A/N - Thank you all for reading my story. I love all your comments and reviews, I can't tell you how happy it makes me to read them. Happy Holidays to every one I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 15, Morning Star

Jareth was on the verge of sleep, deeply exhausted from all the physical and emotional exertion that had just taken place. He was relaxed, more at peace than he had ever been, and never happier. Sarah meanwhile, was not anywhere close to being tired.

She was locked tightly under his arm, with no means of escape. Ironically, the past activities had left her alert and full of energy. She laid her head on his chest, enjoying the feel of his bare skin. Never in her life had she imagined him this way. He was warm, strong and safe. She could hear the shallow beating of his heart, listening to it quicken as she trailed her hand down his body and under the covers.

"Let me know if you find anything of interest." He mumbled. His voice was deep and hoarse, the urge to drift to sleep weighed heavy on him. She looked up from the corner of her eye as he spoke. Her hand paused for a moment, before continuing down to caress his inner thigh, just barely avoiding more sensitive areas.

After a minute or two, she stopped her exploring and decided she finally had a chance to observe her surroundings. She started with the bed. They were wrapped in a heap of blood red silk blankets, decorated with some kind of fur throws. Of course, it all looked like a hurricane had blown through after she and Jareth had gotten ahold of it; but she suspected it was absolutely luxurious all made up.

She jumped up from Jareth's clutches and made her way out of the large bed. Feeling a bit vulnerable she put on his shirt that had been cast to the floor. Once she was situated she walked to the other side of the room. Facing the bed was a desk, presumably where Jareth chose to work on more private matters. It was loaded with papers, books, and scrolls. She laughed when she saw a quill and ink. Why don't they just use pens? she wondered. The entire wall behind the desk was a bookcase, she made a mental note to come back to it and examine it further. She turned around and leaned against the desk in a seductive manner, letting the shirt rise just short of naughty places.

Jareth started to sit up at her display, growing more awake as he watched her.

"I told you that was a good look on you." He purred.

Sarah paid him no mind, giving him a sly smirk as she surveyed the room. There was the desk behind her, the bed in front of her. There was a fireplace in the right corner off to the side, and a large walkway leading to a balcony on the left. There were two doors on the right, she assumed one led to the rest of the castle while the other led to a bathroom. There were heavy pieces of furniture scattered throughout, all of which were made of a rich dark wood. The walls were also dark, and covered in deep red tapestries. Matching the bed, the rest of the room was decorated with red and gold accents.

Sarah then observed the bed, but from an external view this time. It was simply immense, fitting at least five people more than comfortably. There were four posts which connected to the ceiling in a beautiful swirling design; it reminded her of the roots of a tree. It had a massive head board, the center of which held a lavish carving of an owl, the same as her necklace, his seal. The last thing she noticed was the devilishly handsome naked Goblin King eyeing her suspiciously from across the room.

"May I ask what it is you are doing pet?" He asked. She started walking back to the bed, crawling under the covers to rest in his arms.

"I didn't really get a chance to look at this place, I figured now was as good a time as any." She replied. "So, these are your chambers?" She asked him, placing her head in the nook of his neck and shoulder. She watched the way the sheets moved down his body as he situated himself.

"Yes. Is it everything you were expecting?" For now... Is what he wanted to say. Soon, it would be theirs. She wrapped her arms around his torso, snuggling into him.

"To be honest, I really wasn't expecting anything. I was a bit lost in the moment." She admitted. Her hand started tracing down his body again. She couldn't get over how just seeing him without a shirt on distracted her so.

"Heh, tell me, did you enjoy finding your way back?" He mused.

"What do they say? It's the journey not the destination? Well, I'd say I enjoyed both equally, and would like to travel quite often...If you get my meaning." She said with a playful smile. "But...not too soon." She added, just noticing the pain in her lower half. Jareth caught on immediately. In fact, it was playing through his mind since he'd realized it. He turned himself to her, placing a finger under her chin, puling her face level with his.

"Sarah, I'm sorry to cause you pain. I didn't realize...I just assumed..." Assumed she'd forgotten all about him and had been living the life of any beautiful young woman- was what he was thinking.

"Well, you were right. There just isn't a mortal man who I have found worthy of pleasing me." She cut him off, a bit uncomfortable divulging such information.

"Sarah, it's alright." He said to her. His heart was light and joyous.

"It's too late now but...You've just been with so many women, you can't blame me for being a little self-conscious." She felt like an inexperienced girl compared to him. How could she expect to keep him satisfied? Jareth cupped her chin and gave her a warming kiss.

"It makes you all the more precious to me. Every time I look upon your face, I feel like a boy. Every experience becomes my first. If you're worried about keeping me satisfied," His tone changed from sincere to seductive, and a boyish grin spread across his face. " last night was the most fulfilling sex I've ever had." She couldn't keep from blushing.

Instead of speaking, she decided to respond with a kiss. It was loving, and full of happiness, soon turning passionate and engaging with Jareth's response. He ran his hands along her body, gripping at her breasts through his shirt. Without notice, he ripped it over her head, tossing it aside. He rolled on top of her, lost in the heat of the moment.

Neither noticed the door slowly creak open, or the little goblin that hobbled into the room. They did however, hear the door shut and the hustling of tiny feet. Sarah nearly jumped out of her skin she was so embarrassed, her entire body turning red. Jareth turned from his position ready to sink the intruder to the bottom of the bog of eternal stench.

"Mage! What in the Underground are you doing?" He screamed. Sarah had retreated under the covers. Mage barely looked up at him, busy picking up tossed pillows and clothing.

"My job your Majesty, cleaning your quarters as per usual." She didn't appreciate his tone, this wasn't the first time she'd walked in before a girl had left.

"I want you to leave now. And for future reference, you will no longer enter my chambers without my permission. Do you understand?" He was furious. How dare she show so little respect towards his Sarah. She stopped tidying up, and looked fully at her King, and the stone mound under the sheets.

"Of course your Majesty, please forgive me. I will return later." She said while bowing. She'd never seen him this truly angry with her; she was quite wary while exiting the room.

Jareth threw himself on the bed, letting out an aggravated sigh.

"Who was that?" A cowering Sarah asked from her hiding spot. Jareth rolled to his side, lifting the covers from her head.

"That would be Mage, my first assistant. She comes in here every morning to clean, it seems I let it slip my mind. Have you been distracting me precious?" He asked teasingly. He adored her bashfulness.

"Oh, is she always so rude? She knew you weren't alone in here." She asked, a bit annoyed.

"Heh, yes. I usually don't mind her intrusions, it better coerces my...events of the evening to leave." He replied, a little cautious of how she would take it.

"And now you send her out? That must make me special." She decided there was no need worrying over things of the past, no matter how unnerving her jealousy made her.

"Oh, you have no idea." He said taking her hand. "Come, we have the whole day ahead of us." He pulled her out of bed.

"Wait. Weren't we just in the Chimera Fields? When was it night out, we haven't slept at all!" She was so confused. Jareth simply laughed.

"Time is void in the fields, we were actually there until about five in the morning." He explained. "Time moves slower, so it only felt like a few hours. It's actually about eight o' clock the next morning. Don't worry, there will plenty of time for rest."

"This is all so confusing..." She muttered, being pulled towards a door. "Where are we going?" She asked.

"You, are going to bathe. I have some minor business to attend to, I should be finished by the time you're ready." He practically shoved her into the bathroom.

"Um, ok?" The door shut behind her before she could even say the last word.

Jareth leaned against the door, peering around the room. With a flick of his wrist a crystal appeared. He threw it up in the air watching it shatter into a million pieces. Within moments the room was clean and good as new. Still roaming in the nude he walked over to an armoire. He opened the doors and looked inside. Hmm...This won't do. He backed up a few steps, conjuring another crystal. This time he threw it at the wall and it exploded in a puff of smoke and glitter. When it settled, there stood two armoires and a long dresser with a huge mirror. He then added every kind of feminine product he could think of.

He stood back and looked at how perfectly his new addition fit with everything, taking a moment to smile at his handy work. Jareth then used yet another crystal to poof himself fully cleansed and clothed. He was a bit disappointed he didn't get to share a bath with Sarah, but there would be plenty of time for that.

"Mage!" He beaconed. The wrinkled woman appeared soon after, cautious upon opening the door this time.

"Yes your Majesty?" She greeted him with a bow.

"I apologize for the way I acted this morning. I must inform you however that this woman isn't the usual wench, and that you will give her your upmost respect and authority." He was calm and serious.

"Yes, I understand." She nodded.

"Good. Now congratulate me." He demanded. Mage quirked and eyebrow at him. " As you can see I have not perished." he said with a swoop of his arms. She gave a slight huff realizing what he was talking about.

"It seems your fair lady has arms of steel. I am quite happy to see my King in such spirits." She'd never seen him this cheerful, it was all very new and strange to her. She smiled before remembering something. "Sire, you have a letter from the Council. I found it amidst a mess of papers. I've been waiting to give it to you." She reached into her pocket, retrieving the note.

"Ah, thank you. I completely forgot about it." He said, taking it from her. Mage bowed once again before leaving, quite certain now was a good time to give him the letter.

Jareth sat in a chair behind his desk and opened the letter. Whatever it was, it was important. He only received notification from the Council on serious political or canon issues. He read the letter about three times, making sure every word was what he thought it was. He sat back in his chair with intent thought.

Meanwhile, Sarah was busy enjoying her bath and exploring Jareth's personal bathroom. She could hear him bustling about, she even thought she heard him talking to someone. Letting the thought go, she lost herself in his wide assortment of bathing provisions. This bathroom wasn't far off from the one at the cottage.

She emerged not even an hour later to find the room empty. Wrapped in a towel, she walked over to a dresser. She didn't remember seeing all this before. She opened one and saw an assortment of bright and frilly clothing she assumed belonged to Jareth. She closed it and opened the one adjacent it. She was a bit startled to find it contained flowing dresses and other quirky outfits presumably meant for her. She smiled to herself as she picked one at random.

After she'd dressed and made herself up, she went in search of Jareth. He said he'd be back by now...Hmm.. She pondered what he could be doing. She saw soft beams of light shinning from the balcony and decided to investigate. She walked through the doorway and stood at the railing. It reminded her of the night at the ball. The Labyrinth was just as beautiful covered in the golden hues of morning as it was in the azure colors of night.

She felt a swift tug on her arm as Jareth twirled her away from the railing, pressing her against a wall. She gasped in relief and slight bewilderment as he attacked her with a forceful kiss. Just as she had given into him, he pulled away.

"Sarah, my darling morning star, I love you." He exalted. Sarah was still stunned from being thrown into a wall, and now even more so by his words. With everything that had happened, they hadn't actually said I love you.

"Jareth, I-I love you too." The words rolled off her tongue as if she'd said it a thousand times before. Although she was surprised and charmed by his words, she was able to keep her head. "What's going on?" She continued. She noticed he held a small piece of paper in his hand. "What is that?" She asked.

Jareth's smile beamed onto her. She wasn't sure if she should be frightened by all this.

"It seems I am being forced to secure a marriage." He answered, leaving Sarah wide eyed and dumb struck.