Disclaimer: Do I look rich? I don't own the Labyrinth or anything to do with it.

Ok, I wrote more. You lot are demanding, aren't you?

Acantha Mardivey: Sorry, that wasn't the reference. No Jareth clone, but ya get a cookie anyway 'cause I like you. I read the Leroux's book last summer. It's soo cool and a totally healthy obsession. ;)

Relyan: Ahh, she can take 'em but your right. He needs to shape up. It doesn't make much sense dose it? I actually based his reaction on a former friend who cut ties with me on bad information from a source he knew didn't like me. Took him three years to apologise. A fun time in my life. Guys are smelly!

anglewingz202: Ahh, I must leave you in suspense for awhile I am afraid. Wait and see what happens.

theshadowcat: Well, here you go. Don't worry, Jareth will get something heavy thrown at him soon. Hee hee, cranial rectal inversion…

Jareth: Hey!

Rayne: Serves you right!

LadyLuck321: Wow, chocolate covered goblin king shaped cookies are my favourite kind of cookies! Thank you so much.

Eleanora Rose: Yeah, I'll say it again, guys are smelly.

jazzy021: Mmm, fried Lorkán. Served with spinage and ricotta. Tasty… oops, dinner smells affect my brain. Anyway, I haven't seen that movie yet, is it good?

janine: Ahh, we all Heart him. We really do. drool Anyway, sorry your disconsolate. Hopefully the next few chapters will cheer thee.

katyagorm: Less happy, more triumphant really.

VividWhiteLove: I'm not MEAN, I'm just… no. Your right, I'm mean. Sorry.

Avalon-blackandgreen: Screw life. This is more interesting!

lyn: Will do.

Izumi Kimamoto: I am keeping going. And you can say fuck on my reviews. People should leave them the fuck alone.

Anyana: shrugs I dunno. Christmasy stuff? I'm just the auth… oh. Aww crap.

Anyway, this chapter is quite short and you'll all throw goblins and whatnot at me if I leave it there, so there's another MUCH longer chapter being posted straight away.

Kaz: Wont stop us throwing whatnot at you!

C.C: Nope.

December 25th

Sarah awoke from barely two hours sleep as the sun dawned. It shone directly through her window so, she assumed, she was currently on the east side of the castle. She could see the rays of the sun bouncing off the glass dome of the library as she lay in bed. She was, understandably, in a rather lethargic mood. She felt like staying there forever, and not because it was comfortable. Facing the world today felt like more like waltzing in to a roman arena with noting but a stick for protections. And the lions were hungry. Eventually, she dragged herself from bed and got dressed. A black skirt and top looked elegant but firmly depressed. She refused to look bad just because she had been publicly humiliated… again. Her long hair she wore loose and she swept out the door.

Sure enough, she found herself in the east tower corridor, right outside the room where she and Steve had stayed. Not many happy memories here either. Nadír stood at reception as she descended the stairs and nodded to her.

"Good morning."

"Well that is a matter of opinion."

"Sorry."

"No, it's just… I'm…" Sarah sighed and shook her head. Nadír placed a comforting hand on hers but stayed silent. "Sorry, could I use the phone."

"Sure." He handed her the cordless set and she moved to a quiet corner of the already bustling lobby. She could hear Etáin's yelling over the intercom and guests were meeting before breakfast. The phone rang and the groggy voice of her father answered.

"Hey dad… Yeah, sorry to call so early but I don't think that I'm gonna be free later, so I wanted to wish you a happy Christmas… Uh huh, yeah we did… No it was my idea. I… What? No. I don't love him dad. I didn't want to be with him any more. …No but… Dad….Just say merry Christmas to Toby for me will you? Thanks… Yeah. Bye dad."

Sarah hung up with a sigh. Ever since Karen had gotten her claws into that man, he had never been the same. Sarah had always hopes it was the imagination of a scorned teenager but the older she had gotten, the less interest her father had taken in her. She wandered through lobby saying hello to the few guests she knew and was friendly with. She caught a glance of Lorkán on the other side of the main hall and wisely, he stayed away from her. She snuck down to the kitchen where Etáin was shouting commands and Ionnina was pouring over some list or another.

"Morning. Anything I can do?"

Etáin gave her a quick hug before continuing on up the stairs. Sarah looked to Ionnina in confusion, who shook her head. "Don't ask. She's in her own little world at this point. Here you can help me with this." "What is it?"

"Making sure that everyone on this list is on that list, and everyone on this list is not on that list." "That's a lot of lists."

"It's only three."

The two women worked in silence for quite a while before Ionnina's curiosity got the best of her. "So, what are you going to do now?"

Sarah shrugged. "I suppose I'll wait and see what the court has to say."

"The court, oh shit!"

Sarah looked at her. "What?"

"The hearing, your hearing…"

"What about it?"

"It's tomorrow."

"Shit."

"Yeah." Ionnina looked at her. "You'll be fine though. You have exemplary control of your fire and plenty of important people to speak for you."

"Still…"

"Nervous?"

"You could say that."

Sarah spent the next few hours doing random jobs and errands for Etáin and, though it was hard work most of the time, it kept her mind of situations at hand. Unfortunately these situations came crashing back to the forefront just before lunch. Sarah was sorting through more lists at the front desk when Cyros arrived in the main hall in a whirl of sand that made her splutter. He looked livid.

"Of all the evil, treacherous, wenches from the very depths of the Snake Swamps… oh. Good afternoon Sarah."

"Not so good, and it sounds as if you've had a similar one. What's wrong? Who were you just cursing?" "You really don't want to know." He glanced at the clock behind the desk and frowned. "In fact, perhaps you should go down to the kitchens…"

A horrifyingly familiar shrill laugh echoed throughout the hall. Sarah flinched and glared at Cyros. "How the hell did she get back in?"

"Managed to get in via Lorkán. Etáin can't kick her out."

Sarah closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. Yes, just to make her day worse, the pink whale wench had crawled out of where ever her overly perfumed cave was and managed to make it back, just in time for Christmas. When Sarah opened her eyes again, she blanched and clutched the side of the desk so hard that her knuckles turned pure white. The pink whale was attached to the arm of none other that the Goblin King. He seemed to pay her no attention in particular but he didn't push her away.

Cyros leant forward. "From what I could gather, she came to him. He had nothing to do with it."

"He's still with her though. Isn't he?"

Sarah ran down the back passage and barely made it to a bathroom before she emptied the content of her stomach. She heaved a sob and made her way down to the kitchen. She found it empty and proceeded to procure herself a bottle of port before opening the door to the back stairs. She was relieved to find it led straight to her room.

Sarah curled up in a large chair and a large fire sprang up in the grate as she poured herself a glass. She raised her glass to the flames in mock toast and swiped angrily at her face. "Merry Christmas to all." She muttered grimly as she took a swig.

It took nearly an hour for the others to get into her room and when they did, they were not happy. Etáin burst in the door with a look of murder on her face. "What the hell do you think your doing woman? Locking yourself away? Do you know how much danger your in? How dare you put up private wards in my home."

Sarah glanced at her and returned her gaze to the fire. "Look, Etáin, I really appreciate everything you have done for me. More than you will ever know, but I really no longer care."

"What do you mean?"

Sarah sighed angrily. "What do you think I mean? I no longer care what happens to me. I'm tired and I can't take it any more. The powers, Fuamnach, Jareth, Cassandra, the Court. I might as well throw myself out that window."

"Window's magik. Can't be broken."

Sarah surprised herself by actually laughing and Etáin's anger eased a little. "Figures." She snorted. "Just another thing to ruin my day. A failed suicide attempt."

"Now don't you go and do anything stupid. I won't have you messing up my big ball."

Sarah laughed again but a stray tear slipped down her cheek. "I just can't do it Etáin. It's too much." Etáin silenced her. "Shh now. Don't be stupid. You've just been through a lot."

"A lot? The man I love told me he hated me yesterday, I have a Fire witch trying to kill me and the man I love is currently downstairs, probably having a toung war with the pink whale."

The two women shudder and Etáin nodded. "Ok, so maybe you've been through more than a lot but after tomorrow the fire witch won't be a problem so that leaves the man you love, who should be easily won back."

"Once the arrogant, stubborn git can be made see sense."

"Once that happens of course. And who knows. Tomorrow evening, you might have your own country."

"Great just what I need."

"Sure. Being a queen will be a great confidence booster. Come down for something to eat. Lunch table's pretty empty at this stage."

"Fine."

Etáin smiled and pulled her up from the chair. The two women left the room and the fire slowly flickered out. The lunch table was indeed nearly empty except for three occupants. One was Maui, who gave Sarah a friendly smile as she entered. Unfortunately, the other two diners were the last two people she wanted to see.

Cassandra smirked at her and grabbed Jareth's hand on the table top. "Oh look. It's the mortal wench. Come to beg for him back?"

Sarah moved around the table. "Oh Cassandra, I see you're little stint away from the castle hasn't improved your intelligence. In case you forgot, I am no longer mortal and I've no problem roasting you. Just say the word."

The candle beside Cassandra burst into flame and she jumped a little.

Jareth looked over at her, eyes cold. "Be careful Sarah. You always did take things for granted."

Sarah's expression changed from heartbroken to steely indifference in second and her eyes flashed. "You are one to talk Goblin King. Don't underestimate me."

"Don't defy me."

"Don't pull that shit on me Jareth. We both know I can take you."

"I'd like to see you try. This time, I wouldn't go easy on you. No pulling down the moon this time Sarah. There is nothing in your eyes."

Cassandra became uneasy as she witnessed the passionate exchange and tugged on Jareth's sleeve and he jerked it away from her, growling.

"Come Jareth. Don't socialise with that. Just finish your food and we can go for a walk."

Sarah stared at Jareth hard. "There's nothing in your eyes either. Except cruelty. No part you were playing I guess."

Your eyes can be so cruel…

"You can be so cruel Sarah. Never forget that."

"Jareth…" whined Cassandra and this time Sarah growled.

"I'll go. God, I hope you can deal with an eternity of that sound in your ear. I…" She stopped abruptly. Cassandra smiled cruelly. "Oh. Looks like someone's calling."

Maui looked at her, concerned. "Sarah, what is…"

"Go tell Etá…" And she disappeared.


Sarah threw up her arms at the violent wind that now battered her body. She looked around. She was on the edge of a cliff. A very high, steep cliff.

"At last we meet in person."

The deep voice was familiar and Sarah looked at the tall red haired woman in alight alarm. The wind had stopped howling in her ears, but she could still feel it. Fuamnach circled Sarah with a predatory smile on her face.

"You really are so small. Do you think you can take me? Or shall we make that death wish of yours come true and send you sailing off the Cliffs of Moher?"

Sarah moved away from the sheer drop and faced Fuamnach. "I think I'll take my chances with you." "You'll lose."

"Don't count on it."

"Cocky little thing, aren't we?"

Sarah smiled. "Oh, I learned from the best."

"Do you really think I brought you here with out making preparations." She waved her hand and suddenly Sarah doubled over in pain. Fuamnach resumed circling Sarah, each time moving slightly closer. Sarah fell to her knees.

"You really thought that you might beat me, didn't you? You actually thought that you could beat a fae that has been in existence for near a millennia. It makes you think about the state of the world, doesn't it? That a lowly peasant mortal could think so highly of themselves." She shrugged as she approached Sarah. "That little twit Cassandra was of some help but of course it was me that had to do the work, but then I got the better deal. I got the power, she only got the man. An impressive man of course, but still, just a man." She knelt before Sarah and took her chin, forcing her pain filled face up. "Oh, your power. Your man."

Suddenly Fuamnach gasped and choked slightly as Sarah's hand grasped her neck and she was lifted from the ground.

Sarah looked at her scornfully. "Did you really think that I let myself come here? That I was so naive that I didn't put up personal wards to stop this happening? Really, what do you take me for? I have been around Fae long enough to be wise to your little tricks. Your flourish and penchant for the dramatic. Your problem is, you have been around to long. There's a new Fire bitch around and she's pissed off." Fuamnach choked again. "But… the spell… pulling it out…"

"Ahh yes." Said Sarah moving towards the cliff edge. "The spell. The spell worked. Is still working in fact, it's quite painful, but you see, you forgot one vital fact. The Fire."

"The Fire?" Her eyes widened. "You talk…"

"Yeah, I talk to it. And do you know what it told me? That it doesn't like you." Fuamnach flew from Sarah's grasp and out over the roaring sea. She paused for a moment and Sarah's eyes flashed. Fuamnach was engulfed in a tower of flame, leaving nothing but ash, which was carried out over the sea on the wind.

A small flame floated in the place where Fuamnach had been, suspended high above the ocean, flickering madly in the strong wind. Sarah held out her hand and the tiny light moved towards her, moving this way and that, struggling to stay on course. Eventually it reached her and she took hold of it. It disappeared and Sarah nodded as a resounding thank you echoed in her ears. She suddenly realised she should get back to the castle.

She arrived in a burst of flame in the dining room and landed in a heap on the floor. Cyros crouched down and took her arm. "Sarah. Where did you go? Are you all right?"

Etáin dashed around the table, closely followed by Cian and Ionnina. "Um…I …" Her hand flew to her abdomen where blood had soaked through the top which she was wearing.

Etáin lifted up the material gently. "Ahh, oh. That looks… ouch."

Sarah began to cry softly and Ionnina wiped the tears from her face. "You'll be fine. Don't worry." Sarah shook her head. "It's not that."

"Then what?"

"I killed her."

The room went silent.

"What?" Cassandra shrieked.

Etáin spun around. "You two, out of here. Now!"

Sarah looked up to see Jareth's retreating back and her tears flowed a little harder. Cyros scooped her up in his arms and turned for the door. "Well, let's get you cleaned up and you can tell us what happened."

Taranga replaced the bandage a shook her head. "It'll heal, in a day or two. But I can't do it. It'll leave a hell of a scar too. Nasty curse that one. Lucky you survived. I knew you were a feisty one."

Sarah smiled weakly and looked at the gash that run diagonally across her stomach. Etáin sat on the edge of her bed and handed her some tea.

"So, tell us what happened."

Sarah launched into her story and by the end, all around her sat with slightly shell shocked looks.

Nadír sat forward. "Your Fire actually holds proper conversations with you?"

Sarah nodded. Taranga looked intrigued. "How long have you been hearing it?"

"Since I was first aware of it. It started as just words but now it's the best conversationalist. Do you mean that none of your magiks talk to you?"

They all shook their heads. "That's funny, mine wont shut up." The fire in the grate flared slightly, but only Sarah noticed.

"You just keep getting more interesting. I suppose this is how you mastered the whole thing so quickly. Natural ability and such a close relationship with your magik." Mused Ionnina. "I wonder why our magiks don't talk to us?"

Sarah shrugged. "Well, did you every try and speak with them?" She received blank looks. "I have always talked to everything. My pets, my plants, the sky, trees, random household appliances. I just do. It seemed natural to talk to my Fire and it just… talked back."

Nadír stood. "Don't tell me we could have spared ourselves years of training, if we'd just talked?" Ionnina opened her eyes and sat up, smiling. "Looks like it. Our Sarah here has hit on something remarkable."

Sarah shook her head. "I cant believe it. After the lecture I got from… the lecture I got about magikal things having consciousness and you never even thought to talk to your own magiks?"

Etáin stood up and looked around the room, all of the occupants looking slightly sheepish. "I think she need her rest now."

The rest of the room agreed and they began to file out.

Cyros lingered a moment and she looked up at him, confused. "How do I deal with this?"

"Killing someone?"

She nodded.

"You don't. You grieve. For her, for your lost innocence. You'll get by and it'll become easier, but it won't go away. It shouldn't go away."

"Thanks." She said in a small voice.

"No problem. I'm always around if you need to talk." She nodded again and she was alone with her thoughts. A dreamless sleep soon over took her and she was grateful on this night.

End Chap.

Well, that that cleared up. Wattcha think? I know some of Sarah's talk during her fight with Fuamnach was a bit cliché and tacky but the scene seemed to call for it. "Make me Cheesy!" it said, "With a big Chee!" So I obeyed. And if you really want to blame someone, blame C.C. He's cheesy battle mad!

C.C: Alas, it's true.

Slán lads.