AN: I can't believe I wrote this chapter in a matter of two days. I have never kicked out a story so quickly before. I hope I can keep up the momentum. I have had more fun writing this story than anything in a long time. I might love it, but what do you think? Please, leave a comment, good or bad. I'm willing to take feedback so I can improve. (Updated 2/8/21 with the consummation of their marriage.)


Chapter 5: Unexpected Surprises

"Peach. Peaches, come on. It's 4 in the morning. Sarah, wake up! I need to sleep."

A hand being thwacked into her face and not removing itself after smashing into her cheek did the trick in waking Sarah. She grabbed the arm attached to the hand and placed it on the side of the bed where it belonged. She felt very sheepish for doing it again-moaning in her sleep. Another happy ending of a nocturnal escapade with her dream lover. Her body felt tingly all over and she wanted to stretch her muscles like a kitten, but her current bedfellow wouldn't appreciate it. Sarah would happily go back to sleep if it meant getting back to her Goblin King, but re-entering a dream rarely happened. Still, she closed her eyes out of obligation for the need to rest.

This was the fourth of an eleven night hotel stay for their first faire in Florida, which tended to have fairs in the cooler months. Because the fair in Tampa went over six weeks from late February into March, they changed up the acts every few weekends. Sarah and Cassie were able to snag a spot for the week that coincided with their last spring break of their college career. Cassie was sad that Ryan was unable to join them, especially now that they were engaged, but he was going for his Masters in Agriculture and had to prepare to write his thesis on the benefits of aquaculture.

Cassie wasn't looking forward to sharing a queen sized bed with Sarah, knowing how much she moaned and talked in her sleep some nights. But that's all the hotel the Faire organizers assigned them to had left. At least there was a kitchenette with a mini-fridge and a complimentary coffee maker. Cassie had her walkman placed on the night stand next to her side of the bed in case she needed it. And apparently, she did with Sarah moaning and moving in her sleep. They were to start a new skit the next day at the medieval faire and had to get up in two hours to get ready. Cassie grabbed her walkman and pillow and moved to the couch, using a towel from the bathroom as a blanket.

Cassie was the first to rise, being the morning owl of the two. She started the complementary coffee, then headed into the bathroom for a shower. The aroma of the coffee made Sarah start to gain consciousness. She sleepily opened her eyes and reached her hand down to her necklace, which she opened to see her reflection staring back at her. With her roommate occupied, she thought it was the best time to send a message to her king.

"Sir Didymus, I need you."

At the edge of the bed, Sarah heard a faint click noise as Didymus popped into the room. She turned over to see the knight standing close to her head-they were nearly eye to eye.

"Good day, my lady. How fare thee today?"

"I'm doing well." She sat up and stretched her arms over her head, then looked down to him, "No Ambrosius today?"

"He is resting at this hour." Didymus stated plainly.

"Oh. I'm sorry if I woke you. I forget there is a slight time difference. It's been so long since I've been to the Labyrinth." Sarah couldn't keep the air of woe from her voice.

"'Tis no worry, anything for thee. What wouldst thou ask of me?"

The noise of the spraying water abruptly ended in the next room and the sound of the shower curtain opening could be heard. Sarah didn't expect Cassie to finish with the shower so quickly.

"Damn," Sarah scooted out of the bed and onto her knees in front of Didymus. "I have to make this quick before Cassie comes out. I don't want Jareth to have to wait until our next meeting for my answer. Tell him 'Yes.'"

"Yes?" Sir Didymus's furry brow went up in confusion.

She nodded before pulling her friend in for a hug, "Yes. He'll know what it means."

Sir Didymus squeezed her back, "As my lady commands. Anything for thee."

The bathroom door popped open and Sir Didymus gasped, grasped Sarah's necklace, and popped out of the room.

There had been dozens of close calls of Sarah's Underground friends being caught over the years. Sometimes Cassie would even claim she heard voices and Sarah would say she'd just turned off the television or radio or gotten off a phone call, not wanting her friend to feel like she was hearing things and begin doubting her sanity.

Cassie moved to the coffee maker, "Want me to fix you a cup while you take your shower?

"Yeah, thanks for starting the coffee." Sarah and Cassie had been roommates long enough to learn each other's habits. Sarah did not like hot things and chose to let the liquid cool down before she would drink it. The time it would take her to shower would let it cool down to her preferred temperature.

While in the shower, Sarah's mind wandered to her reason for sending Didymus to Jareth. Their dreams always ended in sex, but they didn't start out that way; well, mostly they made time to talk. They would catch up on the events in their lives, especially if it had been weeks since their last encounter. This time, Jareth had serious news that at first had Sarah's heart plummeting one moment, then he did something that had her soaring in the next. Something very important had taken place in her dream, so important she wanted to burst and tell the world what had happened. But she never could.


Sarah had known something was seriously wrong because the place of their meeting in the dream was the throne room, a place they rarely met. Jareth was sitting stiffly on his throne, far from his usual languid lounging he did when relaxed. His clothes were black save for the dark burgundy embroidery on his vest. She'd seen him wearing it before, on days he had to meet with dignitaries from other kingdoms. Something must have happened to put him in a grave mood. She noticed she was dressed in a corset she'd never seen before, the same mossy green color as her eyes, over a flowy poet's shirt the rusty color of fallen leaves. She could feel her legs encased in breeches but couldn't see them as she also wore a flowing burgundy skirt over it. Her boots were of brown leather. It was rather like she was a Nymph of Autumn. She wondered why he had made her dress in this manner.

At seeing her enter, he sat up straight but did not leave his seat. Sarah was left to stand at the bottom of the steps which led to the throne. It made them eye level to each other. The way he was looking at her made her feel like he was gazing straight through her.

With how stern he was looking, she almost felt like she should curtsy and address him by title before she spoke, but she didn't. "How are you?"

"I have received a proposal of marriage." His voice was devoid of any emotion.

"...Oh." It took her a moment to respond.

Sarah knew Jareth was honest and never downplayed anything, so for him to be forthright wasn't uncommon. Yet what he said was an unexpected blow. She tried not to show her disappointment. She held no jealousy. She knew that he loved her, yet she didn't expect him to put his life on hold for her. He had duties in his life that were more important than her whims.

"Oh? Just, oh?" He mocked her softly as they were words she'd once said to him. "I thought you would be upset."

She turned away from him, her boots slowly pacing the stone floor, not sure of what she was feeling. It was disheartening, but there were no tears. She wasn't angry. She was just numb.

Her voice was strangely distant and quiet to her ears, "I am. I want you to marry me. I want you to father my children and to grow old with you, but I can't be with you. We have tried for four years to find a way for me to get Underground without someone else getting hurt. We have to be realistic; I may never be able to come to you. I can't expect you to put your life on hold for me. If marrying helps secure fortune or protection for your kingdom, your citizens, you have to consider it."

"No." He stood from his throne, his eyes furious.

"Jareth, no one but us knows of our dreams. You have obligations to your kingdom. You need an heir. As much as I want to, I can't give you that. You wouldn't be the first monarch in history to marry to produce offspring in order to secure rule for the next generation."

"You forget, the goblins choose their king, not heredity. And if my offspring do not come from your womb...I wouldn't have it any other way, regardless."

She turned away from him, avoiding his intense stare. "I could always be your mistress."

"No." He said strongly, stepping down to be level with her.

She shook her head and scoffed, "Look, I am not going to let you jeopardize your future or the lives in your kingdom because you won't marry someone else and let me be your lover. No one would know."

"I would know!" Jareth growled and turned her to face him, "Do you think so little of me, so little of yourself?" He held her by her elbows, his fingers flexing tightly to ensure she looked at him, "You are the one I love, Sarah. You are the one I want to mother my children and rule by my side. I will never take another."

Sarah couldn't stop the wetness from spilling from her eyes, seeing how genuine he was. "Neither will I."

Sarah gasped and shook her head, cupping a hand over her mouth as Jareth got down on one knee before her. He had to pry her other hand away from her side as he brought it with clutched hands to cover his heart.

He looked at her with more seriousness than he ever had, "I have nothing to give you but a kingdom that adores you and my vow of fidelity. Sarah Lynn Williams, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

In her joy and confusion, Sarah forgot to give him an answer and went straight to kissing him, pulling him to her and backing him against his throne as she started to remove his vest. His fingers worked on the lacing of her bodice, working the straps down her shoulders. She used to wish magic could just make them naked, but then over time, she found the teamwork effort of removing their clothes led to great moments of foreplay. Once her corset was removed, Jareth pushed her to sit upon the throne as he took off her boots, one by one, then slowly ran his fingers up the insides of her thighs before moving to the waist of her pants and pulling them down. He knelt on the steps between her thighs and pushed her legs apart. He then grinned wickedly as he bent his head under her skirt.

She fought against raising her hips at the first feel of his breath between her thighs. Yet she didn't have to move; he did it for her. He eased his hands under her ass to adjust her hips to where he wanted her. When she whimpered softly, she felt him laugh against her as he kissed the crease where her thigh met her most feminine of places. Then, his tongue lightly played with her clit before he took it into his mouth and she could no longer prevent herself from voicing her pleasure. He stroked his fingers lightly up and down her slit a few times before finally slipping two into her, starting a rhythm to match the motions of his tongue. Jareth knew the right ways to elicit moans from her with her four favorite L's: Long, Lavish, Leonine Licking.

And damn if that isn't when Cassie smacked her awake.


Sarah looked at herself in the mirror as she braided her hair in random places and staggered heights. She then took the wire of a clothes hanger she had straightened and cut to the desired length and wove it into some of the braids so they stood out, defying gravity. She then placed bright orange ribbons to the tops and bottoms of each braid and extra ribbons to the braids with the wires to keep them from falling out. Anyone not knowing her profession would find her look atrocious, but it went with the persona she was portraying. For finishing touches, she smiled as big as she could to get her lips away from her teeth as she brought a cotton swab to dry any moisture off them. Then she took a bottle of black tooth enamel stage makeup and started painting random teeth with an application brush. This gave the stage effect that she was missing teeth. She did two teeth up top and one on the bottom, giving about three coats of the black liquid, then turned on the blow dryer provided by the hotel to help the paint dry quicker. Wearing makeup or lipstick was out of the question unless she really wanted to look like a wet mess onstage.

Sarah loved her anti-beauty routine. She was sure that her actress mother would be appalled. Her step-mother actually watched her doing it for the local fair when she came home, complaining the whole time, whining about how beautiful she was and how terrible it was she let her beauty go to waste. Sarah didn't care that they thought she could get more refined roles elsewhere. In theatrical roles, it was the character that was remembered, not always the actor or actress that played them. In the fair, she was her own person. No one else was Peaches, and no one could take that away from her.

Another thing that made "Peaches" unique was her costume. She wore an ivory peasant blouse and orange bloomers under her coral and pear green corset with a calico skirt of brown, green, and orange. The clothes were light weight and didn't retain water. The corset was not tight; there was no need to show off her assets for the show. Personality, not sex appeal, was the goal. Otherwise, with how much she got soaked, she knew she could win if it were a wet T-shirt competition. But honestly, Cassie would win since she had bigger assets.

Cassie was also preparing for their act in a similar fashion. She had dyed her hair from her natural brunette to a strawberry blonde. Her costume were shades of red and brown, with burgundy ribbons in her hair. She wanted blue eyes instead of her brown but complained that she couldn't stand to touch her own eye, so she just stuck with what God gave her. To enhance the pun of her stage name, her costume colors were reds and burgundy shades, to go with the "Flo" of the Crimson Tide. Cassie loved getting a rise out of making the audience uncomfortable and nervous with her period and women's time of month jokes. She liked getting a rise out of her roommate, too.

"So, Sarah, another interesting dream last night?" Cassie teased as Sarah was finished and moved to sip on her coffee.

Sarah swallowed hard and couldn't hide her blush, "Sorry about that."

"It must have been a very good dream; I don't think I've ever seen you turn that red before. So sexy dream." Cassie wiggled her eyebrows.

Sarah turned even more flustered, "You do know no one can control what they dream, right?"

"Yeah, but they usually dream from experiences and desires. And from the tone of your moans, you were very much enjoying whatever it was you were dreaming."

Sarah said nothing but couldn't stop the smile from growing.

"When is the last time you've had sex? I have never once seen you with a guy in the three years we've been roommates. I know you said you had a boyfriend you're saving yourself for, but I've never seen you with anyone. I was starting to think you were celibate. But your hot dream sounded..."

Sarah could feel her neck turning red, unable to stop the blushing from spreading. "I'm not celibate. Please, just drop it."

"Oh my goodness, Peaches. You are blushing so much, it's like you're breaking out in a rash."

On days they were to perform, Cassie called Sarah "Peaches" so as to not mess up and call her by her real name during their performance. They had finally decided on Cassie's stage name, a way for them to play on the dessert theme of "Peaches and Cream." Cassie had promised that Sarah could be the one to give her a stage name, and Sarah found it in the strangest of places, a dessert. A friend from the NY Ren Faire introduced them to a Danish dessert, Rodgrod med Flode, which was basically stewed berries chilled then topped with sweet cream. "Flode" was the Danish word for cream, and pronounced "flo", so on the signage it would say "Peaches & Flode" and in the show they made fun of how no one could figure out how to pronounce "Flode" so she was just "Flo."

Sarah grabbed her duffel bag of props for the fair and headed for the door. "Come on, Flo. Let's grab a taxi."

They were thrilled that their show went over well with the Florida audience. Sometimes it was hard to read a crowd and know what to say to get them to participate. It was hard to tell when a joke would be received the same way in different parts of the country. In the fairs at home, it was easy to use jokes about politics or Broadway, but that might not go over as well with crowds not familiar with that culture. So Cassie rewrote some of the jokes to be about theme parks with Castles and tourism; that had been a good move. The tips at the end of their skit were generous.


Being tactful was not one of Sir Didymus's gifts. He might have had a keen sense of smell for things of magic, he might be brave and loyal, but observant and timely he was not.

When Jareth awoke that morning, he was a bit heart sick. He was sure Sarah's reaction was to the affirmative that she was willing to become his wife, but the words had never left her lips. And then something in her world had abruptly taken her from him. He had no reason to fear that ill will had befallen her; it wouldn't be the first time that she had been awoken mid-dream, especially by her current bosom companion. Sarah complained about Cassandra very little and whenever he observed them together, they were rather compatible, enough to both live and work together.

He had observed Cassandra when he ventured in his avian form to watch over Sarah. He wasn't sure if he liked Cassandra as he disapproved of her leading Sarah to her current method of acting which consisted of crude jokes, lewd touches, and low necklines. Visiting above, he had observed their show and how men and women would place payment in Sarah's cleavage or folds of her waistband after her performance. Sarah assured him it was all in good fun and that it was just an act; her heart was still his even if she kissed a few men on stage. He did notice that the kisses were chaste and over exaggerated, and none of the men stuck around after the finale as they went to find further entertainment provided by other acts. And he observed Sarah never showed any interest in them. It was just something to adapt to, letting Sarah find happiness in this form of expression.

He knew she thought portraying a washer woman, a character of lowly profession and base appearance would hide the vision she really was. He didn't understand why she would want to conceal her naturally voluptuous beauty under the untidy hair, loose clothing, and false teeth. He nightly tried to show her she was everything Peaches was not. And it was because of him proving her value to him that Cassie had been waking Sarah as of late. After its continual occurrence, Jareth asked Sarah if she was being harmed and she had to explain that she vocalized her pleasure in her sleep. This, of course, fueled his pride.

But having not had the dream last long enough this night to get a firm answer from Sarah ate at his soul. He didn't know when the next dream would bring them together for confirmation of Sarah's reply. It was going to take a lot of mental strength to be patient. He would have to find something to distract himself from dwelling on it. Perhaps now would be the best time to actually meet with the dignitaries from the Fae kingdom who had stayed the night and provide his sincere apologies for declining their offer to marry one of their princesses. He was sure their offer was a political move to obtain trade for bog water and that his refusal would not lead to them declaring war against him. He could easily still make a trade agreement without placing himself as a part of the bargain. The Labyrinth could afford to lose a few hundred gallons of the bog anyway. Few knew the Bog of Eternal Stench was actually the digestive system of the Labyrinth itself, or more precisely its anus. As putrid as the refuse may be, it was still very potent with magic, which then could be used to fertilize magical crops. In trade, Jareth could obtain a fresh flock of chickens, with which the Goblins would find great amusement and many delicious meals, if they could catch them.

He found the Fae dignitaries eating breakfast in the dining hall, having been attended by the goblins. Thankfully, some goblins weren't always destructive and could be good stewards if they put their minds to it. These more level headed goblins also tended to be female. If the dignitaries were offended by such creatures serving them, they did not show it. He knew his kingdom did not have the fineries of other larger kingdoms, but he was not going to feel degradation for something he could not help. Besides, the Labyrinth held more magic than all other kingdoms combined, which is why so many tried to overtake it. They were no match for its power nor the cunning of its king.

It was while he attempted to begin the delicate conversation that the canine knight loudly made his presence known. The knight looked as though he had run the entire way from his abode in the Bog of Eternal Stench, on his own two (or four) feet as he was sans his noble steed.

"Your Majesty!" Sir Didymus came to a swift halt at Jareth's side yet spoke as though he was trying to reach someone across the other side of the room.

Jareth apologized to his guests while giving a stern eye to the knight, "Didymus, is the reason for this interruption a matter of life or death?"

"Er, no." The knight looked for the first time to the others who sat at the table with equally stern glances towards him. He stated more discreetly, "Yet it is brief. I hath never received such a brief message to convey from Lady Sarah."

At hearing her name, Jareth's heart skipped a beat. He took a deep breath and turned away from his guests lest his expression showed anything more than indifference. "Proceed."

"She merely told me to convey to you "Yes." I do not know why, other than she said she did not want you to have to wait for her answer and that you would know what that means."

Jareth's heart did a funny jolt in his chest and a joy swelled from deep within. He wanted to climb to the tallest tower in the castle and shout over his land the reason for his joy. Yet he could tell no one. But he did have a new request of his Fae visitors, a commission, for he had no jewelers in his kingdom.

"Please inform her to meet me in the forest near her accommodations at dawn tomorrow. I'll meet her by the mushroom stump."

Didymus nodded curiously, "Tomorrow, dawn. Mushroom stump. It will be done presently."


Sarah was startled when she turned on the light in the hotel room to find the knight sitting upon her bed. She quickly grabbed him and carried him into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

"Didymus, what are you doing here? Cassie could have seen you!" She whispered strongly.

Didymus had lost his words for a moment, because he almost didn't recognize Sarah. She was still in her Washing Well Wench attire and makeup. "His majesty wanted me to give you his reply right away. I was only obeying his command."

Sarah sighed more gently. The king's response to her accepting his marriage proposal was very important, "Okay. What did he say?"

"He requests that you meet him tomorrow morn at dawn in the forest by the mushroom stump. Do you know where he intends?"

Sarah smiled and nodded. It was a place she had found a short ten minute walk from the hotel two days ago where a stump with tiny yellow mushrooms and fungus rings growing over it had fallen over a brook. She had been admiring the serenity of the spot when Jareth had found her. He had landed right next to her and she hadn't heard him, his wings were so quiet. "Yes, I know the spot. Thank you." She kissed his nose, "Now go."

That night, Sarah was disappointed she did not dream. She wanted to see Jareth's expression for herself but for the moment, she would just have to imagine it. As she drifted to sleep, she pondered if anything would change. She had already been Jareth's the moment he kissed her when she was sixteen, and if she was honest with herself, probably even before that.

Sarah tried to not jostle Cassie as she left the bed. She slipped on a pair of jeans over her night shirt, then put on a jacket and her sneakers before leaving to go meet Jareth in the woods. She also snagged her falconer's glove and tucked it into a pocket. Seeing how dark it was and remembering that Florida was known for poisonous snakes and prickly plants, she also grabbed a flashlight to help guide her path. When she got to the stump, it was just as the sun's light came over the horizon. Jareth must have beaten her there. Laying on top of the stump was a pouch of white leather. When she emptied the pouch in her hand, she couldn't move. A few tears rolled freely down her cheeks. With shaking fingers, she lifted the gift to her eyes. It was the most exquisite ring, a pear cut morganite stone of the deepest peach with perfect clarity, surrounded by a circle of small diamonds set in rose gold. Sarah immediately put it on her left ring finger. She then set her eyes to the trees above, looking for him. She was saddened when she didn't spot him. Maybe he had just dropped the ring off and couldn't stay.

A movement out of the corner of her eye made her turn and she nearly jumped at seeing the owl on the stump next to her; she hadn't heard him fly over. She sat down next to him and held out her hand, showing him that the ring fit.

"Thank you. It's beautiful. Yes. Yes, I will marry you."

He hopped upon her lap; he felt like nothing, his body was so light, although she could feel the sharpness of his talons through her jeans. He nuzzled his beak between her breasts; if it weren't the natural height of him sitting on her lap and the only way for him to embrace her, she would have thought he was doing it on purpose. He probably was. He then moved to nudge the silk sack for her to look inside it further. She picked it up and found a handwritten note was inside.

"Precious, when next we meet, we'll wed. You cannot imagine how I long to be your husband. I have faith that we will be together beyond our dreams. Either way, I am yours forever. "

She pulled out the falconer's glove and put it on her left hand; the new ring got caught a moment and she adjusted the covering to slip her finger fully in, then urged Jareth to sit upon the glove. Sarah looked into his glossy obsidian eyes, then kissed the feathers between his eyes, "I'm yours forever. We wed next we dream."


A loathing began to fester in Jareth's chest. He anticipated the next dream so much, to have Sarah become his wife, that he was beginning to hate the waiting. Two weeks. A fortnight without union with her was grating on his soul. The words he wanted to vow to her played constantly in his mind, but they also changed daily. He wanted his words to be eloquent but not flowery, grand but not mawkish. And the setting he wanted to have the event changed just as frequently. Should it be in the throne room because she will be his queen and it would be where they will have their official ceremony some day? Or should it be in the ballroom, a place of beauty? Or should it be in the garden he imagined for her-but no because it was also a place of sadness for the monument of her deceased pet. He wanted to kick himself for being so indecisive.

If he had his way, they would just skip all the formalities. As she acknowledged, he had claimed her already. She told him she would have no other, to which he trusted. Nothing about their lives was going to change if they did or did not have a ceremony. She still wouldn't be physically with him. The dreams would still be chaotic in their timing. Yet he also felt that she needed to see how he wanted to honor her. Him officially giving himself to her would be his way of showing her how much she meant to him.

When she was willing to give him up, he realized he wasn't willing to do the same. Had she been the one to tell him someone had asked for her hand, he would have immediately flown above, found the man and torn his tongue and eyes out with his talons, possibly eating them as he went. No one could have his Sarah. Yet she had been selfless and thought of his kingdom first, willing to degrade herself for the sake of those in his care. If he hadn't been so in love with her before that moment, that was the tipping point; he had to have her.

He knew he should have asked for her hand when they were first reunited. But he had refrained, still fearing that one day she would leave him for someone who could better fulfill her needs. She said she wanted children; that was something he couldn't give her unless they were physically together. He didn't want her feeling stifled through tying herself to him. Yet she said yes. She wanted him even if all they could have were dreams.

He forced himself to focus on his duties. Writing correspondence for negotiations on trade, the occasional wanderer as this time of year was a lull for wishers, and watching the goblin guard train gave him something to do other than obsessing over his desires.

"Um, Your Majesty?"

Hoggle came to him while he was observing the morning sparring session of the guards. The king did not turn to acknowledge the dwarf, "Yes, Hoggle?"

"Sarah was wondering, that is if you're willing to...she wants ya' to have this."

That did make Jareth turn to the gardener. He found Hoggle had his hand outstretched, a metal circlet in his palm.

"She said she knows you wears gloves all the time so she understands if you won't wears it." Hoggle boldly added, "But I say you'd better wears it or it'd break her heart."

Jareth cocked his head at the challenge but said nothing as he started to remove his left glove, then took the ring from Hoggle's hand.

"She said she didn't know what size to get ya', so if it is too small she hoped ya' could magic it to fit right."

Before placing it on his hand, Jareth took the time to examine the design. The band was of white gold on which sat a singular stone, the same hue and pear shape as the one he had given her, a deep peach blush. It was encompassed by the symbol of his station which was gold in contrast. Then etched along the edge of the band on each side of the stone was the infinity symbol which was in the center of the medallion on his pendant. It was exquisite. As Sarah feared, it was too small, but with minimal use of magic, he adjusted the size as he eased it into the place it would forever remain.

"Tell her I am humbled by her gift. I shall never remove it." He studied the ring on his hand a moment, flexing his fingers to get a feel for it before placing his glove back on.

"Jareth?"

He looked down in surprise at the dwarf using his given name. "What?"

"I want Sarah to be happy. You make her happy. But a queen can't be happy for long when separated from her king. Sarah won't ask it, but I will. You should let her wish her sister…"

"Hoggle. Stop talking, now, or your next breath will be taken under the waters of the Bog. Do you understand?"

The dwarf jumped and took a step back at the fury in Jareth's eyes, but because of Sarah, he had gained courage enough to state his mind, "You're miserable with her not here. I'm unhappy she's not here. If the easiest way is for her to wish Lillie away then…"

Jareth made the dwarf vanish from his sight. He did not make good on his threat to have Hoggle swim in the Bog of Eternal Stench, but he made sure the dwarf would be grateful that he only had to smell it. Sarah would never forgive him if her friend smelled too bad to be around.

The prospect of letting Sarah wish Lillie to the goblins had been a temptation since the announcement of the child's conception. And now that the child had been born, the temptation was even more enticing. Years of research done already, hours of testing his magic, and still he had found no solution save Sarah making a wish. If Sarah ran for her sister and lost, he would be able to prevent her from becoming a goblin and they could raise her with them Underground; the magic of the Labyrinth would make Karen, Robert and Toby never remember Lillie existed. But Jareth did not want Sarah to have such a diabolic deed on her conscience. He did not want their happiness to be founded on an act of evil.

That night, laying in his bed, Jareth stared at the ring in the glow of the firelight. He surmised she had it commissioned by the same craftsman that created her locket. It was fine work, dare he admit more fine than the Elven made ring he had given her. His blinks began to become longer and he started to doze off. Before he finally lost consciousness, he felt the beating of his heart increasing in excitement as he felt this would be the night they would wed.


Petals fell from the flowery trees overhead, the setting sun glowed golden over the shimmering clear waters of the opulent pool. Sarah had chosen this setting, for Jareth had never even considered it. He had brought her here one time during the week of their reunion; he had thought she was too preoccupied to notice anything other than him that time. It was fitting she chose this place for their eternal bonding.

She was stunning in the dress he envisioned for her, a gown of white inspired from a visit he'd made with the queen of the Elven kingdom. Crimson lace adorned the bardot collar which aligned with her sternum, baring her shoulders. Instead of sleeves, a gossamer fabric draped from the top of each bicep, as if a cape softly flowed as a train behind her. Her long tresses were left down, slightly waved under a sheer veil edged with lace. Simple diamond studs were given so as to not take away from her locket and the bracelet he gave her, which he preferred she kept in this moment. Soft, silk slippers adorned her feet; he would have her barefoot but it would have hardly been fair. He himself had chosen to wear all black from his boots to his shirt, save for the crimson high-collared vest embroidered with black accents, the same shade of red as the sheets that adorned his bed. And he had silver and red streaks in his hair. For this, he wore no gloves.

He felt something press into the palm of his right hand and he grasped around the hard, small object. He glanced down to find Sarah's ring in his hand. He raised his left hand to find his ring was gone and looked up to find Sarah grinning slyly, his ring held between her raised fingers.

"I thought we could give each other our rings properly." She said as she slipped his ring on her pinky finger to hold it temporarily.

He took her hands and kissed them in turn, then said, "I know it's traditional for the groom to give his vows first, but will you indulge me and take the lead?"

"Ooo, putting me on the spot." Sarah shook her shoulders then straightened them, "Okay." She gently rearranged their hands, taking his into hers, solidly looking into his eyes, "Every day I am without you is a day I live in pain, for my heart longs to ever be at your side. Being with you is the joy of my existence. You make me laugh. You make me feel loved and protected. You feed my soul. We met under less than admirable circumstances, but despite our differences, we have grown together in understanding and companionship. I promise to support you in the times you need comforting, to give you my thoughts should you ask for them, and to be a loving mother to our children when they come. We may only meet in our dreams for now, but forever you will be my husband."

He brought her wrist with the bracelet to his lips, his eyes showing his pride for her. "To be in your presence is to be alive. Without you, I live in shadow, for you are the light of my existence. Once upon a time, words were spoken that could have torn us apart had we not been willing to bend and chose to understand our true nature. You have been stubborn and reckless at times, as have I. But together we work to cultivate the best in each other. I have watched you blossom and thrive while we have been apart. I hope to continue to nurture your growth as we navigate the trials of our worlds together. I promise to be your strength in your times of sorrow, to provide for and protect you and our children, for they will come, and to honor you above all women, for you are eternally my queen."

Sarah moved to take his ring into her hand and placed it on his left ring finger, "I, Sarah Lynn Williams, take you, Jareth Tyton, to be my husband."

He reciprocated in kind and placed her ring on her finger, "And I, Jareth Tyton, King of the Goblins, take you, Sarah Lynn Williams, to be my wife and queen."

The kiss that sealed their bond lasted much longer and went deeper than it would had there been an audience.

When they finally parted to breathe, Sarah hugged him to her. "I am so happy."

He kissed her temple, "As am I."

"So, um, how do I look? You are flawless."

He willed a tall gilded mirror to appear so Sarah could see his imagining. She stared breathless at her image, hardly believing the noble woman staring back was herself. Jareth wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to lean against his chest.

"So, what do you think?" He asked.

"Cassie always says I look like a goddess. This is one time I can believe her. Too bad she isn't here to see."

"I'm glad she isn't here to see it, because now it's all coming off." Jareth growled into her ear, causing her to laugh.

Sarah shivered as Jareth's fingers worked open the buttons on the back of her gown, placing open mouth kisses on her skin as it was exposed, inch by inch. He went slowly, until he reached the last of the buttons at the curve of her spine. He then returned his lips to the side of her neck as he slid his fingertips over the skin of her shoulders, going under the lacey collar of the dress to push it down as he moved his hands forward over her chest. He firmly took her breasts in the palms of his hands and pulled her to fully lean back against his torso.

Sarah turned her head and kissed the underside of his jaw, the only part of him she could reach until he bent his head to meet her lips. She gave a low moan in her throat as her husband began to knead her breasts with firmer pressure, feeling her nipples harden. Not taking his mouth from her, he continued to move his hands from her breasts to slide the dress further down her, his hands following the curve of her ass. He eased his fingers to glide along the creases where her hips met her thighs. She unconsciously wriggled her bottom when his fingers wouldn't go to where she craved, causing her to muffle frustration into their kisses.

Jareth removed his lips from his flustered wife, giving a wicked grin at seeing how swollen her lips were from their kisses. He turned her around to face him and lowered himself to his knees; he had all intentions to make another part of her swollen. Finishing making the dress fall off her hips, he gazed at his prize. He had chosen her attire, after all, and he had given her no undergarments; he wondered if she'd noticed.

He gazed up at the body before him; how did he get so blessed with this beautiful woman? She was perfect in his eyes, in every way. Pulling her forward to step out of the dress that had pooled at her feet, bringing her closer to him, his nose aligned with the curve of her belly just above where it met her protective curls. He caressed her ass as he pulled her forward, placing a kiss to the flesh above her womb. He ran his nose down her skin to the place hidden beneath her curls, pulling back only to extend his tongue to venture into her slit. At his first lick, she gasped and by the fourth dip of his tongue, she had gripped his head, flexing her fingers into his hair. She spread her feet apart so she could better angle her hips to give him access to her most sensitive of places. After eliciting hitching breaths and coos from her, Jareth felt emboldened. He grasped her clit between his lips, gently applying suction and differing pressure with his tongue, feeling for her reaction. She grasped his head tightly and almost lost her footing, her head going back, mouth agape in a silent cry. Placing one hand around her inner thigh to steady her, he pulled her closer into his mouth, his tongue ever working on her folds while he brought up two fingers from his other hand to piston inside her. He would have let her come to completion, but soon after his fingers had penetrated her, she stepped back.

He looked at her curiously as she placed her hands on his shoulders and lowered herself onto her knees. Wordlessly, she eased her hands down the front of his chest, her fingers working the buttons of his vest. He then understood she'd only stopped him so that she could reciprocate; he'd almost let himself worry she'd moved away because he'd done something to displease her. Instead, she just wanted him on equal ground; naked so as to better touch him. He let her remove his clothes as he had done her, a longer process since he had on more layers. She didn't seem to mind as she idled a moment to pull his mouth to hers again, ever working to relieve him of his clothes. He only assisted to ease his arms through the sleeves of his shirt or to raise his knees and feet to remove his boots and breeches. As he did so, he placed a hand on her shoulder to anchor himself from losing balance as he removed the last of his clothing. The gaze of her eyes as she took in his naked form reminded him of what he must have looked like the first time she bared herself to him: sheer wonder. This was far from the first time they had been nude together, but this was the most meaningful day in their relationship, the day they vowed that the body they saw before them would be the only body they would please and receive pleasure from.

She exhaled and smiled at him before moving to kneel closer, cupping his cheek and pulling him down to kiss her again. He danced his tongue against hers, eliciting a low groan from deep within her throat. With her eyes closed, she eased her hand down his neck, slowly over his sternum, then continued down, feeling along his skin until it reached the flesh she sought. When she found it, she gently wrapped her fingers around his stiff cock. The moment she gripped his girth, he inhaled through his nose and moaned into her mouth. She stroked his cock steadily, the foreskin moving with her motion, while her thumb grazed over the swollen head at every pass. He grasped her neck one-handed, while the other placed butterfly touches down her back, coming to settle on her ass, his fingers alternating between kneading or gripping in reaction to her motions.

Sarah pulled away from their kiss and watched him; Jareth could barely keep his eyes on hers as he instinctively wanted to close them, focusing on what her hands were doing. With her other hand she explored the feel of his chest. She lightly grazed the nail of her index finger over each nipple before leaning forward to place her lips over one. As her mouth licked and pulled against his nipple, she played with the fine golden hairs over his sternum. She smiled against him as he started to gyrate his hips in time with the hand pleasuring him. Catching his eyes, she grinned wickedly as she licked her way down his stomach, then slid the tip of her tongue into the dip of his belly button, knowing he was sensitive there. As expected, he gasped and thrust his hips faster with the motions of her hand. Her mouth continued down the coarser line of hair that trailed below his belly button until she reached the golden curls crowning his cock. She then mouthed his cock and enveloped the tip a moment before slicking her tongue over it. All the while, she continued to pump him with one hand as her other gently cradled the sack at the base of him, fondling and squeezing, gauging his reaction for what amount of pressure felt best. Altering her hold, she used both hands and mouth to stimulate him, rubbing her tongue over the head while steadily priming him with her fists. She grinned when she gazed up at him; his eyes were closed, his breathing becoming more staggered.

Before she could blink, Sarah found herself being pushed onto her back, the fabric of her wedding gown the only thing cushioning her against the cerulean grass below. Jareth practically breathed her in as he again claimed her mouth. He eased her thighs apart so he could fit between them and swiftly guided his cock into her. She instantly wrapped her legs behind him and moved her hips in time with the rhythm he created. His hands came up to tangle in her hair, holding her against him; his mouth ravaged hers as he drove his cock into her.

Sensing his climax was nearly imminent, to delay his release he flipped onto his back and set Sarah astride his hips, letting her choose how to take her pleasure. He was enraptured by the feel of her soft breasts rubbing against the skin of his chest as she leaned down to kiss him. Not yet taking him in, she rocked her hips against him for a few minutes, simply enjoying feeling their bodies touch. She then sat up, intensely capturing his gaze. Sarah hardly blinked as she reached her hand between them to position his cock and pushed down to take him within.

Whereas Jareth was slow and methodical in his movements, Sarah was quick and full of energy in a way he couldn't match, and he loved it. Watching the way her breasts bounced in time with the motions of her hips as she writhed caused him to climax, the visual stimulation overwhelming his senses. Sarah continued her bouncing motions despite feeling his body jerk with his release. She reached her hand down to where Jareth's shaft entered her and found the nub of nerves at the juncture of her folds. It didn't take her very long to bring herself to her own release. She collapsed down upon him, breathing heavily and smiling at feeling the rise and fall of his chest beneath her.

As Sarah rested her head on Jareth's chest, she fought the urge to fall asleep in her sleep after their lovemaking. "Now that we are married, it got me thinking. We've known each other for seven years and there are still things we don't know about one another."

"What brought on this line of thinking?" His voice thrummed against her ear.

"Donohue. It's a TV show where people talk about life issues and are given relationship advice. Does anything scare you?" Sarah asked.

"One would be a fool to not have caution towards certain aspects of life, but for a monarch to speak of their worries aloud is dangerous. One never knows who could be listening or how what is said can be used as a weapon."

"But this is a dream. Only I would hear it, and maybe the Labyrinth. I thought you said it wanted to protect you."

"It does. I am simply not accustomed to admitting my imperfections, and to a monarch, having fears is a gratuitous flaw."

"So, what are you afraid of? As your wife, I want to be able to emotionally support you."

"And to do that, you feel you should know what I am afraid of?" When he felt her nod against him, he sighed. "Fine, then. There is only one thing that has brought me nightmares, one thing that puts terror in my soul, and that is losing you. I fear the day the dreams will end. I wish with all my being that you could find a way to finally be with me."

"That's my fear too." Sarah replied, hugging him tighter to her.


Having a headache was something Sarah was not used to. Cassie told her Ryan had migraines that were triggered by light or smells, but what Sarah was feeling wasn't incapacitating, so that wasn't the cause. She wondered if her head pain was from dehydration or lack of sleep due to a heavy study course this final semester. So she started carrying a canteen of water with her to classes and packing a bag of grapes and almonds for energy. Then mild cramping started and weird white stuff started coming out of her girly parts. If she got bruises during her dreams, did that mean she could get an STD too?

Cassie noticed other things, like Sarah was hungry all the time and was sleeping a lot more than usual. When they went clothes shopping, she bought a pair of jeans a size bigger. And she was getting up to go to the bathroom multiple times in the middle of the night if not to wretch, to pee. And it was too frequent to be just food poisoning or drinking too much. What tipped her the most was when she brought home Chinese takeout, usually Sarah's favorite, and Sarah wouldn't eat it because it smelled funny.

"Sarah, hon...when was your last period?" Cassie asked when Sarah said she had heartburn after eating cereal.

Sarah stared at her roommate and forgot to breathe a moment. It had been over two months. "You can't be serious."

Cassie nodded. "I have a pregnancy test in my drawer. I went off the pill once Ryan proposed, so I have a few. Do you want one?"

Subconsciously, Sarah must have nodded because that's what she felt herself physically doing.

Cassie reentered the kitchen with the small package in her hand, "Do you know how to use this?"

Sarah shook her head as she took it, her hand shaking. Cassie explained what to do and Sarah excused herself to go to the bathroom. With one hand on the test kit and the other grasping her pendant, she looked down at the ring on her finger, then into her own eyes, trying to decide what to do. Everything about how she'd been feeling in recent weeks clicked and what she held in her hand would either confirm or dash her hopes. She peeled open the package, did her business, washed her hands, then returned to the kitchen. She placed the test on the table and stood looking down at it.

"Sarah, sit down. You're as pale as a ghost." Cassie said with concern.

Sarah numbly did as her friend said. Cassie had set an egg timer on the table as soon as Sarah opened the bathroom door. A few minutes in silence later, it dinged.

"I can't look." Sarah whispered.

When Cassie asked if she could look, Sarah nodded. Cassie didn't know if she should be happy or sad for Sarah; she had never seen her friend in shock before. So she tried to keep her voice neutral. "It's positive."

This is what she wanted, wasn't it? What she'd wished for for almost a year. But she never imagined doing it alone. She had thought she would be with Jareth by now.

Tears started streaming down Sarah's face, yet she did not cry. She clutched at her pendant again, her free hand going down over her lower abdomen. "I'm going to be a mom. I didn't think it possible."

"Is this a good cry?" Cassie asked.

Sarah only exhaled a laugh and nodded.

"Do you know who the father is?"

Taking a deep breath, Sarah decided it was time to tell Cassie the truth. She sniffled and wiped her eyes as she tried to calm herself. "You remember last year when I met the owl in the woods and got ticked off when you scared it off." Sarah lifted up her hand to show her wedding ring, "That was Jareth, my husband."

Cassie laughed, "I think you've watched Ladyhawke one too many times and let your fairytale classes get to your head." When Sarah didn't try to fight her on it, not even a rebuttal, Cassie scoffed, "You're serious?"

"Very. In some place in the Universe, magic is real. Goblins exist. And I am married to their king."

Cassie stared at her before saying calmly, "I have known you for three years, and though this isn't the first time I've worried for you, this is the first time you're scaring me. You do realize what you are saying sounds crazy, right?"

Sarah held out her right hand and pointed to a mark on her palm, "Look at this."

Cassie took Sarah's hand and brought it closer to her face so she could see it. "It's a piece of glitter."

"Touch it." Sarah offered.

Cassie rubbed her thumb over it, expecting for the piece of glitter to be knocked off, "I don't feel anything, but the sparkle is there."

"That is a scar from where a fairy bit me."

"A fairy." Cassie got up to pace the room.

Sarah summarized wishing Toby away, making friends on her journey, beating the Goblin King at his own game, meeting with him in dreams where they went from acquaintances to lovers. How she was unable to return to the Labyrinth through the mirror but her friends could come to her. How through her words, Sarah unknowingly had confined the Goblin King to his owl form when he was physically near her. And how no matter what, she would not wish another soul away to be with her king.

"It's an elaborate, fascinating story, Sarah. I'm sure you could sell a book about it. But it just can't be real." Cassie tried to reason with her.

Sarah sighed, "Hoggle, Ludo, Didymus. I need you."

As much as Sarah could explain with words, nothing would solidify it more than with undeniable proof. Of course, Jareth couldn't come and flash his crystal balls, but her trio of friends could. It would be the only way for Cassie to suspend her disbelief.

"Now, I don't want you to tell them I'm pregnant. I don't want them knowing before Jareth. Right now, you and I are the only people in both worlds who know. Promise."

Cassie indulged her friend, "Of course."

"Hey, Sarah. Woah!" Both Hoggle and Cassie jumped at seeing each other.

"Oh my god, he's real." Cassie said when she reached out her hand to push Hoggle's shoulder.

"'Course I'm real. Who are you?"

Sarah made the introductions, "Hoggle, you can trust Cassie. She knows my story."

Cassie warbled on her feet, "I think I need to sit down."

Ludo and Sir Didymus arrived a few minutes later as well. Sarah was excited that Ludo had brought one of his offspring with him, the one with fur the same shade as Sarah's hair. His young were nearly three years old, so technically it wasn't a baby any more, more like a toddler. It was a female he had named "Sarah too." Sarah instantly loved "#2" as the little one immediately hugged her when Sarah bent to meet her. She was as tall as Sarah's hip and very strong. This was the first time someone new from the Labyrinth had ventured to her world; she hadn't considered it was possible.

Cassie watched the reunion with wonder. Sure, they worked at Ren Faires where people talked about magic all the time, but they didn't think it was really real. But right in front of her was the impossible.

"Well, that explains the random glitter." Cassie said in jest after Sarah's companions had gone. Then her bemused expression turned serious, "We have to get you to the Labyrinth. You can't have your baby here. You need to be there."

"Cass, I've tried for nearly seven years. Something is preventing me from going back."

"But you said you haven't wished again. We could find someone horrible the world won't miss, like a politician." Cassie suggested thoughtfully.

"What type of life could I have after that? Jareth and I agree, I can't wish. Our happiness can't be at the pain of someone else. We won't have that stain our marriage or mar our kingdom."

"That's right! You're a queen. A queen who plays at being a wench as her day job. You've been a queen this whole time I've known you, haven't you?"

"Technically, I've only been a queen two months. But, I've been in a monogamous relationship with Jareth since I was eighteen, so to him I've been his queen since then."

At Cassie's suggestion, Sarah went to the gynecologist to verify how far along she was. Turns out she was at eleven or twelve weeks, which means she was pregnant before she got married. During the ultrasound, Sarah couldn't help but to cry happy tears at hearing the faint sound of her baby's beating heart.


Sarah didn't know why she had this irrational feeling that she couldn't tell her own husband he was going to be a father. Telling him without there being a way for him to see his child would just be agonizing for him. She felt deep in her soul that not telling him was what she needed to do. Being three months along, she still had at least two months before she started noticeably showing anyway, enough time for her to truly decide.


AN2: Thanks goes to AngelGlass and Bferg for creating photos of Sarah's wedding dress for me. I wish I had such skills! Also, a few days ago my work told me I will be furloughed indefinitely so I have decided to move back home and help raise my nephews while everyone has to work and they have to do school virtually. So, I am not sure how long it will be before chapter 6 is out, but I do have a majority of chapter 6 written!