Ah, a new chapter for you all. Be happy, I believe this one is longer! Now that I started back to school (senior, yay for me) I think I might be writing a bit better. Perhaps I went a little overboard with the china sinks.. is there even such a thing? But it doesn't matter 'cause this is Underground fantasy.

It's PG so.. pervs, don't get your hopes up too high. Anyway, thanks to all the people that have been reviewing. I see that someone got a little irked by having Sarah think Jareth looks 40. Well, he was 38 or so at the time of filming the movie Labyrinth, so that is why I nonchalantly put that particular age up. But, really, you are right of course. David Bowie looked more like 30 and right now, he still looks mighty fine... :: :: starts to drool :: ::

Uh, well, I'll leave ya to read the story. I think I need to watch Labyrinth again. Don't forget to review! :: :: grins devilishly and scampers off to TV :: ::

- Monica, blackmajick7

Disclaimer: Jareth and Sarah belong to Jim Henson. Like before, Siraluei is my own.

Numb

CHAPTER THREE

Sarah was stunned at how gloriously beautiful her new room looked upon following Siraluei through the intricately carved double doors. Though not quite as wonderful as the King's chambers, it held its own luxuries and allure that a woman would come to pamper in no time at all. The room had a sort of lavender motif throughout; the charming wallpaper that spread across the towering walls had delicate designs of flowers and fairies in all the soft purple color, while the smooth carpet was of an even paler hue. Fine and almost fragile furniture of a maple-like wood filled the room. She stood mesmerized while she looked over the four-poster bed embellished with a plush bedspread of white and lilac, swirled with flower detailing; at least a dozen cozy pillows layered on top of the dainty fabric. A vanity was placed near where she could spot various expensive brushes, combs and hairpieces. A blissful smile graced her full lips as she sat down on the attractive cushioned chair that stood in front and gazed into the mirror's reflection.

Meanwhile, Siraluei had watched the young girl grow ecstatic with the room. Her lips curled into a smile for her, yet questions stirred through the fae's mind. 'Why does the King want to keep her here? Is he developing feelings for the mortal? Or is he just planning revenge for nearly destroying him when she refused his offering of her dreams?' Either way, Siraluei knew all too well that Sarah had done something to the Goblin King. Even if he didn't love her now, he had loved her when she defied him. And something told her that he really did still have something for Sarah just for the sharp turn his behavior took when she was present.

"Do you have any questions?" the fae asked after she had stifled her thoughts.

Sarah kept her eyes on the mirror as she pursued to politely ask, "Are you a servant?"

Siraluei raised her eye brows, a little amused by the question. "Oh, well, more or less... Yes, I am. I assist guests of His Majesty," she explained before adding, "Female guests."

"Oh.." Sarah murmured, her face clearly strained by thinking --of the Goblin King.

The fae frowned as she glanced at the untouched tray of food that lay on one of the many impressive tables of the room. "Miss Sarah.. You really should eat something. It's quite into the morning now, you know."

But Sarah only stood up and walked to a large window, pulling back the grand material that made up the drapes to get a look out at the strange world she was in. She stayed like that for a half an hour, staring at the ever-changing Labyrinth before her eyes. Siraluei was right; the Underground sun was well out from behind the almost peaceful hill terrain in the distance. The sky was mostly a gentle blue yet, of course, a tinge of orange licked at the color, delivering an aspect of eeriness. It reminded Sarah of the long summer days that would laze through back home, the heavens a brownish-orange tint from the sun. She missed those days, for they also reminded her of her mother. The times that they would spend together when she was younger, talking and laughing. Yes, that was pleasant. But then the cold memories of her mother leaving her father for another man emerged. Sarah harshly bit her lip in anger, causing it to bleed. The pain was not felt, however. Neither were the wet rivulets that trailed down her pale cheek.

When she finally turned around, Siraluei was gone. She was thankful for she couldn't really find herself to talk at the moment. Slowly, she trudged over to the adjoining bathing room. Remarkably, there was working plumbing and not too much to her surprise, the room was huge. The smooth, fine pearl-toned tiling cold on her bare feet, she noted that the charming bath tub could fit a party of three and the cool marble counter that was affixed with two china sinks. Here, she found a large array of feminine products; no pads or tampons of course, but sweet-smelling shampoos, perfumes, lotions, et cetera.

Shrugging, Sarah decided to take a bath since she had not since her encounter with that fair-haired Jareth. After grabbing a bottle of what she thought was strawberry shampoo and a bar of matching soap, she prepared the bath tub, slipped off her robe and slid into the soothing water. There she lay with her memories of the previous night and with her shocking sense of care for the King. He was so cruel, but he had been tender with her. Yet, inevitably he had also been a little demanding and rough with her as well. One knew that that particular aspect was coming. And Sarah couldn't help herself from taking a liking to this. She knew she wanted more of him but what else? What else would this lead to? Girlish fantasies of him declaring his unbounded love for her was not likely. Jareth couldn't be that kind of man, could he? A brooding shadow cast over Sarah's hopeful thoughts.

"Why am I thinking about this? I don't have any feelings for him!" she scolded herself, convincing her mind that it was only some kind of lust. She certainly couldn't deny that he was completely handsome and had massive sex appeal.

After Sarah finished her bathing, she quickly found another plush white bathrobe to drape around her body and wrapped one of the many soft towels around her soaking hair, then draining out the tub and walking back into the bedroom. The sun was now fully up, she could see, and after finding a fine clock on the wall, she saw that it was close to eight. Biting her lip, she pulled open a drawer from what appeared to be a lingerie chest. Sure enough, there was underwear... but there were also some foreign-looking underclothes that looked familiar to what a woman in the 18th century back in her world would wear under a dress. She scowled, snatching a pair of panties and sliding them on under her robe while telling herself that she was never going to wear that 'crap.'

Slowly, she stepped over to her bed to notice that a dress was lying there. Not any ordinary dress, but a beautiful medieval chiffon empire-waist gown of the purest white. The trimming along the seaming was an icy blue braiding and the neckline ran almost off the shoulder while the sheer sleeves flowed appealingly down the arm. Sarah smiled appreciatively at the dress as she gently lifted it off the bed and held it to her body, quickly finding a mirror and examining it closely against her. It was utterly exquisite. The light material actually had an embedded soft, silver shimmer spread throughout, making it gleam in the golden sunlight of the room.

Though the dress was more than superb, Sarah couldn't help but wonder if Jareth had made it for her. Magic, obviously, had something to do with its enchanting qualities and although the time factor for its making seemed a bit stretched, couldn't he have had it simply plucked out of nowhere but in his mind? Or perhaps have a fae seamstress formulate the specifications from him into this dress? How he would have obtained her measurements was beyond her. However, this place wasn't all what it seemed.

After admiring the dress for a few more minutes, she walked back over to the bed, lay the garment back down and began to shed off her robe to try it on when Siraluei entered through the main doors. Sarah gasped at her sudden appearance, pulling the robe back on when the fae woman chuckled lightly.

"Oh, we're both female, right? There's no need to be shy. I'm here to help you." Siraluei smiled brightly, illuminating the fascinating violet of her eyes, while she opened a large chest of drawers and pulled out what seemed like some sort of corset. "His Majesty wants you to fit into our customs here in the Underground. He wishes of you to wear that dress today as he feels that you will be wanting to get out and explore about the castle."

Sarah began to have some nauseating feeling at the pit of her stomach after her eyes landed on the corset. "Is that what I think it is?" Her voice was shaky, knowing what the answer was.

Siraluei only beamed comfortingly as she lay down the undergarment. "Yes, but I assure you, this corset is a bit enchanted. And you'll see what I mean when we get you in it.."

Thirty minutes later, Sarah was sitting on her vanity chair completely in her angelic attire while she allowed Siraluei to brush out her somewhat damp hair. She couldn't believe how right the fae had been. Though, at first, when the corset was fitted on and she began to tighten up the strings, there was some pain, but somehow the material fit onto her waist like a second skin. And the great thing about it was that her figure was slimmed down even more and her breasts were delightfully lifted up to new heights. Now, she stood up and looked at herself in the mirror with a broad grin.

"You look perfect," Siraluei complimented before setting down the brush and straightening out her own dress. "Now, shall I show you around?"

"Sure," Sarah replied with enthusiasm, feeling giddy at being where she was.

Once outside from her bedroom and into the hall, Siraluei began to explain just how really enormous the castle really was. There were, indeed, nearly two dozen huge rooms that made up the structure. All of them were elaborately decorated in their own special way. As they walked on, they neared an opening in the hall where Sarah caught sight of a marvelous marble staircase that led up and down either way.

"Do you wish to go down, Miss?" inquired the fae.

Sarah shrugged. "What's all down there?"

"Well, the key rooms are the library, the dining room, kitchen, gallery, music room and throne room. But I believe His Majesty is receiving a visitor at the moment so perhaps we should enter into the gardens in the back?"

Upon hearing this, she agreed to descend to the lower part of the castle and exit out into the gardens. Yet, before they could make it to the large wooden doors in the rear of the foyer they had entered, the Goblin King himself strode in from what appeared to be the throne room with a somewhat irritated look on his face.

"Your Majesty," Siraluei curtsied while Sarah just stood there like a rock.

Her eyes were locked on the king, admiring him in his new change of clothes. He was now wearing something that shockingly resembled the attire he wore in the Escher room on that fateful night on which they had first met. She couldn't help herself from gawking for memories flooded her mind and, silently, she battled with herself not to think about them.

Just as Sarah's eyes were on him, Jareth's eyes were taking her in. She was absolutely ravishing; the dress hugged gracefully about her breasts and flowed out down the rest of her body while her raven hair lay naturally past her shoulders. He literally felt his heart increase its rate as he gazed at her. But, quickly he remembered himself and abruptly averted his eyes from her to Siraluei.

"Would you please leave us?"

The fae woman nodded and walked off with a faint smile touched upon her lips. When Jareth saw that she was gone, he turned his eyes back to Sarah's. "You look very lovely," he commented with sincerity. After all, what was the harm in offering the girl a compliment?

Tentatively, Sarah let herself become flattered by his words, "Thank you, and you look very se-- ... charming." She chewed her lip while her face flushed a little, surprised that she almost told the conceited fae that he was sexy.

A not too modest smirk tugged at Jareth's lips as he watched her. "Have you found everything well with your bedchambers?"

"Yes," she replied, composed for the first time since her seeing him. She was determined not to look a fool in front of this man. How could he ever really take her seriously? "The room is very beautiful. And the bathroom is great. I had no idea that you would have working plumbing here in the Underground." She had to laugh inwardly at her remark, aware that it would stump the King's arrogance.

And, indeed, Jareth scowled disapprovingly at her comment. "My customs may seem a bit obsolete to you but, I can assure you, we're not that backward."

Sarah only cocked an eye brow. She loved to irk him a little. "What was wrong earlier?" she suddenly asked.

Jareth crossed his arms and leaned against a richly-papered wall. "What do you mean?" He felt a little caught off-guard by her question. Why did she care?

"You seemed a little angry about something."

"It's nothing," he lied. She wouldn't understand about the affairs of the kingdom anyhow.

Sarah frowned and rolled her eyes, deciding to drop it for the time being. "So, are you finished fulfilling your.. duties?"

The Goblin King nodded reluctantly. "Actually, for the moment, yes."

A coy smile came to the girl's face. "Then, will you show me around the gardens?" She didn't quite know why, but she found an irresistible urge to spend more time with Jareth and she couldn't let it pass her by.

Jareth was taken aback by her offer. She wanted to spend time with him?

He must have unknowingly smiled at the thought, because he felt Sarah's small hand grasp his and lead him out of his castle doors into the blooming gardens. His original plans weren't quite working out like he had imagined. Of course, her wanting to be with him was right, but that feeling wasn't supposed to arise in himself as well.

He couldn't afford to be as vulnerable as he had before or else there would be no revenge.

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