He hadn't felt this particular stir for a long time. A few years, actually. He was lounging on his throne, overseeing court and listening to his imbecilic goblins prattle on and on about who stole whose chicken and the amount of ale they demanded as repercussion when suddenly a force hit him so strongly he was nearly knocked out of his lounging position.

Sarah.

The goblins were all greatly confused when, in the blink of an eye, a sudden cloud of sparkling dust took the place their King had been occupying on his throne.

"What is the matter, my brave heroine?"

He found her under her favorite tree in her favorite park. It was a crisp autumn day and the cool air made her already-red nose glow. Tears streamed from her eyes, which shone with a crushing sadness. She hugged her legs tightly to her chest. Her unfocused gaze was fixed on the glistening stream before her.

"Mommy and Daddy aren't going to be together anymore," she whispered in a small voice. Her tiny chest seized and she hiccuped. Overcome by her emotions, she ducked her head and hid her face in her knees. Her shoulders began to shake as she sobbed.

Jareth hesitated. He had known for a while this blow was coming. After all, Sarah's parents practically despised each other.

Sarah, apparently, had thought that despite everything - despite all the shouted insults and broken trinkets, her parents would continue their lives together.

He crossed his arms, trying to process the waves of conflicting emotions coursing through him.

He felt sorrow for her, of course. The poor girl no doubt thought it was her fault her parents were divorcing (as every child does). She would be heartbroken for quite some time. This, of course, was evident as he watched her continue to cry so hard it seemed she would one day create a great ocean like Alice in Alice in Wonderland.

The other feeling, the one he was trying valiantly to suppress, was one of excitement. For surely, now that her parents were to be broken apart, Sarah would not want to live with either of them for all the pain they were causing her.

Surely now, after years of unconscious yearning, Sarah would consent to becoming his subject in the Goblin Kingdom.

Oh, but not just his subject. His princess.

His breath stalled as he gazed down at the young girl. He hadn't known - hadn't realized - just how much he desired this. He felt as one does when a great amount of effort has been put toward practicing a particular instrument and now, finally, nearly every note was being perfectly executed and he was so close to finally being delivered a perfect performance.

"Sarah," Jareth breathed her name, crouching down before her. She continued to hide her face from him, her sobs filling the silence. He ran a hand over her head, his caress as light as a feather.

"Sarah, I- You-" The King was suddenly lost for words. Everything he wanted to tell her was swimming through his mind, but nothing seemed to be able to escape his lips.

I never want you to feel pain again.

I want you to live in the Goblin Kingdom with me.

I want to teach you everything about my world.

I want you to love my labyrinth and its subjects.

I think you are perfect in every way imaginable.

Sarah, I want you to become my princess.

"Everyone, even the other kids at school all ignore me and now Mom and Dad…" Sarah whispered, her muffled voice broken and laced with hiccups. "I just want to get away from this awful place."

Silence.

For a moment, Jareth couldn't process what she had said.

Then, like the sun rising into a morning of gold, realization dawned upon him.

Everything clicked into place.

Jareth could have roared his triumph. He could have sung and danced for all the exuberance her admission gave him.

However, he stayed composed. He would not flaunt his happiness when it was borne from her sorrow. He did not wish for her to feel such deep pain and loneliness.

But it was no lie that her abandonment would be the key to his gain.

Jareth continued to gently, soothingly, run his hand over her head. "Sarah, you can come with me," he murmured to her.

Sarah slowly raised her head. As her eyes met his own, through the heartbreak shone a small ray of hope.

"Really?"

"Of course. I can make all the arrangements. Soon." Jareth gently wiped the tears away from her cheek before cupping her small face in his hand. "After all, I think I recall you quite enjoying my Kingdom."

Sarah expelled a shaky breath. Her eyes searched his and slowly, a weak smile formed on the edges of her lips.

"And all my dreams could come true?"

Jareth chuckled and gifted her with a warm, comforting smile. "As my lady wishes."

"Then...please. Yes, please take me away," Sarah asked, her voice only growing stronger with each word.

Jareth would be more than happy to comply.

However, neither the King nor the young girl knew of the obstacle that would place itself within their path.