On their return from the picnic (with Neesk asleep in Sarah's saddlebags, his stomach bulging alarmingly), the group had almost reached the castle when Jareth and Sarah both reined up short. A flickering haze of gold crossed her vision, and she felt a sudden restless irritation, as if some small insect were buzzing around her head. "The hell?" she muttered, swiping automatically at the air around her.

"We have a runner," Jareth announced, looking at her. "Sarah, you feel it? That sense of trespass?"

Sarah closed her eyes then, concentrating of that insistent niggling feeling. Almost a warning of some sort, dancing along her mind and nerves. "Yeah. It's mostly annoying," she replied, opening her eyes then to glance at him through the gold, a confused frown lightly on her lips. "Like an alarm of sorts that won't stop going off." A runner, here? Now? The thought upset her somehow, despite knowing the nature of the realm. This being her first since her return to Umardelin, she guessed she shouldn't be surprised.

"That is how it feels when the goblins take a child," he told her. "Come on, let's go inside and see what we have. I wasn't expecting this, today of all days."

"Will a runner interfere with Sarah's coronation?" Thiel asked, as they rode into the courtyard and turned their horses over to the stable hands. The saddlebag with Neesk in it was hung up near the door, so he could easily hop out when he woke.

"It will only take thirteen hours of our time," Jareth said with a shrug. "Less, if the runner annoys me."

In her highly-aware state, that rankled Sarah's conscience in just the wrong way. "Don't even think it, Goblin King," she growled, forgetting that they had an audience. "You play by the rules when I'm here. It's a nasty move on your part; I know from experience."

He glared at her. "I will do what I must, as Umardelin's king."

"And as her chosen," she snapped back hotly, "and a former runner myself, I have grounds to call you on your bullsh–"

Further discussion was halted by an angry wail. Della managed to beat them all into the receiving chamber (formerly known as the throne room), where a tiny baby squalled in the center of a group of worried-looking goblins. "Poor thing," Della crooned, and heedless of the hay she dropped to her knees to take the baby. "Shush, shush, little one. You're quite safe here."

The sight floored Sarah; for one moment, she was standing there again in the Outskirts, staring down from the hill overlooking the Labyrinth and the castle beyond. She'd been so mixed-up and scared and excited. It was reasonable to assume the runner, male or female, felt the same. That memory, this situation, awoke so many of those feelings, not to mention seeing the child currently in question itself. Her wide eyes fell on Jareth with uncomprehending disbelief. So this was what the view was from the opposite side. "Jareth, that's a baby," Sarah finally managed in shocked tones, knowing she was stating the obvious, but still amazed. "God, he's even younger than Toby was!"

"Babies are the most commonly wished away, seconded by boys from six to ten years," Jareth told her dryly. "Infants demand the most attention, and apparently boys cause the most havoc."

"You certainly did," Thiel murmured, smiling at his son.

The two men came to Della's side to look over the baby. She'd risen with the infant in her arms and was swaying gently to soothe him. The goblins looked up at her in relief, and several of them were cooing at the child already. Jareth just sighed. "Well, damn. I suppose I've got to go and make an official appearance to this one's mother or sister or whatever."

"He's darling," Della scolded, and then added, "If the runner fails, can we keep him?"

How could all of them act like this was a common daily occurrence? As if it was the same as taking in a stray puppy or something? Sarah couldn't help looking at the lot of them like they had lost their minds. "Cadelinyth, that's someone's child. You know, like Jareth was yours? It's not a stray cat that wandered in from the rain! Hell, it didn't even wander in; it was brought!"

The fae all looked at her, surprised by her objection. Sarah gave an exasperated sigh and tipped her head back, closing her eyes in exasperation. Of course she had heard them talking about taking children, they had told her themselves that the tales were true, but she still hadn't expected Della to so casually mention keeping the baby.

"No, he isn't a stray," Della said, her voice patient. "Whoever had the care of him wished for the goblins to take him. And the goblins obliged. What else should we do?"

Still with her eyes closed, rubbing her forehead, Sarah responded, "I don't know; let me give a completely wild suggestion here? How about we give him back?"

Jareth dropped his face into a gloved palm. "Oh, yes. Give him back. Sarah, have you any idea what havoc that would wreak? What's said is said, precious."

Oh, as if he hadn't used that argument untold times already, even if he had been mostly right. Unable to stop herself, Sarah gave a snort of derision at that little reminder, but Thiel stepped in. "Sarah. We told you what the Labyrinth is and what it does. You would try to defy that ancient magic?"

That was a good question and Sarah lowered her head with a gusty sigh, training her gaze on all three of them. "Deruthiel, he's a child. The outcome if he wins is that this baby becomes forfeit, a goblin by the Labyrinth's decree. If no one had come for him, it would hurt to let it happen, but rules are rules. But that's not the case; someone's coming for him. He doesn't deserve to suffer for someone else's momentary mistake," was her argument.

"He wouldn't suffer with us," Della pointed out.

Sarah tilted her chin up at that, shaking her head. That wasn't good enough. "But he'd become something he's not. Would you spend your life willingly as a goblin even when there could have been another choice? If someone wished to remedy their mistake?"

"In any case, Mother, you cannot keep him," Jareth said. "If he's forfeited, he becomes a goblin. Umardelin is jealous of its prizes. And no, Sarah, it is not suffering to become a goblin. Do you know how many children I receive who need intervention from someone in your line of work, and do not get it? At least here he will have a home, and a family that loves him."

"What a pity," Della sighed, dandling the little boy. He had calmed enough to babble, and grab a handful of her hair. "Ah well. Since it seems my son will not be inheriting Etaron, I suppose we ought to get to work on making another of our own, hmm?"

He looked askance at her, but smiled. "Perhaps, love. If that's what you wish. It only took a century of trying the first time."

She gave him a slow smile that Sarah found awkward to witness, and asked in honeyed tones, "Would that be such a terrible hardship for you, my dear Thiel?"

"Both of you, stop before you drown us in treacle," Jareth groaned. "Mother, Father, please forgive me. Duty calls. And Sarah…"

"I'm not letting you do to her what you pulled on me, Jareth. It's not right; if they came after him–"

He looked archly at her. "You may try to assist the runner. But the kingdom itself will not permit much intervention. Do not try to circumvent her. Me, you may war with as much as you choose. Umardelin is older and stronger than us both."

Sarah raised an eyebrow at him, but he swirled out in a puff of iridescent magic. She huffed; Umardelin favored her, that much was clear. T he question was, how much and just what was its exact purpose in choosing her, the first to best him twice, as its Champion? He'd said she could possibly assist the runner. So, if whoever wished the baby away was genuinely remorseful, that was exactly what she meant to do.

Della looked at her. "Sarah, I know my son has a large seeing-crystal somewhere about. Shall we watch the contest?"

"Sure," Sarah said, grinning, a plan forming. It was dangerous, true, but if she was to be Queen, to live in this realm for untold years, there would be many more runners to come, she was sure. It was about time she began feeling out her limits, especially if it helped and didn't harm.

If she saw his approach, she'd know better how to counter him. "It's this way." She waited a moment for Della to return the little boy to the goblins, then led her and Thiel to the tower. It occurred to her briefly that in the past, she never would've even considered leaving a captured baby with the goblins, but now she knew them better. Most of them had once been a child just like this one. They had been this baby, had been Tobe, once. And the way they crooned over him was proof enough that – once again – nothing here was what it seemed.

Jareth flared into existence, cloaked in dark shimmery robes. The runner, he saw, was young – maybe only nineteen or twenty years old. A scared little girl, really, staring at him in horror. "Oh my god," she whispered. "There really is a king of the goblins."

"Of course," he said haughtily.

The girl gulped, trying to regain her composure. "Listen – I want Henry back. I didn't mean for the goblins to take him, not really."

"Oh, you want him back now?" Jareth said, arching an eyebrow. He let one of the small seeing crystals walk back and forth across his knuckles, watching her with disdain. This part, the challenge, the jousting, was actually fun.

"He's my son," she replied earnestly. Her courage was growing, and he liked that too. Mortals ought to cower before the fae, but the ones who did so too readily were boring. "I love him, I loved him from the minute I felt him kick. I'd never really send him away. I just haven't slept more than two hours in the last week and he wouldn't stop crying and I didn't know what to do." Her voice held the beginnings of a wail of frustration and disbelief.

"What a pity," Jareth drawled, pacing around her. She turned like a hunted animal to keep him in sight. "I should like to give him back, truly I would. What need have I of a screaming whelp? But what's said is said, little girl. The boy is mine now. He will make a fine goblin." He grinned at her, showing his teeth, and all the while the crystal spun and danced in his hand.

"No!" the girl cried. "No, I need Henry back. He's mine. He's my son. He can't be a goblin. You can't keep him." Defiance was rising in her, and anger, the steely mother-love Jareth had faced many a time before.

The children who were genuinely wished away by those who did not love or want them, he hated those encounters. When a parent or caretaker wouldn't even fight for their child, Jareth tended to send the goblins Above to wreak havoc on their homes for weeks, even years, afterward. The ones like this, who'd said the words in a moment of peak frustration, but who truly loved their children, those he could respect. And little though Sarah would believe it, he wanted them to win.

It wasn't Jareth's choice, though. The contest was between the runner and the Labyrinth, and he only played his role. "You want him back? He's there, in my castle." Jareth turned, letting his magic open the way between realms. The Labyrinth stretched out before the girl's despairing eyes, and Jareth smiled mockingly at her.

A gesture, and the clock appeared behind him. Now they were standing on the hill just outside his realm. "You have thirteen hours to solve the Labyrinth and reclaim the child. Otherwise, he becomes a goblin."

The girl squared her shoulders. "Fine. I'll get him back. You just wait and see." Her eyes flashing hatred at him, she started down toward the entrance. Jareth leaned against the tree trunk and watched her go, thoughtfully. She had a better than even chance, he thought. Plenty of determination, and she truly loved the boy. For her sake, he hoped she succeeded.

His predecessor Thydus had never cared, one way or the other. The wise man had often lamented of it to Jareth. King Thydus would open the way to the Labyrinth, and not even watch the run. Or spend any time with the taken child. They were all drippy, germy mortal brats to him, until they became stinky, crude goblins. Which, the odor couldn't be argued with – even a freshly-bathed goblin smelled a bit like old potatoes. But his disdain for both his duties and his subjects had eventually resulted in his death, and at least Jareth knew he was good at this. Besides, after more than a century, he'd grown rather fond of the smelly little sods. They were his goblins, after all.

Flicking the crystal back out of existence, Jareth went back to his castle, where he could watch the coming contest in comfort.

Sarah slipped away once the bargain had been struck, while Della and Thiel were watching the girl navigate the outer corridor of the Labyrinth. It would be harder on their runner this time, with no Hoggle to help or hinder the first part of her journey. The Outskirts were only for those banished from the realm; the flower fairies and the garden gnomes would likely hide, and would be little to no help to her, even if they allowed themselves to be seen. Due to current squabbles over territory, the fairies were likely to be hostile, even. Not a good way to start a journey, caught up in a biting-fairy clash. She could remember the one she and her allies had bungled their way through years ago. Only Hoggle, who was familiar with their habits, had gotten out of it unscathed.

The memory of Hoggle standing a little ways off laughing at their predicament, mostly because he had warned them better, came back so clearly she herself had to laugh aloud. That made up her mind. She needed to get around the realm fast, and hopefully unseen, so there was only one person who could help her with that.

As it turned out, Hoggle was out by the Bog of Stench, glaring at the little throne set up there – Jareth had had to make good on his threat, and Hoggle was officially the Prince of Stench. Possibly the only dwarf prince in the fae kingdoms. Sarah had learned from Sir Didymus that Hoggle threatened to bog anyone who called him by his title.

Sarah would have cheerfully helped; leave it to Jareth to follow up on a ridiculous threat. "There you are. I was afraid you'd be out on the opposite side of the hedge maze today," she said with relief, having jogged there. The way seemed suspiciously shorter than she'd expected, but then, Umardelin was probably helping her. Which made her feel better about what she was about to ask. She'd felt it difficult to ask for favors from her friends since she'd been home, but she had to this time. Sarah told herself it was because it wasn't truly for her own gain, in this case. "Hoggle, I … I need to ask you for something. I need your help."

"Yeah?" the dwarf said sardonically. "Don't everybody?"

That hadn't been the response she had been expecting and she felt the little grit in his tone. It hurt, but she took it. They both knew why she felt bad about this and he had a right to it, she knew. Maybe she had enough courage to talk about it now. It was only fair. "Don't be like that," Sarah said, crouching down to be at eye level. "Hoggle, come on. You've been one of my best friends for years. You mean a lot to me, you know that, right?"

"It ain't you," Hoggle said. He stared toward the throne, then shook himself. "Jareth says I gotta tend to my realm. Not enough I'm the royal gardener, I gotta come out here and smell this. He's a big fat jerk, you know that?"

"He is," Sarah agreed, glaring at the offense, as well. Leave it to him to have been a bugger about his damn little speech, which Didymus had regaled her with after the deed had been done, far out of Hoggle's hearing. "Thank God he has his redeeming qualities. He went too far with it, mad about 'treason' or not. We both know how you feel about this place; only Didymus can handle it for long stretches. At least it's on the out-reaches and upwind instead of the middle of the Bog itself. I'm pretty sure he's ass enough to have done the opposite."

"That'd be about his style," Hoggle grumbled.

Clearly this was a thorn in his side, and Sarah decided to fix it if she could. "I'll see what I can do about the Prince of Stench thing. I promise that once I'm crowned, I'll see how I can change it. He had to make you a prince – he never had to keep you one. Half of his problem back then was he was jealous."

The possibility of parole from princedom had lit up Hoggle's eyes, but he looked curiously at Sarah as she spoke the last. "Jealous?"

"Yeah, because at the time, I couldn't stand him and I got along with you, even though he'd been setting it up that I would dislike you more. And the kiss on the cheek; I think he's still annoyed that he couldn't even get a kiss in the ballroom, as he planned, but I happily gave away a kiss of gratitude to you. Not to mention that you stayed my friend after," she said, smiling at the memory. "He knew I'd never eat that peach if he brought it to me, so he had to blackmail you. Bastard that he is."

Jareth had told her once, long ago, that Hoggle had refused to do anything to harm her; the ballroom dream wasn't harm, only misdirection. It still surprised her that he'd told her the truth that she'd known and that Hoggle had never been willing to tell her. Not that it would earn Jareth any bonus points right now.

"Him, jealous of me," Hoggle mused, and laughed. "I'll remember that."

"He's still jealous of the three of you," she said, chuckling. "I came back for you and Didymus and Ludo, not him."

"Yeah, but you started coming back for him after a while," Hoggle scolded.

"Hoggle, I never came back to the Labyrinth when I left; not for anyone. I promise you I wasn't here. He came after me, in my world. In my dreams, which I ended up lying to myself that I had been doing during our adventures," she corrected, her expression uneasy then. They were getting to the heart of it now. It hurt to hear aloud; it had been hard to admit to Jareth. It was even harder to say to Hoggle. She owed more to him, Didymus, and Ludo than she had ever owed Jareth. They had been her friends, her family, the only ones that understood her at that very confusing stage in her life.

"And then you stopped running away," Hoggle retorted. "I don't wanna hear about why. You're gonna marry him, so I figure he's gotta be good at something."

Sarah sighed, giving her old friend a sad smile. "I stopped running from him, and I stopped running to you guys. Which I can't hate myself completely for, since it gave me back all of you in the end. He was the key to me closing my life here and also coming home. That's something you can maybe like a little about him. I just wish I could go back and do things differently, even just a little. I was an idiot, Hoggle, and I was thoughtless about our friendship. I owe you and the other two an apology. You three were so important to me; I'm ashamed I walked away like that. I was in such a big damn hurry to grow up, and then when I got there, it wasn't what I expected."

Hoggle shrugged. "Never is, though, is it? 'Less you're like Jareth's momma, and the whole world loves you an' brings you everything you want."

Sarah had had everything she wanted, right there, and she'd turned her back on it for 'reality'. Because she wasn't brave enough to believe in them. The guilt weighed on her, as things she'd left buried in the back of her mind dredged themselves up like the unquiet dead. The night troll and the fox-knight would forgive, she was sadly sure, but Hoggle was the most like her. He didn't have many friends, he didn't let people in, and she'd just left him. "Still, that doesn't make it any better," she murmured, her voice trembling, feeling tears prick her eyes. It hurt so much to confront the coward she had become. Pushing away Umardelin had hurt everyone she cared for here. It was no wonder that her punishment had been to lose part of herself as a consequence. "I'm sorry, Hoggle. I never warned you. Never stopped to think of you needed me, too. I feel like I just abandoned you all, which I truthfully did, as much as I hate it."

He patted her arm. "Thing is, we knew you was gonna grow up and leave us. That's just nature. Runners can't come back, normally, and humans can't believe in us and keep their heads on right." He chuckled. "That's what the Fireys used to be, people who got lost in here. Now they really can't keep their heads on right. You startled us all when you came back at first – and then when he got you back down here again, well, that makes it right again. Everybody leaves, Sarah, but you came back. We knew you were special, but wow. No one but you ever did that."

"But it took me too long and I could have ruined everything," she whispered, looking him in the eyes despite her shame.

He snorted. "Yeah, well, that's Jareth's fault, I think. Sir Didymus tried to tell 'im how to court ya, but His Highness threatened to bog him too. Not that the fox'd mind, he can't smell it. Don't beat yerself up, Sarah. Ya didn't ruin everything. We're still friends, right?"

Sarah smothered the sob that came to her lips at the phrase, making herself laugh instead. Leave it to Hoggle to put his finger right on it. "Yes. Never even question it. Hoggle, we'll always be friends. I'm not gonna lose you guys again," she replied immediately, and impulsively hugged him. She wished there was a way to fix everything here, now, with this hug, but there was time. And she'd be here. If nothing else in the last few months convinced her, these few minutes on the edge of the Bog did.

Hoggle yelped, and she let him go, laughing as he fussily smoothed his shirt. "I feel like a jerk, but I really do have a favor to ask. It's important to me, Hoggle."

He saw the look in her eye, and leaned back. "Uh-oh. What now? I ain't poisonin' Jareth or nothing."

"No, nothing like that," Sarah promised, sniffling back her emotion and laughing again. "It's just … We have a runner. I want to help her, Hoggle, like you helped me."

His wary look intensified. "Nuh-uh. Sarah, ya can't. Ye're gonna be queen, you can't go messing around with that. The Labyrinth won't let you."

"It let you and the boys help me," Sarah pointed out, unable to help the old coaxing tone in her voice, tilting her head slightly as she smiled. "Jareth already warned me. I can't just give her back her son, but I can give her advice. Maybe point out the right directions. I need you, Hoggle. You know the tunnels like nobody else."

He turned away from her for a moment, but looked back. "Ya know ya can't stop the runners? No matter what you do?"

"No, I can, and I don't intend to. This has been going on a lot longer than I've been alive. There's no stopping that. This needs to be a lesson – I know better than most people what happens when parents are careless. I can't stop it Aboveground, either. But this woman loves her son, and maybe I can help her. Maybe that's part of why Umardelin chose me."

Hoggle heaved a sigh. "All right. Come on. But you better remember what you said about getting me un-Princed."

"Done and done," Sarah said, straightening up with an impish grin on her lips. "Let's go."