A/N- AHHHH, I was unaware that the chapter I posted before this one was the wrong chapter! Thank you CissyBella1905 for letting me know. I hope you all go back and read it. Again, sorry for the mishap.

Chapter 7, A Sad Love

Masses of people gathered in anticipation for the High King. Sarah stood alongside Jareth, his arm protectively around her waist.

"Jareth? Um, I thought you were the King?" She asked, looking up at him. He didn't meet her gaze, he stared straight ahead and gave a slight huff.

"Oh precious, I Am the King. But I am not the only one. There are many realms in the Underground, I rule but only the Goblin Kingdom." Was his snarky reply. Sarah decided to play his game and nonchalantly looked ahead, refusing to tear her gaze from the nothing that she was staring at.

"Then who is he? And...Where are we? I know this isn't your castle, yet the Labyrinth is just outside the window." She was temped to break her stare and look to him for an answer.

"He, is the High King of the Underground." Jareth stated matter-of-factly. Sarah noticed a hint of tension in his voice and gave in to look at him.

"Ok, but where are we?" She asked. Sarah was getting annoyed that he wouldn't look at her.

"In the castle of the High King of course. And as for the labyrinth, well...my dear Sarah, it is far bigger than you realize." He finally turned his head and looked at her with a casual smile. Sarah was about to ask another question when trumpets started to play.

There was a golden balcony in the center of the far wall of the ballroom. A luxurious red and purple curtain drew back to reveal two shadowy figures. The dark figures became clearer as they stepped forward. A pair of strong arms raised up signaling the trumpets to cease. A tall stark woman stood a few feet to the side.

"I thank you all for attending this most joyous event! We must forever celebrate the magic of the universes and the eternal faith that flows between. It is my honor, to kneel before you, to pledge myself to you, my guests, as I welcome you to this world and to our home. It is my wish that you enjoy this festival with the grandest solace." The bellowing man knelt before the crowd in a grand gesture before poofing into the center of the dance floor. A large circle instantly formed around him. He stood from his bow and looked around the room. "I stand before you now, not as a King, but as your equal. On this night, the night when our worlds truly become one, so I become one with you." He lifted his hand and the woman from the balcony appeared at his side, her hand placed firmly on his. "May tonight bring you spectacles, and may tomorrow bring you dreams." He announced, as the two beings bowed in unison before vanishing in a cloud of golden glitter.

"That's the High King? He certainly has flare." Sarah stated, a bit caught up in it all.

"Heh, yes. It is a tendency." Jareth forcefully drew his gaze from the cloud of glitter and pulled Sarah away from the crowd. Sarah didn't know where he was taking her, but her brain had finally kicked in and was telling her enough was enough. She stopped and jerked her arm from the Goblin King and gave him a serious glare.

"No. You said I'd get answers, I want them." Sarah had a firm stance, and a serious tension sparked between the two.

"What do you wish to know." Jareth replied, not wanting to give away anything she didn't need to know.

"Maybe we should go someplace more private?" Sarah implied the demand more than the question. Jareth took Sarah's hand and led her out of the ballroom and down the corridor. He opened the door to a small room, something similar to a study. He held the door and gestured for Sarah to enter, she eyed him cautiously as he closed the door behind them. Jareth took a seat on one of the couches surrounding the already lit fireplace. Sarah remained standing. "First off, were you the old man I met in the Labyrinth?" Sarah was practically tapping her foot at him.

Meanwhile, Jareth was thrown off for a second. He didn't think that would have been her first question. "And if I was?" Was his indirect response.

"Then I would ask if it is true, and if it is or isn't why did you trick me?" Sarah replied as calmly as she could.

"Yes, and yes." Jareth admitted. "I'll admit it was myself, and everything I said was true. You know why you are here." He tried to get her to remember this wasn't his fault.

"Alright...why did you trick me?" her voice softened just a bit.

"Because I knew you needed answers. And, I knew you weren't ready to see me...or maybe, I just was't ready to see you." His voice was soft, and honest. He looked up to Sarah, but kept his eyes from meeting hers. Sarah's will to fight this man was dying fast. She sat on the edge of a chair, facing him and continued, although there was uncertainty in her voice as she asked-

"Why did you bring me to Hoggle's and not to the castle?" There was a long pause, as Sarah looked upon him with anguish. A calming look of sincerity washed over him, as he brought his hand to his chin and looked her in the eye. He leaned in a bit before whispering,

"I was afraid you might try to kill me in my sleep." The serious tone of the conversation contrasted with his suspenseful admission left Sarah dumb struck. She started out with a huff, which turned to a giggle, and so on and so forth until she found herself writhing in childish laughter. Jareth let a smile escape from behind his hand.

"So you think this is funny? Shall I change my answer to something you deem more serious?" His tone was light hearted, but he conveyed the point that he did not take to being laughed at. Sarah stopped soon after, choking back slight tears as she said,

"You better not be lying to me, or the last thing you'll see is my face and a flurry of pillow feathers." She meant it as a threat, but Jareth perceived it as something else entirely.

"My dear Sarah, If that is the way it must end, then I would wish to see nothing else than you on top of me in my bed surrounded by a questionable mess." His eye twinkled a devilish design. "And yet alas, I am telling the truth. A summation of it anyway. Do you have any other questions? Or can we return to this wonder of an event which has been thrown just for you?" His statement made her feel uncomfortable all of the sudden. She drew her arms to her and messed with the fabric of her dress.

"Jareth...What does all this mean?" She looked up at him with pleading eyes. Jareth wasn't sure how to respond, he knew he wouldn't like her response to what ever he said.

"That question will be answered soon, precious, but I believe you already know a part of it." His voice was thick with remorse and sorrow. He took his eyes from hers as he stood and crossed the room, regaining his composer along the way. "My Lady Sarah, would you do me the honor of allowing me to be your escort this evening?" He said in a most gentlemanly manner. Sarah took his hand, and he gently brought her to her feet. He slowly pulled her close, placing one hand on the small of her back, while using the other to place her arm around his shoulder. He then reached around her waist as they stood in a timeless embrace. "It's not what you think." He whispered. "It saddens me to see fear and worry play across your face so often." Sarah could feel the quickening pace of his heart, as if he might let go and lose her forever. She relaxed into him, her mind was not used to feeling so comfortable around Jareth, but her body acted as if they had always known one another.

After a silent eternity, Sarah decided enough with all the drama. She had a pretty good layout of everything and how she and Jareth fit into it. He had assured her, that her final question would be answered and she believed him. The black hole of worry in the back of her mind faded out for the time being. She felt safe in his arms, she wanted to be in this moment, to have something to be certain of after everything that had happened. And at that moment, there was one thing she was certain of- she was the one with a fooled heart, the one searching for new dreams. Her only question now was, would she take it this time?