Chapter 22

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Let the Ball Begin

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The ballroom filled quickly after the feast and the orchestra began to weave the night's song. Priya had been weaving her way through the throngs of guests, avoiding Jareth. "Ah.." she sighed. "and Sarah doesn't have a clue that he is here." she giggled.

"There she is!" Sarah muttered, she'd been trying to catch up with Priya to congratulate her since the ball began. Everytime Sarah was close to her, the little elf would disapear. "This is an all too familiar scene." Sarah thought to herself annoyed.

Jareth had been chasing Priya through the ballroom, full knowing that she had been up to something and knew something about Sarah's appearance here. He stoped cold when he saw Sarah pushing her way through the crowds towards Priya. "So they know eachother do they." he felt his anger rising. "And here she is, prancing around like a noble...living happily whilst I suffer..." Remembering where he was he quickly calmed himself. "I'll wring both their precious necks later." he continued towards them.

Sarah grasped Priya's shoulder before the little elf could run off again. Priya gave a small "eeeeeep!" jumping when she felt Sarah's hand.

"Oh sorry." Sarah laughed. "I've been trying to catch up to you forever now!"

"Sorry, I thought you were someone else." Priya said with a tone of relief when she realized it was Sarah.

"Oh." Sarah laughed again. "Who are you avoiding then?" she teased.

Priya's shoulders fell forward and she frowned when she realized that Jareth was now standing behind Sarah. "Him..." she pouted.

"Indeed." Jareth said dangerously.

Sarah turned, stepping to Priya's side when she realized that someone was standing behind her. "Why would you avoid him, he's pretty handsome." Sarah giggled quietly in Priya's ear. Priya could not help the smirk on her face after hearing Sarah's words.

"May I introduce you to my Master, Lord Jareth." Priya introduced to Sarah, making sure not to use his proper title. "Master, may I present to you the Lady Christine." she smirked.

Sarah curtseyed. "Pleasure to meet you Lord Jareth...you're name sounds so familair have we met at court before?"

Jareth hoped that the shock he was experiencing was not written all over his face. At first he thought the two of them we're being very smart, but then he noticed the violet hue around Sarah's eyes and realized that she had been charmed. He shot Priya a look before replying, "Perhaps..." he murmured. Knowing that the charm would not last forever, he pushed his anger aside not being able to resist the urge to take advantage of the opportunity.

"May I have this dance." Jareth asked abrubtly, extending his hand.

Before they knew it, they were swirling around amongst the other dancers. Jareth was silent, drinking in her image. He had not seen her since the night that she had defeated him, she had matured beautifully but her lovely face had remained quite the same. The dress she wore was a deep emerald alike to her eyes, a boned corset revealed ample cleavage and gave way to full emerald skirts with black transparent, top layers. She wore simple elbow gloves, made of the same black transparent material, no jewelry adorned her and her hair was curled and hung loose. She had noticed his gazing and turned away, her cheeks flushed.

Jareth broke the silence between them. "How are you enjoying yourself here?"

Sarah's heart fluttered at his silky voice. "Hmmm, he is so familiar..." her mind struggled to place the man she danced with. "Oh I love it here, its like a dream really." she found herself struggling with words.

"Hmmm, I see." Jareth responded, an edge to his voice. "And my dear, have you found all your dreams?" he spun her.

Sarah saw a dangerous glint in the man's eyes and began to feel very nervous. "I know that name...who is this man?" her mind screamed and it seemed urgent that she figure out where she knew him from. "Uh..no. I suppose not." she finally responded nervously, suddenly wanting to run far away.

Jareth recognized the panick look on Sarah's face, he could feel the charm slipping away. He pulled her closer to him as they twirled around, gripping her hand and waist tightly. Sarah's breathing quickened as she stared into the man's mismatched eyes. "I know those eyes..." her mind tormented her.

"What's the matter Sarah dear? Have you forgotten something?" Jareth leaned down and whispered into her ear. His voice was cold and mocking.

Sarah's heart raced. "How does he know my name?" she thought panicked. Suddenly she felt as if something had hit her in the head, she felt dizzy and full realization dawn on her. "Jareth...Goblin King!" she gasped and tried to pull away from him.

Jareth's grip tightened. "Now, now. We don't want to make a scene infront of all these lovely people do we?" he mocked and danced her towards one of the exits. Sarah realized they were getting closer and closer to one of the doorways and panic gripped her more fiercly.

"What do you want?" she whispered venomously, staring daggers at him.

"Cousin! That's no way to treat a lady." they were interupted just as Jareth had stoped outside of the doorway. Jareth shot his cousin and icy glare. "Well aren't you going to introduce me to this beautiful young lady?" Jareth's cousin asked happily.

"This is Sarah Williams." Jareth faked a smiled, looking at Sarah cruely. This time it was Sarah's turn to give Jareth the icy glare. "Sarah this is my cousin, Duke Lasair."

Duke Lasair laughed heartily. "So this is the little lady who beat my old cousin!" By this time the trio had caught the attention of a few guests that were near them, it didnt take long before rumours were buzzing throught the whole ballroom.

A new song started and the Duke took Sarah's free hand, pressing a delicate kiss onto her knuckles. "May I have the next dance?" he smiled charmingly.

"It would be my pleasure to dance with you Duke Lasair." Sarah smiled sweetly and as the Duke led her back into the thick of the crowd, she shot Jareth one last nasty look.

"Gah! When did he show up!" Priya stomped her foot as she saw the Duke stealing Sarah away from Jareth.

"We're going home now." Jareth spat, suddenly behind Priya causing her to jump for the second time that night. No one noticed the two of them as they vanished.

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In the Goblin Realm

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Midge had decided that they should all go down the hill and see if Hoggle was lurking near the entrance to the Labyrinth. To their dismay he was no where in sight and no one had the courage to lay a foot inside the Labyrinth, all except Toby that is. "Let's go in and find Hoggle." Toby continued to protest.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Robert had continued to advise his son. "Sarah will send someone to find us when we don't show up at the ball." he had assured his son.

No one had come looking and Hoggle had never came running to their calls. Darkness was fast approaching, none wanted the Goblin King to find them but they did not dare brave the wastelands either. They had spent hours looking for the secret tunnels that Hoggle had spoke of, but they had no luck in finding them.

"Secret tunnels indeed." Midge huffed.

"I'm not afraid! I'm going in!" Toby declared suddenly and ran into the Labyrinth.

"Toby, No!" they called out to him, but it was too late. Toby had crossed the entrance and they all rushed in after him.

Jareth was about to give his cousin a piece of his mind and send Sarah into an oubliette when he felt the Labyrinth call to him. "Tresspassers." he had muttered before finding Priya, taking them both home.

"Show me the tresspassers." Jareth called to the crystal and an image of Sarah's family appeared. Jareth did not recognize them at first, then he saw Toby's eyes. "Ah my lad how you've grown, you've still got my eyes." he could not help smirking despite his foul mood. "I suppose you've something to do with this too?" he asked Priya coldly, showing her the crystal.

"No! They were suppose to be at the Ball tonight. I was hoping you'd be able to make a good impression on them." she retorted.

"Why would I want to do that." Jareth spat. "What were you thinking, how long have you known about Sarah?" he demanded, his rage building again.

Priya felt guilty again, but she was angry too. "Who cares how long I've known! It's not like it would do you any good!" she yelled. "I gave her that charm to forget you, so you could redeem yourself and enchant her. You can't even do that!" she glared. "Now your greedy cousin has her!"

Jareth fell back into his throne. "You're right...I have no power over her..." a glint came into his eyes suddenly, as if he had thought of something. "But soon she shall be in my power." he said dangerously. "I'll punish you later." he said before vanishing once more.

"Well, what do we have here?" Jareth's chilling voice froze the group as they had just caught up with Toby.

"Your majesty!" Midge exclaimed and they all bowed hesitantly before him, except for Toby.

Toby marched up to the Goblin King. "I'm not afraid of you!" he declared, face lifted defiantly.

Jareth smirked and knelt down before the boy. "My, don't you have your sister's spirit." Becoming serious again he swept past Toby. "You should learn to control your children Mr. Williams." he sneered at Sarah's father.

"Your Highness!" Midge said exasperated. "We were only on our way to visit the Marquee's when we were stranded in your realm by a very peculiar and mad carriage driver. We did not mean to trespass." she said in all honesty.

"Hm, such a pity." Jareth mocked. "I'm afriad what's done is done." he shrugged. "But, seeing how I have known you since you were a child Midge." he smirked when he saw that Midge was surprised at him remembering her. "and I am a generous King. I shall let you and your daughter go."

"You can't be serious!" Midge exclaimed.

"What would you like you and your daughter to join the rest of them in the dungeons?" Jareth questioned.

"Take me, let the children go." Midge demanded.

"No, he should only take me. Let the rest of them go Goblin King." Robert declared.

"You're in no position to be making demands." Jareths mood darkened once more, becoming bored with the banter.

Gavin, who had been very silent let out a horrible yell as he flung himself towards the Goblin King, fists flying. "Fool!" Jareth cursed and with a flick of his wrist Gavin was sent flying back, smashing into the stone wall and becoming unconcious. There was no time for anyone to react further, conjuring a crystal with his deft hands, he threw it up as he laughed evily.

In a burst of glitter, Midge and Lily found themselves back home without the boys.

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Author's Note: Okay here you have it. I know most of you probably wanted a real terrible confrontation between Jareth and Sarah but that will have to wait until later. After all, despite their short fuses, they have enough respect for the Marquee not to complete explode during his Ball. ha! The chapter's are starting to get longer again...please review.