A/N: Thanks for the reviews Faith and Etsuki-chan :) I'm glad you are enjoying the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Labyrinth. Such a pity…

Chapter 5

When Kara finally returned to the castle a week later, she was exhausted. The Urisks had supplied her with plenty of information, but had also left her with even more questions. Her head ached from all that she had learned and lack of sleep. She had known of course what the Urisks would want in return for its help before she had even found it. However, she had never known that days on end of talking could wear a person out so quickly.

"Kara?" Jareth's voice stopped her as she walked past the doors leading into the throne room and she turned around. The king gasped when he saw how haggard she looked. "What happened to you my dear?" She opened her mouth to reply, but no sound came forth; her throat burning. Before she could blink, he had picked her up and was carrying her towards her rooms.

"Jareth, put me down," she had to force the words from her throat, the sound dry and raspy. His eyes widened briefly at her hoarseness before narrowing in anger.

"You need a healer Kara. After that you will rest and then tell me what happened."

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The healer had come and gone, giving the woman a healing potion to help her throat. Five days of almost non-stop talking had taxed her vocal cords so much that they had practically gave out on her. She had gagged at the taste of the potion. The potion was a delicate pearl color that smelled like cabbage, but tasted like vomit and blood. After the potion had taken affect and her voice returned, Kara had calmly threatened to rip the healer's throat out the next time she was forced to take another vile potion.

Jareth smirked as he listened to the woman arguing with the aged goblin. When the goblin had finally left, the king sat down on the bed next to her. "Feeling better now my dear?"

"Yes, no thanks to that vile potion, she muttered crossly causing Jareth to chuckle. She glared up at him before sighing and stretching. "I suppose you would like my report now?"

"Indeed." He studied her closely. "What happened to you?"

"I found the hermit." She smiled at his stunned expression. "Yes Jareth, the tale was true. The hermit was an Urisks as we thought. In return for a few hours of company, it was willing to tell me what I needed to know. Unfortunately, it also raised many more questions."

Jareth's finely sculpted brows had jerked at the word company and he stared at her in concern. "Exactly what did you have to do to gain the answers?"

She snorted and rolled her eyes at the underlying question she heard in his voice. "Relax my king, the hermit merely wished for someone to speak with. Their appearance does tend to make conversations with others a bit difficult. Nothing untoward happened." Kara bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing at the intense relief that flashed across his face.

"So what have you learned?" She sighed and closed her eyes, leaning back further into the pile of pillows behind her.

"The Plaguebacks are creatures created by black magics. They originate in the Black Mountains to the north of the Goblin Kingdom." She paused for a moment, knowing that Jareth would make the connection on his own.

"Alessandra," his voice was laced with contempt. Kara nodded.

"Apparently, it was she that created the Plaguebacks; using dark arts and demons."

"That would explain why my kingdom is the only one affected then."

Kara nodded. "We have another problem though." He looked up at her curiously. "Logan's sister was taken by Alessandra. The Urisks was unable to tell me if she still lives though. It tried to scry for the woman, but Alessandra had blocked all attempts."

"She would. Do you think she knows that we've found out?"

"We had no way of telling for certain." Kara sighed and looked away. She didn't want to tell Jareth what she was going to be doing next but she didn't have a choice. As her king, he was to be kept informed of all her plans when it came to leaving the kingdom. Jareth noticed the expression on her face and arched a brow at her.

"What is it?" She watched him from the corner of her eyes and winced when she saw the uneasiness in his eyes. He knew something was up and that he wouldn't like it at all.

"I'm leaving for the Black Mountains as soon as possible."

"No." His answer was curt as he stood and walked away from the bed.

"Jareth, I…" He stopped and glared at her, cutting her off.

"You will not be going to the mountains. I forbid it."

"Who else is there Jareth?" A knock sounded on the door and Jareth scrubbed a hand over his face before turning and striding over to the door. Throwing it open, he found a goblin shaking at his feet.

"What?"

"The guests milord. They heard Lady Kara was back and wanted to speak with her."

Jareth growled under his breath as he glared down at the creature. "She's resting. They will wait."

"No." Kara slid from the bed and went to her wardrobe. "Logan should know about his sister."

"You need to rest!" Jareth snapped while watching her change.

"I can rest later Jareth. Too much has been lost already. We will finish this later." She calmly drew a seductive sky-blue satin gown embroidered with bronze knotwork and adorned with heavy silk braid over her head. Once she was dressed, Kara walked past the king, reaching out to tap a finger under his chin. "You'll catch something unpleasant like that your majesty." He shook his head in exasperation when he caught the smirk on her lips as she left.

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Kara led the way to the throne room where Logan and Mark were waiting. They both stepped forward when they saw her enter the room, only to freeze as they realized that the Goblin King was right on her heels. Jareth repressed the chuckle that threatened to escape his chest when he saw their reaction. Apparently his lecture earlier that week had gotten through to them. His eyes narrowed as they fell on the blond haired man as he watched Kara. Kara was a curious person by nature, which led to all sorts of trouble at times. The notion that this man from another world might intrigue her more than usual worried Jareth constantly. She walked over to Jareth's throne and stood silently beside it as she waited for the king to take his seat. Once he was seated, she turned and looked down at the two men who stood there fidgeting. She glanced back at Jareth quickly to find him smirking in amusement.

I don't know what you've done Jareth, but I will find out, she told him mentally. The king merely smiled innocently up at her and Kara rolled her eyes with a snort. She turned her attention back to the others. "I have found news of your sister Logan."

Logan's eyes widened and he smiled at her. "Really? Where is she?" Kara hated to tell him, but he deserved to know. She watched as Logan's smile faded at her hesitation. "What is it? Where's Cassia?"

"I went to the Jeweled Forests to seek out answers for the kingdom's problem. While there, I found that a sorceress had captured your sister."

"Then we'll go rescue her." Kara shook her head.

"I'm afraid it's not as simple as that Mark." She held a hand up to stop them when they started to talk again. "This sorceress is the same one that is behind our troubles. Alessandra used dark magics to create the Plaguebacks. In order to rid ourselves of the creatures, it is necessary to destroy her and close the portal she's using to summon the demons."

"Demons? But those things aren't real." Mark blurted out. Jareth growled as he stood, but Kara stepped in front of him and placed her hand on his chest before looking over her shoulder at Mark.

"You said the same thing about the goblins, yet you have seen with your own eyes that they are real." Sit down Jareth. "Who are we to say what is and what is not? Must you see everything before you believe it to be real?"

I grow tired of these foolish mortals Kara. She arched a telling brow at the king in reply as he glared at the men.

"So is there any way of getting Cassia back?" Logan's face was drawn in worry. He didn't know much about magic, just what he'd seen since they had arrived in this world, but he knew that anything was possible.

"We were unable to determine if your sister is still alive or not. Alessandra has surrounded herself with a sight-shield that blocks all attempts of scrying into her domain. I don't know what purpose she would have for keeping your sister other than as either a sacrifice or slave." She winced at the look of horror on Logan's face.

"What are we going to do then?"

"I plan to leave at the end of the week for the Black Mountains where Alessandra was banished to."
"No. I have forbid it." Kara turned to look at the king, his jaw clenched in anger.

I will not argue with you Jareth. I am going and that is final. "There is no one else capable of traversing the areas, nor of surviving an encounter with the Plaguebacks your majesty."

Dammit Kara, I'm not taking the chance of losing you to those creatures or that woman. "Don't defy me Kara."

"It is not my intention to defy you your majesty. However, who would you suggest got in my place?" Jareth sighed heavily when he felt Kara shove him forcibly from her mind. He knew she was right and it aggravated him. Their mental conversations really annoyed him at times. Only Kara would have the nerve to argue against him and he didn't understand why she refused to stay in the castle and allow him to protect her.

"We will discuss this in private my dear lady," he growled softly at her.

"As you wish my king. Until then, I will prepare to leave. You have until the end of the week to find a replacement that will go in my place." She nodded slightly at him.

"We're going with you." Logan stepped forward, his eyes pleading. If his sister was there, he wanted to go. He hoped that she was still alive, but even if she wasn't he had to know. Kara nodded again, this time in their direction.

"Very well. For now, I believe I shall retire. If you will excuse me gentlemen." She stepped down from the throne and marched out the doors. Oh, and Jareth?

Yes my dear?

Don't try to stop me from going.

Kara… She shoved him from her mind again, effectively severing their telepathic link. She knew he'd be angry about it, but felt it was imperative for her own sanity at the moment. He would do everything possible to keep her from going.

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Jareth paced the floor, thinking about ways to keep Kara from leaving again. Especially since Logan and Mark would be going with her. Unfortunately, he knew there was little he could do to convince her to let someone else go in her place. There really wasn't anyone else that was skilled enough to deal with any of the creatures they would undoubtedly encounter along the way. Kara was the only one who knew the kingdom's layout as well as he did, since the majority of his subjects remained fairly close to the city itself. As it was, other than himself and a handful of others, the woman was the only one who had traveled extensively outside the kingdom's borders.

Someone knocked on the door to his private study and Jareth paused in his pacing to glare at it. He had left orders that he was not to be disturbed by anyone for any reason. Whoever it was knocked again and he waved a hand, the door slamming open. "I said I was not to be disturbed!"

"Well if that is how you're going to be then I'll just leave." Kara snapped before turning on her heel and walking away. Jareth's jaw dropped and he stepped forward with his hand outstretched.

"Kara, wait!"

"I don't think so your majesty. It's plain that you have no desire for company at this time so I'll be on my way." She sneered at him as she stormed down the corridor. Jareth growled furiously at her before creating a crystal and throwing it at her. Kara screeched in fury when she felt the orb hit her. An instant later she was back in the study the king. "You bastard! Why did you do that?"

"I will not chase you around this castle Kara."

"No one asked you to your majesty." She started for the door only to find herself slammed against the wall, his grip brutal on her arms. Jareth leaned close to her, his breath caressing her skin.

"My patience is sorely limited this day Kara."

"As is mine your majesty. Let me go."

Jareth shook his head as he stared down into her face. "I will never let you go Kara, you should know that by now my dear." He sighed, loosening his grip around her arms as he leaned his forehead against hers. "I don't want you to go on this journey love." She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, almost as if she was committing his unique scent of spiced peaches to memory.

"You know I have to Jareth," her voice was soft. Jareth released her, stepping back and turning away from her. Kara laid a hand on his arm, "There is no one else who can go and we both know it. I have to go." He turned his head and looked at her silently. "No Jareth, I know what you're thinking. If Alessandra was to capture you, she'll kill you. The kingdom cannot be left without a ruler."
"You would rule in my absence."

"No!" She snapped furiously. "I refuse to take your place!"

Jareth stared angrily at her, "You have got to be the most stubborn woman I have ever seen!"

"And you are the most infuriating. Stop acting so blasted spoiled Jareth. I'm going and that's final!"

"Fine. Go to the mountains. I can only hope that you'll survive the journey."

"I will." With that, Kara stalked past him and through the door, slamming it hard behind her.

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