Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters and the plot

Authors note: Thanks for the reviews, always a pleasure to know you guys are enjoying my story.

Lying in her bed, Sarah was wide awake and dawn had not yet come. She could not sleep due to the army of butterflies in her stomach because today was the day she told him of her love. But would he return it? The Labyrinth Champion knew she was being silly in thinking he wouldn't love her but she couldn't quite stop the doubt from speaking in her mind.

Sarah continued to lie in her bed till the sun finally peeked through her curtains then decided it was time to start the day early. She went to her closet and chose a simple dress in a medieval style. It was floor length with a square neck line and beautiful bell sleeves, a pale blue ran along the neck line and sleeve ends while the rest was a deep blue which brought out her pale skin. It would be perfect to meet her suitors later. Once Sarah had matched accessories to her dress she washed and dressed in her training gear, thinking that shooting a few arrows would help work off her nerves.

As the sun continued its path across the sky, lighting everything it could touch, High Queen Cordelia went in search of her ward. The four Monarchs, King Maccus, King Varden, King Jareth and Prince Keir had arrived and had been asked to wait in the ballroom of the palace to hear Lady Sarah's decision on who would be her husband, if any of them.

Coming into the training courtyard, Cordelia quickly saw who she was looking for and felt a measure of sympathy for the young girl as she shot arrow after arrow at her target. 'She must be nervous,' the Queen thought. 'Poor girl is going to open herself up and I hope she doesn't get crushed. No wonder she's out here.'

"Sarah?" Cordelia called to her ward as she got close enough. "Their Majesties are here." The Queen saw the colour drain from the young girls face and made sure her face had a calm and hopeful expression.

"I will head to my room and change," Sarah responded, putting her arrows and bow away. "The morning has gone so quickly."

"How long have you been out here?" Cordelia asked, trying to mask her worry with curiosity.

"Since just after dawn," she replied, her voice laced with nerves.

It only took Sarah half and hour to clean up and make herself presentable for her four suitors. The High Queen was very pleased with her choice of dress and tried very hard to keep Sarah calm and relaxed. As they walked to the ballroom, Cordelia linked arms with her ward and told her that no matter what she and Toby would be well cared for, this did help settle Sarah a little.

However, as they came to the doors of the ballroom, raised voices could be heard from within. Pushing the doors open quietly, both women froze as they heard clearly what was said.

"Only I am worthly of such a prize as the Champion of the Labyrinth for my wife."

"Her worth is far higher than you or any rare jewel and only I know how to handle such a gem!"

"None of you could possess such a Trophy and hope to keep her happy as I could."

"You are all blind to think that you could control such a powerful fae woman, but I can and I will make her my prized token!"

As the four fae males continued to argue over her, Sarah felt pain deep inside her chest as the one she thought she loved and loved her back spoke of her as if she were nothing more than an object. Breathing deep she turned to the High Queen to find fury building in her eyes but as Cordelia looked at Sarah the fury was replaced with sympathy.

"Get rid of them," Sarah hissed at the Queen and unable to keep herself together for much longer, she ran from the room only to hear the voice of the man she thought she loved call out her name.

All Sarah could think of was getting as far away from this place as possible. The pain in her chest made her blind, deaf and numb to anything else. Anyone who tried to stop or comfort her was pushed away as the Champion of the Labyrinth fled from the High Palace and deep into woods that grew on the west side of the kingdom.

Branches scratched her skin and ripped her clothes but still she did not stop or slow her pace. Sarah continued to run while tears stained her cheeks and blood dried on her face and arms from the scratches, till she collapsed from sheer exhaustion. Lying on the cold woodland ground Sarah made a wish, her first wish since she was fifteen.

"I wish I had a place of my own to call home."

Back at the High Palace

"Sarah!"

The four Monarchs watched as the Champion of the Labyrinth fled through the ballroom doors. All suddenly sprang into action and raced up the stairs to chase after her, however, they found their way blocked by a furious High Queen.

"Never in my life, have I heard such low and degrading talk!" The High Queen did not have to raise her voice for the men to fear her words, the fury and her eyes was enough. "I would never have thought that you four would allow your ego's to get the better of you! You are here by banned from going any where near Lady Sarah till she states otherwise and you are to leave my palace at once. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, your Majesty," the men said together, bowing their respect and disappearing at the same time.

Once they were gone, High Queen Cordelia followed the path Sarah took, asking any and all if they had seen her. As she followed the directions of all who had crossed paths with her, Cordelia was led to the woods that grew on the west side of her Kingdom. As she came close to the tree line, a woman with white blond hair and violet eyes came out from the tree line and stood elegantly in a olive green dress.

"Good day, my Queen," Lavena greeted. "What brings you out here and at such a pace?"

"Sarah has fled into the woods," Cordelia explained, worry for her ward clear in her voice. "I must find her before something bad befalls her." And she moved to pass the Spirit and Essence of the Labyrinth but the white haired woman would not allow this.

"You will not find my Champion in these woods, your Highness," Lavena explained, continuing to block the path into the trees.

"Where is she?" The High Queen asked, still worried for Sarah.

"She has finally found her way home," Lavena answered, smiling softly.

Extra Authors note: Sorry but as we all know, stories must have a twist and this is mine. Please review!