Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters used in the movie, Labyrinth, even though I do in my dreams. But that's another story in itself.

Chapter 10

After a few hours of training with the twins, Paralda walked into the room and said it was now time for magic training. He stood in front of Sarah and began, "Magic is an ancient source of power, it is wise to always respect it as so. Magic is all around us. In the trees, flowers, ground, it is in the very rocks and air we breathe. We do not posses magic. We, in a sense, borrow the energy from all that is around us. It is a rare gift to be able to control it and is something you must be born with, for it can not be learned. You, My Queen, have always possessed this ability but you only need to be reminded how." He walked closer to her and raised both her hands between his and looked deeply into her eyes. As he touched her, she felt a light tingle flowing through her beginning with her fingertips. He leaned down and whispered, " Close your eyes. I want you to be able to feel the magic around you." Sarah felt a little hesitant about him being so close . As he came closer she couldn't help but look into his eyes. They were almost white with flecks of blue and pink that reminder her of perfect opals. She began to close her eyes and lean into him when she was reminded of a haunting melody. One she hadn't thought of since her dreams.

There's such as sad love

deep in your eyes

a kind of pale jewel

open and closed within your eyes

I'll place the sky within your eyes

there's such a fooled heart

beating so fast

in search of new dreams

a love that will last

within your heart

I'll place the moon

within your heart

She stepped back and pulled away. Paralda looked confused and a little hurt by her rejection.

"I'm sorry. I need to take a break for a moment." Sarah willed herself back to the suite.

She began to pace. Had Paralda just tried to kiss her? The crazy thing was that she had almost let it happen. She sat on one of her chaises in her sitting room when she heard a slight knock on the door. She sighed and went to the door still a little flushed and embarrassed by the situation.

"My Queen, I am very sorry. I did not intend to offend you in any way." Paralda said clearly ashamed by his own actions. " However, I fear you must learn more before you may rest."

Sarah knew he was right . If she went to the Goblin Castle without knowing what she was doing she knew she had no chance.

"Of course, Paralda. I will be right there. I just need a few moments alone."

Paralda slightly nodded and disappeared leaving behind small wisps of smoke.

Why was she feeling this way about him just when she had discovered her true feeling for the Goblin King?

"I should be concentrating on what I've been taught so far."

She planned on going back to the training room but as soon as she closed her eyes she saw her Goblin King standing in front of her. His scent of magic and leather washed over her. She remembered his scent from her previous trip. He had stood so close that the memory was embedded in her brain. She lifted her hand to touch his cheek but she knew he wasn't really there. She opened her eyes only to find an empty room but his scent still clung to her very soul. A tear fell down her cheek the only evidence of her weakness. She slowly walked to the bedroom and went straight to the screen. As she touched it all the carvings began to appear as before. She knew exactly which carving she was looking for. She was in his arms as they danced. All the other dancers at the ball had sneers on their faces. But she remembered this very moment. He had just appeared in front of her and she had felt her heart begin to race as he took her hands in to his own. She looked into his mismatched eyes and for a brief moment she felt beautiful and wanted. Something that she had never felt before that moment. She knew that she wanted that moment back. But in order for that to happen she knew she have to take it back.

Paralda was in the training room looking out over the Labyrinth when Sarah reappeared. She walked cautiously toward him.

'It is I who should feel shame' he sent to her as he turned from the window.

"I know your heart belongs to another. I beg your forgiveness and promise it will never occur again."

Sarah looked in his eyes and smiled ," Of course, I won't thin of it again. Shall we resume my lesson?"

Even though his heart swelled at the thought of her presence he knew that she was not free to be his.

"Right. Let's continue." He strolled over to her.

" I want you to close your eyes and let everything go from your mind. You are to free yourself of thought. I need you to reach out with your senses. Mortals think that there are only five. But all creatures of magic know that the most important of them all is intuition. It the mortal way of thinking that limits your abilities. I feel incredible strength in you, yet you doubt yourself. I believe that when you were with Briegal when you attempted to see your friend, Hoggle, was it? Please attempt this in front of me."

Sarah waved her wrist and produced a round crystal.

He smiled, " I see you are using the Goblin King's signature style of casting. That may be the problem. You see, we all have to remain true to ourselves. Jareth feels it is best if his victims see what is coming. I, on the other hand, feel more comfortable with the element of surprise"

At that Paralda disappeared and reappeared behind her.

She instinctively turned and raised her hand felling the tingle in her chest spreading through to her hand and a thin purple barrier separated her from him.

"Very good" he said looking impressed. " But try to hold it while I try to penetrate it"

Sarah concentrated on her barrier as he walked right through it.

" Sarah, you are still thinking as a mortal. It is not enough to see in your mind what you want to do. You must feel it with every ounce of your soul."

"OK" she said. She looked at him and saw a sadness coming from him. "You are afraid for me aren't you?"

"Is it that obvious? Well, you know of my fondness for you. I only wish harm will not befall you"

" Won't you be there to protect me as well?"

" I can not, My Queen. My people do not know yet of this attempt to rescue the Goblin King. I found that it was wise to keep this among a select few for the time being. You do not realize that the majority of Sylphs that are in this castle are young and foolish and if they knew they would all go running into the Castle Beyond the Goblin City causing a full scaled war against ÆRNAY and his men. I fear that it would not be much of a war as a massacre. I must stay here and keep up appearances so that no one will be suspicious of our actions. I have sent word to the adults to come to the castle and they should be here no later than two days. "

"Why have you sent for the adults if you are not planning to tell them about our plans?"

" Because if and when ÆRNAY sees my warriors with you he will attack us without regards for our young. Make no mistake, ÆRNAY is evil incarnate."

"OK there is one more thing we need to practice before you may rest"

Sarah couldn't even imagine anything else. It had been many hours since she had began training.

Seeing how tired Sarah looked, he sent, 'I promise you'll like this one'

She looked up at him and smiled.

"OK, what have you got?"

" You know that Jareth can transform into an Aves?"

"Yes, I've seen him transform into a barn owl."

" That is his spirit animal. We have yet to find yours. I don't see it in you so we'll have to find it some other way."

He thought for a second, " Come"

He again placed his hand on her waist pulling her to him as they disappeared.

They were standing in a familiar room. It was dark with the same white sculpture who's test she had to pass in order to see Paralda.

"This is Sievem. He sees all"

" Yes, we've met"

" Of course, Sievem, we are in need of your assistance." He directed toward the statue. It began to sparkle and come alive as she remembered.

" Yes, Paralda. Hello, my Queen."

She bowed.

" We are trying to find Queen Sarah's spirit animal"

The statue laughed, " I thought you needed something that would be a challenge."

A small beam of light appeared and went toward Sarah .

Paralda watched as she began to shrink. Sarah felt a warm tickling throughout her body. She kept her gaze on Paralda as she felt herself becoming smaller.

"I should have known. It is not only the King's style that you copy. Your spirit animal is an Aves as well."

Sarah was excited but she couldn't quite see herself. She felt strangely confined.

"You are a hawk, Sarah."

At hearing this she stretched out her wings and examined them. She was brown, white and beautiful.

" To return to your normal form you must wish to go back. Remember, you must feel it." Paralda reminded.

Within moments Sarah was back to her true form. She looked at Paralda proud of herself.

" Yes, I am proud of you too. Now you must rest"

Author's note: Yes, it is the next chapter that our handsome prince will be making hisappearance. I am just as excited as everyone else.

Moonjava: Thanks, please keep reading.

Solea: Thank you for your encouragement

Taiki: Thank you and I hope you will keep reading

Amethystlainey: Thanks for tracking me down and getting me moving along.