Disclaimer: *Sighs* I don't own the Labyrinth or anything to do with the Labyrinth...blah, blah, blah.

A/N: Wow! 50 reviews! Woooo! *calms herself down* Alright my faithful reviewers....I have a little challenge for you. *GRINS* I want to know what you think is going to happen in the next couple of chapters. I like to hear what everyone thinks will happen. You never know, I might use one of your ideas! If I do I will give credit to the reviewer. On with the story now.

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Chapter 8: Nightmares and Magic lessons

Darkness consumed her. She tried to breathe but the pressure on her body wouldn't let her. Feelings of falling and nausea swept through her. Spinning out of control, falling...falling...She screamed, hoping someone would save her from this nightmare.

Sarah woke suddenly, breathing heavily. Taking a moment to get herself under control from the very real dream she had, a smooth, cool voice interrupted her.

"Are you alright Sarah?"

Sarah jumped at the sound of his voice. She didn't expect to see him until tomorrow. "When did you get back?" she asked, scowling up at him.

"A few moments ago. I heard you calling for me," Jareth answered, walking towards her.

Sarah turned away from him, anger trying to consume her. She didn't want to be angry when she had a talk with him but Hoggle's frightened face kept tormenting her.

She closed her eyes and took one more deep breath before looking at him. "Jareth, what is happening to me?" she asked, glaring up at him. "I hurt Hoggle yesterday with my 'powers'," she angrily spat out.

Jareth held Sarah's gaze for a moment, considering his choice of words. "Yes we do need to talk Sarah. Let's go for a walk and I will explain to you what is happening."

Jareth held his hand out to her, watching as she hesitated, anger still evident in her eyes. Finally accepting his offer, she grasped his hand firmly and walked with him out to the gardens. The crisp morning air helped chase the rest of her weariness away, lightening her spirit some.

Sighing, Sarah sat down on one of the many marble benches dotting the garden. Jareth sat next to her, focusing on the task at hand.

"Remember what I had said to you when I first brought you here to rescue Toby?"

Sarah thought for moment, recalling the words he had spoken. "Yes, you said that I have 13 hours in which to solve the Labyrinth before my baby brother becomes one of you forever."

Jareth was pleased that she remembered. "It was true. He would become one of us forever."

Sarah turned to Jareth, her mouth dropping open. "You mean to tell me that I am going to turn into one of your goblins?" she asked, chills running down her spine.

It was Jareth's turn to look stunned. "What in all the worlds do you mean Sarah?"

Anger flared in her eyes as she jumped to her feet. "Send me back now Jareth. I refuse to be brought here and then turned into a stinking, slobbering goblin."

Jareth stood, grabbing a hold of her shoulders. "What makes you think that you will be turning into a goblin Sarah?"

"Well that's what you do with the children that are wished away." she spat, struggling to get out of his grip.

Jareth released her, anger flashing through his eyes. "Is that what you think I do with those children?" he asked, disbelief lacing his words.

"Yes I do!" she yelled, backing away from his anger. "What else am I to think when you just showed up one night and took Toby from me?" She stumbled, catching herself before she fell. "If you were real then...then...why not the rest of the story?" she asked, her anger quickly changing to fear at his expression.

"You had wished your brother away. I did what you had asked of me and you still blame me for your childish acts." He stalked towards her, anger building with each step he took.

He grabbed her by the arm, pulling her towards him. He bent down so that his mouth was level with her ear. "I never, ever have turned a child into a goblin. It is time for you to stop blaming me for your mistakes," he whispered, pushing away from her.

He turned his back on her. "Alenda will be coming shortly to start your training." He strode away leaving Sarah to work out the rest of the mystery herself.

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Sarah was still in shock by the whole conversation when Alenda quietly approached. She saw the raw pain in Sarah's eyes and shook her head. "Lady Sarah, are you alright?"

Sarah looked up at Alenda with glazed eyes. She wanted to run away from all that had happened but could not. It was her fault that she was in this situation so she had to figure out a way to reconcile with Jareth. She was blaming him for her errors, but how was she to know that he didn't turn the children into goblins?

Sarah forced a smile on her face. "Yes, I'm alright Alenda. So what are you going to teach me?"

Alenda gazed at Sarah a moment longer then walked over to a patch of grass, motioning for Sarah to join her. They both sat cross-legged, facing each other.

"I'm going to teach you how to sense your magic within yourself. Now close your eyes and clear your mind..."

Sarah did what she was told, having a some difficulty clearing her mind. Finally succeeding, she listened to Alenda's soft voice instructing her.

"Reach within yourself now Sarah and focus on the center of your body. That is where your strongest magic is stored. It is the focal point."

Sarah concentrated, feeling some kind of pressure in her gut. She tried reaching out for it but the feeling slipped away. "I did feel something there but it's gone now!" she sighed in frustration.

"It is difficult for beginners to maintain their concentration long enough to grasp the source. Try again," Alenda replied soothingly, focusing some of her power to assist.

Eventually Sarah was able to focus enough to grasp her magic for brief moments. Alenda had showed her how to keep a firm hold on it without releasing it. Sarah had taken the first steps towards control.

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Jareth sat seething in his study, his feet resting on the top of his desk. Jacen sat across from him, watching.

"She thought I turned the children into goblins!" Jareth shook his head in disgust.

"It is time to educate her then Jareth. She is not from this world so do not take it so hard," Jacen replied, trying his best to console his King. "She is a dreamer and her imagination was very strong and powerful when she was a child. So she misunderstood what you meant by the words that you said to her. Humans do have difficulty understanding our explanations."

Jareth arched an eyebrow at him. He knew that all too well. He rubbed his temple, the memories tumbling through his mind: 'Just love me, fear me, do as I say and I will be your slave.' He pushed that painful memory away, focusing on the problem at hand.

"So you are trying to tell me to be more patient with her when explaining things?" Jareth scowled. "Sarah is a grown woman now Jacen. She is intelligent and should be able to figure out things on her own."

Jacen threw his hands up in the air and stood. "Sometimes Jareth I think you enjoy tormenting her too much," he snapped, walking towards the door. "I have duties to attend to. I will see you at dinner." He exited the study, slamming the door for effect.

Jareth scowled at the door, contemplating on if he should do something about Jacen's insubordination. Shrugging, he stood and strolled over to the window, thinking about how to resolve this issue with Sarah.

"She is such an impossible woman!" he grumbled, slamming his fist on the window sill. He sat there for a long time going over his options.

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"Sarah?" Alenda questioned, trying to get her attention. She had been focusing on making a rose bloom when she just drifted off.

"Yeah?" Sarah replied in a distant voice.

"If you're not going to focus there is not much else I can do for you," Alenda admonished.

Sarah rubbed her eyes, bringing her attention back to the present. "Sorry Alenda. I just...I don't know!" she sighed in frustration.

Alenda peered at her, wondering if she should approach the subject that had been on her mind. Arching an eyebrow she decided it was time.

"Sarah, what happened between you and Jareth earlier?"

Sarah looked up at Alenda, tears starting to appear in her eyes. "Um...well...I made a mistake and Jareth became angry," she hesitantly stated.

"And what mistake did you make?" Alenda knew she was on dangerous ground talking about something concerning her King.

Sarah looked at Alenda for a long time, contemplating on how best to explain it. Finally the urge to talk to someone about her problems overwhelmed the urge to keep quiet. She explained all the details of what had happened.

After Sarah's explaination, Alenda was furious. Both of them are worse than children, she thought to herself. She hid her feelings from Sarah, knowing it would not help the situation. "What have you decided to do about this now?" she asked.

"I'm not sure Alenda. I know I need to apologize to him but I don't know how to go about doing it," Sarah replied, her hands twisting around themselves. "How was I suppose to know though?" she asked, frustrated.

"Both of you let your anger get control of your words. It is time now to reconcile and move on. Now you know he doesn't turn the children into goblins, so let's move on." Alenda replied, smiling at her.

Sarah smiled in return, nodding her head. She felt better for talking to Alenda and her mind clearer. Focusing back on the rose, she watched as it bloomed. Alenda clapped her hands, laughing.

"Well done Sarah! You are learning quickly," Alenda happily clapped Sarah's shoulder. "Soon your magic will be very powerful," she whispered.

Sarah looked at Alenda, surprised by her statement. "What do you mean powerful? I am just human Alenda," she shrugged.

Alenda was taken aback. She didn't mean for that to slip. As she was trying to figure out a way to explain to Sarah what she meant she heard a low grumble. "You are hungry. Let's go get something to eat and then I will let you have the rest of the afternoon to do with as you wish," she said, thankful for the small distraction.

Sarah blushed a bit, trying to quiet her belly. "I am a little hungry," she replied, standing.

They went into the kitchen and ate their lunch. Jareth was no where to be seen. Alenda was glad that he didn't show up because Sarah wasn't quite ready to confront him just yet. They ate in silence, Sarah wandering off into her own little world again.

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Jukia Wolfcall: I hope your English test went well. I'm glad you liked the peach cobbler *snickers*. Let me know what you think will happen, I would love to see what you come up with! The same goes for all my faithful reviewers. More surprises coming so hang on to that seat of yours.

Shadows-of-the-labyrinth: I love your name. I'm happy you are enjoying it.

SMR: Oh well! *laughs* This is for pure enjoyment only! If you're not enjoying it then move on.

draegon-fire: yeah Jareth did have a lot of explaining to do, but unfortunately he didn't get to far. Ah, typical male thing to get angry at a misunderstanding.

Bloodlust Night: I'm glad you enjoyed that part! I would be totally upset too if I found out I had magic and didn't know what the heck was going on.

Kage Ookami: *laughs* Jacen is a cutie! I love a guy with a sense of humor. There definitely will be more of him coming! I'm happy that you are enjoying this little story of mine.

Illaona: Yes! Tempers flare...I had to add a little anger and resentment...I was getting a little too carried away with the romance part of the story but hopefully I added all this other stuff in smoothly enough to where it's not confusing. I hope you're still on the edge of that seat!

Renee: You are very welcome! To me there was no other choice but to make them close. With the struggles that Sarah had to go through to get Toby back she really had no other choice in the matter. Yes she could've resented Toby, but then it would've made her adventure useless and would've shown that she hadn't learned anything.

Desdemona321: Hugs ya back. Hands you some peach cobbler for waiting for so long. Enjoy!

GenkiKarma: *hands you a tissue* Yeah it is a bit sad for Sarah...but she is a tough lady! Lorien is a sweety...um...but I do have to ask you: Faeries XD? What does the XD stand for? I still haven't figured that out yet. No worries on the late posting, I am happy that you did!

LadySnape13: I'm glad you liked it. What do you like about it? What do you think will happen next? Let me know! :)

Once again, thank you.

Hugs to you all,

Cherokeelady