Sarah weaved in and out of the dancing couples, she had caught a glimpse of him moments before, but he had vanished again. She thought the masks were horrible, parodies of the goblins that he lorded over.

Jareth moved behind her, grinning, she hadn't seen him, he returned to his party. Claudia, Annabel and Jesymine immediately started their fawning over him and he lapped up the attention. Being King of the Goblin realm had some perks after all, the most elegant women in the Fae court wanting to warm his bed was just one of them. Even though three of the most beautiful women in the underground were amusing him he still only had eyes for her.

And then she stood their, in front of him. A vision of beauty and innocence, a young girl just shy of womanhood. He strode purposefully towards her, then she was in his arms. And Sarah's entire world was spinning, with Jareth in the very centre. The clock struck, but this time Sarah had nothing to run for, Toby was safe in bed. Before Jareth's eyes she changed, the pure white dress became ivory, her beauty increased as her innocence vanished. Sarah was no longer a child, she had finally grown up.

And as the world span, Sarah felt Jareth's lips press against hers.

As Sarah's eyes opened to the soft morning light, shining through the curtains. And at the same moment at the other side of the castle, the Goblin King awakened, with confusion, how had she yet again sucked him into that dream. He got up, and muttered "well the kingdom isn't going to run itself" dressed himself and exited his chambers. Where his advisor Aldous was waiting for him with his morning report.

Aldous was a handsome young man, with dark hair and dark eyes, he was as tall as Jareth, but stockier, with a larger build.

"Good Morning Sire, how did you sleep?"

"Very well thank you Aldous, and yourself?"

"Well I have no reason to complain, but more importantly there's an embassy coming in three weeks Your Majesty, you had better prepare"

"Interesting, from whom exactly?"

"From King Harish, of the Netherworld, but we have always been on good terms with Harish, so there is no need to worry"

"I wasn't."

"I heard an interesting rumour this morning Sire" began Aldous, checking Jareth's reaction before continuing. "I heard that the mortal girl who had defeated you was back, and staying in the castle."

"You really should stop having your breakfast with the serving staff, it doesn't fit a man of your position" commented Jareth dryly.

"Yes but there is no more efficient way of finding out what is going on in the kingdom. And believe me I've tried to find one."

"Well back to business", and the two men started walking towards Jareth's private study.

When Sarah awoke, a jug of warm water had been placed next to a small basin and some soap. Sarah got up and washed her face. She looked around for her clothes, but they weren't where she had left them last night. In their place was a beautiful pale lavender dress, with paler, almost deep purple lace around the neckline, and a small pair of matching purple slippers. After she was dressed Sarah noticed that the dress was too large for her. It fit her slim figure round the waist perfectly, but trailed along the floor more than it was intended to.

Sarah wandered to the window, and looked out across the labyrinth, from her viewpoint she could see across the goblin city and the hedge mazes to the very edge of the labyrinth. She wondered, if she was to escape from the labyrinth, would Jareth have to let her go.

A knock on her door, brought Sarah back from her musings, and a small elfin woman entered, she was about 4 feet tall, with white hair and startling blue eyes. "Excuse me mi'Lady but His Majesty has requested that you join him for breakfast".

"Of course" Sarah whispered, "Could you show me the way." Sarah felt like she was about to walk into the lions den, but this lion could think.

"Well then, follow me my dear" she said comfortingly, seeing the apprehensive look on Sarah's face."

The maid, who Sarah learnt was called Camille. Led Sarah through the castle, but she didn't recognise any corridors from the night before.

The maid knocked on the door of Jareth's study, then left Sarah, who felt a cold tang of dread, when she entered the room.

Jareth was sitting on the window ledge looking out across the kingdom, lost in thought, he turned to look at Sarah and smiled warmly. Aldous was writing something in a large leather bound book, and was concentrating so hard he did not even look up when Sarah entered.

"How did you sleep? I trust your quarters were satisfactory."

"Yes thank you", she replied quietly.

"I would like to introduce you to Aldous, my chief advisor". Hearing his name Aldous looked up from his work, then to Sarah. He stood up and bowed before her, then took her hand and pressed it to his lips "It is an honour my lady." Sarah took an instant liking to the men.

Jareth offered Sarah his arm, "Shall we?" Sarah moved next to Jareth, but did not take it. Jareth let his arm drop to his side, he would let that go, for now.

The trio made their way to the great hall in silence, upon reaching it Sarah said to Jareth in an emotionless tone "Thank you for my dress, it's very beautiful."

"Yes, fit for a princess, don't you agree Aldous?"

A look of comprehension suddenly dawned on Aldous' face "Yes your majesty",

"A princess?" asked Sarah

"Well every fairy-tale land needs a princess in a tower"

Sarah gazed at him confused "but I'm not a princess".

"No your not" noted Jareth, with a slight smirk on his face.

"But.." Sarah was cut of from whatever she was going to say with the entrance of a young woman. The girl who looked no older than Sarah was the most beautiful creature that Sarah had ever laid eyes on. She had long auburn hair, which reached down to her waist, and the front of it was pinned behind her hair, keeping it out of her face. She had the same mis-matched eyes that Jareth had, and they were framed by long dark lashes. Her skin was alabaster, save on her cheeks where she had a rosy glow.

She wore a perfectly white dress, in a similar style to Sarah's own, but her dress fit her perfectly, she was several inches taller than Sarah, so Sarah concluded that her dress actually belonged to this girl.

"Good morning Jareth, Aldous" the girl said, her eyes flicking over to Sarah, then back to Jareth, who just ignored her.

"Good morning Your Highness, we didn't realise you were returning to the city this soon" Aldous said calmly, trying to relieve the tension between Jareth and the girl, who was now glaring at Jareth.

"I find that hard to believe as I received a letter two days ago requesting my presence at the castle immediately"

"Peace, Danae" Jareth snapped "We will discuss my reasons for calling you home later. Will you join us for breakfast?"

"Of course" Danae smiled "I had no other intention." She stepped forwards to Jareth, who wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace. Sarah looked away, feeling that she had witnessed something private, she heard Jareth whisper to the girl "I missed you".

Aldous walked over to Sarah and offered his arm, which Sarah gratefully took, "Well shall we sit down and eat, and I don't know about you but I'm famished."

"Who's that girl?" Asked Sarah

"That is Danae, the Kings Sister, and Crown Princess of the Goblin Realm."

"Oh" sighed Sarah, "She's very beautiful."

"Yes she is" Smiled Aldous, as the other two walked into the room arm in arm discussing something quietly, until they reached the breakfast table and sat down.

Danae smiled at Sarah, "So how are you finding the Goblin City so far?"

"It's very big, I don't know how I will ever find my way around the castle, let alone the city."

"You presume their that I will allow you to enter the city" said Jareth haughtily, and Danae looked at him, surprised.

"I was hoping to take Sarah into the city to order some dresses for her, because she cannot continue to wear mine, as they don't fit." She replied coldly.

"Very well" Snapped Jareth angrily, "Excuse me ladies, Aldous. I will take my breakfast in the study." And he got up and strode out of the hall.

"You should not have defied him on this Danae" Aldous scolded, "Really when will you learn some diplomacy?"

"When you two start being more considerate of other people's feelings" Snapped Danae back, as she picked up a fruit pastry "Is she a prisoner? Is she a guest? Has Jareth even considered this? As she is sitting at the breakfast table, I assumed that she was a guest, I apologise for my brother Sarah, he has no manners" and they all started to eat their breakfast in silence.

When they had all eaten their fill, a message came to Aldous. "Danae, Jareth insists you continue with your instruction as before, so you are to meet with the swords master for an hour, then join me in the library for your studies"

"Oh that will be fun" muttered Danae.

"And Sarah," continued Aldous, as if there had been no interruption "Your presence is commanded in His Majesty's study".

Sarah's face paled as Aldous escorted her towards Jareth's study.