I DO NOT OWN THE LABYRINTH OR IT'S CHARACTERS

Thank you Guest 2021 for your comments. Yes, Jareth in King mode is quite different. He cares a great deal for his wards, and any one he deems under his care. I would have to say that in the instance where Hoggle tends to him, Hoggle is the one being rather generous. This next chapter will be very erratic, just giving caution. Sarah will be juggling home life, work, controlling her abilities, a potential suitor, and of course….duh…duh…duh! Karen.

Comments and questions are very welcome.

Training and Dating

It was early Monday morning that Sarah had left the house to go on her morning run. She had been slacking, but decided enough was enough, she had to get her life together. Her drinking was getting out of control, and she didn't want to end up like dear aunt Agnes.

After her run, she showered and began her day with a nice cup of coffee, just coffee. Her work schedule was pretty filled, with a ton of paperwork waiting for her. There was nothing unusual about the day, even the goblins had been quiet. As a matter of fact, not even one had made a peep that day.

Work went off without a hitch. She attended a few adoption hearings, with some being extended. At the office she found most of her paperwork just needed reviewing and a few signatures, her mailboxes were all easily answered by one. The boss had bought lunch as a show of how much he 'valued' them, and if she had to say for herself, the day seemed too normal, but she just ate her food and went about her day.

When her workday finally ended, she reviewed her phone for any missed calls, only to have one from Karen. Yes. Just one. Miracles do happen, even for her. Sarah arrived at home promptly at six, and decided to return Karen's call. "Sarah? I am so glad you called back. I only called you to invite you over for dinner on Wednesday. How does that sound?" Sarah was afraid to say yes, she just sighed. "Well I don't

have any plans for now, but you know how my schedule is. How about a raincheck?" She held her breath knowing that Karen would fight her tooth and nail, especially if she had an ulterior motive. "That sounds wonderful, darling. Either way try to make it if you can, even if it is late…." Sarah walked into her home and stopped listening as she entered her dining room seeing sitting at her table a woman she had never met before.

"Yes, Karen that sounds great….Sure, of course, no problem, Ok call me with the details. I gotta go." The two women just stared at each other. Sarah's eyes just trailed from the table filled with food back to the woman sitting at the table. "Who the hell are you?!"

She finally asked. There was a regalness about the woman, as if she were used to people bowing at her very whim. The woman smiled, and stood. "Hello. Sarah. It is nice to finally meet you." Sarah kept staring at the woman, but didn't show she felt intimidated. "That is all well that you seem to know who I am, but again I ask,'' Who the hell are you? And answer fast." The woman laughed, but stayed where she was.

"I am Queen Titania, Queen of the Fairies, Wife of Oberon and mother to Jareth, ruler of the Goblins." They were silent for a moment. Sarah finally let herself relax, if only a little. "Please sit with me Sarah. We have much to discuss. I have had a feast prepared for us, if that is ok." Sarah nodded, and sat at her table. "OH MY! We do have much to go over."

Sarah rubbed her eyes, and groaned into her hands. "Why are you here? It's not that I do not appreciate the meal, but why are you in my house, uninvited and unannounced. I thought even you had certain rules to follow." Titania just smiled. "My presence has been announced by my son. Did he not inform you that you would need to be trained? This is the purpose of my visit. Well one of my purposes. We have much to discuss with you. Time is short Sarah."

Sarah sat with her mouth open like a fish out of water. "What is this…Cotillion training? I had to do this with Karen! I hated it!" Again, she felt as if she were 15. Fae Cotillion 101 full steam ahead! "Yes, my dear. Where do you think that tradition is based? Except we don't have years, only days or two weeks at most! You must learn proper Fae etiquette, plus how to control your powers, enough to fake that you do at least. Oh dear. This will never do!" Queen Titania reached for a crystal ball, one similar to Jareth's and before Sarah could even open her mouth to scream, they were in the Underground.

More precisely the Castle beyond the Goblin City. "Welcome, Sarah. I see you have met my mother." Sarah walked up to Jareth, mouth still opened, and punched him square dead in the throat. "I told you I would make you pay! Bastard!" As Jareth reached for his throat, gasping for air, now on his knees, Queen Titiana just sighed, and took a seat at the table Jareth had prepared for their visit. "Ohmy. Did you already tell her…" Jareth began waving both hands, trying to regain some dignity. "No. Mother." He said between wheezes." Sarah stood, arms crossed, and began eyeing the both of them.

"I hope that you two would let me in on what you decide to do with my person. This is getting rather old really fast."

"I agree." Said the queen. "Have a seat, dear, Jareth compose yourself. It is your fault we are in this mess. You should have told her already." She sat at the table with Sarah, Jareth following, as she began her tale.
"Have you ever heard of the dark queen?" She didn't wait for Sarah to answer. "Long story short, she is my sister. When we were younger, she always had her eyes on the throne. I was next in line." She saw Sarah's reaction but shushed her. "Yes, everyone always believes that the great Oberon King was born to wear the crown, but that is incorrect. He wears the crown because of being married to me.

My sister fell in love with Oberon, he came from a rather influential family. He did not feel the same as her, but that did not stop her from seeking out the Unseelie to gain power, corrupted power. In an attempt to take my life, my parents gave their lives to save mine. Right before they died, they banished her. But she still has followers in the court, and spies within the kingdom." Jareth stayed quiet and still, hearing the story well. He stared at Sarah, watching her every move and expression as it crossed clearly on her face. "But what does this have to do with me?" Queen Tatiana took a deep breath, looking at Jareth. He just nodded, and once again looked towards Sarah. "Power, Sarah. It's all about power. You are favored by the Labyrinth, the most powerful being in the Underground. All here know if a war were to ever break out, whoever that the Labyrinth favors, will have the most power. " Sarah turned to look at Jareth. "That is not to say whoever is in charge of the Labyrinth or Goblin king automatically has favor, either. At best, we tolerate each other, have an…understanding."

Jareth stooped next to Sarah. "It made you queen for all intents and purposes. You have the favor of the Labyrinth, and now we need your favor as well. I know I did not ask before, but I ask now. Will you help? Your friends need you, the goblins need you…" He just stared in her eyes, not continuing. "For the goblins. I will help. For my friends. I will help…but if this were just for you….I can guarantoee you could rot." Jareth nodded, but did not move.

"No one knows you are here, or that this discussion is even taking place, YOu my dear will be our secret weapon. My mother will be training you, and the night before the ball you must be here. There are times she will train in your home and times you will be here. Do not leave my room under any circumstances nor open the door to any who should knock." Sarah shook her head yes.

"Allies. I need to know who I can trust. What if some stranger says he or she needs help finding their pet goblin and I hop in the wrong van and end up having my innards for sale on the fae black market?"

Queen Titania raised an eyebrow. "OH. I do like her."

Jareth finally stood. "You will meet my brother soon. My brother is king to a neighboring kingdom, but has no knowledge of your involvement. And my most trusted advisor and commander of my army whom you should also meet at the ball. The only ones you should trust now are my mother to train you, myself, and your merry trio. Anyone else, my father included, can not be trusted. Are we clear?"

Sarah stood and nodded. "So your precious princess is not on the list?" Jareth chose that moment to give her his back, and walk out the door.

Let the games begin! Sarah's training is finally starting. I am trying to make my chapters longer and have more content to get the story moving along. I didn't realize sometimes more is less and less is more. Tell me what you think. Chaos and hilarity are always on the way. Oh! And Sarah finally decked Jareth one and good! Please read and review.