Disclaimer: I own nothing *cries* not even Jareth. Again – But I Wish I Did! But no – there is nothing I own…. And I'm a poor student, so don't bother to sue me…. But as a birthday present, can I have Jareth – please???

Too Late?
By Cariah Delonne.

Chapter One

A good part of a century had passed Aboveground, whilst to the Fae in the Underground, no more than ten years had passed. Time was of no consequence in the Labyrinth – it slowed and sped up to fit the needs of the inhabitants.

Jareth lounged on his throne, lethargically stretched across the arms, his legs elegantly crossed. He tossed a crystal absentmindedly, and caught it each time with a flick of his wrist. It seemed that almost every moment, another foolish mortal would wish away another of their young to his realm. None had been recovered since Toby Williams had been rescued by his sister.

Sarah – Sarah – the name had haunted him for what had seemed like months, until he had once again become immersed in the desperate plights of foolish mortals who dared to try to conquer his Labyrinth. Of course, none captured him as much as that young, naïve girl with the raven hair and innocent eyes, but she had long ago left his realm and put away all her thoughts of the Labyrinth and its king. She had not called upon her friends for some time either.

"I wish the Goblins would come and take you away – right now!" Yet another mortal foolish enough to take the words for mere myth interrupted his thoughts. Well – they would regret that.

*****

Sarah Kearley was a widow in her late sixties. It had been half a century since she had wished away her little brother to the Labyrinth – it seemed an eternity ago. A lifetime had passed since then. She had met John, married, had two children and lived in a suburban house happily for over forty years. It was all gone now. Her children had moved away – had families of their own; John had died of Cancer. She felt so terribly alone. Toby had died a few years ago – a nasty bout of pneumonia had finished him off – he had never married. Her parents were long dead – Karen and her father had only been apart for a little over six months before her father had joined her.

Her mother – she had died too – before any of the others. That had been the beginning.

Since she had run the Labyrinth, Sarah's relationship with her stepmother had improved rapidly. Understanding between Karen and her stepdaughter had led her to continue into adulthood in a relatively peaceful manner. Acceptance had become a part of her, much as she was beginning to accept death.

She rarely thought of that strange night over half a century ago – she had never questioned is reality, and she had taught her children and grandchildren to fear the Goblin King and his realm. Life wasn't fair. She knew that harsh reality now. She understood it – she understood it with the knowledge that only one who has lived a long time can understand. She did not envy the young – if she were to return to her youth, there would be only one dream she would wish to fulfill, and she did not believe she had the courage to chase it. Jareth.

Sarah stepped up to the mirror, and took in her lined face. So long ago, she had patiently applied lipstick in the hope she would appear more mature. Now she occasionally did the routine to make her look younger. Oh, the irony.

Swallowing her resolve, Sarah whispered into the mirror, "Hoggle? Sir Didymus? Ludo? Are you there?"

Within moments, the trio appeared beside her, the same as she remembered them.
"Sawah?" Ludo moaned, confused.
"Yes, Ludo – it's me. I've grown old. I'm sorry…"

"Fair maiden? Is that really you?" Sir Didymus questioned. Hoggle merely grunted sourly.
"You never called," he reprimanded, not commenting on how she had changed.

Sarah smiled fondly at the dwarf, and was soon lost back in her childhood with her old friends.

*****

Jareth looked in the crystal with confusion. He knew who they had gone to see, but he could not see her… he could not get the crystal to show her to him. Growling in anger, Jareth smashed the crystal and disappeared to the aboveground.

He appeared moments later in Sarah's room, to cold silence.

"Your Majesty…" his subjects said reverently, before disappearing at his scowl.
"Bye-bye Sawah," Ludo said mournfully.

Sarah did not look at him, but turned away, walking towards the window overlooking the park.
"Look at me Sarah," Jareth commanded.
She turned slowly, her old defiance reappearing in her eyes as she held his gaze. She was old, older than he thought she would be – had so much time passed without his noticing?

"Why are you here Jareth?" she said quietly, "Have you come to gloat over me – to show me what could have been had I taken your offer?"

Jareth looked at her sadly. That had not been his intention, but it certainly looked as if it was – he struggled to rectify it.

"No, Sarah," he said tenderly. "I did not realize…" he struggled for words. "My offer is still open, should you wish to reconsider," he finished abruptly.

Sarah laughed. "Do you honestly think that I regret my decision? Yes, I am old, but I have lived a full mortal life, I have loved another as an equal – something you could never have offered. I regret nothing Jareth."

He was taken aback. She was old – and after such a relatively short life, she was content? This was madness. He shook his head sadly, reminiscent of his gaze as she had stubbornly declared she would run his Labyrinth, and faded out.

A/N: Ok, so this is random, and I just got this idea, so I started writing it. I haven't finished my other one (I've hardly started) but I'm still going, I promise! Anyway, Adieu! (and Review please!) =D Cheers,
~Cariah.