CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

"So how do we destroy the book?"

"It is still night time, my love," Jareth informed her with a yawn. He ran his hand through his hair trying to flatten the hair that was sticking up at odd angles. Sarah didn't notice any change despite his efforts. She reached over and tucked a few strands down behind his ear. He moaned at her touch. "Let's continue snuggling."

Sarah elbowed her husband, playfully. "We have both had adequate rest due to the many times you turned back the clock."

"Using all that magic has worn me out, precious," he said, with another yawn. He snaked his arm around her body as she lay next to him and pulled her flat against his chest. As enticing as it would be to spend an entire day wrapped up in his arms, she knew they had work to do. She pushed herself back away from him, unsuccessfully though, as he tucked her hip back under his arm.

"So, is there a volcano aptly named Mount Doom, into which we can chuck the book, and thus save the world?"

"No, there is no such thing as Mount Doom," Jareth answered, groggily. "There is a hill aptly named the Hillock of Disgruntlement."

"Does it have lava strong enough to destroy the red book?"

"No, it's just a hill." Jareth rubbed his eyes.

Sarah sighed. She stretched languidly, her bottom rubbing against Jareth's groin in the process.

"Careful, love," Jareth warned, nipping lightly on her ear. Sarah suddenly remembered the night before. She felt heat creep into her cheeks as she recalled his mouth between her legs giving her infinite pleasure. It took a moment to realise the blush was from desire and not embarrassment. She clamped her legs tightly together to try and ease the rising arousal.

"Jareth?"

"Mmm?"

"Did I fall asleep before I reciprocated anything?" Sarah asked.

"Reciprocated what?" Jareth asked, muffled by her shoulder.

"You know."

"Do I?"

Sarah sighed and then wriggled free of his grip. He moaned in dismay, his eyes firmly shut and his hands reaching out for her.

"Roll over, Jareth," Sarah ordered. "On to your back."

"You dare instruct me?" Jareth's voice deepened. A smile tugged at the corner of Sarah's mouth. Part of her was turned on by his commanding tone, despite it being playfully meant.

"Apologies, Your Majesty." Sarah swiped her tongue along the exposed flesh of his midriff. Jareth shuddered and grunted, his eyes opening wide to see Sarah kneeling by his side.

"About time you started paying me the due deference I deserve," Jareth murmured, a hint of a smile teasing his lips. Sarah was tempted to kiss that burgeoning smile clean off his lips.

"Would you be so kind as to roll over onto your back, Your Majesty?" Sarah said in a falsely timorous voice. He obliged, showing Sarah that his anatomy was already responding to her, making her clit throb in response. Sarah arched her brow at Jareth, and he bit his lip in return.

"Forsythia had me believing that you wouldn't be so easily pleased by a mere mortal, Your Grace," Sarah simpered, batting her eyelids.

"I was envisioning the veritable feast I enjoyed last night, Sarah," he said, in throaty tones. "I did, however, seek my pleasure elsewhere, after you saw fit to fall asleep."

"Poor Hoggle," Sarah said sadly, followed by dramatic gagging.

"Damn it, Sarah," Jareth cursed. "Are you purposefully trying to kill the mood?"

Sarah pitched forward, giggles bubbling all the way up as she watched Jareth's emotions play out. He eventually unclenched his fists and smoothed his features, but a slight tinge of ire still danced within his eyes. Sarah howled with glee and wiped tears from her eyes.

"You deserved it entirely," Sarah responded. "Teasing me into thinking you were getting your rocks off elsewhere."

"Not with another person, my love," he said as he sat up. He laced his arms around her and pulled her towards him. "With my own hand, in the bathroom. It didn't take me very long and I had very enticing visuals to help me climax."

"Romantic," Sarah mocked.

"I didn't want to disturb you, but I was painfully aroused after enjoying your delights," Jareth reasoned. "I was just trying to be considerate, but rest assured I have no need for reciprocity."

Sarah snorted inelegantly. "Are you telling me that the Goblin King is selfless in bed?"

"Not at all." Jareth ran his thumb over her bottom lip. "I selfishly only want any sexual interaction with you that is willing and enthusiastic. I am not one for self-denial, however, so I will not apologise for seeing to my own needs. Without your complete and utter willingness, I may as well be masturbating."

Sarah studied his face and saw nothing but sincerity in his mismatched eyes. She leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his brow, smoothing his frown lines and his markings with her thumbs. "Perhaps I could see to your needs right now."

Jareth gave a pointy smile. "I will not stop you."

Sarah slid down his pants with ease and pumped his cock a few times with her hand. Though it was so hard there would be little need to tease and coax his erection along. Jareth's eyes instantly fluttered closed and he growled at the back of his throat. Sarah shifted her body so she was kneeling on his side. Jareth instantly came up to cup her breasts with one of his hands as she lowered her mouth to his cock.

Sarah swiped her tongue from the base to the tip, where she swirled it around a few times, before grasping the base in one hand. Simultaneously palming and licking him, caused Jareth to inhale sharply and squeeze her breast tighter than expected. Sarah mewled in pain and Jareth cracked an eye open to look at her.

"Apologies Sarah," he said, huskily. He ran a soothing hand over her breast then slid it down to her thigh. Sarah continued to work his cock, laving the tip with her tongue before she thrust it into her mouth as far back as she could manage it. Jareth cried out a throaty, "Oh, gods," as his fingers dug into her thigh.

Sarah turned to see Jareth watching her with dark eyes. His teeth pierced his lip as he watched her suck him, and his expression alone was enough to have desire creep under her skin and straight to her centre. She picked up her speed as she slid her free hand under his balls to rub the sensitive patch with her fingers. Jareth inhaled sharply, bucked his hips and groaned as she pressed hard against it with the pad of her thumb. The muscles in his stomach rippled deliciously as he squirmed under her touch.

Sarah watched Jareth run his free hand over his lithe, pale body, tantalisingly pinching his dark nipples before twisting his hand into the sheet. Sarah soaked up every single one of his reactions, fuelling her own arousal. She eased off the sucking and concentrated on pumping her hand while licking all his sensitive spots. She elicited some moans and pants as she sucked on each of his testicles before guiding his cock back into her mouth. The moment her mouth made contact with the velvety soft tip, he groaned loudly and thrust up hard and fast into her mouth. Sarah gagged slightly, before regaining control.

"Sa-rah,'' Jareth drawled in a gravelly whisper. She whipped her tongue around her mouth faster before he offered one final thrust; his cock hitting the back of her mouth. She could feel his cock pulsing in her hand with his orgasm before her mouth filled with hot spurts. When Jareth had finished moaning, and the pulsing receded, she licked him a few more times before removing her mouth. As he opened his eyes to look at her, she swallowed his come and ran her fingertip over her lip to wipe away any that had escaped. Jareth captured her hand and pulled her finger deep into his mouth and swirled his tongue around.

A small groan escaped from Sarah as she watched him, and felt stirrings at her centre as all the nerves in her finger danced. Sarah was imagining that tongue on her clit, when he released her with a sharp-toothed smile.

"You are a lady of many talents, my love," he said, hoarsely as he pulled her back down beside him. Sarah didn't really think so. It was not something she had enjoyed with her previous partners, but on reflection, it may have been due to the lack of reciprocity. Mark would, especially, take from her and then never give. It made her a tad resentful after a while. Sarah only had so much generosity to give. Thank goodness, she had a vibrator which she often used while her husband slept. Something told her that her current husband would rarely leave her wanting.

They had been interrupted shortly after Sarah had finished pleasuring Jareth, and so Sarah had been the one left aroused and unsated. Goblins had come to announce a Navas patrol had been seen scouting on the outer rim of the Kingdom. Jareth instructed a counter patrol to go and shadow their every move. They then went to breakfast before starting the business of the day.

After a few hours of tedious war planning, Sarah left to get some fresh air on one of the balconies overlooking the Labyrinth. She had just turned around to return to being closeted in the war room, when firm, gloved hands wrapped around her waist.

"My love," Jareth greeted her into the crook of her neck. Sarah's arousal came flooding back as if it had never left. Without another word, Sarah spun around and threw her arms around Jareth's neck and dragged him until her back was against the wall. He started kissing her lips passionately, but Sarah pulled away, sliding her hand down his torso and releasing his cock from his pants. Jareth tried to reignite the kiss, but Sarah buried her mouth into the side of his neck instead. She palmed his erection until it was sinfully hard and then lifted herself so she could throw her legs around his waist. Jareth groaned but pushed her hard against the wall to support her. She ground into his erection, gaining some relief from the friction.

"Fuck me, Jareth," she pleaded, hooking her legs around his hips tighter.

"I have to take this first," Jareth said, as he released one hand to form a crystal. With a flick his wrist he converted the crystal into a vial with blue liquid floating in it. At her curious look, he explained, "to prevent any unwanted babies."

He tipped the vial into his mouth and swallowed with a grimace. Sarah's heart pounded at the thought of his consideration. But desire overrode her appreciation, and so she pressed herself hard against his cock.

"Are you sure you want to do this here?" Jareth asked before she gripped his cock tightly in her hand. He swallowed his words. Without another moment's hesitation, he removed her undergarments and then rubbed his erection against her saturated folds. They moaned together before he impaled her with his cock into her wet heat.

Sarah gasped as she felt him enter her to the hilt. She had never experienced such exquisite fullness. Jareth held her there for a few moments to let them both adjust; his eyes dark, his mouth slightly parted. He nipped lightly at her neck, licking where he bit. Then he inhaled the scent of her hair as he withdrew gently from her. Sarah moaned at the sudden emptiness but it was short-lived as he thrust his way back in again.

It was uncomfortable and slightly painful riding against the wall, but Sarah was so turned on, she barely noticed as he thrust and thrust into her. Sarah could feel his eyes on her, but she shut hers tight to enhance the sensations. He alternated between grunts and moans, and his gloved fingers dug deeper and deeper into her buttocks as he supported her weight. Every second thrust had Sarah crying out in delight.

The tension was spiralling higher and higher until Jareth reached between them and flicked her bundle of nerves with his finger, sending her over the edge. Jareth bucked into her a few more times before he joined her, spurting in hot streams inside her. He didn't withdraw straight away. He held her and caressed her lightly with his gloved hands. Sarah, on the other hand, placed her hand against the slight trail of hair leading down to his cock and pushed gently to ease him out of her. She then swiftly untangled her legs from around his waist, planting them firmly back on the ground. Without looking at him, she ducked under his arms and straightened her skirts and her hair before marching back inside.

Jareth watched her go, still bracing himself against the wall. He should have been ecstatic to finally have fucked Sarah, but instead, he was filled with a hollowness that he couldn't explain. He sighed deeply as he tried to catch his breath. He tucked his cock, still wet from their mutual climaxes, back into his pants. He took a few moments to straighten his attire before he sat down on a nearby bench, running his fingers through his hair.

"Fuck me, Jareth."

How could he refuse, and yet part of him wished he did. He had never turned down willing offers of sex in his life, and on more than one occasion had he fucked someone up against a wall. And he had dreamed about having sex with Sarah for so long, he wondered if it was a case of the fantasy being better than the reality. But no, that wasn't it. Mechanically, it was very good, but it was missing something. Something that left Jareth cold. When it hit him, it was obvious. Their coupling had no emotions attached to it —at least not on Sarah's behalf. After centuries of fucking fae-folk and never involving emotion, it was what he had become accustomed to. It should have felt different to fuck Sarah.

But Sarah wouldn't even kiss him, and it had solely been about a release for her. A quick shag, and then she went on her way. Jareth ground his teeth in frustration. He had wanted their first time to be romantic. He wanted it to be making love, not a quick fuck against the wall. He cursed and placed his head into his hand. He had thought his own will was stronger than this, but he couldn't refuse Sarah anything and she had wanted this so desperately. The thing that left him cold was that they wanted it for very different reasons. He wanted a connection, she wanted pleasure and release.

He laughed at himself then. In all his years, sex had been a mere pleasurable pursuit, he finally found his match and all she wanted from him was satisfaction. And he wanted more. He wanted intimacy and romance and connection, and he was thwarted by the one person he wanted it from. Jareth stood and squared his shoulders. He had no plan, but he was determined to show Sarah the delights of making love, instead of just fucking.

When Jareth returned to the war room, he scarcely offered a glance in Sarah's direction. Sarah's gut plummeted throughout their meeting as he barely looked at her and was strangely civil towards her. Sarah's mind went to dark places, She had given Jareth what he wanted and perhaps it had been disappointing for him. Though it had certainly not been disappointing for her, if not a little painful. Sarah rubbed the slightly bruised crown of her head at the memory.

After the meeting wore on and he uttered yet another polite answer to one of her questions, Sarah had to know if he was upset with her.

"Jareth, can we talk?"

"What do you think we are doing?"

"Privately, please."

Sevlydi rolled his eyes. "We haven't got time for you to 'talk.' We're planning a war. 'Talk' in your own bed at the appropriate time."

"I need to talk to my husband," Sarah repeated, trying hard not to tsk at his crude innuendo. Sevlydi obviously knew what they had been doing an hour or so earlier.

"Sev, please." Jareth indicated the door. Sevlydi looked between both of them, grumbled under his breath before he got up and stalked off.

"If you really wanted me that badly, you could have waited until tonight, Sarah," Jareth said as soon as they were alone. He leaned back in his chair and raised his brows at her. "My, my, my, you are becoming quite insatiable."

"I don't want—" Sarah closed her eyes. "I just wanted to talk to you."

"Is it urgent?"

"Well, do you want this thing that we have between us to work out or not?" Sarah asked, brusquely. At his raised brows, she added, "then we need to have open communication."

"The thing between us?" Jareth lowered his brows and leant forward in his chair. "You mean the thing where I love you, but you only want to fuck me?"

Sarah's mouth flopped open as she watched Jareth's eyes widen. Sarah suspected the realisation of what he said just hit him. Her hunch was confirmed when he spoke.

"What I mean is—" Jareth began.

"You think that I just want quick fucks up against the wall and that's all I want from you."

"Well, is that not the case?"

Sarah sighed. She didn't know what she wanted. She knew she needed time, and she knew that the safest route would be to cease all intimacy until she knew what she wanted. But it surprised her that such a sexual creature would be hurt by her lack of emotional investment in their exploits.

"At that point in time." Sarah crossed her arms over her chest.

"And I don't blame you," Jareth said, in low tones. "I have had my fair share of quick fucks—centuries of them— for the sake of pure pleasure. But with you, it has always been more than just gratification. I —"

"I am sorry, Jareth," Sarah apologised. She didn't recall any other times she actually apologised to him. This may have been a first. She needed to cut off anything else he may have said. She was sorry, but not sorry enough to start venturing into "feelings" territory.

"You're sorry?"

"I may be more similar to you than you thought." Sarah nibbled the side of her lip. "I have learnt to separate sex from emotions, like you."

Jareth gave a feeble nod. "While I have suddenly learnt to integrate them."

"I used you," Sarah admitted. "I used you and that must not feel right to a fae who is used to being the one who manipulates others for his own ends."

Jareth looked briefly struck, but that look dissolved with his sincere nod. "Your insight is most likely the correct one. Though there have been many situations where my partner has used me as equally as I, them."

"You're not one to deny yourself pleasure, remember?"

"Nor would I deny you any, precious," he said without any hint of a smirk.

"You have been very patient with me, and I took advantage of your understanding and forbearance, to take what I wanted," Sarah admitted. "I took advantage of your desire for me, and that's not f— and that's quite cruel of me."

"That's not to say it wasn't a complete pleasure fucking you, because it was," Jareth said slightly off on a tangent. "But I would prefer to make love with you and not just rushed couplings against the wall."

"Who knew you were such a romantic?" Sarah scrunched up her nose.

"Only for the one, I am smitten with."

"So how do we progress from here?"

"You mean do I still want to fuck you even if it is emotionless and just base carnality?"

"Yeah."

"Well, we have the trek to the Pearl caves this afternoon and we still have a book to destroy and then a war to attend," Jareth answered with a rueful smile. "It may be safe to say we won't get any chances to do so until after it is all over. Then perhaps you will be so desperately in love with me that you will make love to me instead of using me for my body and my massive asset."

Sarah inhaled so sharply, she started coughing and spluttering. Memories of having that massive asset seated inside her, even so briefly, had her squirming in her chair.

"You know it's true," Jareth teased. "You are astounded by my magnitude."

"And your humbleness," Sarah said with a snort.

"I have no use for your human concept of humility."

"Clearly!"

Jareth gave Sarah a rather covetous smile. "I love you."

Sarah cleared her throat and played with the ends of her hair. "Shall we call Sevlydi back in?"

Sarah was standing alone in a pine forest, which she had been assured was still within the Goblin Kingdom. Jareth had meant to be with her. But just as they were getting ready to come here, the goblins burst in and informed them that Navas had started attacking earlier than the petition had stated. Jareth transported her here and then went back to help his brother defend the Kingdom.

Dread and worry had filled her stomach at the realisation that war had finally come. Petty disputes about the nature of their fucking seemed so superfluous and trivial now. People's lives were on the line.

But somehow in this cool, damp place, Sarah felt a sense of ease. The air was scented with pine, reminding her of Jareth's earthy tones. He seemed to smell of every part of his Labyrinth, minus the Bog of course. The boughs creaked in the breeze, and the pine needles hummed as they rubbed against each other. She could feel eyes on her, but she sensed that they were no threat to her. Sarah stepped forward, her booted foot sinking into the soft blanket of dead pine needles, brown and orange like a rust coloured red carpet leading her to the mouth of a cave.

She had a job to do and she walked forward with purpose. Her almost reverential walk was interrupted by the occasional crackle and snap of the sticks she trod on.

Jareth and Sevlydi stood upon a makeshift parapet overlooking what was fast becoming the battleground. The goblin army stood with weapons and black and gold flags at the ready. Navas was standing their ground, for now, their red and blue flags fluttering in the wind.

Jareth had to send Sarah alone to the pearl caves when he had been informed that Navas was here a day or two earlier than their petition to the High King had suggested. He gritted his teeth at the thought of having to abandon his wife. But his frustration was short-lived. Navas had fired the first shot and so it began.

Of course, they had to have started their assault on the Ghent side of his Kingdom. Just another thing he was wary of that could potentially cause his wife more misery. If they were pushed back, he did fear for his human citizens. Where they were now was mostly just desert. Only the hardiest of desert dwellers ventured out this far and barely anyone lived out here. The tunnels underneath were another story. Created by Eayaworms many moons ago, they were now inhabited by many different creatures that preferred the dark and damp. Jareth didn't necessarily have dominion over them, but he certainly felt responsible for their protection.

It was of course littered with pre-planned traps and Jareth watched as one by one Navas soldiers fell into them. He gave a grim smile as he watched the events unfold beneath him. Sevlydi was assisting him with protective magic for their army as they surged forward. Jareth hoped losses would be minimal. Loving someone with one's whole heart should not result in the death of innocents. Love should not be this complicated.

Sarah jumped back with surprise as she saw a creature lumber towards the entrance of the cave that looked just like —

"Ludo?"

"No," the rock-caller answered in a surprisingly high-pitched voice. "Delda."

"Oh!" Sarah exclaimed. "Hello Delda, I am Sarah."

"Sarah, Queen," Delda responded with a nod. "Delda know who you are."

"Yes, I am the Queen."

"Sarah friend!"

"Yes, Delda," Sarah said, quietly. She wondered if the rock-caller knew Ludo. They were both the same shade of red, though Delda was slightly shorter than Ludo, with longer, sharper horns.

"Sarah came to visit the shiny rocks?"

"Yes, Delda, I have come to visit the shiny rocks." Sarah was not one hundred per cent sure what she was doing here. Clutched in her hand was the red book. Supposedly, Briyash had told Jareth that she would find answers inside the cavern. Sarah doubted she would find answers from Delda. But maybe the rock caller was a key to show her the way.

"You enter there, Queen Sarah friend," Delda said, with a nod and a wave towards the entrance. Sarah thanked her and entered the cave. The walls were glinting with unharvested pearls. Apparently, she couldn't touch them. Magic protected them so that only when a pearl had been chosen, could it be removed. The more powerful you were, the higher the calibre of pearls you could choose from. Of course, this was different if a bridal-pearl was requested. She wasn't here to touch the pearls anyway. At least she didn't think so.

On she went down the tunnel, past the font where the bridal pearls would be received, deeper and deeper underground. Her gut twisted with anxiety with every turn she took in the cavern. It felt like hours that she had walked down through the yawning chasm, the pearls dimmer and fewer the further she delved. It was dark, but still, she could see enough to traverse the rocky terrain.

That was until she stumbled. Kicking her toe on a rock, she went sprawling into the ground. Filtering through the pain came an awareness that what was shrouded in shadow, was now blanketed in light. Sarah looked up from where she lay on the ground to see what was causing the sudden illumination.

A flurry of bodies moved as if in a dance, splatters of blood rained down upon the dusty terrain, and the sounds of metal clanging harshly and the sharp zapping of magic resonated all around him. Jareth was in the midst of the battle. A place he had avoided for hours, but eventually necessity sucked him in. His leg ached but he ignored the burning, twisting pain that seared up his ankle with every second step. He couldn't let his subjects die while he stood upon the parapet safe. Sevlydi and any elves or fae that resided in the Goblin Kingdom had joined him to keep the magic flowing.

Jareth was magically more powerful than all of them combined, but this was his fight. His battle. It helped distract him from thinking of Sarah and what she was up to. There were so many unknowns where she was concerned. He longed to be there with her, instead of traipsing across a sandy battlefield with his goblin army.

They were nearly indestructible. They were oddly fond of being kicked. Jareth imagined it would feel like a tickle to them, with such thick skins. What might be seen as giving pain to them, was actually just a sensory experience they lapped up. It made them perfect for battle as hardy as they were.

That wasn't to say they couldn't die. Grygiel, one of the goblins Sarah had become attached to had lost several limbs and ended up being taken away by a medic. Heft wasn't so lucky. Within the first hour, Heft had lost his life. Jareth ground his teeth at the memory. Sarah had a small, but incredibly loyal band of goblins that Heft had been a part of. He felt the pain of every single loss.

Even while dodging the sharp strikes of the enemy, he was making a mental note of the dead to ensure he would mourn their death appropriately.

Jareth had always felt that war was futile and he would never seek to start one, but he wouldn't leave his Kingdom undefended. And this opportunity was to be grabbed with both hands as a means to finally annex their kingdom from Navas. Sarah had misunderstood his excitement when Effistod declared war. He didn't enjoy war but he did enjoy the thought of independence. Something he could never grab for himself because if went against Navas as the instigator, it would sway the High Council in Navas' favour.

War was frowned upon. The High Council would rather the Kingdoms pretended to be peaceful. Therefore it was usually the defender that got more support than the attacker. That was why he had been jubilant and nearly oblivious to Sarah's absolute terror. Jareth had been looking for a way to antagonise his father enough to declare war. So he wouldn't have to, and he could let Sevlydi marry Rica safely. But now, more importantly, he could legitimise Sarah's reign and his marriage to her.

He sucked in a lungful of dry, blood-soaked air before he cut down the fae in front of him. Three more went down in succession as his magic and poison-laced sword sliced through their midsections. It was such a waste of life. He had grown up with some of these Navastians. They were his fellow countrymen now trained to slaughter him for daring to marry someone he loved.

He turned his thoughts towards Sarah while he waited on the next wave to reach him. His moonstone had been embedded into the back of his medallion. He could feel it's warmth against his skin, but as far as he could tell Sarah no longer kept hers on her person. He gritted his teeth at the thought that she could be lost again, and he wouldn't have the focus to find her. The oncoming wave of soldiers was mere metres away and he was still thinking about Sarah. Would she object to the sealing of a bond between the two of them?

He surmised she would. It would mean being faithful to each other until they died, or they mutually removed the bond-mark. He wouldn't want to restrict her in such a fashion, despite his inherent possessiveness rearing its head and demanding it. Nor would he want to have her vulnerable, however. A bond mark let others know who they were mated to and they'd always be able to find each other without reliance on an external source like a pearl or moonstone. It was something to consider.

Jareth raised his sword and plunged it into the nearest fae, closing his eyes as he took yet another life.

Sarah scrambled up on to her feet, dusting her hands on her goblin armour the best she could. She was no longer alone. The light that was flooding the cavern was coming from an unexpected source: a unicorn. It was a green and purple one that Sarah suspected was the same one she had already met before.

"Hi'Live," said the voice in her head.

"Yes."

"You have come to break the curse."

"I have?"

"You have," the unicorn's voice confirmed in her mind. "You have started the process admirably by returning my tear, the pearl to me. You married the Goblin King, fulfilling the prophecy that you would be the one to break the curse. Then you refused the fae the latest child that was wished away. There is just one more thing you need to do before the curse is broken forever..."

Sarah sucked in a lungful of stale air. She hoped the last task would be straightforward. She wanted to return to Jareth and make sure he was still safe.

Days had passed. Jareth had switched his troops over to allow for respite and he had been replaced himself a few times by either Sevlydi or a high ranking elf. The cycles seemed endless and his sleep was fraught or non-existent. Especially as he weaved magic while he dozed to keep the wards intact.

Sarah still had not been sighted. He sent pure magic-owls to see if she had left the cavern and she had not. But she had not taken anything with her but the book, so he assumed something had happened to her to have gone so long without food and water.

The moonstone was still warm, but he was beginning to doubt the efficacy of a lump of stone to tell him if anything untoward had happened to his love. Curse this war! He had slaughtered so many of his fellow fae the blood had soaked through his gloves and gauntlets, staining his hands red even after washing them.

Every night he lamented the fallen; his troops and those he had been fighting. His emotions naturally swelled his song, as his soldiers wept for those that perished. The battle was still being waged in his favour, but it brought him no joy. His worry about Sarah consumed him. He scryed for her endlessly, but the magic of the pearl caverns blocked him. He could see a smokey figure in his crystal but nothing more. He pitched the crystal against the side of his tent, where it bounced off the canvas and shattered upon the rug that covered the sand they camped on.

"Sarah," he said as he held his moonstone between thumb and finger. He felt a gentle hum against his skin and he closed his eyes in relief. He was sure she was still alive at the very least. If it wasn't for putting every soldier at risk, he would have gone straight to her. The uncertainty of her situation scared him. The mighty Goblin King, scared. He had to be the first fae King in history to experience such a feeling.

"Why don't you go to her?" Sevlydi asked as he entered the tent, stepping over the shards of glass. It was time for the change of shift. Jareth swung his legs off the side of the cot and glared at his brother.

"She is alive, Sev, but I can not leave my people to their deaths," Jareth said, bitterly knowing Sarah would not approve of being rescued at the expense of hundreds of lives. "I have sent owls to scout for her. We are certain she has not left the cave. The rock-callers have said she has not left. Whatever it was that she found there must be looking after her. If she was in pain, I would know."

"But you won't stop worrying about her until you know she is safe," Sevlydi pointed out.

"No, but what can I do?" Jareth sighed and ghosted his hand over his amulet. "You are not powerful enough to support the wards by yourself. If I leave, the magic will fracture and they will get past us."

"The Labyrinth will still hold them at bay until you return," Sevlydi pointed out.

"At what cost?" Jareth shook his head. "No, Sarah needs to know I trust her enough to let her do this by herself. I can not break her trust in me by deserting the cause. I'd know if she was in pain..."

"How?"

"If I had so much as a breath of pain from her, I would know."

"Again, how?" Sevlydi rolled his eyes impatiently. "As far as I know you haven't got a bond-mark."

"You know of bond-marks?" Jareth gathered his hair into a ponytail as he narrowed his eyes suspiciously at his brother.

Bond marks were rare and almost unheard of magic. Jareth had come across it in a book in his library when he read about the Stolen Pearl that dictated to him who he would marry. Up until that point he had never heard of bond-marks. Not being a faithful species, fae never took the trouble to acquire them. They had been more common with elves before the fae subjugated them to a lower class. But even then, one hadn't been formed in centuries.

"You left the book open and I was curious," Sevyldi replied with a casual shrug. "You don't think Sarah could possibly love you enough to get one of those, do you?"

Jareth sighed and slammed his feet into his boots, ready to go back into battle. "I am not discussing this now."

He stormed out of the tent and felt a slight force graze over his mind. He staggered back from the shock of it, bringing his hands up to his temples.

"I have her and she is safe," a soothing, trustworthy and familiar voice in his head spoke. Jareth grinned from sheer relief before he went to join the changing of the guards.

The unicorn had provided Sarah with ample food and water as they travelled deeper into the stark tunnels. The pearls had long finished glittering in the rocky walls. They had stopped to sleep twice under a blanket of silver that was surprisingly warm despite how thin it was. Sarah would alternate between walking next to the unicorn or riding on her back. They would barely communicate aside from pleasantries. Only once, in what Sarah had assumed was days, did they converse.

The Unicorn had told her that Sarah was worried about Jareth. It had not been a question. Sarah agreed and mentioned the war. The unicorn informed her that as her chosen monarch she could sense the Goblin King was still safe and his soldiers still held on strong. Sarah didn't question what she had meant by the chosen monarch, but she was relieved he was still living and fighting. The unicorn then told her she had sent a message telepathically to Jareth to let him know his wife was safe also.

Sarah was still uncertain about what they were doing, but she instinctively trusted the unicorn.

When they came to a stop near what she assumed would be their camp for the night, she started rummaging for supplies in the bag the Unicorn had provided. The Unicorn shook its resplendent head.

"No," the unicorn said in her mind. "It is time."

Time for what, Sarah had wondered but not for long. A few metres away from where they stood was a blue and silver whirlpool moving so rapidly across the surface of a clear underground lake. She could see it not only because of the unicorn's natural illumination but because little lights like stars shone down from the cavern's roof.

"Throw the book into the whirlpool."

Sarah crept to the edge, mesmerised by the turbulent water thrashing around. Yet, where the whirlpool did not touch, the water was unnaturally still. The contrast almost caused physical pain to look at. Sarah hefted the book the moment the whirlpool came into reach. The instant the book touched the surface it was sucked straight under and spiralled around and around until it was out of sight.

In the blink of an eye, the cave started rumbling and shaking. Dust fell from the ceiling, preceding stones that dislodged from rocky outcrops. Sarah ducked to the ground, covering her head. The unicorn gracefully stepped over her body like a shield.

"What is happening?" Sarah yelled.

"You have broken the curse!"

Jareth had been stabbed. But still, he ploughed on ignoring the fact he couldn't maintain his stamina for much longer. It was thankfully, not his sword arm but his shoulder of his right side that was gaping open and pouring out blood. He couldn't afford to see a medic right now. He was in the thick of it; sidestepping, dead bodies and hurling crystals at the enemy. He was so close to victory. He saw his brother and sister sitting astride horses mere metres away from where he battled.

He ran through another Navas soldier and turned to face his family. Panting, hair slick with sweat, and bleeding heavily from his arm, he stared his siblings down. Omre just smirked and kicked down at something by his feet. Jareth's eyes flicked down to see a young lady chained, bound and gagged at the hooves of the horse he sat upon. Her long brown hair covered her face like a curtain but there was no mistaking who she was in her black leather Goblin armour.

Sarah.

His stomach plummeted and his gorge rose. His heart froze in his chest as bile burnt his oesophagus. His nostrils flared as he scowled at his brother and sister who both cocked their heads at him and smirked. Jareth gripped his sword so tight his knuckles blanched. If they had harmed her, he would hang them both by their entrails together above a pit of rabid rodents and attach leeches to their eyeballs.

He stepped forward, but he had been so focused on Sarah and his brother and sister he did not see the flaming arrow heading straight for his head.

The shaking stopped, but the rumbling continued.

"Come, Hi'Live," said the unicorn.

Sarah pulled herself up from under the equine flanks and dusted herself off.

"Hop on my back and let's see the results of your work."

Sarah obeyed and instead of the slow trek they had taken down here, they went galloping the way they had come at a rate of knots. For some inexplicable reason, her shoulder started aching while they journeyed. She absently rubbed it as she replayed her last conversation with Jareth in her head.

"I have to go into battle, Sarah, but this trek to the pearl caves must still happen," Jareth had said to her. "If we lose the war, we need to know what to do with the book before Navas claims it."

"But I don't even know what I am doing," Sarah had whined.

"Briyash assures me that you will just know what to do when you get there," Jareth consoled her, cupping her cheek. "I will not have you coming to any harm, my love."

"And what about you? What if you come to harm?'

"Then promise me you will remain the Queen and stay the same caring and loving Sarah I fell in love with," he had said, solemnly. "I will wait for you in the land of the dead when it is your time to move on."

Sarah had barely contained her sob.

"Come now, don't tell me that you would actually miss me?" Jareth had teased her.

"I don't want you to die," Sarah had insisted.

"Neither do I," Jareth had agreed. "My incentive for surviving is stronger than ever with you in my life."

Sarah had thrown her arms around his shoulders in an uncharacteristic show of affection for her husband. Jareth had weaved his arms around her waist in return with no hesitation. Sarah had wanted to memorise every square inch of him. She had tenderly rubbed her thumb over the two small freckles on his neck. Jareth had shuddered while she planted small kisses along the trail she left with her thumb. She pulled away and cupped his cheek, as she stroked his soft skin she brought her thumb over the small mole above his upper lip as if she could soak up every slight detail with her touch.

Jareth brought his hand up to her face and kissed her on the lips, sucking in her bottom lip. When they pulled apart, he ran his finger over her matching mole above her top lip, giving her a wry look.

"You are taking an interest in some of my other flaws, Sarah," he had teased. "Not just my teeth and eyes."

"They are not flaws," Sarah had answered vehemently. "They add to your uniqueness."

"As does yours. I particularly like the one on your shoulder."

"I am just trying to remember you," Sarah had answered, honestly. "In case I never see you again."

"I do believe you love me," Jareth had said, biting his lower lip.

"I am beginning to —" Sarah had answered before she felt she had revealed too much. She had clamped her mouth shut and pulled away.

"I love you and I will survive if only to hear you say those three words, Sarah," Jareth had replied, his eyes sparkling with light. "I unabashedly and unreservedly love you."

Sarah had closed her eyes and sighed. If he was going to his deathbed he deserved to hear the truth as much as she could offer it. "Jareth, I care for you and I am beginning to fall in love with you."

Jareth had beamed and kissed her on the forehead. "Sarah, my heart, my love. You do not know what joy you have given me."

The unicorn shifted her weight and Sarah was jolted out of her memories. Her stomach swirled with the thoughts she had almost told him she loved him. And she didn't even know if he was alive. She had retrieved her moonstone before she left and it sat warm against her skin giving her hope.

After half an hour of this, an exit opened up by magic and they burst into the tunnels that contained the pearls. Except the walls of the tunnel were barren and not a single pearl could be seen embedded into the granite rock. However, lining the tunnel on either side was a whole menagerie of beasts. Sarah saw unicorns, dragons, manticores, kelpies as well as so many other creatures that had disappeared from this world. As they went past, they prostrated themselves before her.

"You have freed us," said the unicorn. "We owe you our allegiance. Offer us a sanctuary in your Kingdom and we will provide you succour in your hour of need."

Sarah grinned. "Sanctuary is yours!"

When Jareth did notice the flaming arrow it was almost too late. And it would have been his death if a set of golden talons hadn't grabbed it gracefully out of the air and stopped it in its tracks. Jareth saw, to his astonishment a gryphon hovering above his head. Jareth glanced to Nudalun and noticed the horrified look etched onto her face. He followed her gaze and saw a whole herd of creatures and beasts coming up behind him. The soldiers scattered and the creatures consisting of unicorns, kelpies, centaurs, manticores, harpies, and phoenixes circled the three regents.

It was unexpected, to say the least. Jareth's heart was racing, from his near-death experience, but also the fact that extinct creatures and beasts were parading around the battlefield. Jareth called the command to ceasefire. A foolish Navastian shot an arrow and a dragon blew it back towards the offending soldier with ease. The soldier crumpled and burst into flames instantly. Jareth shook his head at the needless waste of life.

The creatures were still moving in a circle around the four figures. Jareth took the moment of distraction to look towards Sarah, still crumpled at the feet of the horses. At first, it looked like she wasn't moving but after a few moments, he could see she was watching the creatures. He had to think fast. How was he going to get her off his siblings without risking her life, or his?

Dead bodies were strewn between him and his foes. And at this point, he didn't quite know whose side the circling beasts were on. He lowered his sword as he contemplated his options. The horses were jittery with the commotion, and Jareth didn't want to spook them into stampeding his precious into the ground.

A groan coming from nearby got his attention. A Navas soldier lay within the heaped pile of bodies directly by his foot. He glanced down and saw blue eyes blinking open to stare at him. The boy coughed and tried to say something. Jareth pulled a dagger out of his boot and then crouched down closer to the young soldier. Jareth quickly scanned his surroundings before glancing down at the boy.

"Speak, child," Jareth prompted. For the sake of plausible deniability, he started wrapping linen around his shoulder wound in case anyone looked to see what he was doing.

"Jareth...I found you," came a familiar but broken, parched and hoarse voice. He looked deep into the boy's eyes and realised he was no boy child, but rather a woman. He bit back a gasp and hurriedly surveyed the vicinity. When he realised it was safe — the horses were still stomping in agitation, but the Prince of Navas and the Queen of Haddyne were distracted by the herds of beasts marching in ever-decreasing circles— he looked back down into the face of his once almost wife.

"Forsythia!" Jareth grabbed her roughly by the arm. "What are you doing?"

"My life— my life it has never been my own," she rasped. "I was given a chance to...do something right with...my life, and I— I took it." She coughed violently making Jareth notice the bubbles of blood at the corner of her lips.

"It is not right to waste your life in a war, Sythia." Jareth used his magic to find her wounds. He couldn't heal them but he could minimise the pain and the suffering.

"I didn't...become a soldier to...fight." Her voice cracked. "I came to...make things right. To tell...you...something."

"So tell me," Jareth implored, impatiently, returning to his shoulder dressing.

"That's...not...Sarah" was all she managed to say with her harsh voice.

"That's not Sarah?" Jareth glanced at the brunette wearing Sarah's clothing.

"It's a...trick," she said. "Everything...about her...is...just a...fac—facsimile. Your...father copied...her...armour after he met her. It's...a lure. A distraction."

"How can I trust that you are telling the truth?"

"What choice...have you got?" Forsythia's hands curled into the bloody sand beneath her. "I am...dying, Jareth."

"Why would you want to help me?" As he spoke he sent a crystal to his medics.

"In the Aboveground...Forsythia is a plant...that flowers in the...spring. It is a symbol...of anticipation. I read...that it represents the ...longing for the sun after a long and...cold winter. My... whole life... I have been living... in winter. Trained to be your...wife — a wife that you...didn't—didn't even want. This is an... opport...unity for me to see the...sun, Jareth. Don't fall into the...trap. Don't let... my death be...in...vain."

Jareth took a cursory glance around him before he reached down and stroked Forsythia's hair— hair that had been cropped short. "I have summoned a medic, Sythia. I won't let you die."

"Please, Jareth," she croaked. "I have said...what I needed to say. I...am at peace now."

Jareth felt stirrings of emotions as he watched Forsythia struggle to take in shallow breaths. Blood bubbled from her lips with every grating breath. She closed her eyes and unclenched her fists as she started welcoming death. Jareth growled and used some of his reserves to open up a portal from where they were to the medic tent. He placed a crystal atop of Forsythia's chest and let the portal take her. He stuck his dagger back into his boot and grabbed his sword. Sarah wouldn't have let her die. Her family's crimes were not her crimes after all.

He glanced towards the possible replica of Sarah still curled up on the ground. He curled his lip in disgust at his brother and sister as he strode towards them.

"Don't take a step further, Jareth," Nudalun cried from her saddle. "One further step and we will murder your whore."

He inhaled deeply as he took that last step. He smirked at Nudalun and Omre, while internally he was begging that Forsythia was telling the truth. But then another thought stopped him— it might not be Sarah, but it could be another innocent life he was risking. Sarah would never forgive him for letting an innocent die just because he was seeking revenge.

"Where is my father?" Jareth asked instead. "He declared this war, yet I do not see him. I guess he won't risk death so close to his passing over."

"It is none of your business where MY father is," Omre answered with a haughty sniff. "Call off your army of critters, Jareth."

"No, I don't think I will," Jareth responded eyeing the creatures parading around them. So, they definitely weren't here at Navas' behest then.

"Call them off, or I will slit this trollop's throat," Omre warned, pulling the chain he held, taut. The girl was yanked backwards, the curtain of her hair parting to reveal her mouth gagged and her eyes — her eyes, while green, were not Sarah's. Jareth grinned and raised his face to his brother.

"Omre," he said with a smirk. "Have you not tasted her delights yet?"

"She is mortal filth," Omre responded with a shudder of revulsion. "While attractive as she is, I will not sully myself like you to cavort with such a specimen."

"You're missing out." Jareth shrugged. Omre was highly sexed. More so than he was. He knew Omre was all words when it came to fucking mortals. His denial was always too strong. His father was no stranger to fucking mortals despite his hatred for them. Omre was very much his replica. If not worse. At least Effistod had the decency to not torture them, then fuck them before they were murdered. Omre's proclivities weren't famous, but Jareth knew of them. His stomach roiled at the thought he could have done the same to Sarah if he had ever got hold of her.

And to think, he may have gotten hold of her when the Pinnsburrs had kidnapped her at the ball. He thanked the Bog for having found her in time. Omre liked killing off any evidence that he had fucked a mortal. He should have realised Forsythia was telling the truth based on the fact this imposter was neither dead nor tortured.

"Let her go, and I will let you have a go," Jareth lied. He would walk to the ends of the earth to prevent Omre even laying eyes on his wife again.

"Why would that bargain work on me?" Omre snarled. "I have no interest—"

"Oh, but you do," Jareth interrupted. "Remember Milly?"

Milly had been a mortal Jareth had caught Omre fucking days before he was imprisoned by Effistod. He watched the lines on Omre's face tighten and his scowl deepen.

"You brought war onto your doorstep for this filthy mortal," Omre declared loudly. "I do not believe you would be willing to share. I will not call your bluff."

Jareth cocked his head and raised his brows in dismissal. "Your loss, brother."

"Do not call me that," he spat.

"I forget how easily riled you get, just like our father," Jareth responded with a laugh. "Anyway, return the girl to me."

"Not until you admit defeat and hand over the Labyrinth," Nudalun interjected. "And call off these beasts."

"That won't be necessary."

Omre pulled the chain tighter until the girl's eyes bugged out of her head. "Hand it over, or your harlot will suffer."

Jareth gritted his teeth. It would be so easy to run him through right now and risk his brother slaughtering the girl and he would still retain his Kingdom. But Sarah would not be happy with him. When had she become his conscience? Is that a side-effect of love?

"I believe the King said it wouldn't be necessary," Sarah's voice cut through the din. All the creatures stopped marching and the silence was eerily heavy. Jareth didn't turn around to see her, Instead, he smirked at his siblings.

"You didn't think I believed that—" he pointed at the fake Sarah — "was my wife and our Queen, did you?"

"If you didn't believe it was her, you would have slaughtered us where we stand," Omre refuted.

"Incorrect," Jareth said, baring his teeth. "This lady may not be my wife, but she is still an innocent."

"An innocent that would happily sacrifice her life to see you dethroned," Nudalun rebutted.

"That's a pity!" Jareth inspected his gloves. "She is on the wrong side if she thinks there is any benefit to helping you. There is no benefit to your people if you drain the Labyrinth of its magic. What were you planning on doing with my magic anyway? Challenging our cousin, the High King?"

"You have all this power and you have no idea how to wield it, you whelp," Omre bellowed.

"So I am correct."

Jareth finally turned away to see Sarah sitting atop an amethyst unicorn, whole and hale. Jareth's system flooded with relief. She smiled at him as she orbited the trio and the faux Sarah from the inside of the circle.

"Omre and Nudalun," Sarah addressed the two perturbed monarchs astride the agitated horses. "Take your remaining troops back to Navas."

"Never," Nudalun yelled. "This is our war to win."

"You have lost," Sarah yelled back. "I have broken the curse and you are surrounded."

"They are forbidden from attacking fae," Omre shrieked, his usual calm facade shattered in the face of his defeat.

"They are no longer under your control," Sarah reminded them. "They are free citizens with wills of their own."

The mythical creatures all took one step forward together. The horses that Omre and Nudalun sat upon reared up and bolted, tossing both monarchs onto the ground. A path was made for the horses through the ranks, leaving Jareth, his siblings and the fake Sarah in their midst.

"Take your troops back," Sarah repeated, as both upended royals scrambled for purchase on the shifting sand.

"We officially petition for Independence," Jareth declared. "We no longer see Navas as our head of state."

Omre started howling with laughter but was cut off by a deep voice that Jareth hadn't heard since he last spoke to him before he even travelled to the Pearl Caves.

"Petition accepted."

It was his cousin, the High King Aviis. The mythical creatures opened ranks so his cousin and a few guards could travel through. He had blonde hair cut to just below his shoulders with two thin plaits looped at the back. He had a strong aristocratic nose and the blue eyes of the fae. His markings were a cool silver over a very dominant brow. A circlet rested slightly below his hairline made of a light blue-gold and silver twisted together.

Omre's mouth fell open. "But all his crimes—"

"—are nothing compared to your plan to take over my throne, Cousin Omre."

"I..." Omre stuttered to a standstill. A petite silver dragon landed beside him, growling and shooting tendrils of flame across the distance between them. It stopped short of where Omre stood, but he faltered backwards anyway.

"Jareth, we should have stepped in centuries ago before it got to this point," Aviis apologised. "But we seek your forgiveness by offering you your independence as a free state and pardoning you of any crimes Navas have deemed fit to charge you with."

It couldn't be that easy, could it? But then he looked around at all the dead bodies and felt a price was paid to stand here and hear this from his cousin. Not to mention Sarah's whole family, her family home, her relationships, her baby, her brother and her willingness and choice to even reside Underground were all taken from her in pursuit of this end. It hadn't been easy at all.

And Sarah had to marry someone that she didn't— he glanced towards his wife who was staring at him with such intensity that his heart froze— love.

"Do you accept?" Aviis asked.

"What do you expect of us in return?" Sarah asked, sliding off the unicorn's back.

"Nothing, Hi'Live," Aviis acknowledged her for the first time, shocking Jareth as he bowed low to her. "You have done enough by breaking the curse for both the fae and the Council of Mythical Creatures."

"How did she do that?" Omre yelled.

"She released all the stolen pearls," Aviis answered, gesturing around to the myriad of beings around them.

"They were our stolen pearls," Nudalun growled. "They belonged to Navas."

Sarah moved to stand beside Jareth. "They were stolen tears from everyone you see here."

"Interfering mortal."

"Yes, I am so terrible," Sarah said, laughing. "I saved the entire fae race by allowing them to have babies again without having to steal from Aboveground. When very few of you have shown me that you even deserve that. You should have remained cursed with being barren for the rest of your days. Unfortunately, to save these beautiful creatures, I had to also prevent your infernal race from dying out."

"You dare speak like that when in the presence of the High King and when you supposedly married a fae too?" Nudalun looked with disdain at Sarah.

"I saved your arse," Sarah replied, nonplussed. "You're welcome."

"You upstart little—"

"All of this for some pearls," Sarah said with equal animosity.

"You still do not understand the power they give you, do you?" Nudalun laughed. "The power of the creature that gave them to you. You're a fool if you refuse to harness that power."

"Interesting, but I am still not swayed," Sarah said, shrugging.

"Omre and Nudalun, I will see you in court," Aviis interjected. The two royals looked outraged.

"For what?" Omre spat. "You consented to our petition."

"I did," Aviis agreed. "Right up until you broke it by warring early and refusing to end the war even after Queen Sarah broke the curse."

"She is not a Queen," Nudalun hissed.

"She is," Aviis retorted. "She married Jareth, but long before that Lord Briyash informed me that the Labyrinth chose her when you had kidnapped and tortured King Jareth. The Goblin King and Queen are not roles that can be assigned to a soul by another fae. Only the Labyrinth can select its ruler."

"Our father sent him—"

"Yes, and by chance was he the one destined to be King," Aviis said in a bored tone. "Guards take these two back to the Palace."

Two of Aviis' burly guards dragged the two Navastians to their feet. They kicked and screamed but there was no chance of overpowering the guards. Another guard went and cut the fake Sarah free. Once her gag was removed the similarities faded before their eyes. Jareth sucked air through his teeth as the girl left with the guard. He turned back to his wife to see Sarah still staring the High King down.

"I have another request," she said, authoritatively. "Sevlydi and his lover, Rica, are pardoned of their crime of loving one another." Sarah faced the High King boldly. Jareth's heart swelled with pride as she took on the challenge of confronting the High King.

"Of course," he said with a shallow bow. "I believe you will be wanting your brother's relatives to be freed too."

"Yes please."

"There will be a lot of work to clean up this entire mess," Aviis directed this to Jareth. "We will send aid to ensure you can bury all the bodies. I will do my best to make the severance official between you and Navas."

"Thank you." Jareth nodded at his cousin.

"We should never have let Navas have such free reign," Aviis said with a regretful sigh. "However, you have proven you are not your father's son, Jareth. For that, you should be proud."

"Thank you, Aviis."

"The final thing we have to organise will be an official coronation for your beautiful wife," Aviis declared.

"She is already officially crowned," Jareth clarified.

"Yes, but we need to celebrate her and she needs to be seen by the other monarchs to solidify her reign," Aviis stipulated. "We will hold a parade in her honour as we do for all monarchs."

"I never had a parade in my honour," Jareth pointed out.

"You are also not Hi'Live, the curse breaker," Aviis teased.

Jareth spoke to his cousin for a few more minutes before he took his leave. Jareth was suddenly reminded about his wounded shoulder and his gammy leg when the adrenaline of war started wearing thin. He was left alone in the circle with Sarah who was watching him with that intense look he had never seen her wear before. He watched as she patted the unicorn on her shoulder and the unicorn nuzzled into her hair in return.

Slowly, the creatures all disbanded and they could see the battle-weary soldiers limping off the field to return to their homes or the medic tent. Jareth watched for a few moments to observe the fallen that still lay scattered across the sandy expanse. Then he exhaled as he collapsed onto his knees. Sarah was kneeling at his side in an instant.

"Jareth?"

"Sarah," he cried as he buried his head into her shoulder. "You beautiful darling thing. You did it."

"I did what?"

"Broke the curse, ended the war and saved us all," he choked out his words. Emotion flowed strongly through him as he held his wife in his arms once more.

"You're hurt, Jareth," Sarah reminded him. "We need to get you to the medic."

Magical exhaustion was wearing him down as well. "Does Sevlydi live?"

"I believe so," Sarah comforted.

"Forsythia saved me," Jareth informed her. He explained how if she hadn't warned him about the trap, that he would have ended up dead by rushing in to save Sarah. "Knowing it was a trick slowed me down before I did something foolish to save you. And oh, what sweet relief it is to live to see you again, my love."

"Thank the bogs you are still alive, Jareth," Sarah whispered in return.

"Why?" Jareth teased. "So you can kill me yourself?"

"No, you twit," Sarah cupped his cheek and kissed him on the lips. "To tell you something I should have told you a long time ago."

"That you think I am devilishly handsome?"

"No!" Sarah swatted playfully at his uninjured arm. "That my moonstone matches yours exactly."

A/N: I have finished writing so I can now focus on editing alone. Which means that you will probably be able to read the entire story by the end of next week. I can not believe it. Next chapter is LOOOOONNNGGGG though. Haha.

If there are things that you are still waiting for answers about, shoot me a message. Chances are the loose end has been tied up in the epilogue, but in case it hasn't it would be handy to know if I have missed anything LOL.

So Sarah has finally admitted the shape of her moonstone! Yipee.

Also, I immensely dislike war scenes, so this was HARD. It has taken me weeks to write. So please let me know if I did OK with it. I will never do it again haha.

Thank you, readers. :D