"Gentleness clears the soul, love cleans the mind and makes it free."

-David Bowie

Sarah sat down by a fountain, still taking in the amazing view. She saw Jareth finish talking with a servant and approaching her, looking incredibly annoyed. "What's wrong?"

"Our rooms are supposed to be done, but they're not." He glared at the residence towers. "I don't like that."

Sarah clicked her tongue playfully. "It's okay, remember that the people who actually set these rooms up are hard workers. It's not a big deal."

"It's not that." He sat down next to her. "I have a feeling it's done on purpose as a snub to you. To snub us. It's a common tactic to show displeasure without outright saying it. And I don't like it, particularly as it's through the Goblin Kingdom's magic that created the Stellar Bridge to take us here."

She scooted closer to him, placing a hand on his arm, watching as his countenance instantly relaxed. "Well, we can't do anything about it but wait. I'm enjoying the view here anyway."

A slow smile broke out on his face. Jareth plucked a flower and gave it to Sarah. It was in the shape of a star with gentle purple and blue, its pollen glowing. "I will say that this is one of my favorite places. It's too bad the Lunar Palace exists for only a night."

Sarah sniffed the flower, finding that it reminded her of vanilla and raspberries. "It's beautiful, that's for sure." She started to put the flower in her hair but Jareth took it from her instead, weaving the stem against the updo of her hair. When he was done, he placed his hand on the middle of her back, elated when she placed a hand on his thigh, quietly enjoying their time together.

After a few minutes, a playful female voice broke the silence. "Picking flowers in your grandfather's garden again, are we Jareth?"

The two turned. Jareth stood and Sarah followed suit, curtsying to a woman. She had gorgeous, flaming red hair and piercing blue eyes. When Sarah looked closer, she could see Jareth's eyes in them. Her dress was one that set her off as one of royalty with the elegant green and a cloak with a royal coat-of-arms on it.

Jareth kissed both of her cheeks. She did the same to him. "Mother, it's good to see you." He gestured to Sarah. "May I present you Williams, Champion of the Labyrinth. Sarah, this is my mother, Princess Iliana of the High Court."

Sarah curtsied, dropping down low. This woman wasn't just a princess or Jareth's mother, but the High King's daughter herself, deserving of the highest respect. "Pleased to meet you, Your Royal Highness."

Iliana leaned over to kiss her cheeks as she did Jareth, surprising both of them with how familiar she was behaving. Normally, one did not kiss both cheeks of an acquaintance in this society, but those they consider close friends or family. To receive this kiss from like herself was considered an honor. "I share that sentiment." Her voice reminded Sarah of the comforting rain, gentle yet persistent. "It's an honor to meet someone with a reputation as yours. Defeating my son is no small feat."

Jareth sighed, resigned to this fact.

Sarah curtsied to her, grinning. "Not like yours, My Lady. You're a princess of the High Court."

Iliana chuckled, but gave her a serious look. "Let me advise you something, my dear. There are nobility here who will try to make you feel that you're not their equal. You must remember: you aren't just their equal. You're their superior. Remember this, and no one will dare cross you."

"I thank you for your wisdom, My Lady." Sarah curtsied one more time, catching Jareth's proud smile.

Jareth leaned a little closer to Iliana but not so close that Sarah couldn't hear him. "Mother, did you know about… Prince Anwir and Grandfather's friendship?"

Iliana shook her head, looking just as baffled as they. "No, I didn't. I intend to ask your grandmother about it."

Sarah had been briefed on the High King, who wasn't a bad person to get along with but could be overly sensitive about anyone questioning anything.

Iliana raised her eyebrow at Jareth. "Shouldn't you know? He was kept in your realm."

Jareth backed away, holding a hand up for emphasis. "Not a word to anyone, Mother."

"Jareth?"

The ice mask came back once again. "I ask you as a king. Not just as your son."

Iliana stared unblinkingly at her oldest. Then curtsied. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Jareth gave a curt nod. "Good. Now, where is Father?"

"Riding. He's been antsy as of late and needed to clear his head. It's the twins." Her face fell at the last word.

Jareth raised an eyebrow. "What of the twins?"

Iliana's expression fell even more. "They're just very distant from us. You haven't contacted them as of late either?"

"Why should I when they haven't contacted me?"

"You're the oldest."

"And I'm a king. Why should that burden fall upon me?"

Sarah backed away slightly, not wanting to get caught up in the tense argument. Iliana took notice and sighed. "I just want my children to get along."

"We do."

"But you're not close anymore." Her voice dropped with frustration. "I haven't… had much luck in communicating with them either. I've sent them to different places for too long away from myself and your father, in hopes of building a network and instead they have turned different from how I've raised you all."

Jareth's ice mask did not waver. "Perhaps you should have sent them over to my kingdom when I asked for it instead of only short visits to avoid stigmas."

Iliana had no answer for that. Just hung her head in shame. Sarah stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do. She pretended to take notice of the beautiful fountain before them.

"Your Royal Highness." Lorraine stopped in front of the trio and curtsied to Iliana. "Your Majesty, My Lady," she addressed Jareth and Sarah, curtsying to them too. "I'm here to inform you that your rooms are ready, should you decide to refresh yourselves before dinner."

"Thank you, Lorraine," Sarah said.

"Yes, thank you," Jareth repeated. "Lead the way."

"One moment." Iliana held a hand up to stop them. "I'd like to have a few more words with my son, if that pleases the Goblin King?"

Jareth's ice mask melted into a twisted, irritated emotion. "Lorraine, escort Lady Sarah without me."

Lorraine curtsied. "Yes, Sire."

"I will see you at the dinner, Your Royal Highness?" Sarah asked the princess.

Iliana beamed at her. "Of course. I bid you goodbye until then, Lady Sarah." She kissed both her cheeks in farewell.

Jareth folded his arms. "What?"

Iliana had a mind to chastise her son, but but her tongue instead. "I like her very much. I'll have to see more of her tonight, but already she is holding herself up like one of the nobility. And yet, her humanness still shines." She gave him a sideways glance. "You know, you and her-"

"If you are going to suggest marriage, now is not a good time," he interrupted. "I am tired of you trying to pair me with someone. Or preventing me from being paired with someone. That's how I got into my role as Goblin King, remember?"

She didn't acknowledge his cutting remark. "I can tell with the way she's looking at you. And the way you look at her."

Jareth walked away from her. He might have been open to this conversation had the situation not been so dire. "Mother, I do not wish to speak of this now. I will chat with you later. I will see you at dinner."

Toby and Samuel finished placing Jareth's belongings in the room. He learned that the Goblin King was much more particular than he had thought. While true that Jareth was much more flexible outside of his living space, he liked certain things a specific way. "I've never met anyone that reaches this level of diva-ness before," he grumbled as he carefully organized the correct shades of black in the closet.

"Did you say something, Lord Toby?" Samuel poked his head from the bathroom entrance.

"Hey, I thought I was pretending to be a servant," he replied. "None of that 'lord' stuff remember? Even if we weren't pretending."

"I apologize," Samuel nodded. He came out, inspecting Toby's work. "That will have to do. His Majesty hopefully won't criticize the way you put the clothing in the closet."

"What?! Why would he criticize it?" Toby pulled it opened again. "It's in there neatly, no wrinkles."

*Boom*

The two turned to see a very displeased Jareth opening and closing doors with his magic. He sat on a chair and began to take off his cape and undo his boots. "Samuel."

Samuel was at his side in a second, assisting him in taking his cloak and hanging it. "Yes, Sire."

"Run me a bath. I need to decompress before this wretched evening."

Samuel bowed, running into the bathroom. "Right away."

Jareth went to the closet where Toby was standing. He took out an outfit and put it back in. "That shade of black is darker than this, so it should be switched."

"Oh my god." Toby rubbed his temple. Samuel wasn't kidding on how picky Jareth was. "Hey, I'm going to see Sarah now, unless you think I shouldn't?"

Jareth held up his hand. "Wait a moment. I'd like to send her something."

He took some parchment and a pen, writing a note to her. When he was done, he handed it to Toby. "I don't mind if you read it but don't do it in front of anyone you may come across, or it'll look suspicious. If anyone asks, say you have a message for her."

Toby nodded. "Will do."

"Do not stay in her room longer than ten minutes or else suspicion will arise."

"Got it."

Toby walked through the hallway of the castle, keeping his head and eyes straight. If he looked around too much, it may get other servants wanting to speak with him out of curiosity and that was something they wanted to avoid, lest he blew their cover by not being qualified for such a position.

Luckily, he reached Sarah's room without anyone seeing him. He knocked, seeing Lorraine. "His Majesty The Goblin King has a message for Lady Sarah," he said with as much confidence as possible, holding up the letter.

Lorraine ushered him in. "Of course."

Sarah was laying on the bed. "Hey Tobes."

"Hey." He handed her the letter. "Jareth has this for ya."

Sarah took it from him. With concern and anticipation, her skin flushed red, preparing herself as she took in his words.

Sarah,

You will do wonderful tonight. As my mother told you, you are their equal. Their superior. Never forget that.

I will see you at dinner and will remain by your side for as long as you want or need me.

-J

Sarah traced her finger around the loopy J that was so elegantly written. She handed it back to Toby for him to read, seeing as he was raising an eyebrow in question. After her finished reading, he pursed his lips together, looking at her intently. "Remember when we had that chat in the car?"

Sarah smiled at him fondly. It seemed like a lifetime ago. "Yeah."

He shrugged. "Maybe you should take the chance."

She looked away from him. "I don't know, Tobes. Not with Ben being gone. It just feels kind of wrong. And," she placed the letter on the nightstand. "I'm not hiding behind Ben."

"I'm not saying you two should start sucking face now. Or even tonight." He shifted a bit closer to her. "I just mean that you guys should maybe think about it. You're forced to be here at this party. Yeah there's the whole… ya know… issue with the weird Erlking or whatever, but would it be so bad to enjoy spending time with Jareth? You like him, he likes you. You of all people know that life is short. At least let him know he means a lot to you."

Sarah drummed her fingers on the pillow. "Geez, when did you become so good at relationships?" She teased.

He shrugged, chuffed at the compliment. "I just want my big sister to be happy."

Sarah thought of that word again. Happy. A word she associated with many different things throughout her life. A word she associated strongly with the wedding ring on her finger, the symbol of the love she had with a man who cared deeply for her.

If Sarah was honest with herself, she didn't expect to feel this way for Jareth. She almost said to herself that she hadn't felt this way since Ethan died, but that wasn't true.

She never felt this way before. Ever.

Ethan did his best to understand her and to support her. Ethan came from a much different background than she did. He did not have the money her family had, but he was still well off. He grew up in a loving home, with parents who adored him (even if they hated her). There was seldom contention during his formative years and he just seemed very satisfied with his life.

He was also, in many ways, very sheltered. He wasn't jaded by the world like she was, which was a sore point between them for a long time. He never understood what it was like to be truly wronged by someone because of how agreeable and easy mannered his temper was.

Jareth, on the other hand, really did understand her. Not only that, but he put in the effort to really care about her when it hadn't been in his nature to give a damn about anyone outside of being dutiful for many years now. He made sure that she was treated well and changed himself to be better, something Ethan didn't have to do. The Goblin King could be spoiled, hot-tempered, bitter, and too arrogant. But he was doing his best to be the best person that he could be, unlocking his empathy that he always had.

And she saw these efforts.

There was something undeniable between the two of them. The way he would gently hold her when she cried about Ben or sincerely ask her about her life was proof of it.

Sarah felt the walls around her heart fall away, piece by piece. She felt the loneliness chip away.

But most of all, she felt happiness come back, just a little, even with the threat of her son's life looming over her head. This was something rare, something that that she couldn't ignore.

She looked down at her wedding ring. She had been wearing it for more than ten years now, almost never taking it off. It had been her lifeline, a reminder of how she was loved.

For the first time in those ten years, she felt ready to part with it. Slipping it off her finger, she laid it down in a little jewelry box by her night stand.

Toby watched as she touched the now ringless finger, getting used to the sensation. "I'm proud of you, Sar."

She knew that Ethan would be proud of her too. "Thanks, Tobes. It's time to open my heart to the possibility of happiness with him."

He stood. "I better go, you stay safe and with Jareth, okay?"

She pulled him in for a hug. "Okay. And you stick with Samuel."

"I will," he said, making sure to bow before he left.

Once he left, Sarah took the letter from Jareth again, holding it to her heart. Such short words, and yet, they meant the world to her.

Toby made his way back to Jareth's room, where The Goblin King was being dressed for tonight's ball. He wore a long, elegant black coat with a high collar decorated with gold embroidery. He had a ceremonial sword strapped to his side, completed with white gloves. He insisted on keeping his hair the same as he always had it, a sign of his uniqueness and rebellion.

He applied make up on his own, a bright, glittering highlighter on his cheeks and peach lip gloss. On his head was a crown of stars, different from all the other kings and queens for stars were the symbol of the Realm of Dream.

He was the very air of grace and royalty.

After Jareth was done, Toby approached Samuel with an idea. "Hey, what if we go do some investigating? You know, two lowly servants. We could learn a lot more about the Erlking."

Samuel wasn't so sure of that. "They would be expecting this from us."

"But they wouldn't expect a human, would they?"

Sarah stood at the top of the stairs, dressed fancier than she had ever been in her entire life. Including her own wedding. The black gown she wore was still of the style of the Underground, but altered to give it a more Aboveground style as well, slimming down the actual skirt so that it wasn't so "big and puffy" as Toby put it. Little gems dotted the dress, giving the illusion of tiny stars. On the bodice, the gems came together into the shape of a crescent moon. When she moved, the sheer outer layer swirled around her legs like the interstellar sea. Her cloak was made of similar sheer material, shimmering like moonbeams.

Her hair was styled in simple curls, her lips painted a light pink. On top of her head was a silver laurel wreath crown, symbolizing her status as the Champion. Everyone seeing this would know immediately who she was.

She clasped her hands in front, right hand over the left. Her left ring finger felt naked without the usual weight of her wedding band. It made her feel incredibly vulnerable. Even so, it felt right. Ethan would always have a place in her heart, but there was no doubt that the ring felt more and more alien to her as time went on, an artifact from her past that she shouldn't bring forward.

Especially now, as she would be by Jareth's side all night.

A guard came to the bottom of the stairs. He bowed. "His Majesty, King Jareth, My Lady."

She nodded. "Thank you."

He made his way off, replaced with Jareth.

Sarah placed her hand on the rail, walking down slowly to not trip on her silver heels. She took a deep breath, in awe at how gorgeous he appeared. His outfit reminded her of that crystal dream from when she danced with him.

He held his hand out to her, his expression full of reverence. "My Champion." He kissed her gloved hand. "You look extremely…"

He couldn't even finish his sentence, just stared at her in a way that made her cheeks flush and her body warm. "If you say absolutely ridiculous, I'm pinning the blame on Lorraine."

Jareth laughed. "No, not at all." He tucked her hand on his bicep.

Tenderness and warmth flowed between them. Sarah reached up to brush his cheek gently, hoping he understood just how much his sincere compliment meant to her.

A voice boomed over them, the curtain being pulled aside. "Introducing The King of the Goblins, King Jareth O'Brien and The Champion of the Labyrinth, Lady Sarah Williams."

Jareth leaned into Sarah slightly, whispering so that only she could hear. "You look like a queen."

The doors were pulled open. Jareth bowed and Sarah curtsied in synch, tiny bit of fear tugging at Sarah as the people gazed at her curiously.

She took a breath, holding her head high. She pushed away the fear of being inadequate or undeserving of her place among the faerie court. She thought of what Mara had said that were similar to Illiana's:

"Some will bow before you in meekness, as they should. Some will do their best to push you down to where you'll willingly ask to be put in an oubliette. You weren't born into nobility but quite literally fought your way through it. You proved yourself worthy of winning your brother back. That's something none of them ever had to do, and they know it."

Jareth's eyes swept over the crowd. He knew everyone there, memorizing their names and other facts about them. All except one.

Prince Anwir, otherwise known as the Erlking.

He was sitting next to his grandfather's throne, the two eyeing Jareth and Sarah together. They were obviously quite close, and Jareth wondered for the millionth time why the fuck he never learned about their friendship until recently.

Sarah followed Jareth's gaze to the High King and the man next to him. She recognized him from Mara's scrying that this was the Erlking. She felt Jareth's muscle tense along with hers. He placed his other hand on top of hers in silent solidarity, his quick eye contact told her that he was feeling the same apprehensive worry.

The Erlking was a handsome man, looking quite young even for an immortal fae being. There was something… ethereal about him that did not match the others. Even for a fae. His elegant smile caught the attention of many and piercing eyes made Sarah wonder if he was reading her mind. Perhaps it was because he was more of a dream than elven, as Mara had said.

On the other side of the High King, the High Queen had a very stern expression, looking very much like Jareth when he had on his ice mask. Whatever was going on, she didn't seem to be too pleased about it.

Finally, when the last guest was introduced, the High King stood. "Good evening to you all. I am pleased that so many are able to join in on this night of celebration!"

Everyone clapped politely with well rehearsed smiles.

He gestured to the man next to him, who stood, bowing gracefully. "I want to introduce my most honored guest, Prince Anwir of Paustacuna." More polite claps. "I hope that you will all make him feel welcomed here. My friend here also has a few words to say."

The Erlking stood, taking a sweeping bow. Sarah's hand gripped harder into Jareth's arm, trying to not show too much on her face.

Where are you keeping my son?

"Hello, honored nobilities of the Underground," he greeted them. "As I am sure, you are all aware of who I was in the past."

Shifting of awkwardness rippled through the crowd. Usually something wouldn't be so uncomfortable would be blatantly brought up at an event like this.

"After my years of imprisonment, I am happy to be free. Happy to be a changed man, for I understand how my ways have erred. I thank the High King for his gracious welcome in taking me back under his wing."

High King Rian angled his face high in pride.

"I would also like to thank High Queen Mór for her hospitality."

High Queen Mór did not look the least bit pleased at her name being mentioned.

"Most of all," He extended his hand out to the direction the Goblin King and his Champion were standing. "I have the kindness of the Goblin King and his Champion to thank."

I hope you guys liked this chapter! Reviews are always appreciated :)