Greetings readers! here is the 3rd chapter, so in this chapter, we see a little more of Jareth and Sarah's progression with each other also some more interaction with the spirit of the Labyrinth itself and thank you for the kind reviews. I will warn there is some mature language further into this chapter so please be aware, also I'm going to leave Sarah's labyrinthian clothes open to interpretation so readers can imagine what she's wearing and what she looks like. Enjoy!

disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth movie or book, characters, materials, songs, or anything.

The first year

"It wasn't a dream"

Sarah tried to deny it all happened but the crystal and scroll were on her bedside table clear as the daylight shining on the items, she coyly reached for them 'no, this isn't real', she clenched her eye shut wishing they would disappear, she opened her eyes and they were still there staring back at her. Sarah mustered what little bravery she had and grabbed the scroll. Much to her surprise it wasn't a tatty piece of paper she expected from the goblin kingdom but a clean crisp rolled up sheet of white paper wrapped in a navy blue ribbon which had been sealed by black wax with faint specks of matching navy glitter, the wax had been pressed with Jareths royal seal as she noticed it looked similar to the pendant he wore.

Unraveling the scroll, she rubbed her fingers along the paper to see if this truly was her reality, the smoothness of the paper tickling her fingertips with it being some of the most luxurious paper she had ever felt 'Damn, it's real', She sighed and closed her eyes bracing herself for what the scroll was going to say. She began reading.

Dearest Sarah,

As you are aware after your failure to successfully run the Labyrinth, we both agreed to a contract that you, Sarah Elizabeth Williams will visit the Labyrinth every day until your 21st birthday then you will become a permanent citizen of the Labyrinth and I, Jareth the Goblin king also agree to these terms of our agreement. As with all agreements, of course, they have their rules, failure to comply with these rules, our agreement will come to an end and there will be consequences.

1. You must visit every day, there will be no time limitations on your visits such as you can be here for however long or little as you like and at your convenience but this must be every day.

2. If for any reason you need to miss a visit, you must report this either to myself or one of my informants, and all reasons must be just. failure to report a missing visit, the deal will be broken.

3. you are to wear none of your human clothes during your time here, appropriate Labyrinthian clothing will be provided. no exceptions.

4. if on the occasion you decide to bring Toby, he is to repeat this to no one.

5. and as are you, to repeat this to no one.

As you can see, I have provided you with your own personal crystal which will act as a form of contact should you need it, it would be unwise to lose it or to not have it on your person at all times because it provides a direct line to myself. You can use any mirror to be a gateway into the Labyrinth and when you wish to return home simply make a wish to go home and smash the crystal against the floor. And Finally, when the day comes of your 21st birthday, I simply ask you to be ready.

It's only Forever Precious, Not long at all.

Jareth, The goblin king

Sarah wasn't surprised by Jareth's excellent penmanship especially with his signature at the bottom, She looked up taking in what the scroll was directing her to do, she felt defeated. 'why couldn't I just let toby cry? I wouldn't have gotten myself into this mess and now, I have to see that darn goblin king every day' Sarah sighed closing her eyes allowing herself a few moments of silence to truly take in what was happening and let out a small goodbye to her previous life. these were probably the last few precious moments she had to herself but she cherished them, trying to make peace by accepting that her life is never going to be the same. Sarah longed to say 'it's not fair' but accepted it's just the way it is.

her freedom was flying away from her.

Opening her eyes, she placed the scroll into the bedside table drawer knowing that she'd probably need it again at some point, she looked at the lonely crystal just sitting there with its opalescent colors floating around, it was truly a beautiful sight but Sarah could not overlook its inner ugliness of how it was formed. Sarah debated picking it up considering the previous one had burned her so she coyly let her finger feel the temperature around it, it was cool like a crystal should be.

She picked it up gazing into its many colors, "but what's going to happen now?" She questioned completely unaware a familiar barn owl was perched on a branch outside her house gazing at her through the window who had been watching her the whole time.

*one year later*

Sarah had been visiting the Labyrinth solo for a little over a year, she was almost adjusted to her new life as a Labyrinthian citizen and the dwellers of the Labyrinth were now used to having a human female in their land, it wasn't without difficulty however for Jareth felt the need for her to be constantly escorted around either by himself or her friends but it was mainly by himself because he wanted her to get used to his company nor did he feel comfortable with Sarah walking around by herself because he was afraid she would get in danger or that someone would try and snatch her from him although he released a formal announcement a few days after their agreement that no one may talk to the future queen without his permission and as you can imagine, few got that permission.

That day Jareth insisted they go for a stroll around the Labyrinth outer walls, Sarah wasn't too enthusiastic about this because they'd walked around them so many times it has become monotonous.

"This again Jareth, we've been doing this since I first started coming here and I know it like the back of my hand" a 16-year-old Sarah huffed

"Yes, but I want you to get used to the whole Labyrinth and as you know, It never stays the same. You've probably noticed how things have moved and changed during your visits even in the short time that you're gone such as that stone wasn't there yesterday" Jareth gestured towards the stone just laying against the dusty ground which he was right, it wasn't there yesterday.

"But I already know that it changes" She complained, heavily sitting down on the largest of a group of rocks

Jareth frowned at her complaint but he brushed off her nonsense, "be careful sitting there Sarah, it might move" he chuckled with Sarah quickly lifting herself up in a flinch, she turned to see the rocks were stagnant "haha nice try, goblin king" she groaned sarcastically.

Sarah was getting used to Jareth and his quirks but there was still the odd occasion where he'd catch her off guard and being the trickster he is, he liked to toy with her a little but only in jest, he'd never hurt her or put her in any real danger. He wanted to see what limits he had with her and Sarah always remembers the advice never to trifle with him although she liked to follow along with his playful banter as she knew he could get as good as he gives. The only times Sarah wouldn't know how to react was when Jareth lightly flirted with her mostly resulting in her blushing or going all awkward around him which he usually chuckled at her embarrassment but he knew not to flirt too much as she wasn't mature enough to understand that yet, however, he is trying to lull her into the idea of him being her romantic interest.

As they continued their venture around the walls, he recalls the first day she came after their agreement and she came wearing her ugly human clothes, this annoyed Jareth he detested how humans dressed now Aboveground and he wasn't going to have his queen looking like some tacky commoner so he ordered Sarah to visit his personal seamstress in the castle, Sarah gave Jareth the dirtiest look at this order but she begrudgingly followed his demand. The fact someone dared to give him a dirty look in his Kingdom and challenged him, he found amusing and made him smile to himself. Sarah was frightened at first because she thought he was going to be present when she was being fitted and trying on the clothes however he was quite gentlemanly about it, even going to the extent of waiting in his throneroom whilst she was being fitted. The 15-year-old girl nervously made her way out obviously still not used to being in this man's presence, she was uncomfortable showing herself off to him but she was wearing the finest clothes the labyrinth dressmakers had to offer with Jareth remarking "Wonderful" which made Sarah blush. Jareth smiled at his recollection.

Sarah noticed Jareth lagging behind her with a dumb smile on his face, he was walking behind her almost mockingly walking slowly with Sarah a good several paces in front of him, "Well seen as you know this place so well, I thought I'd let you lead of our stroll" He continued smiling still taking a leisurely stroll causing her to turn back, "but you're the king, I thought you liked being in charge and taking lead" She quipped back beginning to get tired of his games, she turned back to continue only to see he'd flashed in front of her "I do like leading Precious but you're oh so good at it" his face came close to hers with her wildly blushing "Stop doing that!" Sarah's red face deepened pushing past him "and at least you admit it!" She hoisted her dress up and hastily continued with Jareth chuckling to himself.

The pair were now more than halfway around the outer walls and they were now walking with each other side by side, there were times their conversation was flowing as Jareth would ask questions about Sarah and vice versa and sometimes it would be dead quiet between them with the only things making a sound was the life found in the Labyrinth. This walk was a quiet one, they were both walking alongside each other with Sarah looking more focused on just reaching the end whereas Jareth was looking forward but kept redirecting his eyes to her intense face 'oh Sarah you look so lovely with your determined little face, you desperately want to go home don't you' He looked forward again but then found himself looking back down at her 'at least when you put your mind to something you never give up, which I suppose is another thing I admire about you' the pair were almost at the end and they were greeted by a setting sun, the Labyrinth glittering in the sun and the creatures of the labyrinth singing their routine nightly lullaby 'you look particularly lovely in the sunset' he smiled down at her, Sarah noticed Jareth looking at her with a pleasant smile "What?" She looked up and they both stopped walking "Nothing" He replied.

The end was in sight, a giddy smile began to appear on Sarahs face excited to finally reach the end after the billionth time with more speed in her step and Jareth was just looking into the distance until he noticed she was slightly in front of him and he could see her back of her, the back of her neck exposed with small amount of loose hair delicately touching it, her hair had been wrapped up in two braids and held in places by flowers, every time she visited the fairies would come and insist that they style her hair for her always giving her intricate hairstyles with flowers ever-present, Jareth's eyes began lowering to look further down her back with him gazing hungrily at her young milky shoulder blades peeking through the top of her dress, he furthered his eyes taking in her forming curvature and how the corset was complimenting her blossoming figure, the easy undoing of the corset was tempting with his disdainfully glaring at the knotted up ribbon keeping the corset in place.

the sweetest and most heavenly of fruit are best when they are ripe and Jareth knew she wasn't ripe yet however, he wasn't one for waiting.

A gloved hand slowly etched itself towards her back, making its way towards the loop of the ribbon with his fingers ready to undo it, "don't do it you fool!" The Labyrinth cursed at him, giving Jareth a small but sharp pain in his hand making it slightly retract "But I must make her used to me" he winced through gritted teeth, he slowly made his hand to her lower back and made it so that his hand was lightly ghosting over her clothing so that he wasn't actually touching her but just enough so that she knew. Sarah could feel something as gossamer as a butterfly wing on her lower back, it was faint but she knew there was something there, she slightly turned her head towards Jareths direction behind her to see his hand was the thing barely touching her, Sarahs face turned red "Ja-Jareth, w-what are you doing?" She questioned, Jareth just continuing to look forward with a serious face and made it so that he was at the side of her with his hand not removing itself. Still blushing, Sarah continued walking with Jareth at the side of her and dead silence between them.

they reached the end.

"Finally! that took forever!" Sarah began doing a small victory dance with Jareth just folding his arms and cocking an eyebrow, unimpressed by her childish behavior "Oh come, Sarah, it was just a simple walk around the Labyrinth and that may I remind you in your own words 'I know it like the back of my hand' was it?" He mocked accompanied by a smirk, this first made Sarah go quiet 'don't let him win' she thought to herself "I do know this place like the back of my hand and speaking of hands, why was yours on my back?" she retorted back feeling smart for a second but her shortlived power over him dissappeared when his face turned fearsome, his clothing melted into black with a cape materialising behind him and began blowing in a wind that wasn't there before "Have you not learnt your lesson? don't trifle with me Sarah!" her question had struck a nerve, He poofed infront of her causing her to sheild herself from him best she can, he grabbed her forearms forcing her to unsheild herself "You're hurting me!" she wimpered, Jareth ingnored her only to glare at her with a growing anger that she was looking away from him "Look at me, Sarah" his voice low which made a cold shiver run down her spine but she was still disobeying his command "Sarah, Look at me!" he voice grew more fearsome, the wind was rising and thunderous clouds began to form in the sky, the cocophony of thunder and lightning was scaring Sarah but no more than how Jareth was scaring her, tears forming in her eyes and began freely flowing.

Seeing Sarah like this pained Jareth but she had to learn, "I told you not to trifle with me" he glared at Sarah boring into her green eyes, Sarah was squirming trying to desperately free herself from his iron grip, "you just don't understand, do you?" Jareth's face furthered to hers trying to see if she was really acknowledging what he was saying or was too busy crying out of fear. "STOP!" A bolt of lightning exploded from the angry sky striking Jareth where he stood only missing Sarah by a hair, Jareth wretched over and collapsed with Sarah being too stunned to realize what just happened, She stood there with her eyes wide open and mouth slightly quivering "What just happened?" she silently let escape from her lips, Jareth was cowering in pain, his hand was covering where the lightning had struck him with his fae blood beginning to stain his black frazzled clothes, the only noises he was making were low sounds of pain.

Sarahs still eyes finally noticed Jareth on the floor wriggling in pain "Jareth!" She frantically ran over to him kneeling by his side "are you okay?" she hiccuped, her tears of fear changed to tears of concern "Yes, I'll be fine Precious. Just a little bit of lightning, that's all" He tried to laugh his pain off giving Sarah an unconvincing smile, "I'm just glad it didn't hurt you..I...I never want you to get hurt" Sarah was taken aback by his kind words with her hair starting to fall out of place and the flowers in her hair wilting, slithers of brunette touching her face and growing wet in the rain as she was sorrowfully looking down at Jareth, He managed to hoist himself up "I'll be fine love, I assure you. I am the king after all and I think that lightning was just a coincidence" He smiled moving some of the dripping stray hairs from her face, "But I think it's time for you to go home, Precious" and before Sarah had any time to object she was gone.

Jareth looked up at the grey sky still raining as he returned to softly laying on the ground, guilt stamping like a cruel tyrant in his stomach, 'funny that I, a king, am laying on the filthy ground like a slovenly goblin but I haven't acted like a king today', the raindrops pitter-pattering on his ethereal face, he took in a deep breath and sighed trying to contemplate what had just happened.

'they are certainly not going to be happy about this'

...

Sarah poofed back into her bedroom completely dumbfounded at what just happened moments ago, Sarah had only ever used this word a few times but she felt it was appropriate for this situation "What-what the...fuck?" Sarah stood in her room unfocused for a few moments blankly staring at the wall with a vacant expression painted on her face as one minute she was there and then she was gone.

"Sarah, Sarah is that you banging about? you know your banging about gives me headaches!" Irene bellowed from down the stairs, Sarah shook herself out of her daze "Yeah..sorry Irene" she looked around to see that it was nighttime and that she had been gone all day, She looked down to see she was still wearing her Labyrinthian clothing which was still dripping wet making small soaked up puddles on her bedroom carpet, she felt dirty wearing these clothes with her briskly throwing off the tarnished dress into her closet. The clock struck midnight and Sarah was contemplating what to do next 'too late for a shower and if I make too much noise Irene will kill me' she eyed the pajamas laid on her bed 'looks like it's warmest PJs and socks' she thought, looking down and wiggling her icy toes.

Slipping into her pajamas, Sarah flopped onto her bed still with a foggy brain following the day's events 'Why did Jareth touch my back? and why did he react so badly to me just asking him why he did it? UGH, this guy is so confusing! one minute he's grabbing me then...' her mind flashbacked to Jareth saying he never wants her to get hurt and his gorgeous face 'then he's so sweet and charming, telling me he never wants me hurt but yet he was hurting me? He's a freaking creep!' she sighed and closed her eyes when a light started disrupting her "Sarah? Sarah? I know you're there so you might as well answer" it was Jareth's voice, reluctantly she hoisted herself back up to see it was the crystal flashing on her nightstand, grabbing it she repositioned herself so that she was sitting up on her bed "What do you want?" Her words laced with venom and her face slightly disgusted, Jareths image materialized into the crystal where she could see his face and top half, she saw that his chest and right shoulder were sporting bandages from the lightning blast and he was wearing a royal purple robe over his shoulders but she mainly noticed that under the robe and other than the bandages, he was topless. The pair have had many conversations via the crystal before but usually, Jareth has been fully clothed, it was distracting Sarah.

"I'm sorry for the unpleasantness that you witnessed today" he admitted

Sarah was surprised to hear Jareth actually apologizing as she could imagine that wasn't an easy thing for him to do but her will was as strong as his.

"Why did you do it?"

"Which part?"

"All of it, touching my back then freaking out on me"

"I-I don't know why I did it, it's just I know how dangerous the Labyrinth can be especially unaided and I feel very...protective over you, I couldn't bear the thought should something unsavory happen to my companion whilst you're in the Labyrinth particularly the outer parts"

Jareth tossed around this word 'companion' a few times whilst in Sarah's presence and she still wasn't sure what he meant by it but she was too focused on being annoyed at him at the moment.

"You weren't saying that when I ran it for Toby"

"That Precious was different"

Sarah rolled her eyes at him and grew frustrated.

"then you poof me home without my freaking permission!"

"Sarah! you forget yourself and I will not hear such language from a young lady"

they both sighed then collected themselves, both wills at war with each other

"When will you be arriving tomorrow?" Jareth attempted to reignite the conversation and bring back to a civil tone

"I don't know yet, my mind still kinda fuzzy...can I decide when tomorrow comes?"

"but Precious, it's already tomorrow" His image smiled

"Lemme just think about it okay" A sickly feeling launched in her stomach as anxiety was telling her she didn't want to go at face Jareth again tomorrow

"Fine but I expect a reply by daytime because I don't need to remind you of our little deal, do I?"

"no..." she hopelessly sighed

"Goodnight Precious" He smiled before fading away in the crystal

Sarah looked up from the crystal which had turned dull, her eyes tired and sorrowful

"Goodnight...Goblin king"

Her grip loosened on the crystal letting it drop to the floor with a light thud as she was sick of seeing it, Sarah turned and slept heavily.

Jareth made sure she was dreaming of him.

...

Back at the Castle, A wounded Jareth was nursing his injury in his royal suite. The rain still continued to pour in the Labyrinth although it seemed to slightly ease when he got back to the castle, it didn't stop him from ordering his goblins to stop every leakage that seeped into the castle's nooks and crannies, the irony is most of the pots, pans, and buckets that were provided had holes in them so he set them on a never-ending task until the rain stopped, he did it so they wouldn't bother him.

Annoyed at himself, Jareth just laid on his humongous bed with his head flung back "What a day" he said to himself, he lifted his head up and slightly turned it to look outside his window to see the sky had turned black and it was still raining, he turned back closing his eyes.

"Why so glum, Jareth?"

Jareth peeked one eye open and signed 'not now, please not now' he lifted himself so he was ready for a conversation.

"because today hasn't gone well, that's all"

"don't try hiding your truth from me Jareth, I know what happened today"

"then you know she hates me now"

"all because you couldn't control your temptations for her and now we may have lost her forever"

"no, she'll come. She has no option too unless she wants her brother to become my latest kicking subject" Jareth smiled to himself

"Don't be so oblivious, if she finds her right words everything we had planned will be destroyed. you know she holds that power, Jareth"

"I'm fully aware of that but she isn't" He lifted himself off his bed, trying to see how much his injuries inflicted him.

"She knows nothing of the power she has and I intend on keeping her that way, in her eyes she's just a girl who happened to stumble upon our world but she holds so much power over everything" Jareth started looking at himself in a grand mirror, his face grew solemn "power over me..."

"and you, you insolent child, because of your selfish actions you may never have your Sarah and I will have to find myself a new king and you know what happens if you stop being my king..."

Jareth's image in the mirror altered, his hair turned into a mixture of white and grey with some of it falling out leaving bald spots, his back arched over, cracks and wrinkles of age lining his face, his cheeks hollowed and the image started spitting out its teeth, this otherworldly glow vanished leaving his skin looking dull and mottled. the beautiful man that was once stood before him as his reflection was now a decrepit, withered old man, the only thing Jareth recognized about it was that it was wearing the same clothing as him. Fae only stayed immortal if they stay in the fae realm where magic can keep them forever healthy and youthful, if Jareth was to stop being king he would be banished to the Aboveground and made mortal where he would grow old and die.

Jareth's warped reflection was laughing at him.

"Is that what you want Jareth?"

"no..." he breathed, the mirror image morphed back into his own noticing that his reflections wounds had healed, looking down he saw that he copied his reflection with his skin looking fresh and new.

"Thank you"

"you're welcome"

"But what am I going to do now?" Jareth questioned, wrapping his robe back around his bare chest

"As planned, you have already made it so that she dreams of you every night and I can sense that she has developed what humans call a 'crush' on you, that's why she gets so flustered in your presence"

"A crush? I have no time for bloody crushes, I need her to be in love with me!"

"it's a start Jareth, this crush of hers might develop into love as I have said, give her time, the girl is too young to understand such emotions yet but this crush is a good sign for you"

"I suppose you're right, I suppose I might have to up my game and have it where I'm the only thing she can think about, where every second she's not with me she misses my presence, she feels that she might go mad if she doesn't see me and I'm not with her, where she yearns just to hear me speaking and she craves the title of being my beloved" He conjured a crystal with Sarah's sleeping form inside.

"don't let your temptations ruin you Jareth, use your cunning and your tricks my king, and she'll forever be yours"

Jareth glared down at the crystal and evilly smiled, getting high off the thoughts running through his head.

"However my king, you would be stupid to repeat today's actions. Don't forget, I can be cruel as you can be"

Jareth turned and proudly strode over to his window, his boots lightly clunking against the stone floor with his robe brushing the stones, he sat on its ledge and flung his leg over bringing his crystal back up to his face to see Sarah was still blissfully sleeping "Oh my dear sweet precious Sarah, you have no idea what I have planned for you"

All the citizens of the Labyrinth could hear their kings triumphant laughing in the distance that night with the rain still pouring.

Wow, the third chapter! hopefully, I can start uploading a little more frequently as I really want to continue this fic. Again, don't be afraid to leave a review, and thank you for reading

Razzlekid95