Who said that every wish

Would be heard and answered

When wished on the morning star

Somebody thought of that

And someone believed it

Look what it's done so far

-The Rainbow Connection

Written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher, sung by Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog

Sarah felt like shit. So much so, that she felt worse than giving birth to Ben.

Poor Ethan had tried to cheer her up and she was so mean to him, telling him that he was being too cheery and it made her want to punch his teeth out of his face. He just laughed and continued to do his best to make her comfortable, staying with her even when she was being a complete bitch. The man had the patience of a saint, even as the labor stretched out longer than twenty-four hours.

And they still had to give her an emergency cesarean section. After all of that, she passed out and woke up with an assload of drugs in her. Life truly wasn't fair.

And yet, all of that didn't feel nearly as bad as how she felt right now.

Someone eased her up. "Slowly. Drink this."

She was so exhausted that she just did what this person told her. The drink warmed her, slowly waking her up and she felt less like shit. It was almost instantaneous, the way her body quickly recovered. She still felt sore but not horribly so. "Ben?"

"He's here, My Lady," a person said, her face coming into focus. "You've been asleep for two days."

"Lorraine." Sarah never felt so glad to see a familiar face. She looked to the side, seeing Ben, sleeping. She reached for him, pressing her forehead to his, silent tears falling on his face. "My baby, oh, I'm so happy to see you." She sniffed, turning to Lorraine, slowly sitting up, but not letting go of him. "Why is he asleep?"

"He's just resting, I assure you he's fine." Lorraine did her best to put her at ease. "He believes all that happened to him was a dream. Sorceress Mara says this is how he will most likely remember his time."

Sarah kissed his forehead. "Do we know what exactly… he dreamed about?"

Lorraine's face fell. "The Erlking seems to take one's worst fears and project them. Their weaknesses and unsaid desires. His Majesty and your brother believe that he might have dreamt of his father's death."

Sarah closed her eyes, tears falling as she gazed at her son. "As a mother, I do what I can to protect my son. One of the most difficult lessons I've learned as a parent is that you can't do everything. That no matter how hard you try, your child will inevitably be in pain. And sometimes, it's your own fault."

Lorraine sat next to her. "But you do your best."

Sarah was glad to have her. Since coming here, she found that there were so many good people who truly liked her as she was. "I do. Thank you."

She kissed Ben again. "I'm glad to have you back, Benny Boy."

His eyes fluttered. "Mommy?"

Sarah gasped, kneeling down to him as hope filled her. "Hey! I'm here, baby. Oh, I love you so much."

Ever since she found out she was pregnant with him, she loved him very dearly, more than she thought was possible. Since then, she realized that her potential to love had increased. Becoming a mother had changed her for the better, and few things meant as much to her as the little person next to her.

"I had a bad dream," he mumbled, sweating a little. Sarah took the wet cloth, dabbing at his forehead. "I dreamed Daddy died and monsters chasing me and Uncle Toby."

"Oh sweetie," she laid down and pulled him in for a hug. "That must be so scary. There are no monsters anymore, but if there are, you tell me, okay?"

"I know," he said, waking a little more. "Mister Jareth saved me in my dream. In my dream, a bad guy made you sad. Did Mister Jareth save you too?"

Sarah held his little hands. Of all the people in her life, she was amazed that the human being she created had such a big heart. "Yes baby, he saved me."

Like Ben, Sarah's memory of the ordeal was hazy. It was like she was wading through honey, slow and torturous. Her senses were dampened and it felt like suffocation. Things didn't quite come together, and it wasn't until Jareth found her in dreams that things became clear.

"I'm sleepy," he mumbled, snuggling into her.

She kissed him one last time. "Go to sleep. We'll talk more and play when you wake up."

"Okay." His little eyes closed. She felt a surge of happiness when he snuggled against her, glad that they were still at that stage in his young life.

"Sar?"

Both ladies turned, seeing Toby at the door. "Hey!" He came over to hug Sarah. Lorraine discreetly left, giving them time to reunite.

"What happened?" She asked Toby.

Toby blew out a long breath of air. He held up his fingers as he recited what had happened. "Well, Jareth basically threatened to off with everyone's head who hurt you at the ball, we came back here, Mara knows everything, Jareth was being a bit of a jerk and I called him out-"

"You did what?" She couldn't help but grin at the image. Poor Toby, having to deal with both her and Jareth being a couple of bone-heads.

"Shh, no interrupting me." He put a finger to his lips playfully. "Anyway, we came up with this crazy plan to travel through dreams with Mara's help. He saw me making out with a hot girl from class and then other crazy sh- stuff happened," he looked at Ben apologetically for almost cursing, even though the boy was asleep. "He put himself in a lot of danger and that's all I really know before he got Ben and you back. Mara told me he went to get you after he got Ben when he probably should have waited to recharge, but he kept saying he was fine."

Sarah bombarded him with more questions, learning about how both he and Toby could have been stuck in the dream, and how reluctant Jareth was in letting Toby participate. Both because he didn't want Toby to get hurt or for Sarah to suffer any more.

The memory of Jareth carrying her as she was imprisoned in her own mind came back. "How is Jareth?" Her chest tightened, her breathing slowed, and her lip trembled as she braced herself for bad news, her heart breaking at the thought of him not doing well. "Is he okay?"

"He's fine, being a bit grouchy but he's in his study," Toby said.

She slumped in relief. "And you?" She took ahold of his shoulders, inspecting him.

"Me? Just peachy," he grinned, making Sarah roll her eyes at the mention of peaches. "But seriously Sar, I'm okay. I have a bad headache but honestly nothing happened. Jareth did all he could to keep me safe." He hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell her because he was sure Jareth wouldn't. "There's one more thing, Sar."

She tilted her head, not liking how quiet he was. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just, I wouldn't tell you this if I thought Jareth was going to but he's as much of an arrogant A-S-S as you."

He barely avoided the pillow being thrown at him. Toby caught it and placed it on his lap, grinning at her before sobering. "He enchanted your wedding ring to have a protection spell. A really powerful one that took a large part of his life force. He said - said that he didn't tell you because you would have refused and he chose your wedding ring because you always had it on you. It was the most powerful spell he could have put on you, he said." He covered his face. "God, if I had just waited a fucking day to tell you to take it off, you wouldn't have been hurt by the Erlking."

Sarah hadn't realized that she stopped breathing until her lungs forced her to. "He did that? For me?"

It was a dumb thing to say, of course it was for her. She was just so shocked that someone cared so much for her.

Jareth implemented his most powerful protection spell on the symbol of her love for another man.

Toby nodded. "Yeah. He said that he felt unworthy of you taking off the ring for him." He stared at his sister expectedly, watching as emotions flickered across her face.

Sarah put a hand to her face. She had to see Jareth, had to make things right. "Toby, it wasn't your fault. It wasn't anyone's fault, it's the Erlking's."

He watched her stand up, looking to Ben then back to the door. He nudged her on, knowing she was thinking of Jareth. "Thanks. Sar, I'll be here with Ben. If he wakes up, I'll let you know."

Sarah looked at him appreciatively. "Thanks, Tobes. You're the best."

"I'm going to remind you that you said that forever!" He called as she walked down the hall, laughing when she held up her middle finger for him to see.

Sarah started off with a brisk walk, her heart pounding as she thought of Jareth. As she got closer to his study, she broke into a run, yanking the door open.

"What did I say about knocking?" Jareth demanded, before he looked up and saw her. He dropped the paper he had been holding and stood immediately. "Sarah."

The simple act of whispering her name made Sarah feel more valued and cared for than the past two lonely years combined. They met each other in the middle with a kiss.

Jareth held the back of her head with one hand and the other encircling her waist, needing to feel her. To know that she was safe. She was everything he wanted, everything he needed. Even if the Erlking was right, he couldn't deny himself the taste of her lips at least one last time.

Sarah poured everything into that kiss, hoping he understood. Understood that she was grateful for what he did for her and Ben. That he meant so much to her, that she needed him safe. He smelled of peaches and cinnamon, and she couldn't get enough of his scent. She clutched his body, tip-toeing so she could rest her face in the crook of his neck. "Don't do that again."

Jareth tried to pull back to see her face, but Sarah's grip was too tight. "Do what?"

"Put yourself in danger like that for me." She buried her nose in his shirt. She held back her tears from falling, but they were still welling in her eyes. "What if something happened to you-"

"Shh, shh." He whispered in her ear, stroking her hair. "Don't speak of it. Ben is safe. You are safe. Toby is safe. I am safe. We are all in good health. All will be well."

They held each other for a while longer, not wanting to let go. Not wanting to ask what this meant or what they would do, just enjoying the moment as it came. Sarah leaned back slightly, hands on his arms. "You sure you're okay?" She asked gently.

He couldn't remember the last time someone worried for him like this. Samuel or his healer didn't count, even though they did genuinely care for him. But for them, it was a sense of duty and worry that they would have for anyone. He pressed his forehead to hers, feeling the warmth of her body as his hands pressed her closer to his. "I am sure." He kissed her forehead, pleased to see that she smiled, that while she was still most likely still healing, much of her pain had gone and her recovery was speedy. "You, Ben, and Toby are fine, and that's what matters most to me."

Sarah bit her bottom lip, eyes downcast with a long sigh. When she looked back up at him, there was renewed hope and sparks of bravery.

She had put it off for far too long, afraid that the timing wasn't right. Afraid that they would be interrupted. Worried about other things that had occupied her mind, like Ben missing or the Erlking on the loose.

She needed to tell him now. Because he deserved to know exactly how she felt for him, even if it was a terrifying leap of faith.

"You remember when I told you that I hadn't felt whole since Ethan died?" Sarah scooted closer, eyes cast down then slowly moving up to his face. As expected, the ice mask was back on, nothing betraying his true feelings.

Well, almost nothing. She saw that his eyes softened just a little.

"I do," was his simple answer.

She turned away from him, looking at the window, seeing the clouds move while still holding his hand. The Underground was so beautiful, and so was the man who brought her here. "After coming here, after what happened between you and me... even with all the craziness, I feel whole again."

The only thing Sarah could really describe what happened to Jareth was that his eyes sparkled. "Sarah..." His voice caressed her name as it passed his lips.

"I mean it." She put her hands on his chest, trembling a bit in nervousness. "I love you, Jareth. Not because you're a king with fancy things. Not because you're incredibly handsome, though you are. Not because you saved me and Ben, though that deserves al the appreciation that I can muster. I loved you before that, I love you because of who you are." She slid her hands up to his neck, watching the shock and adoration spread across the fine features of his face.

He took his other hand and gently curled a stray strand of hair behind her ear. He gazed into her jade eyes, searching for truth. When he found it, he put his other hand on her hip and pressed his forehead to hers. "My Precious Sarah, I wanted to hear those words for so long." He picked up her hand to gently give it a kiss, then placing a kiss on her lips again. "I love you more than I can say. I had given up on the idea of it until you came back into my life."

She could sense that there was a "but" in his sentence. She tilted her head to him curiously, her eyes conveying that curiosity.

He noticed. "It's just, Ethan was your great love. The love of your life, as you've said. I don't know how I can measure up to him. But I do know that I will do I am to make you happy." His voice dropped.

Sarah held his face in her hand and gave him a small peck on the lips, making him smile fondly. "God, Jareth. I had no idea you felt that way."

"It wasn't you, Sarah. Just how it felt to me. How I feel about myself. He was a good man and I know how much you love him."

She made sure he was looking at her eyes. "He was the love of my life at the time, Jareth. But he's not you. You're not him. When I think of him now, I miss him but it's like how someone would miss a great friend. I don't know how to really describe it, but I know this." She took his hand and placed it above her heart. "My heart is fully yours. I love you for you. I choose you for you. I want you. And if I had known, I would have made sure that you knew that from the beginning. When Ben wished for you to make me happy, you told me that you couldn't do that. You're wrong. You have made me happier than I've ever been, and I mean it with all my heart."

Jareth stood and lifted her up by the waist and spun her around once, causing her to squeal in surprise and delight. They sat back down on the couch, kissing once more.

"Toby told me about enchanting the ring," she said, taking his hands in hers. "I should have taken it off when I came Underground. I wish I hadn't been so scared to be open to you, that I had done it earlier. You put on that really powerful spell, for me."

"Why are you scared of me, Sarah?" He played with her hair, unable to keep his hands off of her. Not in a sexual way (though he very much wanted to be physically intimate with her), but just wanting to be affectionate with her. "You have nothing to fear from me."

Sarah couldn't help but tear up at his tone. He didn't sound offended or hurt, just a bit sad. "It's not about you, it's about me. At the ball… the Erlking put in my worst fears in my head. Spun stories of you stalking me like how many fae men would do to mortal women. Then he taunted me, saying how could you ever want me, a broken widow? I shouldn't have let him in my mind for a second and I'm so sorry, Jareth. I know you're not superficial. I'm sorry for letting him influence me."

Jareth just pulled her into his arms, kissing her tears away. In all her life, no one had ever done something so intimate as that. His peach and cinnamon scent made her heartbeat slow, relaxing. Looking back up in his eyes, she saw tears gathering too. Slowly, she reached up and brushed it away from his cheek, placing a kiss on his neck. "I'm sorry for hurting you." She wasn't sure what else to say, just disappointed in herself for letting an evil person influence her mind for a moment.

After they sat that way for a while, Jareth repositioned them so that he was holding her from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Sarah, you are not to be blamed for anything. We are still getting to know each other. You didn't hurt me, that's not why I was quiet. I was thinking of you." He tilted her face to the side so that their eyes could meet. "You are not worth less just because you're a widow. You are the Champion and the last thing you should feel is inadequacy. If anything, the way you have dealt with your struggles is why I want you. I don't care about any of that. It's a part of your journey, but it doesn't make you any less desirable. Not to me, Love. For him to suggest otherwise speaks more to our fears and who he is than how we see each other."

After a quick kiss to make her smile, Jareth continued. "When I was trying to get Ben, he taunted me too, saying that without my power, without my position you wouldn't want me. You are not a superficial person, and I let him influence me too for a moment. Please do not fret. We are here now and will move forward."

How good it felt to embrace each other. To feel the other person loving them, to finally be free from the confines of the heart that they placed on themselves.

He kissed her knuckles. "How is Ben?"

A small smile tugged on the side of her lip. "It's just Ben now?"

Jareth chuckled. "He introduced me as Benjamin, but I felt compelled to call him Ben when trying to wake him."

"I think it's sweet, and I'm happy that you two are so close." She studied him, loving how beautiful he looked when happy. She wanted him to always be happy.

Jareth ran his thumb over her knuckles. "I don't want Ben to forget his father, and I'm unsure of what boundaries you would like to set when we become more serious, but I am more than fond of him. I love him. No matter where our relationship leads, I want you to know that he is always entitled to my protection and I would care for him as if he were my own. That extends to Toby."

Both inwardly hoped that it wouldn't come to that. They were in love, and wanted this to last. If worst comes to worst, they still wanted the other to have the best possible.

Sarah pulled herself apart from him slightly, just enough to be able to really get a look into his eyes, grateful that he thought so far into the future. "We have a lot to talk about, about what's next and all. Let's put a rain check on it, maybe? Since we still have the whole Erlking bullshit to deal with? After I deliver a few well-placed punches to his fucking face."

Jareth grinned. This was the Sarah he loved. "Of course, my Love."

She nodded, relieved he was here with her. "And Mara is okay?"

"Better shape than me, your brother, or your son." He looked slightly annoyed at that. "I told you, she's a powerful sorceress."

"Aww," she tapped his nose, making him smile. "Are you feeling competitive?"

He grinned. "Always. Now, let us dine together and you can rest afterwards if that is what you wish."

"Hello." A pair of tiny jade eyes peered over his desk. "What are you doing, Mister Jareth?"

Ben had woken up and decided to explore. He had joined Mommy in resting some more, but she needed more sleep and he didn't want to stay in his room. He couldn't find his Uncle Toby, so he thought he would find Mister Jareth. After all, he had been nothing but kind.

Jareth smiled at the nickname, as he always did when Ben called him that. "Doing some reading of documents."

"I like reading." He came around the desk to stand next to the King. "Daddy used to read to me all the time."

Jareth smiled sadly at the young boy. Since reuniting with Sarah, he had to rethink on what it meant to have a legacy. He had one as a king, but what of the people close to him? He hoped that when he was gone, his family and loved ones would talk about him so fondly. As Sarah said, the first step was to be more open to repair those relationships.

"Can you read to me?" Ben trotted over to the other side of the desk to where Jareth was. "Woah, cool chair!"

Indeed it was. Jareth's chair had an engraving of a barn owl on it and the insignia of his kingdom around the owl's neck.

"Thank you," he said, moving aside so that Ben could see the carving. "I don't think that you'd want me to read these to you." He gestured towards the scrolls. "These are official documents about dams and bridges."

"Oh," Ben said with disappointment, eyes down. "Okay."

Jareth hated seeing children look disappointed, especially this one he adored so much. "But, I can read you a children's book if you'd like."

Ben's eyes lit up right away. "Yeah!"

Jareth came around to Ben's side. The boy was not-so-inconspicuously trying to hide something as his face turned red. Jareth titled his head to the side, not trying to embarrass Ben but also wanting to know why he was acting suspicious. The fear of the Erlking popped back into his head. "Is something wrong, Ben?"

Ben shuffled in shame, showing him the front of his body. Streaks of something wet were all over his pants. "I had an accident."

Jareth got down on knee, putting a gentle hand on Ben's shoulder, understanding that even if Ben thought he had a nightmare, it was quite frightening for a young child. He was surprised that this was the first (and hopefully only) behavior that would come from the trauma of the Erlking. "Accidents happen. Are you feeling all right?"

Ben nodded, covering his face so that he didn't have to look at Jareth.

Jareth took off his cape and fastened it around Ben, then lifted him up with one arm. Ben smiled a little. "See? No one will know. Let's get you changed."

He didn't see Sarah, but figured that he could just take care of Ben himself. After all, he changed many children's soiled clothing. It wasn't new to him. They went into the bedroom, finding Sarah fast asleep on her bed.

"Mommy's sleepy," Ben whispered in warning to Jareth.

Jareth went to Ben's wardrobe, looking for a change of clothes. "Then we must be quiet so we don't wake her up, mustn't we?"

Before she slept, Sarah had told Jareth a little more of what had happened, that the Erlking had manipulated her mind but she held strong. She didn't get to go into the details due to his duties interrupting them. Seeing how exhausted he was, she offered to help him in goblin court. It was a tedious affair but she made it through better than anyone he knew. He hoped to discuss more with her later, as they weren't quite out of the woods yet. They still had to find where the Erlking was.

Ben nodded, helping Jareth pick out his clothes, complete with a Spider-Man shirt and underwear. They went to the bathroom and Ben chatted on and on about how much he loved Spider-Man and wanted spider powers. Jareth shuddered, not exactly fond of arthropods himself.

"There, good as new. See?" Jareth held Ben's shoulders as he turned him to a mirror.

Ben looked down, embarrassed again. "But I'm a big boy."

"Oh trust me, I've seen grown men your Uncle Toby's age wet themselves when they went for their Run," he recalled, patting Ben's shoulders.

Ben looked at him incredulously. "Really?"

"Yes, really. You have had a few overwhelming days being away from home, even if it was fun." He took Ben's hand again. "What do you say we read that book I mentioned?"

Ben beamed. A good book always made him feel better. And he loved spending time with Mister Jareth. Ever since he came into their lives, he made them happier, especially his Mommy who had smiled but always seemed a little sad when he wasn't looking. He could tell that she was truly happy with Mister Jareth was around.

Speaking of Mister Jareth, he made sure to give Ben his own cloak. They sat together, reading a story. Ben tucked himself into the Goblin King's embrace, looking up at him every now and then. He felt safe, felt happy, and hope that the man would always be in his life.

A while later, Sarah panicked. Fuck, she fell asleep after she ate and now couldn't find her son anywhere. He wasn't even with Toby.

She heard Jareth's voice in the library and went to ask him.

"Hey, Jareth-" She stopped in her tracks.

On the floor by the fire, Jareth and Ben were curled up in a blanket, reading a book. "Mommy!" Ben waved at her. "Mister Jareth is reading a book to me. Did you know that there are giant spiders that can eat your face off?"

"Ugh," The Goblin King shuddered. "I detest spiders. Why you latched onto that one piece of information is beyond me."

"And, barn owls can fly so quietly, they're like ninjas!" Ben put his hands together, as if he was holding a stick and pretending to whack things.

"Now that is much better information for you to familiarize with," Jareth said with approval. "What shall we learn about next?"

"The Bog of Eternal Stench!" Ben laughed, making silly fart noises with his mouth.

"I believe that is the best Bog impersonation that I have ever seen," Jareth tried to not laugh but failed horribly.

Seeing Ben and Jareth together calmed her significantly. And not just because Ben was in safe hands, but because he and Jareth got along so well. Ben looked so comfortable with Jareth, asking him all sorts of questions while the Goblin King sweetly indulged him. Her fondness for Jareth grew by the moment.

"I'm glad to see that you two are having fun." She joined in with them, sitting next to Jareth, who put an arm around her shoulder. "What are we reading about now?"

Half an hour later, and they were still laughing and having fun. Toby strolled in eventually, choosing to read his book but chimed in every now and then. He wished he had his camera to take this photo, seeing Jareth joining in with them as family already.

Sarah had told him that they both confessed to loving each other. He could see the change in them as Jareth would move close to her but they still refrained from things like holding hands at least in front of Ben. They were sure he would be fine, but there was a lot of change in a short amount of time and figured they should just go slow. It was completely new to them both to get into a relationship where children were involved.

"Your Majesty?"

Jareth lifted his head up, seeing Lorraine. "What is it?"

"Hi!" Ben grinned at her.

She waved at Ben, looking nervous but at Jareth's raised eyebrow, she pressed on. "Your parents are here and so are your siblings."

"What?" He stood. "Why? Do they have information about the Erlking?"

"They didn't say, just that they would talk to you alone. Should I send them to your study?"

"Yes, immediately. Have their rooms prepared as well."

It had been years since every member of his immediate family was in this castle at the same time. Jareth wasn't sure exactly how to feel about having them here at such a horrible time, but if they had information, perhaps they could help him. After he got Sarah and Ben back, he kept checking on his spies to see if they could find the Erlking. The only spies who had anything were the ones who went to the High King's castle, saying that they couldn't infiltrate it at all. Jareth had planned to send in a spy today, but that could take a while since they would have to pretend to be all official to do so.

He bade the little family goodbye for now. He longed to take Sarah in his arms and kiss her, but he settled with kissing her hand like a gentleman and giving her a hug. Even with the crisis on his hands, just having her near helped him.

"Hello," he greeted his family, surprised seeing them all looking terrified. Especially his father, who would show almost any emotion except that. "What brings you all here?"

Iliana shook her head. "Damn, we shouldn't have come here."

"We had no other choice, Mother," Ruben said roughly.

"What choice?" Jareth demanded from them. "What's going on?"

Julian was the one who answered. "Prince Anwir has taken over the High King's palace."

Jareth shook his head, still not processing the full meaning of those words. "How?"

"He said that Grandfather 'willingly surrendered his power' to him, saying that he agrees with the plans to reunite our realm with that of the humans, but I'm not so sure," Ava said worryingly. "I think the word he meant to use was 'seduce.' They were all over each other the night of the ball and then he disappears out of nowhere! I heard Grandfather and Grandmother fighting. I suspect Grandfather is simply just going along with it because he wants to."

"I disagree," Ruben cut in. "I think he bought what that horrid prince says. That he truly believes it."

"And Grandmother?"

"Haven't a clue." Ruben fidgeted with the pen on Jareth's desk. "No one else knows what's happened. This information hasn't leaked yet to the other kingdoms yet, except you, of course."

"People have already died," Iliana whispered, her face white as a sheet. Jareth had never seen his mother look so pale. "The Erlking has an army of Raí he used to kill the guards. He was able to annihilate a good amount of them, saying he had more. They're all hostages right now."

Jareth wondered why the Raí were able to kill that many soldiers, but not Jareth himself. He was powerful, yes, but not more powerful than that of the High King's guards all put together. Perhaps, the Erlking had weakened when Sarah cut off her power from him and when he freed Ben from his grasp. He would have to discuss more with Mara to see if she had any more theories.

"I was afraid, Jareth," Iliana continued, looking ashamed. "Afraid for myself. For your father, and your siblings. I should have stood up to them better, but we just focused on keeping anyone left at the castle safe. No one is getting involved despite the fact that he's captured the High King."

He waved the concern away. "How many are there still?"

"I don't know, besides the castle workers? Possibly twenty or so. Most went back home after the ball. We stayed because we had plans with them. Your aunts and uncles are all back home as well, except for your Aunt Titania."

"That's particularly dangerous," Jareth noted. "As she is Grandfather's heir."

"Yes," Iliana agreed.

"So how were you lot let go?"

Julian handed him a letter. "He told us that we could leave with one exception: to hand you this. Your mother and I weighed against the pros and cons, afraid that they would send something to harm the kingdom. I'm told the Labyrinth's Sorceress is looking over our things to make sure none of them have been enchanted."

"Wise choice, Sorceress Mara is exceptionally adept at these things." He opened the envelope but made no move to read it. "You may stay here as long as you would like. Please know that Lady Sarah, her son, and her brother are also here." He looked at his siblings in particular. "Behave in front of her, treat her well as she is not only my guest but a noblewoman in her own right."

"She is well?" Julian inquired, looking relieved.

Jareth nodded. "But only just."

"You pulled quite a scandal at the Lunar Palace." Ava raised an eyebrow. "Threatening to disembowel and all that."

"They need to be taught a lesson." His tone harsh and he instantly wore his ice mask. "No one dares to challenge the King of the Goblins this way. Especially my guest."

He held up the letter. "If you will excuse me, I have a crisis to avert."

Toby was not present in the meeting, saying that he would watch over Ben for Sarah's peace of mind, believing that she should be in this meeting more than he. Lorraine would be briefed later, as she had responsibilities to care for the guests and other duties.

"So, the good thing is that he no longer can draw from dreams now that his connection to Sarah has been severed when she declared he had no power over her," Mara said, taking a chess piece representing Sarah off the board. "At least, this is the assumption we are making for now. And now that we have placed protection spells on her, Toby, and Benjamin"

"But no one knows what's happened to the High King and High Queen." Sarah took the king and queen, placing them to one side. "And now he's using them as leverage, probably."

They all looked to Jareth, who still hadn't opened the letter. They just caught everyone up, and he just did not want to deal with this shit. He handed it to Samuel. "You read it."

Samuel snorted, earning a glare from Jareth. He immediately cleared his throat. "Apologies, Your Majesty. 'Greetings, King Jareth of the Goblins, I sincerely hope this letter finds you well-'"

"Bullshit," Jareth mumbled, folding his arms and placing his feet on his desk.

"'-and that you have found the person who has taken your Champion.'"

"He acts as if we didn't meet in the dreamworld."

"'For a long time, your grandfather and I have discussed how wonderful it would be to unite everyone together to one. Imagine that! No war, no fighting, just everyone working together. Is that not your goal in your kingdom of the unwanted? We can reunite the humans as well. I ask for your loyalty, and in return you will reap the benefits that we sow together. If you do not, I'm afraid that I, as the interim High King, will have no choice but to dissolve the Goblin Kingdom, to separate it from the faerie realm entirely as you would pose a danger to the humans. Believe me when I say that this is something I would like avoid. I look forward to hearing of your cooperation. Sincerely, Prince Anwir of Paustacuna.'"

Jareth laughed dryly. "First, he claims he's the interim High King without any preamble? No reason as to why he's in this position? Why Grandmother has stepped aside?" He snatched the letter from Samuel and crumpled it, throwing it in the waste basket. "He's bluffing. It would be a loss if he can't access the dreamworld."

"Why wouldn't he be able to?" Sarah asked.

"Do you remember me saying that this kingdom is both in the realm of the fae and the realm of dreams?"

"Yes."

"That's because we are fae. If it's purely in dreams, then the fae cannot wield power."

"Maybe he's not bluffing," Samuel suggested slowly. "What if he's willing to lose the connection to dreams?"

"Perhaps, but dreams power belief of humans, who send their children here when they can't care for them and we adopt them." Jareth took a sip of tea.

"Which will happen anyway if the Aboveground and Underground reunite," Sarah pointed out. "He also seems like the person who has the 'if I can't have it then neither can you' attitude. He would destroy everything if he couldn't have it."

Jareth's face twisted into defeat. "But he will still not want to lose this. He's trying to get me to hand it over. What would he want more than anything?"

"Power," Mara said gravely. "Nothing is more important to him than power. So you're saying we should bribe him with power?"

"He will see through it if we're lying," Sarah countered. "So what then?"

Jareth was strangely slow in his answer. He avoiding everyone's eyes. "Mara and Samuel, you two are dismissed for now. I need to speak to Sarah alone."

"We aren't done!" Samuel shouted. If the situation wasn't so dire, Sarah might have laughed at the usually calm man finally losing his last nerve over Jareth.

"And I am your king! We will convene later!" He flicked his wrist, the door opening. "Come back in half an hour."

They had no choice but to leave, grumbling the whole time.

Jareth let the ice mask melt and chewed the inside of his cheek. "Sarah, I need a favor from you."

"Anything, Jareth," she said, standing to follow him.

He shook his head. "Do not say that, you haven't heard this yet. If you say no, I will completely understand. You have your life and Ben, after all." He locked the door.

She gave him a sideways glance. A foreboding tension filled the air. "Jareth, what's going on?"

He looked to the side. "I want to be safe. I don't know how he will negotiate with me, and while I'm sure I can defeat him, I need to be wise about these things and have a backup plan. Just in case," he created a crystal, creating an amulet identical to his, but slightly smaller.

Sarah's eyes widened, understanding what he meant. "I don't know if I can-"

"Yes, you can." He took her hand and placed it in her palm. "You don't have to, and it's a large responsibility that I do not want to thrust on anyone as it was trust on me, but you absolutely can. You are the Champion, the one and only champion, might I add. Should something bad happen to me, I want you to quickly take your place as queen."

"How the hell do I do that?" She paced around hysterically. "I'm a music teacher with a kid, how the hell do I become a queen?"

"And I was a partying prince when I took my place on the throne," he reminded her. "Your qualifications and experience were more than mine were when I became king. You will have many people to help you. Their loyalty will lie with you as their queen, I assure you. There is no one else I know of who has command of the goblins and has that affinity with the Labyrinth as you. Even if they do, I would not trust them as I trust you."

"But why?" She cried out, and he almost rescinded this idea at how distressed she seemed.

"There is a small chance that… the Erlking will cause permanent damage. To me. To the kingdom. A small chance, but I don't like leaving something as big as my kingdom to chance, no matter how small. Should the Erlking eliminate me, he would have claim to the throne in the eyes of the Underground if he has my grandfather imprisoned. He can rule, but he cannot truly gain natural authority like you. He can only use force." He watched as she looked down at the amulet. "Take this, Sarah. No one will know but our small group, and the Erlking doesn't know that the Champion is entitled to the throne, so he wouldn't expect it. Remember, even Mara didn't know about that bit of information until recently."

Sarah carefully angled her face to his. "You trust me to lead a kingdom? What about someone else?"

He held her arms. "Sarah, you are beloved by my goblins. You charm my subjects and already have a mind for strategy. And like I said, you would have people like Mara, Samuel, and Lorraine to guide you. There is nothing you can't do. And no one else claim to the throne like you do, so you would command the authority."

Sarah mulled his words over. The thought terrified her, but she understood his reasoning and knew that while she could say no, could she truly do that? Turn her back on the goblins and the good people here? To leave the burden to someone else?

She held the amulet, weighing it on her hand and speaking to it accusingly. "We better not need you."

Jareth had a tight smile on his face. "I would hope not too. I apologize for the suddenness and the turmoil this must cause you."

She sighed. "It's not just that. I come from a country of elected officials, first of all. Second of all, the idea that someone gets to be a leader of a nation being chosen because they beat a giant maze in thirteen hours is so Arthurian, it doesn't even feel real. It's a lot."

"I know."

"But, for the sake of the Underground and my world, of course." She put it on, the amulet warming her. "So I'm queen now?"

"Not quite." He touched her amulet. "I will name you my regent should the situation arise. That way, this would be temporary. I've been ruling on my own for many years now. It won't make a difference to me."

He sounded so sad at the last part, even though he tried to sound calm and unconcerned about it. "I wouldn't ask you if I didn't think you could do it, or if I thought you'd suffer."

Sarah nodded, thinking on how he had to essentially build the kingdom ground up, as many goblin kings and queens didn't usually care to do the work he did. "I understand. Really. I'll do it."

He relaxed a little, appreciative of her willingness. "Do you feel the Labyrinth's power?" He took her hand and angled it to the window, where they could see the Labyrinth. She closed her eyes, focusing on a surge of energy not unlike the invisible thread from her fight with the Erlking.

Wearing the amulet did not make her feel energized in the way she expected. Nor did it make her feel incredibly powerful. The Labyrinth's energy felt like hot cocoa on a snowy day. Like homemade cooking after a long day's work. Like the sense of amazement after reading a good book. Or chasing after Toby when he was small.

It felt like home. As if she was always meant to be there.

"Yes, I do."

Sorry for how long it took for me to upload this chapter, I actually hadn't planned on them declaring their love for each other here, but rather in chapter 23. Then 21. Then I went, what am I waiting for? Lol. Remember that this story was originally started with the premise of Ben being kidnapped, so in my head the confession for love would have come a lot later so I had to amend it. I hope you guys liked this chapter and that I covered all the potholes and stuff they should have mentioned to each other! If I miss anything let me know. Thanks everyone!