help to me." She smiled in remembrance. "I haven't seen them in quite a long time, and even so, only through the mirror, they couldn't come into my world after that first time."

Jareth nodded at this. Sarah looked at him curiously. "The reason they could after your trip was because of all the magic still there. Of course, it's always there, just not in such large quantities. That's why they couldn't visit you later on, the magic wasn't as strong." He cast a sly glance her way. "However, if you truly wished to see them badly enough, that may have been enough to do the trick."

Sarah stared quizzically at him, but he seemed uninterested in finishing the conversation. Brushing it off as nonsense, she finished her meal.

Though he would never admit it, Jareth was glad Sarah had won. He couldn't have fallen in love with her so completely if she hadn't. He shook his head slightly, remembering those people who had wished someone away. Those few that had accepted his gift right off. At first, they had been happy, always able to see their dreams, but he remembered too vividly how those not completely selfish turned out. They started to miss the one child they wished away, wanting to know what it would be like, if it had stayed, wanting to watch the one grow up. Slowly, their dreams would transform into different ones, ones of that child growing up. That became their dream, and it only made things worse. They became paranoid, frantic, and even crazy. They learned their wrongs, and were tormented by them. And those too selfish to care either way, well... he was doing the child a favor in that case.

Stop feeling so bad! Jareth thought, crushing his thoughts with an iron fist. They brought it on themselves! If they had at least tried the Labyrinth, and failed, he would have erased their memories, they wouldn't suffer as much as those too selfish and stupid. Yes, He was glad Sarah made it through.

Sarah watched Jareth closely. She had never seen him so... distant. Thoughts and emotions crossed his eyes and even his stern face. It was quickly gone and replaced with his usual mask, hard to read anything. She turned back to the conversation the women were having about different dress styles.

Early that afternoon, Jareth sent a party of ten goblins out into the area to bring in Sarah's friends. After the dwarf, beast, and fox were found, along with two of the goblins, He had them go into a side chamber and summoned Sarah to his throne room.

Sarah came within moments and stood before him, watching him tap his rider's crop against his black boot.

Jareth didn't speak right away, but looked at her, she was so beautiful, and the thought of scaring her away almost scared him. "There is something I think you would like to see, or shall I say, someone?"

The way Jareth had said that sounded so odd. He seemed more cheerful than she'd ever seen him, though she could not imagine why. Her face lit up with a smile. "Who?" she asked, as if she needed to. It didn't require an answer - she knew it didn't - as three figures walked into the room. Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didymus came to greet her, happily.

"Hoggle, Ludo, Sir Didymus!" Sarah said, delight written all over her features as she ran to them, hugging them and giving kisses on their cheeks.

Jareth watched, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as the joyful reunion went on.

"Sarah back!" Ludo exclaimed, simple as always.

"My fair maiden! Thou hast been away so long!" Sir Didymus said with a smile and a bow.

"Sarah. Yer here. We've missed you," Hoggle said, returning Sarah's hug. "But, why are ye here?"

"I'm just staying a while," Sarah explained, but said no more. "Wow, it's wonderful to see you all again!" Tears came to her eyes, she was so happy.

The reunion went on for a few more hours, and Jemima and Ada soon joined them. Jareth watched from his throne, glad he'd made Sarah so happy. The whole group set up camp on the floor and didn't look as though anyone would leave anytime soon. I don't know if I've ever seen her smile like that, but if I have, it wasn't my doing that made her so happy, he thought almost sadly.

The group old and new friends sat for long hours talking and amusing each other with different stories. Sarah slipped out unnoticed to walk to the king's throne. He had not moved from his position, but sat there and watched.

"Jareth," she started quietly. He looked at her, letting her know that she had his attention. "I, I want to thank you, this really means so much to me. I know it was your doing, and you've made me very happy. It was a wonderful thing for you to have done," she said, still quiet. She gently, slowly, reached out to rest her hand on his, flushing at her boldness.

He just looked at her. "It means that much to you?" She nodded, and he nodded back. "I'm glad that you are happy," he gave a small smile that felt so different on his lips.

That smile made Sarah all the more glad that she was here right now.

Jareth went over everything one last time, it had to be perfect.

He had planned a special supper, for Sarah and himself alone. He apologized to Jemima for being rude. To make it up to her, his servants were to wait on her and Ada hand and foot for their own supper her suite of rooms. He remembered the look in her eyes when he asked the favor of her.

"Princess, I need to ask something of you, it is quite important."

"Yes?"

"Would you mind dinning in your rooms tonight, you and Ada? You see..." he faded off, slightly embarrassed and struggling not to let it show.

It didn't work.

"Planning something special for someone?" Jemima had asked, too innocently.

With the dignity he could summon, Jareth answered, "As a matter of fact, I am, so if you wouldn't mind."

Jemima's eyes sparkled. "I remember when Kamal did that for me, once," she remembered dreamily, placing a small pang of guilt in Jareth's heart for taking her away, though temporarily. He soon pushed it away. She grinned widely, "Of course! Shall I go fetch Ada to help Sarah get ready in something special?" She giggled then.

"I don't think that's necessary-"

"Of course it is! Don't worry, neither of us will tell Sarah anything." She walked away to find Ada.

The understanding in her eyes had taken a weight off his mind. He disappeared to his room and checked his appearance in the mirror once more before returning to the dining hall to wait for Sarah.

Sarah looked into her mirror. The dress Ada had found for her was beautiful, she was almost afraid to wear it. It was similar to the one she'd worn in the ball, after she ate the drugged peach, only less elegant. It wasn't a ball she was going to, after all, just dinner. It was less... puffy than the other, more tight-fitting, but was still white with delicate silver accents and it took her breath away. Her hair was pulled back into a bun, secured with white ribbons and on her feet were delicate white slippers.

She admired her reflection once more and went to her door to join Jareth for supper, but a bright light from behind stopped her. She turned, angry that someone would invade her room without her knowledge, only to have it replaced with fear when she saw someone she did not recognize.

"Hello," he said with a smile that did not encourage her in the least.

"Wh- who are you? And what are you doing here?" Sarah asked, nervous.

As the man took a step closer, she saw his pointed ears. He's an elf! What's he doing here? Looking for Jemima and Ada? But then why is he here? Questions kept running through her mind. What should I do? Can anyone hear me in my room? Who is he?

He took another step closer to her and the lit candles. She could get a better look at him now. He was several inches taller than her own average height. His black hair brushed his jaw and hard, cold gray eyes gazed levelly at her under dark lashes. He had high cheek bones and was fairly slim, but muscular at the same time. He wore a dark maroon shirt, black breeches, and a black cloak. Upon his head was a gold crown with a maroon colored jewel embedded in the front. His boots clicked softly on the floor as he advanced.

He smirked at her questions and bowed slightly, not taking his eyes off her. "My lady, allow me to introduce myself. I am Prince Xaviar of Rose City."

Sarah's eyes widened, she recognized that name. He was the lord of what Ada had called the 'Dark Kingdom' and now she understood why. He had an evil air to him that she didn't like. Didn't that book say something about madness in his family? She could believe that. She had a sudden urge to get further away from him and stepped backwards towards her bedroom door.

"Well, I believe you have the wrong room. If you wish to speak to the King-"

"I do not," his smile became intimidating. "I search for his young maiden by the name of Sarah." He chuckled evilly. "No, you are mistaken; I have found the right room, Lady Sarah."

"What, why?" Sarah started to back up towards the door. If I could somehow reach Jareth… flashed across her panicked mind.

"Revenge, my dear, revenge." He frowned when she leaned against the door, hand moving towards the knob. Then his evil smirk returned. "Tsk, tsk. I don't think so, my dear." And he snapped his fingers.

Jareth! she called out silently before she completely disappeared and Xavier followed.

The next thing she knew, she was in a dark room. It was cold, and there was no light what-so-ever. The floor was solid stone, and so was the wall she reached out and touched. She ran her hands along all four walls until she found the outline of a door. However, it was locked, and she couldn't get out. With a heavy sigh, she sat against a wall; all she could do was wait.

I hope that wasn't too bad. If you have any comments/questions/suggestions, etc. please tell me!

I know this sounds silly, but I really don't know everything that is going to happen from the next two chapters to the end, so it will be a while before I sort my ideas and type them. Sorry about that.

I want to say thanks to those that have reviewed thus far because it makes me really happy ^_^

Crimzon Amaya (I'm glad you like it so far!)
Solea (Thanks for the compliments!)
draegon-fire (Thank you! And Sarah will find out, probably in the fifth chapter)
CeredwenFlame (I am very glad you are enjoying it!)

Thanks you four for my first comments!