Standard disclaimer. I don't own this. I'm just passing through. Thanks again for all the reviews. I appreciate both the feedback and the positive comments. It makes me feel all warm and cuddly to know that people are enjoying something I wrote.

They found themselves in a subterranean passage. Nothing immediately jumped out at them, and no trapdoors opened beneath, so they all agreed it must be safe to continue on.

"My lady. How dids't thou know the answer to that riddle? It was difficult." Asked Didymus after they'd walked in silence for a few minutes.

"I recognized it. It was in a book of riddles that I used to read to Toby. He was only four, but he was so smart, and he loved riddles. I remember that one because it was his favorite." It struck Sarah as odd that the golem would chose that particular riddle. But then again, Jareth seemed to be throwing memories of Toby at her; maybe he thought it would distract her enough that she would lose the contest. "I wish I knew we were going the right way." Sarah said.

"We are." Hoggle said confidently. "Why do you think that golem thing showed up? We were obviously getting close, so Jareth sent something to block us."

"Great. I think." Sarah couldn't help but wonder what other little surprises were in store for her, if the were, indeed, getting closer. She loved Hoggle, but she knew he was hiding something, and it wouldn't be the first time he was working at cross-purposes. He was loyal, she knew, but he was still afraid of Jareth, and if Jareth wanted him to lead her in the wrong direction, he probably would. Still, she preferred giving him the benefit of the doubt. "Do you have any idea how much time we have left?"

"I do."

Jareth was there before her, smiling enigmatically and looking resplendent and regal.

Sarah tried to tell herself the sudden fluttering in her stomach was from fear, not from happiness at seeing him again, and she tried to keep her voice stern as she said "Well then, how much time do I have?"

"A little over four hours left."

"Four hours? That's it? Do you think you can find it in your heart to at least tell me if I'm getting closer?"

Jareth moved closer to her, and it took all of her willpower not to move away. "Do you even know what's in my heart?" he asked quietly.

She stared up at him, wanting to offer up a witty answer, but the look in his eyes stopped her. He loved her. It stunned her, but somehow it didn't surprise her. She'd sensed it at fifteen, but it wasn't a love she could accept or even understand. At thirty, her youth behind her, she understood it more, and it was both tempting and sad. His eyes were pleading with her to let him in, and she didn't even try to resist as he put his arms around her. "Jareth," was all she could manage.

"Sarah. Just fear me," he whispered, his lips almost touching hers, "Love me. Do as I say…" And that was the problem. He wanted her submission, and Sarah was never one to submit. She pulled herself out of his arms and turned away, tears welling in her eyes.

"I can't." she said softly. "Don't you understand that I can't?"

A pained look crossed his face, gone in an instant. "Very well, but heed this, Sarah. There is more at stake here than your freedom. You are headed in the right direction, but think on this. Are you sure it is the direction you want to go?"

And he was gone again.

"Sarah? What happened? You froze there for a second." Hoggle was saying.

"I did what? Didn't you see Jareth?"

"Jareth?" Hoggle looked nervous. "No, I didn't. He was here?"

"It doesn't matter. Let's go." And she strode forward through the tunnel without a backward glance, her friends following behind.

In the shadows, Jareth and the young man who had been in the pub watched them go. "Perhaps you should have just told her the truth, Your Majesty."

"It doesn't work that way. She must find out for herself."

"Well, if she loses she would have to remain here. Maybe you should have sent her in the wrong direction."

"That wouldn't help. Sarah won't lose. She would have to give up, and if I know anything of Sarah, she will never give up, if only out of sheer stubbornness."

The young man chuckled at that. "Truly spoken, Your Majesty. I would have thought she had enough hints to make the decision easy for her, but that stubbornness seems to be keeping her from seeing my messages. I just hope she realizes the truth before it's too late."

"She will. Hoggle may be dim, but he is loyal both to her and to me. He knows what is best for all involved. He'll lead her in the right direction. Depend on it."