Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Labyrinth. All other characters and the storyline are mine.

Chapter 18

Serina sighed heavily when she caught sight of Jareth and Lady Vanessa walking through the gardens a week later. Since the first night they had arrived at Jancrest, Serina had had little contact with her king, much to his mother's delight. She would have gone stir crazy if it hadn't been for Lisae's presence. The dear girl made it a point to accompany Serina when ever she left her rooms. At first Serina had enjoyed the company, but now all she wanted was to return to the Goblin Kingdom. It chafed at her to have come to this place only to be left alone. Silently, Serina rose from the bench she had been sitting on and left the gardens before Jareth saw her.

"There you are! I've been looking all over the place for you!" Lisae whispered when she entered the castle. Serina arched a brow, wondering what Lisae was up to this time.

"What is it?"

"Shh!" Lisae looked over Serina's shoulder and saw that Jareth was coming back inside, the Lady Vanessa on his arm. Quickly she grabbed Serina's arm and pulled her into an dark alcove nearby. She clamped a hand over Serina's mouth and pointed. Serina rolled her eyes when she spotted Jareth and slumped against the wall. Lisae gave her a quick look before turning back to watch again and gasped as she saw Jareth bend his head to kiss the woman.

"Who's there?" Jareth's head shot up as he looked around; spotting Lisae in the shadows. "Lisae! What are you doing hiding there? Spying?" His eyes narrowed as he stood straighter and waited for his sister to emerge.

"Of course not my dear brother. Spying would be beneath a princess, don't you think?" Lisae responded coolly as she stepped forward, motioning behind her back for Serina to stay hidden. Apparently Jareth hadn't looked too deeply into the shadowy alcove, otherwise he would have spotted the dark indigo velvet gown that Serina wore. "I was merely enjoying the quiet."

"Hiding from mother again I take it?" He smirked.

Lisae grinned and tilted her head. "You know me too well brother." Serina chocked back a laugh, not wanting to be found.

"What is she after you for this time?" Lisae's smile faded as she looked away. Jareth caught a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Ah, she still doesn't approve of the Lady Serina I take it?"

"I doubt she ever will, but I could care less. Mother can't chose who I am friends with."

"Don't worry little sister, I'm sure Lady Serina doesn't hold it against you. Speaking of which, how is she? I haven't seen her in a while." Serina's eyes narrowed at this. If he had really wanted to know how she was doing he should have been checking on her more often.

"Really your Majesty, why concern yourself for the girl at all?" Vanessa interrupted.

"She is under my care, Lady Vanessa. I would be remiss to not look out for her welfare." Jareth smiled at her. Serina stood in the shadows trembling with anger.

"Oh, she's fine. We're going to go riding after lunch." Lisae held her breath, knowing that Vanessa didn't ride and she wondered if Jareth would invite himself along. He merely nodded in return.

"Very well. You two be careful and have a good time then." With that Jareth inclined his head to his sister and led Lady Vanessa down the hall. Lisae stared after them, her face twisted in a scowl. Serina stepped from the alcove after a few moments and looked in the direction they had went. Shooting a glare at Lisae, she turned and walked back to her rooms, not caring if Lisae was behind her or not.

"What is his problem?" Lisae asked once they were back in Serina's rooms. "He's never acted like this before."

"I believe they call it courting." Serina snapped. Lisae looked at her, hurt by the woman's tone. Serina sighed and shook her head. "I'm sorry Lisae. I'm just tired and ready to go back home."

"Oh."

"Oh no, I don't mean it like that my friend. I truly enjoy being able to visit with you, but it's hard for me here. I can't do my workouts or anything. I feel stifled here and your mother certainly will never approve of me. Not like she does the Lady Vanessa" The last part was muttered under Serina's breath as she turned and went into her closet.

"Who cares what mother thinks? I don't care what she says, you are my friend whether she likes it or not."

Serina gave the girl a slight smile. "Come on, lets get ready to ride. I'm tired of being shut up in the castle. I need some fresh air." Lisae smiled back and Serina hoped that the next five days would fly by.

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

"May I have this dance?" A smooth voice cut brought Serina back to the present. Focusing her eyes on the speaker, she found on of the Lords standing before her. Giving him a slight smile, she quickly searched her mind for the man's name.

"It would be my honor, Lord Indri." She took the hand he offered and allowed the man to lead her onto the dance floor. Sighing inwardly, she wished reverently for the festivities to end. Men had approached her every night, asking for dances and sometimes more. She hated being at the courts.

"You look lovely tonight my dear." Lord Indri commented as they swirled around the room with the other couples. She was wearing a plum colored brocade dress with embroidered ferns around the hem, gathered sleeves and a silver braid accenting the full skirt. She gave him another slight smile and nodded her thanks.

"My lady, if I may be so bold," he started a few minutes later and Serina groaned inwardly, knowing already what he was about to ask. "I would like to ask permission to pay court to you."

Serina faltered slightly, thankful Indri hadn't noticed. "I thank you, my Lord, but I must apologize as well. I am not in the market for a suitor at this time."

"Well then my dear lady, I do hope you will keep me in mind when you are ready." He smiled handsomely at her and she barely kept herself from rolling her eyes.

"Mind if I cut in?" A silky voice cut in causing Serina to tense up suddenly. Lord Indri felt her reaction and looked back at the Goblin King with the intention of rebuking him, however the look in Jareth's eyes stopped him cold and Indri stepped back with a bow to Serina.

Jareth swept her away, the grip on her hand painfully tight. She glared up at him angrily and he pulled her closer. "Loosen up kitten, I never knew you didn't like to dance with me."

"I did enjoy it at one time, your Majesty," her voice was iced over.

"What's wrong Serina?" His eyes softened for a moment as he gazed down at her and Serina wanted to tell him, but the moment passed too quickly when Lady Vanessa brush past them and Jareth's eyes followed her.

"It is nothing, my liege." He looked back down at her and frowned slightly as he directed their steps towards the balcony doors. Serina noticed the direction he was taking them and arched a brow at him. He merely smirked back at her, causing her to growl slightly at him. Her growl brought a full smile to his face and he chuckled lightly.

Once they were away from the ballroom, Jareth stopped them and led her over to a bench that was almost hidden by the shadows and they sat down. "Something troubles you Serina, I can tell."

"It's nothing your Majesty, I promise." He looked at her in surprise for a moment before glancing around them. Seeing no one else about he looked back down at her and lifted her chin so he could see her eyes more clearly.

"Do not lie to me, kitten. Since when do you call me by my title in private?" Her hesitation unsettled him slightly, it wasn't like her at all. Always before she had been quick to speak her mind regardless of what he thought. Jareth had always counted on her brutal honesty, it was what made her so special. She was the only one in his entire kingdom who would tell him what she thought about something regardless of his reaction, always giving as good as she got from him. Her refusal to talk to him now hurt more than he could believe possible and it worried him.

"Shouldn't you be with the Lady Vanessa, your Majesty: Her quiet voice startled him and he studied her closely. Is that what troubled her? He suddenly realized that he had neglected her since he had met Vanessa, but saw no reason for her to become defensive about it.

"Is that it, kitten? Is it Lady Vanessa that troubles you?"

"Truly your Majesty, there is nothing troubling me." She stood, hating that she had to lie to him about it, but something didn't feel right about the whole situation. "I am merely anxious to return home. I miss the others and I'm afraid my skills will become lacking with the absence of practice."

Jareth sighed, mollified for the moment. "Very well, kitten. We will return home soon enough. Until then, do try to enjoy yourself."

She nodded then turned away, "As you wish my Lord." Serina left him sitting in the shadows and made her way to where Lisae was standing with some friends. After a quick word, Serina swept regally from the ballroom not caring if anyone whispered about her or not.

"I don't think I will ever understand why you waste your time dealing with that woman Jareth." Vanessa commented when he entered the ballroom again. He knew that others had seen him leave the room with Serina and that there would be rumors flying before long, especially after her abrupt departure.

"As I have stated before, love. The Lady Serina is under my care." He stared at the doors where Serina had left and missed the look Vanessa gave him. He had intended on telling Serina that apparently she had made quite the impression on the court. He had been approached several times by men seeking his permission to court her. Each time he had told them that the choice would be hers and hers alone. He assumed that the reason he felt uneasy about her possibly leaving his kingdom was due to the possibility that she would eventually be turned against him. Serina was too good of a warrior to risk having as an enemy.

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

The last day of the festivities finally arrived and Serina was glad. It meant that she would be returning to the Goblin Kingdom the next day. She sat on her balcony, thinking about her time in Jancrest. While it had been fun for a while, the evenings she had spent dancing and talking with the other nobles had been less than satisfying. She was still angry with Jareth and wondered at what had happened between them recently. Ever since he had met Vanessa, he barely had time to speak to her.

Serina shook her head, wondering why she even bothered. Tomorrow they would be returning to the Labyrinth, and she could begin her training once more. She missed her training sessions with Ralir, and as hard as it was to admit it, she missed her lessons with Jareth. It would be a relief to go home. Home, she thought, it was funny as to how much could change in such a short period of time. Just six months ago, home had been Eridos, and now it was the Goblin Kingdom.

"There you are, no wonder you didn't answer when I knocked." Lisae laughed lightly. :Lost in the clouds again are we? You seem to spend a lot of time there lately, what's going on?" The princess sat down in the chair opposite of Serina and studied her friend.

"Nothing of importance. I was merely thinking about how my life has changed over the past few months."

"Ah. Well, you have adjusted quite well to living in the Underground. And it seems you've made a very good impression on the others as well," Lisae giggled. "I've heard three men request permission from Jareth this morning to court you."

Serina's head whipped around in shock, "What?"

"It's true."

"But, why?"
"Like I've said, you've made an impression on everyone. The women are green with jealousy that you're the talk of the season." Serina made a face and she laughed. "Oh, come now, it's not that bad. At least you have a choice."

"What do you mean?"
"Well, I heard Jareth tell them that it would be up to you. He's leaving it in your hands, my friend. You can say yes or no to them and my brother will not interfere. "

"Well that's nice to know."

"Most of us don't even get to pick who we court, it's done for us."

Serina sighed and shook her head. "I don't want to court anyone, I just want to go home. Back to the castle where everything is the way it should be. Goblins playing pranks, people wishing away children and running the Labyrinth, normal things."

"You are the only one I know who would speak that way about the Goblin Kingdom." Lisae laughed. "Not even Jareth speaks of it with such longing."

"It's home now. I've accepted that, and there's honestly no other place I would rather be."

"Well, I think you'll be leaving first thing in the morning." Lisae paused for a moment before looking at Serina again. "I'm going to miss you."

She smiled at the woman and leaned forward to hug her. "It's not like you can't come visit me Lisae. You know you're welcome there whenever you want and I'm always delighted to have you visit."

"I'll visit as often as I can my friend." Lisae hugged her before pulling back, rolling her eyes. "I need to go, mother wants me to meet her in the solar for some reason."Serina laughed and shook her head.

"I think I'm going to take a walk in the gardens. There are flowers here that we don't have back home so I want to enjoy them one last time." She walked with Lisae to the door and they hugged again before parting ways.

Serina wandered aimlessly through the gardens, not really paying attention to where she was going. A soft sound caught her attention and she cursed herself for letting her mind wander. Looking around she sucked her breath in hard when she realized where the sound had come from. Now she knew how Lisae had felt the first day they had met. Quickly she turned around and hurried away from the couple half hidden in the trees, cursing her self for her carelessness. She only hoped that Jareth hadn't realized she had stumbled upon him and the Lady Vanessa

She made it a point to avoid him the rest of the day and at the ball as well.