Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth, David Bowie, Sarah Williams, or Jareth. I do, however, own Berenda the servant, Emily, her notorious family, whom will appear later, and numerous other OC's.

The Goblin King

Emily's slender body was warm and fast asleep as I lay beside her, thinking a little about what she had told me earlier. Berenda, ever the quiet and reserved little goblin lady, squeezed in and started taking away the plates. She glanced over at Emily in my arms, and smiled for a change, changing her hangdog expression into one of happiness. She came over to my side of the bed, and I grinned a little sheepishly down at her.

"Well done, milord. She ate up everything to help her heal faster, and she was kind enough to not make a mess, unlike other ladies…But I'm getting sidetracked. You look to be in better spirits as well, Highness." I must have looked surprised, because she chuckled softly. "Oh, aye, we've noticed. A spring in your step and a kind word at your lips changes goblin attitudes about human ladies. I'm glad…" She smiled up at me, then gave Emily a smile as well. "As for me…I like her much better then that Sarah…always hurting you, she was…This poor dear seems like she'd rather die than hurt someone else." I nodded slowly, pulling a strand of hair away from her face.

"She does…and you're right. Once you're done with the dishes, don't worry about the other stuff. You and the rest of the cleaning crew are free for the night." Her jaw dropped, but she beamed up at me all the same.

"Many thanks, Majesty!" She bundled up the rest of the dishes and fair sprinted out the door. I hid a chuckle, and nestled myself deeper into the mattress, taking Emily with me. She shifted a little, ending up with her arms around my neck, half of her body on top of mine. I stroked her back sleepily, my eyes fluttering in the moonlight as I fought back the urge to dream alongside her. No, no…I had some serious thinking to do, not in the least of which involved the various wars that my allies and enemies were fighting at the moment.

Emily's heartbeat steadied mine, drawing me into the kind of trance that usually yields answers to the thinker. I puzzled through the politics, third party style; I took everything that wasn't absolutely useless and ignored it. I began my sorting with my allies; the Elven folk were far too powerful to piss off. I had my goblins, ineffective as they are at fighting. I had the phoenix Clan, the Unicorns, the Dragons…the Centaur clans, the kelpie Guard, thank goodness. It's just certain dark creatures and cousins that I have to worry about now…Oy. I sighed and looked down once more at the angel in my arms, and ignored the pressing matters in mind.

Sleep was my haven now, and I got up to close the windows of my balcony. Outside, the stars shimmered against midnight blue velvet. They reminded me of Em, in a way. She was the brightest them all, for she was the first to fall. I latched the doors, murmuring a spell to seal them, then I walked back over to our bed. She lay there, as though no danger could harm her here, where only Jareth could find her amongst the silk and satin. She looked like an angel, or a dark-featured elf, minus the pointy ears. I sat beside her for the longest time, my fingers just running through her dark hair, my focus narrowed down to her face, her body, her heart. I felt her awaken before I saw it, and had a smile for her when her eyes opened slowly.

"Jareth..? Why aren't you sleeping?" I kissed her forehead and sighed, talking to her alone.

"It's nothing, dear Emily…I'll join you now, if you want." She smiled a little and tugged on one of my blond spikes.

"I was just a little worried, that's all…You looked like you were thinking about something, and it was making you sad…" I looked away a little.

"I guess you could say that…but it's alright." I smiled at her and planted a kiss on her lips. "I've got you now…I'll be fine." She blushed, but smiled shyly back.

"Then come to bed, you fool…you'll just make yourself sick" I laughed and dove under the covers with her, catching her and kissing her again, tucking the covers around us both as we let sleep take over…

How you turned my world, you precious thing
You starve and near exhaust me
Everything I've done, I've done for you
I move the stars for no one
You've run so long
You've run so far
Your eyes can be so cruel
Just as I can be so cruel
Though I do believe in you
Yes I do
Live without the sunlight
Love without your heartbeat
I, I can't live within you
I can't live within you
I, I can't live within you

The dream started out nice…quite nice, actually. Jareth had swung her down from the horse they'd been riding, into a very warm kiss. His eyes were like gems, aglow whenever she got caught in their gaze, but not harsh or cold….just kind and loving. He led her down a wooded path, just like in the fairy tales, grinning back her every now and then. But as they went further in, the path became darker and more dangerous, and when Jareth looked back, it was with a gleam of something more that caught her attention. With a scream, she pulled away from him and tried to flee, but the forest closed around her like a fist.

A firm hand grabbed her arm and flung her to the ground, Jareth closing on her like a livid wild cat, his eyes like daggers pining her to the ground. He tore away her clothes and pressed his mouth down on hers, no longer the gentle man, but a sex-depraved monster. Just as he had gotten himself up, and was ready to pierce her, a voice, long loved, cried out her name and broke the dream. Emily's eyes snapped open and she trembled all over, half-sobbing into the warm chest that was her only comfort, listening to Jareth's voice sooth her and sing gently to her…Jareth…Jareth…

"Get away from me!" She sobbed, pushing him back, scrambling for the door. She hadn't expected his speed, and nearly screamed when he barred it, in reality out of fear for her. She took it as another way for him to rape her, and rushed him, clawing at his arm while he tried to restrain her, calling her name repeatedly. Just as he managed to grab a good handful of her night gown, she pried open the door and fell out of his grasp, running so hard that she was down the stairs before he'd even made it to the landing.

"EMILY!" His voice echoed through the stairwell, fearful and worried sick about her. "Emily! Please wait! Emily!" She slammed open the hall doors, staggering out into the moonlight, tears streaming down her face in agony and heart break. She took off for the Labyrinth, throwing herself headlong into it's uncaring clutches. When Jareth reached the doors, he realized what she'd done, and connected to the Labyrinth.

The earthy voice asked him what it needed to do, for it pondered the new creature within it's hold, and wanted orders. He said them through clenched teeth, his anger at her uncle increasing by the minute.

"Bring her back to me, now." A subtle shimmer of the ground, and he soon heard her panting and crying grow louder. She fell out of the Labyrinth and into his arms, kicking and screaming and sobbing while he held on for dear life. Finally, she began to calm down, her heart slowing, her arms and legs leaden from the struggling. Jareth the whole time had been talking to her, saying things that neither of them had heard, and now, she could hear his voice on the verge of tears, cracking with heart break. She listened, and wanted to cry from his words.

"Emily, Emily…sweetheart, please, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, please, please, Em, talk to me…I love you, and I want you to be happy, I want you to be safe and sound, Emily…" She bit her lip and shook her head, pulling away from his embrace. He looked so hurt that she almost felt her heart break again, but she fought back against the love she shouldn't feel.

"Jareth…I.."

"Emily, please…give me a chance!"

"I…I'm just too afraid…please….don't do this…"

"Emily…let me make you a deal then." She swallowed and met his eyes, determined, yet fearful too. "Emily, if I prove that all I want is your love, your heart, not your body…will you give me a chance to give you love, not lust or sex, in return?" She trembled in the night, and felt a warm cloak cover her. Jareth leaned back after he'd fetched the cloak and swallowed back the words he wanted say. She'd be frightened if he even uttered a comforting sound. She straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath.

"I-I accept…"

"Then let's get you inside…you can have my bed tonight." She glanced at him, bewildered. "You deserve only the best." She blushed, and followed him into the house, wondering what she'd gotten herself into now…

Poor Jareth…and on top of Emily's terror of him, Jareth must woo her, and deal with a very viperous Elven maid who thinks that he will be her husband, whether he chooses it or not.

Laters,

KD