AN: I don't own anything, this was just something I wanted to share with other fans. This is my first fan fic so please be gentle and understanding. Any errors are my own. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Thanks to DemonicSymphony and Ymir-chan your wonderful reviews, kind words and interest really helped me get back to work on the story so quickly.
Lounging on his throne the Goblin King sat with one leg thrown over the side and the other tapping the floor as he spun a crystal ball round on his hand as he debated who to watch. Should he take a peek at Sarah and satisfy the curiosity he'd felt since hearing her say his name, or watch the girl who might be the next one to enter his labyrinth.
When the sphere stopped it settled on Amber. He watched as the girl pushed her blonde hair out of her face with one hand, adjusted her baby sister so the child was now sitting on her other hip as they continued walking the hallway, turning and coming back in the other direction. The baby's face was red and blotchy from crying, it was obvious she'd been at it for a while.
With an experienced eye born of years of practice Jareth recognized how close Amber was to the edge as she continued to walk with her little sister who hadn't stopped crying. This girl had been pushed to far and would probably call for the goblins to take the baby away soon. Observing her for a few minutes, he didn't see anything remarkable about the girl. No, Amber wouldn't be much of an opponent.
She was just another one who would attempt his labyrinth and fail. She didn't have a tenth of the passion, imagination, strength and beauty Sarah had had at that age. He was bored of winning easily because the opponent hadn't been challenging. Flashing in the light as he moved the crystal ball from one hand to the other while he changed the view from the teen to Sarah.
The years had been kind to her he thought. Her long hair was still a long dark curtain framing her face. A face that had lost some of its innocence, but none of its beauty. She was curled up on a couch with her cats and a book. Looking at the cover he smiled as the picture on the front clearly showed she was reading a fantasy novel.
His breath caught as she raised her head to meet his gaze, as if she knew he was watching her. He stared into her eyes that appeared more blue-grey than hazel at the moment. Sarah hadn't changed much, he thought as he made the crystal disappear, but wasn't sure that if he found that thought more comforting or disturbing.
Stalking out of the throne room, he went to the room where her memory was strongest. Walking on the stairs that defied gravity the same ones she had chased him on. He could almost hear her still as she declared that he had no power over her and smiled. Even that blow to his ego had been lessened because she had been a worthy adversary.
Privately he longed for a challenge like that. A worthy opponent who was up to the task, who challenged both the labyrinth and its King at every turn. He had felt truly alive during her adventure. She was a rare delight as she challenged his mind, body, and spirit. Forcing him to adapt and respond to her intelligence, charm and strengths.
It was only after her declaration that the pain had come. Pain because he had wanted her to be happy and didn't think she would be. He had hoped in the end she would choose to stay with him, the magic and her friends. Instead she had returned to the mortal world. A world destined to disappoint and destroy Sarah because it would not, could not appreciate her talents, passion and imagination.
The men of that world wouldn't appreciate her. They wouldn't take the time to seduce her mind and body while appreciating her passion and vibrant spirit. He remembered the electric almost magnetic pull that had arched between them. Jareth hadn't acted on his desire then, even though he'd seen her desire for him reflected in her eyes, because she had only been a child. She was no longer a child he reminded himself. If she came to his labyrinth now as a full grown woman things would be very different.