Disclaimer: I think we all know by now that I don't own a damn thing fomr the movie Labyrinth. But I do own Meg. So hands off! Anyway...on with the show.

Chapter 9

When Sarah awoke a few hours later Jareth was no longer in the room with her, but, she realized, he still had a kingdom to run. And goblins didn't seem to be the easiest creatures to rule over. Sarah leisurely stretched out and then settled back down into the warmth of the bed. She felt a bit better but still had a headache, although it was not as painful as it had been, her wrists were a little painful and she was tired, but otherwise she felt fine. She was contemplating whether or not to attempt to stand when there was a knock on her door.

"Come in," Sarah called out, although she was still a little quiet.

A young girl came in the room, she looked to be about Sarah's age, maybe a year or so younger. She was carrying a tray with a bowl of something on it, as well as a mug.

"His majesty requested that I bring you some soup and tea milady, he though you might be hungry," she placed the tray in the table beside Sarah's bed and gave a small polite curtsy.

"Thankyou..." Sarah trailed off as she realized the girl had not told her her name.

The girls hand flew to her mouth as she gasped appalled at herself, "Oh, I'm so sorry milady, my name is Meg."

Sarah noticed that the girl looked embarrassed, but also a little afraid, as if she were frightened Sarah, or somebody else, would punish her for her mistake. Sarah shook her head slightly at the thought.

"Well thank you Meg, and please, call me Sarah."

"Alright...Sarah, but only in private, least I been seen as disrespectful toward you."

"Okay then, I guess."

Sarah sat up and Meg helped to prop her up with some pillows. Then Sarah took up the steaming bowl of soup and began to take small spoonfuls of it. She was slightly surprised when she noticed that although the soup was steaming, she could hold the bowl without getting burned by it, in fact it wasn't even hot.

"Must be magic," she muttered under her breath.

When she had finished her soup Meg took the bowl and tray, but left the tea for Sarah, when she had tem Meg took her leave of Sarah.

"Goodbye Meg. Oh, do you know if Ja-his majesty will be coming to see me again today?" Sarah looked up at Meg, her eyes full of hope, something that had not been seen there in quiet some time.

"He asked me to tell you that he would come when he finished up some paperwork. I'm sure he won't be too long now. I best be off now, I shall see you later. Goodbye Sarah."

Meg hurried out of the room and Sarah lay back in her bed and listened to Meg's retreating footsteps. Sarah quickly got bored just lying there and decided that even though she really didn't feel up to it, she wanted to get up and look out the window. There was a window seat there so at least she could sit once she reached it. Sarah swung her legs around and out form under the blankets of the warm bed, she shivered slightly at the loss of warmth. She placed her feet onto the cool marble floor and managed to stand, albeit a little unsteadily.

"Maybe I should have stayed in bed," Sarah mumbled as a wave of dizziness descended upon her. "Ahwell, I'm up now, so I might as well go to the window." Swaying slightly, and nearly stumbling along the way Sarah made her way to the window seat and looked outside, over the Labyrinth. She still felt a little dizzy and sitting down leant her head against the cool surface of the glass, nearly falling asleep there. She couldn't believe how tired and rained she felt after walking such a short distance. She really must have lost a lot of blood, she mused.

She was startled back to awareness by a hand on her shoulder, she wasn't sure when she had fallen asleep, or how long she had been there, but it was beginning to get dark now and it had still been reasonably light when she had sat down.

"Sarah," Jareth's voice said from behind her, he sounded angry, but his voice also held an undercurrent of concern, "you are supposed to be in bed. Not falling asleep beside windows, you could get sick. Besides that you shouldn't have been up walking around anyway."

Sarah looked up at him. His face showed only concern for her. She smiled at him and after a moment he smiled back. A real smile. Not a smirk, and without a trace of mockery, but a true smile. Sarah's heart soared at the sight. He took both of her hands in his and sat down beside her.

"Now Sarah, why didn't you stay in bed like I asked you to?" he admonished her gently, "You're still healing love. I can't believe you came over here. I don't know how you even managed to get here, you can't use all of you're strength every time you regain some."

"Jareth," she said calmly, "I'm fine. What's the big deal? Nothing happened and nothing's going to happen."

"Sarah, you wore yourself out walking form the bed to here, that was obvious by the way you fell asleep here. If you would just stay in bed and rest for a while you'll heal a lot faster. I could only heal you a little, the rest you have to do yourself, and that means looking after yourself. Please? For me, if not for yourself."

"Fine, I know you're right. I'll go back to bed."

"That's my girl," he said smiling at her.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," she grumbled, disappointed that she was going back to bed, even though she did feel tired and wanted to rest.

She began to stand and Jareth stood with her, "Here let me help you," he tried to at least get an arm around her to help her up.

"Jareth, stop it would you. I am perfectly capable of stand-" she cut off as the dizziness she had felt earlier hit again, causing her to sway and stumble as she walked.

Jareth rushed to her aid and helped steady her.

"Sarah, love, are you alright?"

"Yea, I'm okay," she told Jareth in a small voice, "Damn dizzy spells," she muttered to herself.

Jareth's brow creased with worry and concern for Sarah. She looked too pale and sweat dampened her face. He longed to hold her in his arms and, on an impulse, gathered her frail form to him. She did not protest, much to his surprise and delight.

Sarah was a little started by Jareth's actions but gladly accepted his embrace. She still felt dizzy and her head had begun to pound again. She didn't think that she would be able to stand much longer and was glad of Jareth's firm hold on her.

Jareth could sense that something was amiss. He realized that she was in pain, though she didn't say a word of it to him. As he held her Sarah went limp in his arms and he scooped her up and held her to him protectively. He placed her on the bed and pulled the blankets up and over her.

She didn't look well, and when he put a hand to her forehead he felt that she was burning up. He cursed inwardly, why hadn't she said anything? Why did she have to get out of bed? Sarah began to shiver and Jareth sat beside her and pulled her to him. She gratefully accepted his warmth, even in sleep, as Jareth held her, preparing himself for a long night.

A/N: Well I don't have anymore chaps even started yet, and I have my school formal, and after that I'm not gonna be sober enough to think about writing but then I'm on hols so I'm sure I will write heaps more. Leave me a review, though I'm not sure if that'll make things go any faster. Sorry folks! RW.