Disclaimer: I own nothing here, except the plot. But like most people who write Labyrinth fan fiction, I wish I owned Jareth. Unfortunately for me, and all those other unhappy Jareth-less people, I don't. Jim Henson does. So don't sue me, I know I own nothing *cries*

Cruel Heart
By Cariah Delonne.

Chapter 1: Underground.

Jareth perched outside Sarah's window disguised as the snowy owl, watching his subjects party into the night with the mortal. He may not have power over her – yet, but he did have control over his subjects. They would not be revisiting her anytime soon.
He flew off into the night, words echoing in his head.

You remind me of the babe
-What babe?
The babe with the power…

Arriving back at his castle, he mulled over the past thirteen hours. He had done everything she wanted; everything she had asked for, he had done without question. And still, she had not been swayed from her goal, she had not taken his bait. He thought he had her once they were in the ballroom, thought she had forgotten everything, so that he could claim his prizes an hour later, only for her to turn up at his castle.

It wasn't that he was evil – at least he didn't think he was evil, but any mortal foolish enough to wish someone away to him had to face the consequences. Somehow, she had tricked him, tricked the Labyrinth, into letting her through. For the first time, someone had not paid the eternal price for their stupidity. He may be Fae, he may be immortal, but he did not have time to waste on foolish mortals, and no-one was to leave without paying their debt to him for his time. It was only fair. Not that anyone had left before at all…

He heard a scuffle in the hallway, and a troop of goblins entered the throne room, escorting his traitorous subjects towards their King. Jareth noticed the dwarf – Headwart? – trembling furiously, trying to edge away. Coward. The large red hairy monster moaned pitifully and the Fireys attempted to escape by disassembling themselves.

Growling in anger, the troupe fell silent as Jareth raised himself from where he was lethargically stretched over his throne. He moved steadily towards the dwarf, crouching down and staring into his eyes.

"Tut-tut, Headwart," he started.
"Hoggle," interrupted the dwarf quietly.
Jareth's eyes flashed in anger, and he lifted Hoggle clear of the ground by his ears. Holding him at arms length because of his flailing arms and legs, Jareth whispered menacingly in his ear. "Do you remember what I promised I would do to you if she ever kissed you?"

Hoggle's eyes widened, and he stopped struggling. "No – Your Majesty, please…"

"Silence!" Jareth growled. "Hail the Prince of the Land of Stench!" he cried, dropping Hoggle.

To Hoggle's surprise, he did not land on the hard stone floor of the throne room, but splashed head-first in the Bog of Eternal Stench. He surfaced some time later, spluttering and cursing everyone from Jareth to his first friend.

The Goblin King watched in amusement. He would deal with the dwarf further later, but he had other things to attend to. Turning to the guards, he ordered them to take the red beast and the Firey's to the dungeons, placing each one in separate cells. Leave them there to rot for a few centuries, he thought, that should cure any insurrection. Not that the Firey's had actually helped Sarah, but it lightened his mood.

That only left a few rogue goblins who had been at the morta's party for some reason or another. They could do the foulest, dirtiest castle duties that he could think of; the stupid creatures would soon forget all about the possibility of going against their King.

Jareth turned his attention back to the other problem at hand – Sarah. She would come back to the Labyrinth. This time however, he would have immense power over her, and he would not be so generous.

A/N: So, what do you think? Review please!! =D
-Cariah.