Disclaimer: I no own Labyrinth…

Review time! I've been lax, so now I shall give you your answers in true form.

Lady Galriee - Thank you for being a constant reviewer!

Jeanne - You read one of my stories! huggles

Lady Cobweb - Thanks for reviewing, and I hope you like the next chapters!

DemonicSymphony - You may indeed have Dance, just as long as I get Jareth!

Lum - You're right, it is going fast, but that's why I'm writing in short chapters. It slows down here in this chapter, and I'm so glad you like it.

The Goblin King

I yawned as the morning sun woke me up. Stretching, I wasn't surprised to see Dance out cold on the floor, looking for all the world like rigor mortis had set in with his legs in the air. I shoved the covers off my legs and threw a pillow at his head.

"Oy, horse…wake up." In return, I received a very undignified snort, but he did open one eye.

"Who's calling me a horse, ape?" I stuck my tongue out at him and pulled one eye down childishly.

"At least I'm a handsome ape, you ugly mule." He woke up finally and bared his fangs in mock anger.

"You'll pay for that, you hairless monkey!" He jumped up and made for my bed, already laughing as he grabbed another pillow from me and started smacking me with it. We tumbled together in the sheets and comforters, hitting one another in an attempt to win. Our laughter and shouts must have wakened half the castle, because my goblins all gathered around the edges of our little ring, cheering us both on. I circled around my friend, darting in to hit him in the rump or the head. He, on the other hand, watched me warily, walloping me when I came close. As we fought it out, I caught sight of Emily in the crowd, one hand clutching one of the roses I'd left her, the other covering her mouth to save me the smile I could see in her eyes.

I grinned sheepishly and waved at her, letting down my guard one moment too long. Dance tackled me, and I went down hard, losing for the first time a long time.

"OWWWW….C'mon, Dance, let me up!"

"Say it."

"No way!"

"Say it, and I'll make breakfast."

"Really? Okay…" I sighed, but pulled an idiotic grin onto my face and gave a hyuck of a laugh. Now, I'm sure most people would say that merely laughing wasn't all that funny. They haven't heard me impersonating Goofy. He rolled off of me, cracking up so badly he couldn't speak, while my goblins just bowled over laughing. Emily was grinning so wide that I couldn't help but hyuck again, startling a laugh out of her. It was as a clear as a bell, so sweet I could taste it, and my world narrowed down to the chuckling lady in front of me. I stood a little shakily, well aware of my ripped night shirt and disheveled hair, and offered her breakfast by way of apology. Looking over at Dance, I decided to get a very well-deserved revenge.

"My dear goblins, I do believe Sir Moondancer would love to make the castle's breakfast for today. Don't you agree, Dance?" He sputtered as he got to his feet, dismayed at the thought of cooking all that blessed food. He glared at me, who was more than happy to grin in return, and stomped out of the room. I chuckled and sent my goblins back to their beds, promising to tell them when breakfast was done. As I turned, I felt Em's sweet laugh curl around me still. She was leaning against the footboard of my bed, twirling the rose in her fingers, her smile like the sunlight streaming through the windows. She looked up as I stretched, and I heard her words, gentle and calm.

"You're…far different from how you're portrayed in the book." I laughed and sat against the wood next to her.

"Of course I am… 'The Labyrinth' didn't let on that my whole attitude was a mask, a veil over my true self. I wonder…if Sarah had known that, would she have forgiven me?"

"Sarah?" Her smile fell and her eyes became frightened. "As in Sarah Williams?"

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

When Emily heard Sarah's name, she felt the world twist around her. Jareth looked at her like she'd grown another head when she responded.

"Yeah…but that was in the past…before you came here. She's old news, my dear." Emily shook her head and started pacing the length of the oval rug in front of his bed.

"She's not…not to me, at least. Sarah went to the same school I did, but I didn't think…" She bit her lip and covered her eyes, taking a deep breath. "Jareth, she really was the one who navigated the labyrinth, wasn't she? She…she told me of you, even gave me the book…but…I didn't believe in her…in either of you." She felt his eyes on her, and glancing at him, she was astonished to see that he was resting his head on his fist, gazing at her with those sweetly mismatched eyes.

"Emily…"

"Yes?"

"How could you possibly know that it was Sarah Williams that I spoke of? I know I didn't say her last name, and not even Berenda knew it." She stared at him in disbelief, then swallowed and looked at her feet, talking to them in a soft voice.

"I….I saw her….When you said her name…her face seemed to flash into my mind…That's how I recognized her. I-I'm sorry…"

"For what?"

"For…for…" She felt his pale, long hands gather up hers, and raising her head, she found that she could not tear herself away from his solemn eyes. He kissed her palms, one, then the other, then the backs of her hands, and pulled her close to him, wrapping her in a warm hug. She nestled into his chest, tucking herself underneath his chin.

"You have nothing to apologize for…dear Emily. Sarah was selfish and cruel, and so I was cruel in return. You are kind and loving, and so I love in return. My heart mirrors that of the one who asks me, always. I've not felt so happy in a millennia…and I have you to thank for it. Please don't beat yourself up over a trivial thing; Sarah is not coming back." She looked up at him, and he smiled down at her, his eyes so kind. Em smiled back, shyly, and rested her head against his heart, it's comforting beat strong in her ears. He stroked her back and buried his head in her midnight, his fingers coming across the thin, much-repaired chain that hung from her neck.

"Emily…the crystal you wear, it must be special for you to never take it off." He felt her shift in his arms and looked down again, this time to face her questioning eyes.

"My mother gave it to me a few days before she died…" He plucked it gently from her fingers, held up to the light, and chuckled, then gave it back to her.

"Then take care of it well. I'm sure that your mother would have been so proud of you." She took it from him, then caught his hand gently.

"Jareth…" She undid the clasp and slipped the necklace into his hand, closing his fingers around it. He looked at her incredulously, his eyes surprised from the gift. "I want you to have it…if…you love me like you say you do…touch it when you feel unhappy or angry…And I'll be able to hear your heart, okay?" He held it like glass, touching her cheek with his thumb. She smiled wanly and kissed his knuckles, like a butterfly touching his skin.

"I don't want you to transform like that again…" With those words, she untangled herself and stepped over to the goblin whom she'd seen appear a few moments before. "I'll go find us some breakfast, alright?" She slipped out the door, and in the silence that followed, Jareth opened his hand, and carefully clasped the chain around his neck, the crystal resting above his own pendent. He marveled in those depths, and brushed away a selfish tear as he silently thanked her…

Yay! Jareth's falling in love with her even more than he did with Sarah! I loved the idea of the gift-giving, and thought that the crystal would do well as a center point for the story. R&R, please?

Laters,

KD