Weeks passed and Sarah was free of physical pain, but the flashbacks persisted, no matter how much rest and relaxation she got.

The day she ventured outside, she woke up early and threw back the curtains to let in the glorious sunshine that seemed to be in abundance and had shone brightly everyday that she had been there. The little old woman, whose name she had discovered as Flora had stopped coming as soon as Sarah had felt well enough to get up of her own accord and maintain her own routine. As she sat on the terrace, eating her breakfast and letting the warm breeze dance across her face, she decided that she felt rested enough to do a little exploring. She finished the delicious breakfast that she had managed to consume fully for the first time and ran a bath. As on the first day she had woken in the castle she gazed at herself in the mirror and wondered at the transformation that had taken place. She looked healthy, her hair was gleaming and her skin had lost the haunted, sallow appearance that she had arrived with. Her bruises, the only physical reminder of her last dreadful night in New York, had disappeared completely. She could walk, even run without pain, and the exhaustion that would fall upon her after only an hour out of bed, had given way to an excited energy.

Sarah soaked in the tub for a while, cleansing her hair and skin with the lavender oils that had quickly become her favourite to use. She dried herself with the fluffy bath towels and dried her hair and for the first time since she had arrived she stood before the wardrobe and chose a peacock blue bodice with a matching blue and red velvet full skirt. She slid the soft fabrics on and twirled before the mirror, her hair shining and tumbling in waves around her shoulders. She felt fifteen again, a smile playing across her face as she remembered playing dress up in the costume department at school. She slipped on soft red slippers and ventured out into the corridor. The castle was quiet; she had not seen Jareth since the morning he had appeared on her balcony. Her guess was that he had kept away out of respect; he had not wanted her to feel pressured to tell him what he wanted to know.

She walked the corridors until she came to the main chamber. It had changed since the last time she had been there. There were goblins of all sorts, still lounging around, but it was clean, the furnishings had changed, and soft lush cushions in the window seats, Jareth's throne the centre piece of the room, comfortable chairs and rich tapestries adorned the walls. Sarah was stunned, had this been for her benefit? She walked through the chamber and through an oak door to the side of the throne. There was a corridor ahead of it, with rooms off to both sides. After peeking into several rooms she ascertained that she had wandered into Jareth's private quarters. Behind one door was a room, once again filled with goblins and creatures, and beautiful women, elves, and nymphs who glared at her, uncontrolled jealousy on their faces. Was it Jareth's harem? Were all these women for him? She quickly backed out and closed the door behind her, her own jealousy flaring and worry quickly setting in. At the end of the corridor was a door that wouldn't open when she tried. As she turned to walk away she heard it open. She whirled around and came face to face with Jareth. Her face flushed scarlet, embarrassed at being caught snooping in his private rooms.

"Oh!" she gasped

"Good Morning Sarah, you're looking better than when I last saw you"

"Your hospitality has been good for me"

He turned and strode back into his room, and she took it as an invitation to follow him. His room was much the same as hers, the large four poster bed dominating the room with its thick, velvet drapes hanging from it. A bathroom off to the side and a balcony on the other.

"Excuse my absence this last month, I've been conducting business in the Fae Realm"

She smiled at how like a fantasy novel it sounded.

He invited her to sit on the balcony with him and he studied her face carefully. She was aware of his intense scrutiny and her face flushed.

"Is this what you wanted Sarah? Do you feel like you've escaped enough to be happy?"

She didn't answer him; she didn't want her good feeling to end.

"Do you finally feel like you're starring in a play? That you've fulfilled your dream, your endless search for fantasy?" She was hurt by the cruel, mocking tone that laced his voice.

"I shouldn't have left the first time" she said quietly

"Yes, that was how it was meant to be, you needed to realise it on your own"

There was a long silence as she stared out at the city and as he stared at her. He knew that she had wanted to come back to him a long time ago, but he had let her get to her most desperate state of mind before finding her again. It was how it was meant to be, she had to get that low and no matter how much she was hurting, he couldn't intervene.

"Have you been out into the city?"

"No, just the castle so far"

Exploring places you shouldn't? You really need to stop doing that Sarah"

She blushed, knowing he knew she had seen the other room. There was a brief pause.

"I was wondering, if you were feeling better, if you would like to attend a ball tonight"

Sarah vaguely remembered her dream of dancing with Jareth, due to the poisoned peach he had tricked her into consuming on her last visit to the Labyrinth.

"What would I wear?"

"I'm sure Flora could find you something appropriate"

"And you?"

"I might be able to turn up later in the night, I have some business to take care of"

Suddenly Sarah became self conscious; she didn't know anyone except Jareth, she didn't know how to act, or what to do.

"Don't worry Sarah, just be yourself"

She was surprised at his tenderness and tried to relax. He stood up and Sarah took it as her cue to leave.

"Why don't I accompany you into the city, introduce you to your citizens?"

"My what?"

"Your subjects"

"Your subjects you mean"

"No Sarah, yours too…I fully intend to make you their Queen"

His confidence took her breath away

"Jareth I…"

"Don't worry Sarah, you'll realise it soon enough"

He took her arm and led her down into the city, some subjects fled from Jareth's glare, while he introduced her to other more friendly citizens. They were in awe of her, whispering to each as they passed, curious about her return, worried that their master would change as intensely as he did the last time she had been to the castle.

Near the outskirts of the city they came to a house which Jareth entered as if it were his own. Sarah's discomfort was soon abated as she entered the house and found Hoggle sat in an armchair, his cherished jewels still attached to his arm.

"Hoggle" she exclaimed in surprise

She rushed over to him and hugged him, and he hugged her back just as fiercely.

"I knew you'd be back Sarah"

She smiled at him

"I missed you too much Hoggle, how are you? How is everyone else?"

Jareth interrupted.

"I'll leave you for a while; I'll be back in plenty of time to get you back to the ball"

"Its fine Jareth, really, I know my way back, and I'll be home in time"

Home, the word sounded odd, yet it was comforting to her, she felt she was home.

"If you're sure"

She nodded and he left her to catch up with Hoggle.

After what seemed like minutes it was time for her to walk back to the castle to prepare for the ball. She left Hoggle with a promise to visit again soon and walked through the city, enjoying the warm sun and sounds of the early evening bustle. She smiled at everyone she passed, delighted when they smiled back, even if it were cautiously, fearful almost. They didn't want to upset Jareth and risk his furious temper.

As she entered her room she saw Flora waiting patiently for her, with a rack of dresses, obviously her choices to wear for the ball. Flora stood as she saw Sarah.

"I've drawn your bath, I know you like the lavender oils, why don't you choose a dress for tonight and I'll prepare it for you while you bathe"

Sarah knew instantly which dress she wanted, it was almost identical to the one in her dream, white, decorated with pearls and jewels, full skirt, fitted bodice and three quarter length fitted sleeves. Flora smiled as she pointed out which one she had chosen and ushered Sarah into the bathroom, the delicious, scented steam inviting her to lay back into bath and relax.

An hour later and she was ready to put on the dress. Her make up was perfect, her face was as fresh and natural as it had been five years ago, her make up shimmered across it, adding to its beauty. Her hair caressed her shoulders in curls, sparkling here and there with diamonds strewn into it.

Flora laced the bodice and stepped back so Sarah could view herself in the mirror. The sight that greeted her was breathtaking; it was like stepping back into her dream. She stepped into her shoes and faced Flora, who was smiling at her.

"So beautiful Sarah, so beautiful. We must go now, I'll lead you down to the steps, there is a carriage awaiting you"