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 26

Sarah walked on in silence but kept glancing at Jareth from the corner of her eye. He hadn't even acknowledged her since they'd left Neksa Falls. Rastrin was ahead of them leading the way and Sielke was behind them, making sure they were not being followed. She was also noting the obvious tension between the royals. She quickly called to her brother,

'Rastrin.'

'Yes, what is it? Do you see something?'

'No. The Goblin King and Queen Sarah are at odds. Should we stop and perhaps give them a moment to rest?'

'Relationships are your area of expertise, my sister. But we are already behind and we must get to the Forest of Sorrows. Paralda will be there with the others. I'm sorry but stopping at this point is simply impossible.'

"I understand, my brother.'

Jareth could not stop thinking of his father. 'He could not die he was almost 6000 years old. By far the oldest in the Underground only followed by ÆRNAY then Paralda.

It seemed like several lifetimes since that day he had stood looking out through the window in his throne room.

He was thinking of her, remembering her journey. She had been so young yet beautiful. Innocent yet clever. How he admired her courage and strength. He would often look out this very window imagining that he could still see her running the Labyrinth. Only this time, he hadn't noticed it was someone else actually inside. When he had finally noticed the runner was half way through and just as he was going to this runner's side he heard a knock.

"Yes. What is it?"

In walked a small goblin carrying a thick scroll.

"Hand it here. Hurry." Jareth ordered as he snatched the note away.

My Dearest Son, Jareth:

Please come home. Your father, The High King of the underground, has taken ill. Please hurry. I fear he will be unable to hold on.

Forever Your Mother,

The High Queen

He'd tucked the scroll into his frock coat and thought for a moment. Once an opponent had begun the Labyrinth it would be impossible for them to stop until the full 13 hours had past. However, it was in The Goblin King's power to speed up the progress of this contestant to get to the final confrontation, if they got to that point. No one had before except for Sarah, of course.

He walked again to the window and released a crystal orb to speed the progress of the person in the Labyrinth. Only when the orb touched the wall, it popped like a bubble and the wondrous maze began to rot and die before him.

He was confused and more than a bit angry. He turned to leave the throne room to see what was causing this reaction. Running up to the tower to get a better look at the contestant he realized that this was no ordinary person. It was his cousin, Jacob.

It was then that it all became clear. In his haste, he had sped up the contestant's progress to reflect the outcome upon their winning.

"What have I done?"

'Oh father, please hold on. I need your guidance. Please be well. I will reach you soon.' His hand went straight to his amulet.

Sarah felt the Goblin King's anguish and wished to run to him and comfort him but held herself back to give him his much needed space. It amazed her how he hid so much pain behind that steel mask that seemed fastened to him.

She felt so guilty. How could she have been so insensitive?

She just told him Oh your dad's dying. 'Sarah, you are so stupid!'

She knew that she would have to make it up to him in some way. But what was the appropriate way to ask forgiveness for being an insensitive jerk? He had every right to be angry with her and she knew it.

"The story of my life." She whispered to herself.

Sielke put her hand on Sarah's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze.

"It'll be alright. We are almost there. Then you can talk to him." She whispered.

Relieved to have another girl there, she smiled her gratitude, "I'm so glad you're here."

It wasn't long before they'd reached a small clearing surrounded by giant twigs when she glanced up she noticed the twigs intertwined so tightly they prevented any light from shining through. But they formed a wonderful canopy full of liquid glitter that swirled with colors. Blues, greens, pinks, yellows seemed to dance above them.

Jareth and the others watched the Queen's amazement and felt her joy. Even Jareth smiled for a second before returning to his mask of indifference.

"You are so easily amused." He sneered.

Her eyes quickly snapped to his face.

"I realize that you are upset with me but there is no reason for you to be so hateful."

Rastrin cleared his throat, "We'll be securing the edges of the clearing," bowed and took his sister's hand.

"See what you have done? You've run them off again. You with your uncivilized comments and emotional outbursts. You think being named royalty automatically makes you able to deal with people?"

"You are unbelievable. It wasn't me that ran them off. It was you and your rude comments. You think you are the only one that's ever been hurt?"

"Sarah, you are stepping on dangerous ground. I've told you before that I can be cruel."

"I know," She stood from the soft comfortable ground, "I remember everything. I'm sorry Jareth. I wish I knew what I could do to make this better. Sometimes I don't think before saying things and it's not until afterwards that I realize how hurtful they are."

He stared at her softening a little before letting out a breath, "I understand. I'm no stranger to having people misunderstand me. I'll just need some time to come to terms with some things. I also apologize for being rude to you. It was uncivilized of me to make fun of you when you were so obviously taken by the scenery. I must admit it is quite unusual. Is it not? I haven't been here since I was a boy."

"It's lovely. A boy, huh? How old?"

"70. Oh to you it would be about 14. I was a troublemaker back then." He smiled at his memory.

"I think I would have liked to have known you. You sound like me. I would get into so much trouble at home at that age."

He laughed, "I remember."

She turned to him and wondered how he could remember, "What?"

"Nothing. So tell me Sarah. What do you think of the Forest of Sorrows?"

"Well, other than the fact that it's beautiful I have to admit that I'm quite confused about the name. It just seems an odd name for such a lovely place."

He sat down and patted the patch of yellow grass in front of him, before crossing his legs.

She followed his direction.

"Look in my eyes. Do not blink. Tell me what you see the moment you see it."

She stared into the beautiful Goblin King's eyes. She couldn't help but look at the delicate lips that had been caressing her throat not too long ago. Her eyes began to close at the memory but then she noticed that everything around her began to change. Everything but the Goblin King's face.

It all looked familiar. As he held up a crystal to her. He was as she remembered. Dressed in a lavish white, gossamer cape surrounded by the room with the floating walls. She always referred to it as the Dream room.

"What's happening?"

"What do you see, Sarah?"

"The past. I'm seeing something I…

"Something you regret?"

"Yes."

"You can close your eyes now."

Sarah closed her eyes grinding them with her fists.

"Why? Why did I see that?"

"What was it?"

"Just something I've tried not to think about for many years."

He looked at her with curiosity. His elegant features beginning to fall.

"Sarah? Do you regret meeting m…us?"

She leaned back holding herself upright with her elbows and looking at this new Goblin King. For he was no longer a Goblin King in her eyes he was simply Jareth.

"Never." She made it a point to look directly at him. "But I want you to explain this to me. I'm still not clear about this place."

He sat up to meet her gaze and began,

"This place shows people their deepest regrets. The one thing in their lives, that given a second chance, they'd do differently. But it only shows you if the object of that regret in visible. So now I assume your regret has something to do with me. Unless you are regretting being taught to fight by those two." Pointing to the Sylphs that were trying their best to look busy.

They both began to laugh.

Sielke was with her brother trying to hear the Royals talking.

"I can't hear a word. I wonder if everything is alright."

"I'm sure they are fine. What I'd like to know is where Paralda is? They should have been here by now."

"I have every confidence in our leader."

"As do I sister. I only hope the others are alright."

"Rastrin! You are worried about the younglings. I've never seen you this way. Perhaps you have a heart inside that chest and one day you shall find someone to marry."

"I suppose you should know. You are all heart. Even in your fighting."

"You flatter me, brother. I…" She thought she saw movement inside the forest.

"What is it?"

"Someone is there." Pointing behind him.

'Go hide the King and Queen. I'll go have a look.'

And off Rastrin flew.

Sielke ran as fast as she could to Sarah and Jareth, who were laughing hysterically.

"Get down. Both of you. Someone is in the forest."

Jareth alarmed at the tone in Sielke's voice quickly grabbed Sarah's arm pulling her to the ground and flattening her body with his own.

Sielke turned to smoke and floated back to the edge of the clearing.

Sarah was facing up looking directly at Jareth's outstretched neck. The scent of magic and leather filled her nostrils and all she could do was chant to herself, 'Jareth is on top of me. Jareth is on top of me' His white poet's shirt was partially opened and her hand rested on his hip. With a small wave of excitement her hand, moving as if it had a mind of its own, began to travel upward with the intention of sneaking into said shirt. But her sleeve was caught.

'Damn bell sleeve' she thought.

After realizing it was caught under her own weight she shifted to release the imprisoned sleeve to continue with its journey.

Feeling her move he looked down at her and lowered his head to whisper, "Forgive me. Am I crushing you?"

"Not at all." She whispered back already feeling like she had no breath left.

"Then do you mind if I stay here to protect you a while longer." He said with a light chuckle.

Being as strong willed as she was she took immediate offense to this last statement and easily turned the tables. She flipped him and was now on top of him.

"Perhaps it is I who should be protecting you. Don't forget you saved whom. Twice I might add."

"You did not save me that last time. I was not in danger. I am, however, getting a strange feeling about the threat level of my present situation"

"Perhaps you should be weary. I do have powers as you can recall."

"Of course, my dear. I do recall. But may I remind you that I have had hundreds of years of training in the arts of magic and you have had but one day."

"But she was such a remarkable pupil." Paralda stood above them followed by the younglings, Hoggle, Ludo, Didymus, the warriors a number of goblins, but most importantly Myra.

Sarah's eyes widened at the recognition, "MYRA!" she jumped up and ran into the opened arms of her best friend.

They both held each other so tightly they seemed one person and cried tears of happiness and relief.

"Sarah, I have so mush to tell you"

"So do I. I'm just so relieved."

"I know. I know."

Everyone watched with tears in their eyes. Hoggle quietly slipped a used tissue out of his pocket and wiped his eyes before anyone could see.

Sarah let go of Myra long enough to hug each and every one of her friends including the 10 remaining Goblins.

When she finally got to Paralda, she leapt into his arms and hung from his neck. His hands easily fit her waist and swung her around.

Everyone was laughing and celebrating. All but one Goblin King, who did not like to see his best friend's hands around his Sarah.

He stood up from his spot on the grass and dusted himself off.

"Please forgive me for interrupting the festivities but I do believe proper introductions are in order."

"Oh right. Jareth this is Myra. Myra this is Jareth."

"King Jareth" he corrected her.

"Right. Jareth the Goblin King." She humored him. He took her hand and bowed to place a kiss on it, "Enchanted, my lady."

She tried to curtsey and only managed to make fool of herself.

"Sorry. I've only seen this done in movies and I'm not wearing a dress."

"No need. You look lovely in your pantaloons" Jareth stated.

"Panty…what? You better not be making fun of me. I don't care how gorgeous you are."

Sarah came to Jareth's rescue, "Myra, it's OK. They're just not used to seeing pants."

"Oh. So where do I get a dress?"

"Right here." Sarah waved her hand and produced a purple orb and a moment later a beautiful dark green velvet dress appeared.

Myra eyes widened and asked, "How did you do that? Oh Sarah. How long have we been down here?"

"Who knows? She shrugged.

"Alright everyone", Paralda decide to take charge and organize things.

"It's getting late and we'll need to spend the night here in this clearing. First things tomorrow we will all head out toward the High Castle."

Hoggle began to whisper to Didymus.

"Hoggle, is something wrong?"

The dwarf wrung his hands. "Why are we walking? Can't you just poof us all there. It's nots like there is a protection field around this place. Is there?"

Jareth stepped forward and tapped Paralda's shoulder to show that he would address this question.

"I can only transport myself and one other person and Paralda can only transport to his own castle. Right now we have no choice but to walk. I will, however, need a guide. I understand that you, Hoggle, have become somewhat of am expert on the tunnels. That will be most useful."

"It's Hoggle! Wait did you just call me Hoggle?"

"Yes. That is your name is it not?

"Well yes. But yous never gotten it right before."

"Let's all get some rest. We have a long and treacherous road ahead of us."

He walked over to a still ecstatic Sarah.

"Sarah, I am going to need you and Paralda to assist me in keeping the others in order, namely the goblins. There are too many of us to be discreet."

"OK. But Jareth isn't it wonderful? I don't have to decide between you and Myra anymore. I feel so relieved."

"Yes. Well I suggest you reserve some of that relief. This is far from over. Starting tomorrow we will embark on our most important journey. Now rest."

She watched as Jareth left to speak to the warriors about the sleeping arrangements, when she saw far off two lone figures walking away from the group. One in a dark green dress, and other a beautiful tall Sylph. He felt a small pang in her chest. One that can only be described as jealousy.

End of Act II

A/N: Sorry guys. My computer got a virus and then I got the flu. I know excuses excuses.

So I'll be on a little break reworking Act 3 . Just a reminder that the rating is changing to M so no one under 17 if you please. I'll be around LJ and Escher if anyone has questions or comments.

And thank you so much for reading and those of you who review you, I love you!

Wickedgame: Yup Myra is. I kept trying to drop hints so it wouldn't be a total shock but let me just say Sarah is NOT.

Lhiata: Thanks honey. I am currently working on the website and they will be up shortly ;)

DemonisSymphony: Thank you. Keep reading.

McFly85:Loads of stuff coming up for you regarding a partic. Sylph we both have a crush on. wink wink

crnflkgal: Thanks you I hope you keep reading.