Almost done please read and review

Chapter 16

Jareth placed Matilda gently on the ground outside the mountain and looked desperately for his beloved in the rain. He tried to control the feelings of doubt that seemed to consume him when he didn't see her emerge from the mountain. He continued to watch as the rocks began to fall and Titma erupted with the lava that was hidden in its depths. Looking for any sign of his loves escape he was about to go back to the entrance of the mountain when Matilda grabbed his arm and spoke firmly,

"Stay put Jareth and look deep within your soul for a sign that she is still alive."

Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes and searched for her essence through the falling debris of the mountain then suddenly he opened his eyes and looked across the valley and with relief he saw her running out of the entrance of what was once known as Mt Titma. She cleared the fallen debris of the mountain then turned to look back at the entrance as if she was looking for someone then as the ground started to open beneath her he saw her run to safety.

He watched as she slowed down and fell to the ground. With his heart racing he ran to her and when he approached he saw her unconscious on the ground. Hoping she was okay he knelt at her side and looked for signs of life and was relived when he noticed her breathing. He hurriedly lifted up and ran toward the clearing where Matilda was once there he laid her on the ground and Matilda quickly examined her and stated,

"She is fine, just weak from using her magic but we need to get her home."

Soon after Christine's eyes opened and the first person she saw was her husband and he was the must beautiful sight to behold.

She asked hoarsely, "Did we win?"

Laughing at her question Jareth wrapped his arms around her and replied, "Yes, my love, we have won and look at what we have done."

Slowly Christine lifted her body using her husband's arm to assist her and saw the mountain that once held so much fear for her change with the dawning of a new day. The fields that surrounded the Mountain where in bloom with numerous wild flowers, the sky around it had lost its menacing shadows, and the once raging rivers of lava had cooled and shined like black glass in the sunlight. She couldn't believe how beautiful Titma looked.

She held Jareth with all her might feeling a sense of completion and success. She had come to a world that was strange to her and embraced it with every fiber of her being and in doing so she helped it escape the darkness of the Temptress and most importantly she fell in love.

As her husband's arms continue to hold her she finally felt completely at peace. The feelings were so intense that tears fell from her eyes and onto her cheeks. Jareth looked down at his beautiful wife and while wiping away her tears he asked,

"Are you okay my love."

Smiling through her tears she replied, "I have never been better."

Jareth looked down at the woman who had saved his Kingdom and showed him how to love again and smiled with gratitude, "Let us go home."

Nodding her head Christine replied, "Yes let's go home."

Then in a flash of royal blue color Jareth transported him and his wife back to their castle.

Matilda looked at the rising sun and thanked the Fates for bring Christine to their world and as she turned her back on the fallen rubble of Mt Titma she disappeared and returned back to the Labyrinth as well.

Meanwhile at the castle Lady Katrina paced the throne room waiting for the Jareth and Christine's return. Once the rescue party arrived at the Labyrinth the councilwoman instructed Adrianna to take care of Gaylord in his Chambers and she tried to get the goblins that helped at Titma to rest but they refused to leave until their King and Queen returned. The quietness in the room was deafening to the Fae woman it seemed as if everyone held their breath.

The stillness was interrupted as Snout entered the room and spoke loudly, "Look outside the King has returned with Queen Christine." Everyone moved quickly to the window and a cheer of happiness resounded in the throne room with their return.

Jareth was happy to see his castle again and was just as happy to see all his goblin minions rushing toward him with excitement.

Then he saw Lady Katrina appear in front of them and she asked quickly, "Are you guys okay do you need a doctor?"

Jareth replied, "No we are fine just a bit tired."

Embracing the couple she responded, "I am so glad." Then she turned to Mattie and inquired, "Are you okay as well."

Matilda smiled at her an said tiredly, "I am fine my friend. Where are Adrianna and Gaylord?"

On cue the crowd separated revealing Adrianna and a haggard looking Gaylord walking toward the Royal couple. As they got closer the young elf commented, "I tried to tell him to stay put but he insisted on coming out here. I think he is as stubborn as you Jareth."

Leaning a bit more on Adrianna Gaylord responded, "Yes, I might be stubborn but you still love me just the same."

Blushing at his comment Adrianna helped him the stand as he held out his hand to Jareth, "Thank you for helping me escape that dreadful place."

Jareth grabbed a hold of his friend's a hand and embraced him glad to see him again. Pulling back from the King, Gaylord turned toward Christine and spoke kindly,

"I knew the day I met you that you would help change our world and be good for Jareth and I am extremely happy to call you my Queen."

Overwhelmed by Gaylord's comment she replied, "I can't wait to know you better Gaylord." And bending closer to the doctor she whispered, "I hope you get well soon because you need to be in tip top shape when you give me away at my wedding in one week's time."

Smiling fondly he replied, "It would be my honor."

Adrianna spoke up, "You will not be doing anything unless you get better." Turning to the King and Queen she continued, "Please excuse us but I really need to get this handsome man back to my…I mean his room."

Watching her friends depart Christine spoke quietly so that only her husband could hear, "I bet there will be another wedding soon after ours."

Chuckling he commented, "They may get married before us if Gaylord feels up to it." Turning to Lady Katrina he invited, "You are welcome to stay here as long as you like and if I understand my Queen there is going to be a wedding very soon."

Thinking of the Elemental that had asked to see her when things slowed down, Lady Katrina smiled to her self before replying, "I would love to join you at your wedding but I think I am going to head home I have a date I have to prepare for but I will be here on Sunday for your wedding."

Turning from them Jareth watched Lady Katrina walk away and noticed she had a little pep in her step and he hoped that love was the reason why.

Once she had left Christine turned to her husband and spoke gently, "I am sorry to schedule our wedding without consulting you but I just feel that it is time for us to share the love we have for each other with our friends and our Kingdom."

"You don't need to explain Christine I think a wedding in one week is perfect and I can't wait to show the Underground how much I love you. But right now we both need some rest."

Looking at Snout sitting alone near a fountain Christine commented while walking toward the goblin, "Yes, I agree we do need rest but there is something I must do first."

Following his wife he watched as she sat down next to Snout and placed her arm around the goblin and asked, "You seem a bit sad Snout what is wrong."

Looking at his Queen he spoke quietly, "Did she feel…a lot of pain?"

Knowing who he was asking about Christine replied, "No it was quick"

With tears the sweet goblin asked, "Do you think she is happy?"

Hugging him Christine replied, "I think so because I saw her spirit and she seemed happy." Pulling away from the little minion she continued, "She asked me to tell you something."

Interested he asked, "What?"

Smiling she kissed his head and passed on the message from his sister, "She said that she loves you."

Christine was glad to see a grin replacing the sadness in Snout's face but after a moment he replied thoughtfully, "Thank you, and if you see her again tell her I love her to."

Running off to join the other goblins in the celebration he turned briefly and waved then disappeared in the crowd.

Grabbing onto his love's hand Jareth helped Christine to her feet while asking, "When did you see Sarah?"

She kissed his hand before responding, "She helped me get out of the mountain and back to you."

Bringing her closer to him he stated, "I wondered who you were looking for when you turned toward the entrance. I am glad her spirit is free of darkness maybe she will finally find peace."

Rubbing his cheek with her hand she said quietly, "I think she has found peace and I hope she is happy." Standing on her tip toes she kissed her husbands lips before continuing, "You know what will bring me peace Jareth?"

"No my dear what will bring you peace?"

Smiling seductively she rubbed her body against his, "Going to bed and having you make passionate love to me."

Jareth couldn't agree more and in a flash of royal blue he transported them to their bed chamber with his voice echoing, "Anything you wish my love."

5