This is the first fictional story I have written since being in the 8th grade, everything after that was just research papers. So if my style isn't very sophisticated, my apologies. I will do my best to improve in my future writings. I am trying and so far succeeding to get one chapter out a day so don't expect super long chapters but the updates should be frequent.

Chapter 3 – Memories and Goodbyes

In a large empty room just off the armory, Jareth and Braxton were clashing swords, nimbly dancing around the other.

"Do you forfeit?" Braxton said merrily.

Jareth gave him a cynical smirk "hardly."

Braxton and Jareth had been parrying and thrusting for a good five minutes, both performing fantastic acrobatic moves to sword play, yet neither one getting an advantageous edge on the other.

"I see I will have to use some of my new moves on you."

Just as Jareth swung the blade on the attack, Braxton deftly knelt below the blade arch and thrust his sword upwards, hitting Jareths sword from the opposite direction he was expecting the force from, causing the surprised Jareth to lose grip of the handle. The sword went flying, striking the stone wall with a clatter. Braxton smoothly sprung up and put his sword, point first within an inch of the Goblin Kings throat.

"Very good Braxton. But do you really think such a cute parlor trick will catch me off guard twice?" Jareth drawled arching a blonde eyebrow, "I highly think not."

"It seems the high prince still needs some more sword fighting lessons." Braxton grinned leaning on his blade. "What's the matter Jareth, having a hard time keeping up with a master swordsman?"

Jareth snorted, "Just because you got lucky once, doesn't mean you will get lucky twice."

"Perhaps another round will convince you, my friend."

The two men faced off again.

"Jareth, perhaps you could tell me a little more about this Sarah?" Braxton asked as the men began the match once more in earnest.

"Why on the Underground would you want to know about some measly little mortal?"

"All our plans hinge on her. Maybe if I knew more about her personality and desires, it would help the workings of the plan go more smoothly."

"There is not much you need to know about her." With each continuing word Jareth's voice got more ferocious and his sword fighting got more deadly. "She is a spoiled" thrust "selfish" thrust "immature" thrust "little brat." At the end of Jareth's diatribe he had Braxton backed into a corner with his sword pointed at Braxton's chest.

"I concede the match Jareth, you win." Braxton dropped his sword and held his hands up in defeat.

Jareth lowered his sword and disappeared in a cloud of glitter leaving his iron blade to clatter on the floor.

Braxton started cleaning up and putting the swords away. With a secretive smile, he thought. For someone that doesn't matter, he sure showed a lot of emotion. I wonder if there are any other emotions he has for her. Aren't love and hate just opposite sides of the same gold coin? I do believe it is time I went and had a look at this Sarah for myself.

Jareth reappeared in his study and began to pace furiously. Damn! He thought. The spell he had put on himself to distance the memories of Sarah had been starting to wear off ever since the Kings' council meeting. Everything was coming back to him in blindingly painful memories. Her defiance, her stubbornness, her childishness and her ultimate rejection of him. He swore sending everything on top of his desk flying with a sweep of his hands. Now he was forced to right some supposed wrong he did to her. Forced to remember the memories he so desperately wanted to forget. Forced to bring that selfish little chit back in his life. He collapsed into the desk chair with his head in his hands. There was no hope for it. He was going to have to follow through with his and Braxton's original plan.

The William's couple said their goodbyes to the kids. Karen went over the list of rules, emergency contacts and Tessa's need for yet the thousandth time to Sarah, whom was quickly losing her patience. Looking up, Sarah saw her Daddy wink at her and remembered her promise, so bit her tongue and plastered a smile on her face. Karen and Richard finally made it out the door with hugs and kisses all around to the three kids.

"Ugh!" Toby said. Wiping off the place on his check and shoulder where Karen had cried, kissed and blubbered on. "I didn't think they were ever going to leave!"

"Come on Tobes, let's say you, Tessa and I stop at the video store then pick up some pizza for lunch on the way back." Sarah said.

Toby's eyes lit up, "Can I rent some Xbox games?"

"I suppose so but only one." Sarah said barely managing to keep the groan out of her voice.

Sarah bent down to pick Tessa up and retrieved her purse. Then stepping outside with her brother and sister, she turned to lock the door. None of them saw the Eagle watching them from the tree in the front yard as Sarah led them to the car and secured Tessa in her car seat. The eagle flew off the branch and followed the car down the road. No one seemed to pay any attention to the eagle except for the neighbor's five year old boy playing in his front yard. Of course nobody would believe him if he told someone, after all everyone knew there weren't any bald eagles in Chipley.

Hoggle was busy spraying fairies outside the wall of the labyrinth.

"Heggle!"

"It's Hoggle!" Hoggle snapped spinning around. With a gasp, he dropped his spray can as his eyes fell on the fae king towering over him. "Yo..yo..your majesty," he stammered.

"Yes, Yes. I need you to do something for me."

"You need me to open the labyrinth for another wisher?" He guessed.

"No, No, nothing quite like that. I need you to climb through the portal into Sarah's room and stick this dream crystal under her mattress."

"But the portal has been closed for sometime your majesty." Hoggle said, staring dejectedly at his feet. "Sarah rescinded her invitation for us to visit."

"Actually Hoggle, I closed the portal."

"You did?" Hoggle looked up surprised. "Well it don't matter none. I ain't gonna do nothing to harm her."

"Come, come, you don't actually think I would harm one of the creators?"

"Well why don't you just magic it there yourself then." Hoggle nodded proud of being able to dredge up some courage. He knew full well Jareth couldn't do so directly. His power over Sarah's life had ended some time ago.

Jareth bent down, grabbing Hoggle by the shirt "You will take this crystal and put it under her bed or I will send you back to dwarf kingdom to do with you what they will."

He reluctantly took the crystal from Jareth's gloved hand. "What is this gonna do to the little lady?"

Jareth smiled evily "It is going to take her to the place of her dreams." and vanished with a shower of glitter. As the glitter settled, a full length mirror appeared, an image of a bedroom shimmering in the surface of the glass.