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Warning This chapter comes with two thing, Sex and Schmaltz. Neither are important t to the overall plot, and so, you may skip them if you so wish. Do not say I didn't warn you.

Kaz: Yup, we warned you.

December 23rd

Sarah walked through the wood glancing about uneasily. A biting wind whipped through the bare trees which were covered in snow. She wrapped her arms around herself and attempted to call on her power to warm herself but nothing happened. She wandered aimlessly for a while until she reached a circle of trees. She searched about but could not find any one. Sarah felt very strange. She wasn't even sure of why she was there. Her memory seemed to be blurred only a few select scenes coming through with any clarity. She remembered her mother, when her mother died. She remembered reading a book, the maze, no, the Labyrinth. That was it. She recalled a small man with a winkled face, a foul temperament and a love of jewellery. This memory brought a smile to her face and she thought even harder, desperately trying to dredge up more of her life from her mind. She got a flash of a class room, collage, discussing the imagery in Keats poetry, another class room where she stood in front of twenty bored looking teenagers, a birthday, a few other random moments from her life. She felt like she was forgetting something important. Or someone. And this power that she knew she possessed. She didn't know how, but she knew and now it wasn't working.

"Some how I thought you'd be taller."

Sarah turned to see a tall woman with wild red hair standing opposite to her. She automatically took a step back, immediately distrusting this woman. "Who are you?"

The woman gave her a kind smile but Sarah noticed that it didn't reach her eyes. "Don't be afraid Sarah, please. I'm Fuamnach. I'm here to help you." Her deep voice sounded familiar to Sarah but she couldn't place it. A flash behind Fuamnach suddenly caught Sarah's eye. She saw a single flame dancing in the air in the centre of the circle of trees. She could feel that this was hers. Her power. She moved towards it but Fuamnach stopped her.

"No Sarah. Don't do that, it's a trap. That's what I'm here to warn you about."

Sarah frowned at her. "What are you talking about? Why should I trust you anyway?"

"Because. Think about it Sarah. Don't you remember? You are running the Labyrinth. You wished your baby brother away and now you have to get him back. The evil Goblin King is trying to trick you by getting you to take that flame. Your dreams. He did it before."

Sarah started and looked at Fuamnach who nodded solemnly. "Think back Sarah. The ball, the dress, the song. All to get you to forget where your going and who your looking for."

Sarah rubbed her head. "I remember the ball and the Labyrinth but…but that was years ago. I've been in collage, Toby is older now. I defeated Jareth."

Jareth… why should that mean more to me?

Fuamnach shook her head in frustration. "That's what he wants you to think. He wants you to take that flame and you will be trapped here forever and Toby will be turned into a goblin."

"Ok, well how do I get out?"

Fuamnach smiled. "That's the easy part. Just let me take it. Give me the flame and you will be free." Sarah nodded slowly. Fuamnach smiled again and turned but before she could take a step she was thrown across the circle and crashed into some trees. She lay still as a man appeared before Sarah in a swirl of glitter. He looked formidable in black armour and a dark billowing cloak which whipped around him. His wild gold hair moved about in the strong wind. His features were handsome but cold and cruel as he looked at the woman he had just injured. His eyes fell upon Sarah who was confused and shivering.

"Your him. Your the Goblin King."

He raised an eyebrow. "You know very well who I am."

"Is this another one of your tricks."

He shook his regal head. "No Sarah. Take the flame. You know its yours."

"But why should I trust you, who just threw a woman in to a tree? A man who took my little brother." "You wished for him to be taken, I simply did as you wished."

"I didn't mean it."

"What's said is said."

Jareth noticed Fuamnach beginning to stir and he jumped forward grabbing Sarah by the shoulders. "For gods sake woman, wake up if you don't want to die!"


Sarah gasped and awoke with a start. She sat up slowly as the dream rushed back to her. She looked at Jareth who was sitting beside her. He had his eyes covered with his hand. "Um… Jareth?" He grabbed her and pulled her into a crushing embrace as he kissed her harshly. They both fell back on the bed. Sarah responded initially to his fevered kisses but soon pulled back. Jareth pressed his forehead to hers. "You have to stop doing that."

"Doing what? What just happened? I am really confused."

"Fuamnach just tried to kill you again."

"Through my dreams? Isn't that a little "Nightmare on Elm Street"?"

"This is no joking matter. If you had let her take that flame…"

Sarah rolled on to her back and stared at the to of the canopy bed. "Arrgh. Im so sick of this. I hate having to be rescued all the time. I assume that was actually you in my head and not some random manifestation."

"Yes. When I couldn't wake you up I had to go in."

"My knight in not so shiny armour. Still, at this point it would probably be better to leave me in an oubliette. Then everyone would forget about me, including her."

"Don't be stupid."

"Hey next time someone tries to kill you in your dreams try being nice in the morning." She spat out angrily rolling over to face away from him.

"Sarah…" She turned her back to him. "I'm sorry, but I don't know if I can take much more of this. I mean what if next time I go to sleep she comes after me with hedge trimmers on her hand and a Freddy Krueger mask on."

He looked at her strangely.

"Never mind." She said as she turned back to face him. "My point is that at any time I could keel over from her trying to take my powers and now she's trying to get at me through my dreams. I just… I feel like giving up."

Jareth grabbed her. "You will not even think such nonsense. We're already trying to put up wards and we are all here to make sure you get through this."

Sarah shook her head. "How much pressure is this putting all you guys? Etáin and Nadír are hosting this big thing, Cyros and Ionnina are expecting a kid, I'm sure you have some thing more important to be doing."

Jareth leaned in and kissed her. It was soft and deep and filled with emotion. "Sarah, I can assure you, you are very important."

He kissed her again and they began to get more heated. They rolled over so that Jareth was on top of Sarah. One of his hands had slid under the tank top she slept in and she groaned into his mouth as her caressed her breast. Her hands were hurriedly working at the buttons on his shirt which she was quickly rid of. She flipped them and began kiss her way down his chest, pausing to tease a nipple and he growled as she blew lightly on the wet patches she left there. She trailed wet kisses down his stomach as she worked down the loose trousers he slept in and he groaned loudly as she took him into her mouth. Sarah brought Jareth to the brink and then slid back up to kiss him. He pulled back her head.

"You are the devil woman."

She smirked at him. "No, but I can be if you want."

He growled again and flipped them over. He pinned her hands over her head with one hand as he kissed her roughly. She cried out into his mouth as two fingers slid into her and his thumb massaged her. He smiled as her muscles tightened around his fingers. She screamed as she crossed over into oblivion. She was breathless as she came back down from the heights of pleasure but she had no time to recover as Jareth kissed her again, continually massaging the apex between her thighs. She soon found her self nearing the edge again and she stopped him.

"…I need you…now!"

He throbbed at the breathless command and he positioned himself at her opening. They both gasped in pleasure as he entered her swiftly. They were both still for a moment as they savoured the feeling of being joined so fully. After a beat Jareth began to move with in her and soon they were both moving at a frenzied pace, Sarah matching each of his thrusts. He changed his angle ever so slightly and smiled at her shout of pleasure when he hit that spot. Sarah wrapped her legs around his waist, try to pull him as deep as possible as they moved together. Soon Jareth felt her tighten around him and hear her scream of release and he followed almost instantly. He collapsed beside her and pulled her naked body to him, glistening with the sheen of sweat. He pulled the sheets over them and he listened as her breathing returned to normal.

"I love you." The words were softly spoken but Jareth heard them none the less. It was the first time he had been rendered speechless in a long time. Sarah felt his arms tighten around her but she got no other response to her declaration. She sighed quietly as she settled down. Jareth just needed time or maybe….no. He just needed time.


Etáin smiled at Sarah as she came through the kitchen door. "Good morning. You're up late today. Get distracted?"

Sarah blushed as she poured herself some coffee but said nothing.

Ionnina grinned. "Well get over it for now. It's my turn to work with you today. I hear you're a difficult pupil."

Sarah shrugged. "I guess it's like doctors. Teachers make the worst pupils."

She glanced over to Nadír. "Jareth wants to talk to you and Cyros soon."

He nodded and left the room. Sarah picked up a paper and began to read the head lines. She smiled as she heard Etáin's fingernails clicking against the stone counter top. She glanced over the top of her paper to see the two women looking impatiently at her.

"Yes?" Her tone was playful.

"Enough young lady. You will tell us what is going on now."

Sarah smirked and put her paper down. "Ok, ok. I'm just teasing. Jareth just wanted to talk to the guys about the wards. We need to get them up quickly."

Etáin looked at her curiously. "What caused the urgency?"

"Fuamnach tried to get to me through my dreams last night."

Ionnina looked shocked "What?" but Etáin simply refilled her cup. "Your dreams? Just like that bitch to be melodramatic. A little 'Nightmare on Elm Street' isn't it?"

"That's what I said. I expect to see a guy in a scream mask next."

"Wouldn't put it past her. Do you think she might try a hockey mask too?"

"Maybe. I'd like to see her in a leather face outfit."

The two women laughed but stopped at the sound if Ionnina's cup slamming down. The dark woman looked livid. "How can you two act like this? This is very serious! You should be more responsible." She looked at Etáin then turned to Sarah. "And you. This is the second time you've nearly died in as many days. I'd think you'd be taking this a bit more seriously. You're both being very childish."

Etáin rolled her eyes. "And you're being hormonal. You go to the gardens with Sarah and calm down. I'll see you both later."

Ionnina stalked down the garden path and Sarah jogged to keep up with her. Suddenly Ionnina turned, her dark hair whipping around in the wind. "Why? Why were you taking your near death experience so lightly?"

Sarah sighed and leant against a near by wall. "You have to understand, it's very tiring. I did enough stressing and worrying when Jareth woke me up. Don't let the joviality fool you. I am very, very frightened, but if I can't try to make this situation seem slightly better, at least some of the time…" She paused and looked at Ionnina who was surprised at how tired and wan she looked. "…I'm going to go insane. I'm already well on my way."

Ionnina smiled softly at her. "I'm sorry. I should have known you were just trying to lighten the situation. My bad."

Sarah shook her head. "Nope. It doesn't even matter. So what are we doing?"

"Defence and more teleportation. I hear you're having a problem."

"Don't listen to Jareth, he knows not of what he speaks."

"Yeah right. Get over here."

"Ouch. Sarah, get off me."

"Oops. Sorry. I was close though."

"If you call nearly killing me close."

"Stop being so over dramatic."

"Just what I like to see. Another beautiful woman lying on top of my wife."

The pair looked up to see Cyros grinning at them. He held up his hands. "Please. Don't let me stop you. I'll just watch."

Sarah dragged herself to her feet. "I don't think so. What's the time?" Cyros moved forward and helped Ionnina up.

"Just past four. You two have been training for hours."

Sarah stretched. "Yeah. I can feel it. Well, why don't you two stay here and catch some alone time and I'll head in."

Ionnina began to speak but Sarah stopped her. "No. I do not need an escort. I will be fine. I can take care of myself."

Ionnina sighed. "Fine, but if you need anything…"

"You will here a very loud telepathic shout. You heard me earlier."

Cyros smiled. "I think most of the country heard you earlier."

"That loud huh?"

"There were some ringing ears."

"Great. Something else I need to learn how to control."

Sarah entered the entrance hall quietly. There was no one at the desk and Sean was not at his usual post. The large space was silent with the exception of a young man who was standing near the foot of the stairs. His blond hair was short and his eyes were cold and blue. He was dressed strikingly in black and red and Sarah began to feel distinctly uneasy as she got closer to him. It did not help as the flames on a nearby candelabra began to flicker madly with an urgency she could feel. Suddenly the mans head snapped around to face her as he noticed her coming towards him. He turned fully and looked her up and down. Sarah shivered as his eyes raked down her body. He took a step towards her and bowed. "My lady. May I have the pleasure of knowing the name of such an entrancing beauty?"

Sarah frowned. "I don't give my name to strangers."

The man smirked at her. "Well, in that case,"

He grabbed her hand and kissed it. "I am Prince Lorkán and you are?"

Sarah took a step back pulling her hand with her. "Lorkán? You were the one who spoke to Cyros. You caused all that trouble?"

The sickly smile that had been plastered on Lorkán's face disappeared to be replaced with a look of grim amusement. "I see my reputation precedes me. And you, you must be Sarah Williams."

Sarah raised her head with a steely look in her eyes. Lorkán looked her up and down again. "Yes. Jareth's little mortal whore. I can see why he might have chosen you."

Sarah began to walk towards the drawing room and she heard Lorkán's laugh. It was a laugh without warmth or feeling.

I guess that's what a loveless life will do to you.

"That's right little girl. Run away from the truth. You've done it before. Everyone in the underground knows about you and you're brother. You're life. Not even you're family loves you. You're pathetic." Suddenly pain ripped through Sarah. It was the same as when Cassandra had been shouting at her. The conflicting struggle between trying to control her power and having and outside force try to draw it out was unmistakable. She clung to the banister, desperately trying to keep upright. Lorkán laughed as he saw her stumble.

"The truth hurts doesn't it? Jareth will never love you. He's just using you. You could never match up to the kind of woman Cassandra is."

He would have continued but at that moment Sarah's deafening telepathic scream echoed through out the castle.

Jareth!

The doors to the library corridor slammed open and there was the man himself. He was across the hall in a flash and he swept Sarah up in his arms. He threw an angry glance at Lorkán.

"I will deal with you later. I'm sure you know by now, you are not welcome here." And once again Lorkán was the only person in the hall.


Sarah blinked in pain as she opened her eyes and cast a glance around the dark room. Jareth was sitting in a chair beside the bed and though he was awake, he was obviously deep in thought. She closed her eyes again in attempt to rid her head of the blinding pain and let out a small sound. She heard Jareth get up and move towards the bed.

"Sarah?" His voice was laced with a concern rarely heard as it was usually masked with anger or frustration.

She opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Hey. So, how long was I out this time?"

He smiled a little at her and lay down beside her. "Not as long and you didn't have a fever this time. You're getting stronger."

"And the wards must be working."

"They aren't up yet. It's definitely you."

Sarah grimaced in pain. Jareth looked at her silently as a tear of pain worked it's way down her cheek and stained the pillow.

"Jareth?"

"Yes?"

"It hurts."

Jareth took Sarah in his arms and kissed the top of her head. There was nothing he could do to take the pain from her and, though he knew it would leave her fairly soon, it was killing him. Sarah clung to him tightly as the pain, like lightning, raced through her skull and concentrated on his low voice as he began to speak.

"En mi cielo al crepú eres como una nube

y tu color y forma son como yo los quiero

Eres mía, eres mía, mujer de labios dulces,

Y viven en tu vida mis infinitos suenos."

Sarah smiled as he spoke despite her pain. She knew this poem well. And she knew what it meant.

"La lámpara de mi alma to sonnrosa los pies,

el agrio vino mío es más dulce en tus labios,

oh segadora de mi cancíon de atardecer,

cómo to sienten mía suenos solitarios!"

Jareth paused and Sarah continued, her concentration distracting her from the pain shooting throughout her body.

"Eres mía, eres mía, voy gritando en la brisa

de la tarde, y el viento arrastra mi voz viuda.

Cazadora del fondo do mis ojo, tu robo

Estanca como el agua tu mirada nocturna.

"En la red de mi música estás presa, amor mío,

y mis redes do música son anchas como el cielo.

Mi alma nace a la orilla de tus ojos de luto.

En tus ojos de luto comienza el país del sueno."

Jareth held her close as Sarah finished and he kissed her softly. "I love you, you do know that?" he murmured against her lips.

Sarah's heart nearly exploded with joy and she kissed him back. "I do now."

Sarah sat up in bed reading as Jareth took a shower. She smiled as she recalled just a few hours ago. Suddenly Etáin came bustling through the door with a tray and frowned at Sarah.

"And just what do you think you're doing? Up and reading, really. Just this afternoon you were unconscious."

Sarah rolled her eyes at her friends. "Well I'm feeling much better and it's not like I'm out running a marathon or anything."

This time it was Etáin's turn to roll her eyes. "I suppose you're right. Here's dinner."

Sarah put down her book and looked over the meal for two. "It looks delicious. Send my thanks to Andre."

Etáin smiled. "Will do." And turned to the door.

"Wait. Stay and talk for a while."

Etáin grinned. "Jareth driving you insane already is he?"

Sarah giggled and shook her head. "Not quite but variety is the spice of life."

Etáin sat down on the edge of the bed. "Hmm, I though Jareth was providing enough spice for the both of you."

Sarah blushed a deep red and Etáin laughed at her. Sarah began her meal and looked up at the dark haired woman. "So, what about Lorkán? What's going on there? Has Cyros killed him yet?"

Etáin grimaced. "No, but we've warned both of them to stay away from each other. Unfortunately Ferdia, who is one of the court council, asked Lorkán to attend so we can't turn him away but I'd stay away from him Sarah. He used to be a nice guy but a lifetime of bitterness has turned him cold."

"So I observed."

Suddenly Jareth appeared from the bathroom and sat in the chair by the bed, picking up a plate.

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Hungry?"

Jareth nodded and glanced at Etáin. "You tell Lorkán to stay away from us if he wants to keep his head?"

Etáin sighed. "Yes Jareth, but eventually you are going to have to be in the same room as him. Like all meals tomorrow and every day until one of you leaves."

Jareth pulled a face and Sarah smirked. Jareth glowered at her. "This isn't funny Sarah."

"Don't I know it."

Etáin sighed and left the bickering couple.

End Chap.

MRAN:

Well, there. Any complaints, compliments, death threats? The poems translation is below and therin lies the schmaltz.

In My Sky At Twilight

This poem is a paraphrase of the 30th poem in

Rabindranath Tagore's The Gardener.

In may sky at twilight you are like a cloud

And your form and colour are the way I love them.

You are mine, mine, woman with sweet lips

And in your life my infinite dreams live.

The lamp of my soul dyes at your feet,

My sour wine is sweeter on your lips:

Oh reaper of my evening song,

How solitary dreams believe you to be mine!

You are mine, mine, I go shouting it to the afternoon's

Wind, and the wind hauls on my widowed voice.

Huntress of the depths of my eyes, your plunder

Stills your nocturnal regard as though it were water.

You are taken in the net of my music, my love,

And my nets of music are wide as the sky.

My soul is born on the shore of your eyes of mourning.

In your eyes of mourning the land of my dreams begins.

-Pablo Neruda

Twenty love poems and a song of dispair.

Ok, well, you people better review if you know what's good for you.

Rayne: Oh, threaten them. That'll work.

C.C: Always worked for me.

That's because you have an arsenal.

Slán.