Many sad and lonely past for King Robert after his wife leapt from the battlements and without even his daughter to distract him, he began to despair. But nearly fifteen years after the birth of his first daughter a new woman stepped into his life. The Lady Irene was a proud and beautiful woman who provided the King with an heir that he had long sought after. The Kingdom would once again rejoice, but Lady Irene was craftier than the first Queen and announced a miscarriage to the Kingdom. So with a heavy heart she and the King sent her son to live with his half sister deep within the woods under the cover of darkness, where he would remain until he was to old for fairies to swap out of the crib with a changeling child. Little did they know that with just as heavy a heart the King of the Goblins continued to watch over his beloved from his domain in the castle beyond the Goblin City.

Ratchet the Goblin would not have been in this situation if he hand't been so drunk, but then again, he wouldn't have had the guts to own up for his flaws had he been any less drunk. It wasn't the greatest of situations to be in, but that's where he was, in the castle, beyond the Goblin City in front of his King having to explain how he lost the girl.

"And, and so ye sees ye' Kingly-ship, there I was a following the girlie, an there she was a singing and a dancing an she weren't doing no nothing so I says to myself, I says, 'Ratchet, old fellow, you'd been having a hard knock day of work, a good solid two hours to say the least. How 'bout a little nip an a little kip while she be entertaining herself.' An so's when I be awakin' up she's a still going about her merry way just the same but I be forgetting, haha, when you hear this, Oh Excellent One you will nod yer head an say 'Ah, Ratchet, you son of a swine. What a humourful an harmless mistake.' When I sees her I be forgetting that I was lookin' out for a big girlie an not a baby girlie. And so I went an left the lady to go an find myself a baby."

As the story had progressed the King's eyebrows had risen further and further up his forehead and Ratchet was quite certain that pretty soon, they would be lost forever in his scruffy mass of hair.

"And why, dear Rangle," The King leaned forward so Ratchet could see the points of his teeth, "did we start looking for a baby instead of a 'girlie'?"

Ratchet snorted nervously. It had been a habit he had picket up from his dad, who had been a pig, according to the King.

"Oh hahaha, well ye most fearsomely, that's where the comedy be comin' in. Silly old Ratchet, be forgetting that humans are not like goblins, oh no. Ye see, ye most dastardly, where as Goblins start out as babes an then get shorter an tougher an all round better looking, humans on the other foot be startin out as babies, but then, and this be the confusing part mind, they just be getting longer an longer until their hair sprongs out an they shrivel like prunes an die. So ye sees O ' Dashing leader that it really just be the girlies fault for not being a babe or better still, a goblin.

The King drummed his fingers against his lip, and nodded thoughtfully. Ratchet breathed a sigh of relief out of his little snout. The King sure didn't seem to mad. It looked like he might get away with this slip up. He should celebrate, maybe with some more of that excellent ale he'd been sampling as he watched the girl.

The imposing King stood from his throne in a smooth movement, it was clear that Ratchet was about to receive his sentence. Not wanting to miss their favourite form of entertainment, the goblins came streaming out from the woodworks, appearing from under rags, out of pots and beer mugs, a few from hats on top of other goblins heads. No one even flinched when Dingle, who had disappeared around a fortnight ago, crashed slap bang into the middle of the throne room. Punishments were just that much fun to watch! King Jareth looked around the room as if searching for the words to describe just how stupid he thought Ratchet was.

"So Racket, you are... Accusing your future Queen of this mishap? Because she is not a goblin?"

The King sneered, looking all for the world if he had a foul taste is his mouth. Ratchet snorted again.

"Um... Not accusing as such... but, um..."

"Dear me! This could be considered an act of treason, you know."

Treason? Well, that was a dozy, no-one had committed treason since, Ratchet strained to remember, not since the girlie's birth over fifteen years ago. What had it been the threatened punishment for the dwarf? Sweat trickled down the rolls of his fat little neck. No. Surely it hadn't been that bad. The King was most likely joking. His Majesty would never send someone as unimportant as him to a place like that. A place, like the, l-l-like the, Ratchet swallowed down his bile. The Bog.

A feline grin spread across the King's lips as the goblins waited with anticipation to see how this would be delivered. A good bogging hadn't happened in a long time.

"Tell me, Ratcatch," The King said amiably, placing his hand on the stiff little goblin's shoulder. "When you look out that window what do you see?"

Ratchet whimpered. "The Labyrinth?"

"Yes! The Labyrinth!" said the King, still crouched at the goblin's height. It was surprising just how many extra syllables he could add to a word. "And do you know what my favourite part of the whole Labyrinth is?" he said, rising to stare out the window.

"The Fiery Forest?" asked Ratchet hopefully.

The King's laughter rang throughout the court room, and the goblins quickly joined in although they weren't entirely sure what was going on. Ratchet shoulder sagged with relief. Laughter was good. Laughter meant happiness. Happiness didn't mean the Bog.

"No Ratchet, not the Fiery Forest, I quite had somewhere else in mind."

The Goblins bellowed as Ratchet soared through the window. The last thing that the befuddled goblin remembered feeling before he squelched into the bog was the King's boot on his behind.

Back in the Castle miles away, the Goblin King inspected a scuff mark on his shoe. After flagging down the nearest Goblin and commanding a tin of boot polish to be present when he returned, the King went over to window from which Ratchet had just made his departure and vaulted smoothly over the ledge. Wind soared past as arms became wings, facial features made smaller, rounder.

The only thing that could make the already brilliant day incomparable would be to visit his beloved. After all, introductions should have been made long before now.

/ / / / / /

His beloved in question was currently hiding deep within the woods with her carers, Hoggle, Didymus and Ludo and the newest member of their family Tobias, or, as he was better known, Toby. Sarah still sometimes thought the name 'screaming brat' was more appropriate, and in the rocky beginning of their relationship, she had considered more than once asking Ludo to squish Toby under some boulders so that she would get more than two hours of sleep a night, but as time wore on Sarah eventually grew to tolerate and even maybe care about him. Just a little.

Said baby was playing on a small, woven rug a short distance from his sister. 1 and a 2, Step, 3 and a 4, step. Sarah's bare, little feet moved deftly back and forth, her arms lingering in front of her, 1 and a 2, Step, 3 and a 4, step.

There were three things she was not allowed to ask her carers, 1 and a 2, Step, 3 and a 4, step. The first, was about her real parents, 1 and a 2, Step, any mention of her parents, the little mill would go silent and Sir Didymus would take an extra interest in the ceiling, 3 and a 4, step.

The second thing, Sarah had noticed, was bringing up the subject of love, 1 and a 2, Step. Sarah remembered the first time she ever bought up love, she had been playing in the garden, and had attempted to approach the subject with Hoggle. 1 and a 2, Step, 3 and a 4, step. In response she got an awkward shuffle of the feet, a pat on the head and the promise of having his grandpape's special salad for dinner if she washed up right then and there.

1 and a 2, Step, 3 and a 4, step. She didn't ask after that. 1 and a 2, Step, 3 and a 4, step. The third and final thing, that under no circumstances was to be bought up was dancing. Sure, Ludo could teach you the language of the rocks. 1 and a 2, Step, 3 and a 4, step. Perhaps the brave little Sir Didymus knew etiquette back to front, from duelling to dining and no-one could compare to Hoggle when it came to telling which plant would taste great and which one could make you blue in the face or the cunning and masterful art of tactful retreat. 1 and a 2, Step, 3 and a 4, step. But one mention of a waltz or a ballroom and eyes would glaze over, heads would nod vacantly and that would be the end of that. 1 and a 2, Step, 3 and a 4, step.

A nymph had let her in on a secret, she had said, "If you learn to dance blindfolded, then you can dance just about anywhere." 1 and a 2, Step, 3 and a 4, step. That was why Sarah was now dancing in the middle of the woods, with a long strip of fabric securely fastened over her eyes. 1 and a 2, Step, 3 and a 4, step. It seemed like her advice was working too, because she hadn't stumbled or fallen in ages!

1 and a 2, Step, 3 and -

Sarah let out a little cry as the ground rushed to met her body. Damn! Well, hadn't being the key word, she supposed as the grass tickled her nose. Toby gabbled and clapped as his older sister peeked out from under the blindfold. "Oh, you can be quiet." Was the peevish response, as Sarah stretched a crick from her bruised back. So, blindfold firmly back in place, Sarah was determined to start over.

However, something was different this time.1 and a 2, Step, 3 and a 4, step. Sarah's heart fluttered in her chest as rough leather wrapped around her slender fingers. A strong arm slipping around her waist. Her mind a whirl wind of emotions, as she was swayed and swirled and dipped back and forth, to and fro across the clearing. Sarah realised all quite suddenly that she had stopped spinning, well, her body had, her mind one the other hand-

Reeled, as a fleeting kiss brushed against her cheek, and another, and another, until a fiery trail of kisses made it's way down towards her neck, causing a small, breathless sigh to escape from Sarah's lips, followed by... a shudder?

This wasn't right! There was only one boy who knew where she was and... Well! Now Sarah was never going to admit that she had enjoyed that experience and quickly put distance in between herself and her assailant, a cold fury simmering just beneath the surface.

"Well, Phillip," remarked Sarah, reaching back to undo her blindfold. "You showed a lot more tact than usual, I must say. All though what does surprise me is the fact you had the guts after last time. Don't worry, Hoggle said that the warts will go away a month or two, although you still may experience some pain when going to..."

Sarah wide eyes blinked in the sudden change of light.

It wasn't Phillip.

It was time for, as her dear, old Hoggle would put it, a 'tactful retreat.' Sarah took off at full speed, dodging swiftly in and out to the trees. Only after the sound of curses and a grunts had faded long behind her, did she stop, gasping for breath. Why, oh why had she chosen today of all days to wear a corset? That had been to close too, She could handle the slimly little toe rag Phillip, but a Fae! Hoggle and Sir Didymus would never forgive if something were to happened to her or... TOBY!

Sarah's heart leapt in her throat. She had forgotten Toby! Sarah slunk her way back to the clearing. Oh poor Toby! Maybe the man had gone and hadn't noticed Tobey at all... Then again... If he was a Fae... And if Fae did what Hoggle said they did to babies...

Sarah picked up her pace a little.

Crouched in the bushes Sarah watched the sharp featured Fae man as he bounced Tobey up and down on his knee, cooing nonsense.

"My, you are a plucky little fellow, aren't you? If your sister doesn't come back, then I think I'll have to keep you! I'll call you Jareth, after all, you've got my eyes."

From her spot in the dirt Sarah tried hard not to grit her teeth. He knew she was going to come back! And he was waiting for her? Let him wait!

The Fae man (Jareth?) had gone back to babbling to her to her baby brother. "Why yes, yes! Now what to do with your sister over there?"

Sarah stiffened as the blood froze in her veins. He knew where she was?!

She watched as pointed teeth appeared from his lazy smirk.

"Come out, come out where ever you are... Sarah."

The sound of her name rolling of his tongue drew her into action. Eyeing the man cautiously she made her way to stand in front of him tugging nervously at her sleeve, trying her best to ignore her muddy skirt and scratched arms.

"Please, I want my brother back, if it's all the same. I won't tell anyone I've seen you," Or just had the most wonderful dance of my life, her mind continued for her. Stop it, she shook herself, this is about Toby.

"Please," her voice shook, while tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. "He must be so scared-"

Toby let out a bubbling laugh and clapped his pudgy hands together. 'Traitor' thought Sarah.

"Oh, I don't think I could just give something as precious as young Tobias back."

Sarah gnawed her lip uncertainly, "Are you suggesting a trade?"

The man's mismatched eyes lit up, "A trade! What an excellent suggestion!"

Sarah felt her anger rear again, "But I have nothing to give!"

The lazy smirk widened into a grin, "I'm sure you could find something as equally precious as Toby."

What was this man playing at? She shook her head, "No, my family are quite poor."

With a fluid movement, the Fae stood in front of her, barely a hair breadth away. Toby gurgled happily, bouncy on his hip.

"So, no jewels? No fine dresses? Nothing at all to pay with?"

Sarah shook her head again.

"Something else then," Heavily hooded eyes began to trace her form, and Sarah suppressed a shiver. The haughty Fae man circled like a vulture, "Let me see... Something as precious as your baby brother... How about..." He paused in his pacing, one hand tapping his chin, the other still balancing Toby, "A Kiss?"

The breath caught in her throat. What had he said?

"A-a kiss?"

Something about kissing a Fae rung in the back of her mind.

"A Kiss."

It had been something Hoggle mentioned one time. Or maybe Sir Didymus.

"Wilfully given." the man continued in a low voice, "Just. One. Little. Kiss."

That was it! A wilfully given kiss to a Fae may put you under their power, or control if they so wish it, and Sarah could see why so many had been fooled before, it must be quite hard to resist. It was quite hard to resist... But there was a loophole. The man never said who she had to give her kiss to.

Making her eyes as wide as possible, Sarah tried her hardest to look suitably shocked, terribly scandalised, and yet mildly flattered at the same time. The Fae drank it up, and Sarah wondered how long she could play the game, so she could spend a little longer studying the man. Purely out of interest, of course.

"J-just one kiss?"

"Unless you ask for more later on." Was the purred response.

Sarah bit back a laugh. Well he was confident, she'd give him that much for free! Now for the harder part.

"What is your name?"

The Fae raised a questioning eyebrow.

"It's just... I know this might sound silly and childish but I..." Sarah dug a toe in the dirt, trying to look embarrassed,

"I wanted to know the name of the person I give my first proper kiss to."

Nope, he fell for it. Looking delightfully smug, the Fae leaned forward until Sarah could feel his breath on her neck.

"My name, is Jareth."

Sarah nearly sang with relief. Names hold power with the fair folk. Now if things went pear shaped, she could banish him.

"Jareth." Said Sarah, rolling the name around in her mouth for good measure. Jareth's eyes filled with a strange light, which made her feel uncomfortable. Suddenly she wasn't so upset about missing out on that kiss.

"Um... So, Jareth, would you mind if I... Um... Prepared myself a little?"

The Fae unconsciously ran his tongue along his top lip.

"Be my guest."

Closing the already tiny space in between them Sarah placed one hand against his chest, carefully avoiding the open front of his shirt. Toby made a disgruntled noise at becoming the subject of a human sandwich. 'Only a little bit longer kid.' Thought Sarah as her other hand absent mindedly played with a few strands of shockingly blonde hair.

Jareth made a small sound of pleasure. She had done that?! She had made him, the handsome Fae man, make that sound?! As she locked eyes with the regal man, Sarah figured that she had better get on with it before she lost her nerve. Slowly leaning forward, Sarah carefully placed a kiss on her baby brother's head. Eyes still dead on Jareth's, head up, chin jutted out, Sarah placed her final blow.

"One kiss. Wilfully given."

Oh to hell with it.

"I don't think I'll be wanting anymore."

The man's changeling eyes flashed with a mixture of emotions ranging from anger to surprise and even a glint of amusement could be found there.

"Clever... But not what I expected."

"I'm not going to exhaust myself living up to your expectations." Sarah snapped back.

That received a bark like laugh.

"No I suppose you shouldn't, should you? And you did comply with my, demands. I suppose sweet Sarah, that you have won your brother back."

Sarah felt her face break into a smile as she cuddled Toby close to her face, whispering little things to him as she untangled herself from the Fae man, Jareth. When did his hands have the time to get there?

Looking around at the shadows flitting over the trees, Sarah felt her stomach drop a little. It was late. Very late. Hoggle would be incredibly grumpy. Shooting the Fae a final glance she dashed off towards the trees again, this time with Toby.

"I have to go."

"Sarah! Stop!" Jareth commanded.

Balancing on the balls of her feet at the brink of the forest, Sarah paused for a moment.

"May I see you again?"

Sarah was thrown into shock at the request.

"What?"

"When will I next see you?"

Taken a back, Sarah thought for a moment.

"You may see me whenever you want to, but only if you respect my space and my privacy. I want you to be my friend first. Then after that, what ever happens, happens."

Sarah didn't see it because she had already started running home again, but from behind her the Fae King grinned. He had a game to play, and he was completely planning on winning what he desired.

( ( ( ( (

A/N: Hey, hey!

Just a heads up to you all, I've got a comp all weekend so the chances of getting regular decent updates anytime in the for seeable future look rare.

If you're really bored I suggest watching the Princess bride. It's along the same vein as Labyrinth but more intentionally funny. Or if you're in the mood for sexy British guys, Gattaca is an excellent Sci-Fi Noir. (cause that's an actual thing!)

To explain the GK in this chapter I think it's pretty easy to say he's not a very patient whatever he is and his views on restraint are quite different from that of a normal persons. He does have feelings for Sarah, but I think that there just very deep and he's been detached from everything for just so long that in his eyes lust and mind games are basically love and flirting.

As for Sarah, yeah Jareth ticks all the physical boxes, but she's so very, very young and doesn't really understand anything other than platonic love. So yes, she does like him in a sense at this stage but no, she's not just going to faint straight into his loving arms and scream, do me, do me. Love is a NEW THING, she's grown up in a house full of... Male things? The whole concept would be hella confusing for her.

She left Toby behind because she forgot about him, yes that makes her a bad sister but, she did wish her brother away to the goblins in the movie for christ's sake!