Dinner that night was eaten in silence, although the air of ill feeling between Jareth and Danae seemed to have disappeared. Sarah was glad of the quiet, as it allowed her to collect her thoughts. Camille had spent the remainder of the afternoon with Sarah, explaining to her the many, and extremely complex rules and etiquette of court. And Sarah was desperate to remember everything she had been taught, and not make a fool of herself in Threasdene, which was currently her greatest concern. After dinner, when they were sitting in the parlour chatting, she confided her fears to Danae, who just smiled and told Sarah that she would be fine,

"And even if you do say the wrong thing, myself, Aldous and Jareth will be there to look after you."

Sarah looked bemused, "I'm Jareth's prisoner" she frowned "Why would he bother himself looking after me"

"He'll look after you as you're going to Threasedene as his and my guest."

Jareth at that moment stuck his head round the door. "Perhaps it was time you two went to bed, we've an early start in the morning. Sarah, would I be permitted to have a quick word?"

"Of course Your Majesty" Sarah replied, as she started trembling, she prayed that Danae would stay with them, as being left alone with the handsome goblin king was not a situation that she felt at all prepared for. I wonder when I started to consider Jareth as Handsome, Sarah mused until her thoughts were interrupted by Danae leaving.

"Goodnight Sarah" she got up, kissed Sarah on the cheek and walked past Jareth, turning his hair blue as she did so. Jareth grabbed her by the arm, pulled her close to him and gave her a peck on the cheek, smiling all the time "Goodnight Danae, go to bed and cause mischief for Camille, I've had enough of you" who smiled back sweetly and answered "Goodnight Jareth" and walked out the door. Jareth shook his head vigorously and his blond locks were back. Sarah laughed at their playful exchange.

"Well Sarah" smiled Jareth as he sat down on the couch next to her, Sarah moved up as she was not ready for the goblin king in such an intimate capacity. "How did you enjoy your trip into the goblin city with Danae this afternoon?"

"It was very nice, thank you. I enjoyed your sister's company very much."

"Good, I had hoped that the two of you would get along. She needs some friends, especially ones without motives. I trust Camille explained to you how things work in the Goblin Court?"

"I didn't think there were any Goblins in Threasedene" replied Sarah confused

Jareth just laughed "No, there aren't any Goblins in Threasedene. It's just called the Goblin Court"

"Oh, I see."

"Anyway, what I came here to do was to ask you to accompany me in my carriage to Threasedene tomorrow."

"Oh, are we going in carriages? I just thought..."

"You thought that we would get there by magic, no it's customary to travel there by carriage, it's much less tiring"

"You haven't answered my question Sarah."

"I will, but wouldn't you rather travel with Danae or Aldous?"

"Danae has her own carriage. Which she will be expected to travel in, and I do not find Aldous's company relaxing on long journeys."

"If you wish it your majesty, I will travel in your carriage tomorrow."

He leaned towards her "Thank you Sarah". He was now so close to her that if she wanted to she could lean in to kiss him. Sarah panicked, she admitted to herself that she found Jareth attractive, but she also found water wet and flames hot. She may find Jareth attractive, but she had not even considered whether she wanted to form a relationship with him, let alone kiss him. She looked down at the ground, her heart beating rapidly, and her breathing increased. Then she looked at Jareth's face, the arrogant smirk was back. He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. The lightest of kisses, his lips barely brushing her skin.

"That's how we say goodnight, in the underground." Then he was gone.

The next morning Sarah was woken gently by Camille. "Come on Sarah, breakfast is being served and Jareth is anxious to leave". She then proceeded to help Sarah into her new dress, it was very demure, in hunter green, with a trim in pale green ribbon. It's neckline was low enough to show Sarah's womanly curves, but not daringly low. Its sleeves ran to Sarah's elbows where they were tied off with ribbon.

"Come back after breakfast and I'll do your hair ordered Camille." Shooing Sarah out of the door. By the time Sarah made her appearance at breakfast Jareth had finished, and all that was left of him was his empty plate. Danae was sitting at the table picking at her breakfast like a sparrow. She was wearing an ornate pale blue dress, with small sparkling white and silver gemstones embroidered into the neckline with silver thread, her hair was loose around her shoulders, in a similar fashion to Sarah's own, suggesting that Danae too needed to have her hair done before they left.

While they ate Danae chattered to Sarah about many of the various women at court, trying to warn Sarah of who she should avoid and why. "And be warned, most of the women in the court will be bending over backwards for my brother's attention, so don't let them use you as a tool for that."

"Why do they all want Jareth's attention?" Interrupted Sarah

"My brother is quite a handsome man, don't you think?" Sarah nodded feeling embarrassed. "And even if he weren't he is the King, and kings always have their admirers."

"Come on" Said Danae suddenly. "We should go finish getting ready, we have to look our best when arriving at Threasedene, to show our place in society."

Sarah went back upstairs and into her bedroom, where Camille was waiting for her, hairbrush in one hand and a bundle of hair-grips in the other.

"Sit down then" over the next twenty minutes Camille brushed, plaited, twisted and pinned Sarah's hair. The end result was Sarah's hair all pinned to the back of her head, the style emphasized the slope of her shoulders and the arch of her neck. After Camille had finished she tied a warm black velvet cloak round Sarah's neck, and handed her some matching gloves "Those carriages get awfully draughty my dear."

When Sarah went to find the others outside the castle Jareth, Danae and Aldous were waiting next to two enormous horse drawn carriages. Aldous was dressed in his normal clothes. Jareth was wearing black britches, a white poets shirt with a high ruffled collar and a black high necked frock coat. Shiny black leather boots and leather gloves completed the outfit. Around his neck he wore his medallion, which shone brightly in the sunlight. Danae's hair had been fastened up behind her head, in a similar style to Sarah's, her curls moving softly in the wind. Upon her forehead there was a simple silver circlet, and in the centre there was the same symbol as Jareth's medallion. She was wearing a dark blue cloak over her dress and a pair of white gloves.

Jareth walked over to Sarah "Shall we", gesturing towards the first carriage at the door he offered her his hand, Sarah took it and climbed into the carriage.