Author's Note: UPDATE!! Ah, thanks to the distractions to my life (I call that school) this story had to be put in the 'to do' list. But now I'm back!

Disclaimer: yes, I own nothing.

Chapter 3:

By the time Sarah opened her eyes, it was already afternoon. She laid in bed, examining the flying cherubs painted on the ceiling. What exactly did Julian have planned out for her? Wouldn't revenge mean treason against your king? What was in it for him? She sighed. Why ask when luck comes your way? Why ask? She was here and it was time to show Jareth just how much pain he put her through. She wanted him begging in the end. Sarah smiled, comforted by that thought.

Resolute, Sarah stood and looked around her room, surprised to find that the walls did not meet in a corner instead it was shaped like an oval. It was a lady's room; soft pastel colors with dainty and embroidered furniture. The walls were painted in a light pink and embossed with delicate, flowering gold trees the expensive petals falling from the branches. The same floor to ceiling windows that graced the lower rooms of the castle surrounded left side of the chamber, the glass panes having a slight bend that allowed it to follow the curvature of the room. A plain, white dressing screen stood near the large fireplace at the far side of the room.

She sat on the bed, brooding. Sarah was surprised that the labyrinth was actually real. She had been in the mental home for so long she started to believe that something really was wrong with her. That she made up the labyrinth as some twisted fantasy where she was the hero and she saved the day. She sighed and laid back on the covers. Jareth…..he was the one who did this to her. He taught her more than she ever wanted to know about herself; that Sarah Williams was a spoiled, careless child. That she was capable of cruelty, she could be generous, she could be good…and evil. He turned her world upside down, but Sarah couldn't make it right side up again, and for that she was punished. Was it better before or after the labyrinth?

After, she matured and her relationship with her stepmother and brother improved. She became confident, she knew things. Things it took other people years to figure out.

Before, she was happy - in her own little world. She didn't need anyone to take care of her, she had been by herself for years. She didn't have to wonder if she was going to get therapy or some other "help" everyday. She lived on the outskirts, but she was left alone.

After, she had a new perspective on life, on everything. She stopped taking things for granted - sometimes. She knew more about herself, had new friends and found out responsibility wasn't all that bad.

Before, responsibility? She would've learned all that later on anyway. New friends? She already had friends, friends who understood her passion for fairytales, friends that were always there for her.

After, she met Jareth. He made her grow up.

Before, she met Jareth. He made her grow up.

Before the labyrinth, Sarah decided. Besides, how could she really know? She could have matured later on and have gotten along with Karen and Toby. She would never have been doubted so strongly by her father. Before the labyrinth was much better.

"Miss? Are you awake yet?" Startled, Sarah jumped up. An old woman stood at the right side of the room, her hand against an open section of the wall. So that's where the door is. The woman was satisfied and came into the room. She was dressed in gray, a white apron circling her corseted waist. She was carrying a pile of white, frilly cloth that she set down on the couch. "The bath is over there," she pointed to the wall next to her. "When you are done, call me outside the door and I shall help you dress." She closed the door and left

Sarah stood uncertainly, looking at the smooth wall. She went over and spied a slight outline of a door. She felt along and felt another crack. She pushed against it, disappointed when it didn't open. Sarah stood back and stared, this was the bathroom door right? She saw that a petal falling from one of the gold trees seemed to protrude a bit, she pressed it, the section of the wall swung back silently, leading to her bathroom.

Sarah was led into a room shaped like a sliver of a moon with the same windows from her bedroom across the door. She went to the window and pushed it open, looking down. I'm in a tower, she realized. The bathroom and bedroom was in a tower. She looked around the bathroom, a circular tub sunken into the floor at one end, the toilet at another end. The bath was already filled.

After Sarah dressed and found herself some towels, she knocked at the door leading to the hallway. "Um, I'm done taking a bath."

The lady came in and dressed Sarah without conversation, pulling the corset so tightly that Sarah felt like her ribs had snapped. The dress was like something she saw from those old fashioned dress patterns in the movies: big poofy skirts along with lace and ruffles covering what wasn't embroidered with leaves and flowers.

"Well, you're done," Frieda was satisfied with her work. "My name is Frieda, by the way."

"I'm Sarah."

"I know."

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"Sarah, meet your new friends," Julian gestured to the semi-circle of people watching her. Sarah squirmed in her seat, feeling like she did when she was reprimanded for doing something wrong as a child. "They will help you blend in with the people of the Jareth's court. This is Lavinia, Bartten, Oriel and you've already met Frieda."

"Hi," Sarah inwardly winced at her shaky voice. For all her bravado and hostility, she was still at a loss when meeting new people. After a moment of silence and staring, she tried to break the ice. "Um, what will I be getting help in?" Julian glanced at the adults, "What do you think?"

"Grammar." Bartten spoke, wrinkling his nose. He would have to train her out of speaking like some street child.

"You'll have to gain weight." That was Frieda. Sarah blushed, not enjoying the attention. She was pale and gaunt, undoubtedly underweight from her stay at that hospital.

"Not to mention the rest of her appearance." Oriel said, though not unkindly. Her hair lacked luster and was cut short with the ends reaching her chin. Her eyes were hard and piercing, not the picture of confused innocence from when he saw last at that masquerade.

"Comportment." Bartten again. Her very mannerisms; the way she sharply threw her arms about to show her anger, the hunching of her back when she was defensive, how the expressions of her features clearly displayed her disgust and skepticism. Her attitude. Could he mold her into a weapon in only one month?

"She looks like some orphan you fished out of a gutter." The other woman. Her name started with an 'L' or something.

Sarah no longer felt embarrassed. How dare they! Whatever she looked like now was not her fault. Her grammar was fine, ok she did look a bit skinny, but that could be corrected. What was comportment anyway? Why did she have to change for the Goblin King?

"What the hell are you staring at?" Sarah's sharp rebuke drove Julian out of his thoughts.

Julian sipped his drink; some pink concoction that Sarah knew no guy she ever met would allow himself to be seen with. "Just trying to see you as a lady," he murmured.

"What? Are you kidding me? I," she pointed theatrically at herself, "am a great actress."

"I hope so, we have a lot to work on." He ducked the pastry she threw at him.

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Hours later Sarah collapsed in a chair in the study, Oriel helpfully steering her through the castle hallways. As soon as Julian left, Oriel and Bartten requested her time the next day and she was left with Lavinia and Frieda.

After taking her measurements and getting scolded for being too thin for someone of her height, Sarah was then given dozens of heavy books full of patterns of dresses with the instructions of "picking out what she liked." When she made her selections, the two older women immediately dismissed half of them saying that she was too young for those dresses. And, Sarah was snidely reminded by Lavinia, she did not have the "bosoms to fill in such designs - even if you had a corset." So Sarah was delegated to dresses with little girl necklines and full sleeves.

And where was Julian?

"Have fun?" She screeched and accidentally smashed her head into his smiling mouth, his teeth painfully scraping her forehead. "Ouch!" She smacked his shoulder.

"That was disgusting," Julian remarked mildly, sitting across from her and rubbing his jaw. "I dearly hope you cleaned your teeth after your meal."

"Very funny."

"I know, but joking time is over. It's time to inform you of my….our little plan for Jareth." At the mention of his name, Sarah straightened and leaned forward. "I'm listening."

"What do you need to know?"

Sarah rolled her eyes. "For one thing, you said everything was up to me. Meaning what exactly?"

"Exactly what I told you. Just having His Highness in pain will be sufficient." Julian smiled winningly at her.

"What's in it for you?"

He looked away. "Ask me something else, Sarah." Sarah bristled. How dare he order her around so casually? Stupid men! She conceded, but only because she actually had other questions.

"Who is Lavinia? Why is she helping me? Why is she such a bitch?"

"Ah, La-vin-ia" Julian drew out the syllables of her name. "Lavinia was one of Jareth's favored mistresses at the time of your arrival. There were rumors that he would make her queen…until you left. He then promptly sent all of them away and she came to me." Sarah felt a bit of pride, so Lavinia was a bit bitter eh?

"She wants revenge against Jareth too? Why can't she do it herself?"

"Because my dear, she's a bit cowardly. She will instruct you how to become a lady. Not only show you how to act properly, but to help you become adept at court politics." Sarah nodded slowly. "Am I going to the Goblin Kingdom then?"

Julian laughed. "The Goblin Kingdom is non-existent."

"What? But I thought that - " Julian shook his head, amused smiles turning up the corners of his mouth every so often.

"That and the title of 'Goblin King' is an informal one." His voice took on a storyteller tone. "Long ago, when humans still believed in magic and such, the faes and all magical creatures lived together Aboveground. Then after the mortals began to believe in other things, we could not maintain our lives together. First of all, we need human belief - it gives us the necessary sustenance to stay alive up there. Second, the humans became jealous of our magical abilities. They drove us out. I believe that the goblins were some of the last creatures to leave the Aboveground.

"Goblins were peaceful beings but the humans took them to be evil because of their appearance - and rumors about their perceived cruelty began. Humans attacked them and drove them Underground. Even after the goblins left, they still could not find a home. When they arrived, the Underground was already embroiled in war between magical creatures over living space. The faes were the first to leave, and by then there were many kingdoms in the Underground. These kingdoms became involved in the war and eventually the fighting stopped. Certain grants of land were given to creatures who needed certain landscapes, you know forests for centaurs, the mountain regions for dragons and so on. Goblins had nothing, so Jareth being the generous fae he was, welcomed them into his own kingdom."

"Really? What about the labyrinth?"

"The labyrinth was created to protect the kingdom of Jareth."

"Thank you Captain Obvious, I meant why is - "

"Oh, the running of the maze? Yes, well the goblins were very angry at the humans for their act of genocide, so they decided to punish them. The Seelie Court - a sort of high court for you mortals, I suppose - gave them the power to bring humans into their realm and turn them into goblins as retribution. A sort of entertainment." Maybe Jareth wasn't such a nice person after all…

"Jareth had this unholy fascination with mortals, so he was given the responsibility of ruling over that game. He gave humans a chance to save themselves before they were turned."

Sarah was quiet, not knowing what to say after that story. She had this notion that the Underground was harmless. If war existed down here did that mean everything bad that happens in the Aboveworld did too? For some reason, Sarah was disappointed, her assumptions of a perfect fantasy broken. Unnerved at the silence, she continued, "Did anyone ever beat it besides me?" He nodded, smiling at her surprised reaction.

Julian chuckled, "What? Did you think you were the only one who won the game? No, silly girl, you're not the only one. Where do you think people got the ideas of fairies and other 'magical creatures'?"

"From the war?"

This time Julian laughed openly, "The war happened centuries ago!"

"Then why are people still being punished? It's not their fault! It's not fair!" Sarah was angry, who had the power to punish people who didn't deserve it?

"Well, my dear. The thirst for vengeance is quite irrational."

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The chill of the morning settled onto his arms and back, like an annoying, clinging lover. Jareth tied his horse to a branch of a large tree, relishing his solitude in the Firey Forest.

Gods it had been a long day. Sometimes Jareth wished that he could just transform into his owl form and fly away, to somewhere where he didn't have responsibilities and obligations for the kingdom. He let a sardonic smile touch his lips, of course he didn't mean it. If anything Jareth enjoyed such control over such things. He could shape anything to his liking, could control anything he wanted. Except one thing……

H rubbed his forehead as his eyes adjusted to the blue tinged surroundings, wishing he had taken the time to eat something before he slipped out of his room. It couldn't be helped. It wasn't Sarah's fault she didn't understand what he meant. It wasn't as if he had explained himself clearly; she was exhausted and impatient; he was panicking and acted irrationally. Still, it could have ended differently. More than anything that one thought of curiosity and wonder made his heart clench in loss.

How would it have been? Would Sarah have accepted him? Of course! Jareth was confident in his assumptions that she would have. What he saw in her eyes as they danced was not a figment of his imagination. She would have grown to love him.

He leaned his back against the rough bark, watching the mist roll languorously over the lake in thick waves. The day barely began and he was already mourning what never was. He would have seen to it that she was happy. If she had remained, he might have been the happiest man alive.

"HHHIIIIIIEEEEEEE-YAAAHHHHH!" The scream rang out through the stillness and Jareth suddenly found himself attacked at the shins. "Out, out lowly scoundrel! Neither man nor beast may enter the forest as long as I am guarding it!" Jareth frantically stepped back, but alas, the little devil had attached himself to his boot, the knight's loyal steed barking from behind a tree.

"Stop this!" Jareth roared, thankful that no one was looking at this ridiculous sight. "I am king and I shall go wherever I please!." At the sound of his voice, Sir Didymus unclenched his teeth from Jareth's boot. He then slid reverently to the ground, kneeling.

"Your highness! Forgive me, I had no idea that you came out for a stroll! I was only doing my job."

"Yes, yes." Jareth muttered, wiping spit from his boot. "Well, how goes the Firey Forest? Any trouble from its inhabitants?"

"Apart from discovering that I did not come apart at the limbs, this sector has been guarded faithfully and is free from all disorder." Didymus stated proudly, swiping his hat at the area of trees.

Jareth looked down at the creature, puffed with pride and satisfaction. "Well, then." Jareth never really knew how to act around this worshipping knight, "yes….ahem…keep up the good work."

"Will do sire," Didymus saluted smartly, "will do." Jareth nodded and backed away slowly, taking his mount with him.

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"Did you have a nice walk?" Mercutio asked, putting his feet on the desk.

"Until I was attacked by the pirate-fox, I'd say it went well." Jareth used his cane to move Mercutio's feet off. "What are you doing here? I thought I sent you to check on the kingdom."

"I did, Your Highness," Mercutio bowed mockingly. "And after nearly four years of observation I have returned to report to you. In one word, everything is perfect. Perfect forests, land and what have you. I think you just sent me to get back at me for winning the bet." He grinned, "Of course, it was not my fault Lavinia found me intriguing. But I learned that you have taken care of her."

Julian put down the crystal and stared at his friend. He had forgotten all about Lavinia. "Yes, well." He smirked, "She needed comfort in your absence."

Mercutio laughed. "How wonderful, now I have a nice conversation piece. How His Highness, King Jareth of Terra di Perfezione couldn't find himself a date for his own ball."

Jareth's mouth tightened in annoyance. "It's not that I couldn't find a date," he drawled. "It was the selection that was lacking."

"Is that so?" Mercutio thought for a moment. "Then let's have another bet. At your ball next month we'll pick someone and see which one of us she will go for."

"Done." Jareth offered his hand and Mercutio shook it.

"And done."

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Sarah groaned in agony, her hands gripping the bedpost as Lavinia tightened the corset strings. When was this "training" going to end?

The day after she met her new friends, she was summoned by Bartten to the parlor. For the next few hours Sarah re-learned why she hated school. After learning why it was important to "speak properly," Bartten crammed her brain full of vocabulary and by the end Sarah was nearly cross-eyed from frustration. She winced as Lavinia pulled again, tying the strings quickly.

"Well," The blonde's face was flushed with exertion. "We're done with that. Oh, look you grew a chest." I hate you, Sarah thought. She was 18, plenty of time to develop. Yeah right, Sarah don't kid yourself. She caught the dress Lavinia tossed to her.

"Put that on, Bartten wants to see you afterwards."

Damn! Even moving to Lavinia's "little country estate" Sarah had to work. Her back ached with the memory of Bartten snapping a rolled up parchment against it. "Where did you grow up, girl? Sit straight, no slouching.!"

At least Oriel wasn't as bad, in fact he was quite a bit nicer. Sarah remembered going to that dusty laboratory and going through a fairytale makeover. Oriel had given her bottles and instructed her to drink, after which her previously acne dotted skin glowed to perfection. Sarah had washed her hair in some gross muck and after scratching desperately at her scalp, her hair grew down to her waist. Sarah had also asked for some poison to put into Bartten's lunch, but Oriel refused. "My dear, that pleasure is mine alone." She smiled the next day when Bartten didn't show up for her lessons.

After dressing herself Sarah found Bartten, the annoying man nervously pacing up and down the floor.

"Hey, what's up?" Bartten winced at her casual reply and wiped his perspiring forehead.

"Well, we've received instructions from Julian. We're to move ourselves to Lavinia's apartments in the Goblin Castle."

Thanks to:

Scarlettmoon: No don't die! That means less readers, lol. I hope you enjoy the next chapter.

Cariah Delonne: Aww thanks! I always worry if it has too many scenes and such. But I will eventually merge everything so everyone is in the same place. Of course you get special recognition, you reviewed! Nothing is more exciting than a review.

Cloud Cuckoo: Spike is my secret boyfriend, he just doesn't know it yet. Even though Spike doesn't exist. I wanted to write something in which it was Sarah that was the "bad one," let's keep Jareth free of guilt - for now.