A/N: Yup, it's short. Sorry. It wanted to stop there. Thanks muchly to my new reviewers! -PC

Disclaimer: I own none of the Labyrinth movie characters.

The guard outside of Jareth's prison escorted her across what felt like half the castle, until they reached a set of spacious apartments.

"Your chambers, my lady," he said, motioning her in with a bow, and closing the door behind her as she entered.

Sarah let her grubby knapsack fall on the sumptuous carpet, feeling very small and very dirty. The huge bed at one corner of the room, raised on a dais, was canopied and hung with blue velvet, and the sheets were what looked like silvery satin. Tables and chairs of dark woods and rich fabrics were scattered negligently about the room. Despite the richness, there was a lack of personality, and Sarah guessed that this was a generic "guest" chamber. I'd hate to see what Jareth's chambers look like…well, no, actually I wouldn't hate it…She suppressed a giggle, and began exploring.

There were three doors set in the chamber walls, the first being the door she'd come in through. The second proved to be a closet full of clothes that looked like they might fit her. I certainly can't accuse Hamel of a lack of hospitality.

The third door was a bathing chamber, and with a low cry of delight, Sarah turned on the taps and watched as hot water and bubbles rapidly filled the stone tub. She suddenly realized she had no idea what time dinner was, and, turning off the taps, crossed the room again and opened the main door.

A guard instantly left the wall. "My lady?"

"Do you know what time dinner will be served?"

"In one hour, my lady. We are to escort you when you are ready."

"Thank you." She closed the door again.

Three guards outside my chambers, and an escort everywhere I go. Hamel certainly doesn't want me getting around without him knowing. We'll have to do something about that.

For the moment, the intrigue was forgotten, as Sarah luxuriated in the hot bubble bath. Even something as simple as a bath lifted her spirits, and helped her not think about the Challenge and the Labyrinth awaiting her…when? Probably soon. Now that I'm here, Hamel probably won't see any need to waste time.

She rose from the bath, dried off, and rummaged through the clothes closet, settling on a gown of midnight blue velvet. The bodice was encrusted with dark sequins, and it reminded her of the outfit that Jareth had worn the night he blew into her house.

A faint smile touched her lips as she remembered, even as she stood before the mirror to fix her hair.

Meanwhile, in another part of the castle…

"She will take the Challenge, Your Majesty."

Hamel sighed, as he put the finishing touches on his spiky mane of hair. "Well, I can't say I'm surprised. What else did little Sarah and my dear cousin discuss?"

"Nothing else of import, Your Majesty. Some history, and the nature of the Challenge, but nothing else. They are to meet again tonight, after she sups with you."

"Very well. Return to your post, and report to me first thing in the morning. I want to know what else they talk about tonight."

The guard bowed, and exited the royal apartments. Hamel turned back to the mirror with a scowl. He'd been hoping that his cousin would be forced to yield the throne as a result of the limitations Hamel had placed upon him; unfortunately, Jareth was more resourceful than he'd thought. He'd also forgotten about the girl that had defeated his cousin eight years ago. Clearly, Jareth hadn't.

As he toyed with the bottled oils and scents on the dressing table, Hamel's thoughts turned in a much more pleasant direction…the Challenge. Jareth had chosen a human, and humans were not renowned for their cleverness. This had the potential to be very easy.

Careful, he cautioned himself. This human had defeated Jareth before; she was more than likely above the average of her kind. But this time, the stakes were higher. And she wasn't playing against Jareth.

Hamel was struck by a thought, even as the clock chimed a warning that he was about to be late for dinner. He grabbed a piece of parchment on the dressing table, and quickly scrawled a single word, before grabbing a long black cape and exiting in a swirl of fabric.

The word on the parchment was LETHE.