Hello Everyone! Long time no see, huh? Sorry about that, there has been a lot going on like graduation, getting a second job, getting college crap in order, grad partys, blah blah blah… excuses, excuses right? Well, I've finally found time to write another chapter. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I have now realized that I did not put up a disclaimer as of yet. Well here goes. I don't own anything. Wish I did, cause I'd be pretty stinkin rich, but I don't.

Accepting: Chapter 5

Sarah was sitting alone in the castle garden, glad to finally have some time to herself to think about all that had happened in the past few days. Jareth had left her there (after a small argument on Sarah's part about not being an invalid) under a strict promise not to move an inch and to call if she became distressed in any way. He sat her on the soft grass beneath the window of his chambers, which was open, and every few seconds he glanced up from his work to check on her.

She breathed in deeply, taking in all of the lovely scents of thesurrounding garden. She wished that she could see it. She could smell many kinds of flowers that she didn't know the names of, always with an undercurrent of ripe peaches. 'Perhaps there is a grove of peach trees nearby?' She could hear the faint sound of trickling water, maybe a stream ran though the garden or perhaps a fountain adorned its center. She decided to ask Jareth if there were peach trees in the garden. She could not stop smelling the peaches, no matter how hard she tried to focus on another scent.

'I wonder why he is being so nice to me all of a sudden.' She thought, making lazy patterns in the tall grass with her fingers. She was leery about having to depend on him for an entire month while her eyes healed. He was her one-time enemy, after all. Could he really be trusted? 'He was never this kind when I was running his Labyrinth. Maybe that was all an act, put on to keep me from getting to the center. Perhaps the real Goblin King is kind and gentle, not arrogant and cruel as I was first led to believe. But how am I to know for sure what his personality is when I have only known him for a few days? I should give him a chance, at least a few weeks, to really get to know him before judging him.' She smiled and nodded to herself, happy with her decision.

But what about after that? No matter the kind of personality he had, she was stuck with him for the rest of her life. And the way he was talking at breakfast that morning, the rest of her life could be pretty long if they ever "consummated" their marriage. 'Consummate.' she thought, while inwardly (and outwardly) cringing. 'I am sooo not ready for that yet!' And there was also the age difference between them. He was hundreds of years old and she was only 18! (Authors note: I know, I know. In the movie, she's like 15 or 16. But this is my story so if I say that Sarah is 18, then she's 18. Ok?) Even if he was only 30 in human terms that was still a great deal older.

Her mind eventually began to wonder to her friends and if they would be able to come and visit her sometime soon. She was obviously unable at the present time to visit them, unless Jareth accompanied her. She went on in her own private little world and eventually sprawled out in the grass, enjoying the tickling of the blades on her cheeks.

Jareth was in his study, keeping a close watch on Sarah and simultaneously preparing for the upcoming ball. There was so much to do! The invitations had to be sent, the food and decorations to be ordered, and the room to be prepared. But even with all this to keep his mind occupied, only thoughts of Sarah were entertained this morning. He felt pangs of guilt for her accident and her state of blindness that she was now left in. He had sent for a healer, but he was still not to be expected for another few days, being that he was in another, far off kingdom, aiding in the delivery of a baby prince. Jareth only hoped that he would be able to do something for his precious Sarah when he finally did arrive.

He also worried about the beast that tossed her into this world of darkness. The rathis was not one to sit in its prison when it knew that there was blind human prey running about. He sent for a goblin at that instant and ordered that the locks in the west wing be strengthened by the end of the week. He would take no chances with the life of his love on the line.

Love. Now there is a word Jareth thought that he would never utter. And yet, he fell in love, and it was a hard fall, in no more than 13 hours. My how fate has a way of changing things when we least expect it.

Finally, after an hour or so, he managed to finish and send the invitations for the marriage ball. He looked out of the window to check on Sarah one last time before walking out to join her.

He walked across the cobblestone path through the garden towards Sarah, or at least where he had last seen Sarah, when peering from his office window. The closer he came to the spot, the faster his heart beat in fear. 'She was in that exact spot no less than 60 seconds ago! I told hernot to move an inch!' Finally, his fear got the best of him and he called out to her. "Sarah? Sarah, where are you!"

Don't worry, more to come. Reviews, as always, are most appreciated. Thanx!