Author's Note: I am so sorry for the wait! I wasn't satisfied enough with Chapter Two to post it, but now I figure, "What the hell?" This being my first attempt at full-length fanfiction, I really have no idea where I'm headed. I guess we'll find out together, eh:D

"Oh my God…" Sarah breathed. "We're here, we're really here!" Hoggle was startled to see Sarah's face alight with joy. Her gaze swept the stunning view from the dusty hill: from the bare, glittering trees and dying weeds swaying in the breeze to the massive labyrinth, snaking over and around hills and leading up to the grand stone castle. The scene was bathed in the timid light of dawn and the air itself seemed to shimmer with magic. Sarah was overwhelmed by an unexpected surge of relief, as though she had half-expected the labyrinth to crumble in her absence. After her initial, cursory inspection, Sarah quickly descended the steep, sandy hill and strode briskly along the outer wall until she reached a familiar clearing. "Hoggle!" she called excitedly to her friend, who was huffing and puffing in an effort to catch up. "Hoggle, this is where we first met!"

The dwarf finally reached the clearing and braced himself on his knees, breathing heavily. "Aye." he agreed between gasps, nodding. His gnarled face colored slightly when he recalled the compromising circumstance in which Sarah had discovered him, namely, relieving himself in the small fountain. Sarah seemed to be recollecting the same incident, because she was grinning slyly at him.

"Well, I think we've seen enough. Best get you home." Hoggle said quickly, but Sarah shook her head firmly. "You said I could walk through the labyrinth." she reminded him, and the dwarf grudgingly nodded. "Alright then, let's get this over with." With a wave of his hand the large, ivy-covered doors slowly opened, and Sarah squealed with anticipation. As soon as the opening was large enough, she slipped through the gate and strode quickly and confidently through the passage, avoiding withered tree roots and branches.

"Sarah," Hoggle called once he'd passed the threshold. "Sarah, there's somethin' I want to ask ye." Sarah turned to meet her friend's gaze and impatiently demanded, "What?" Hoggle glanced at his feet before beginning weakly. "I'm glad you wanted to visit me, I really am. It's just that…" He sighed and decided to simply tell her what was on his mind. "Why did ye want to return to the labyrinth? What was is it ye wanted to see so badly?"

Sarah frowned at the question, but her expression softened when realized her friend was just concerned about her. "Everything, Hoggle." she replied simply. "I want to see everything." Hoggle's countenance still bore the same confused expression, so she decided to explain more fully. "Hoggle, I spent my entire childhood daydreaming. I read nothing but fantasy books and had no interests outside of acting. I didn't really even have any friends." She smiled sadly and gazed into the distance, as though watching her memories come alive. "I was frightened when my wish became a reality, but on more than one level, I was thrilled. I certainly didn't want my brother to be in any danger, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy playing the part of the brave and selfless heroine."

Hoggle nodded mutely, he thought he understood where she was coming from. "My adventure in the labyrinth will always be one of my most treasured memories, because of the places I saw, the friends I made-"

"And the villain you defeated." a cold voice interrupted. Sarah gasped and turned slowly, desperately hoping that her ears had deceived her. They had not. Leaning indolently against the decaying brick wall was the Goblin King, arms crossed and face grim. "Yer majesty!" Hoggle cried, quickly sinking into a deep bow. "But I thought ye were away on business."

"I was, Higgle," Jareth replied without taking his eyes off Sarah. "Unfortunately for you, the matters of state I was attending to were resolved faster than anticipated."

Sarah was well aware that she was gaping at the imposing figure before her, but she simply couldn't bring herself to close her mouth or avert her gaze. She couldn't seem to speak coherently, either. "I… We… That is…" Sarah stammered, desperately seeking an explanation that wouldn't result in a one-way, all expenses paid trip to the Bog of Eternal Stench.

"Don't bother, Sarah." The Goblin King drawled. "I know exactly why you're here."

"You see we were… What?" Sarah glanced up in confusion.

"It's obvious." Jareth replied, his expression now detached and bored. "You wanted to see the labyrinth again."

Sarah nodded dumbly, taken aback by the accuracy of his statement. How did he know? She shook her head when the obvious explanation surfaced. Duh! He was probably listening in on the whole conversation. He can transform into an owl, after all.

"Um, yeah." she admitted sheepishly, suddenly finding her shoes much more interesting than the Goblin King. "I, uh, thought that you'd be gone."

"Oh?" he asked nonchalantly. "I don't believe you 'thought' at all. If you had taken but a moment to consider the matter, surely you would have acted differently." He glanced pointedly at her before smirking. "Unless, of course, you are merely a simpleton, with no ability to consider the consequences of her actions. Come to think of it, I find that possibility much more likely."

Sarah bristled at the insult, and she felt her face growing hot with embarrassment. "Look, I'm sorry, okay?" She snapped, glaring at Jareth. "We'll just be leaving now." With that she turned her heel on a surprised Goblin King and gestured to Hoggle. "Come on, Hoggle. I guess you get your way. I'm out of here."

Jareth sighed before calling out to the girl who was angrily stomping away from him. "Wait, Sarah. You may see the labyrinth. You have my permission." Sarah halted in her path to the entrance. She turned and studied the king skeptically. "You may even spend the night at the castle if you wish." he finished.

Sarah and Hoggle both gawked at Jareth as though he had sprouted a second head. "I can?" she asked disbelievingly. He nodded soberly, and began to reply before he was interrupted. "Uh, thanks!" she beamed. Her grin was soon replaced by a scowl, however, when something occurred to her. "Why?" she demanded. It was his turn to look confused. "Why, what?" Jareth inquired. Sarah sighed impatiently before continuing. "Why would you let me explore your kingdom and stay in your home? We were—are—enemies, right?"

Jareth shook his head with a sigh and met her gaze steadily. "That was three years ago, Sarah. I harbor no ill will towards you now."

"You don't?!" Sarah eyed her host suspiciously, scrutinizing his pale visage for any signs of dishonesty.

"No." he replied, clearly irritated by Sarah's disbelief. "I don't. I would, however, appreciate it if you would stop questioning everything I tell you." He stifled her indignant reply with a condescending look before continuing. "You were unwilling to abandon your baby brother and I was unable to return him to you. You displayed tremendous courage and tenacity during your trek through my labyrinth, traits which I admire. You were a worthy opponent, Sarah, but in the end you were victorious. I cannot hate you for that."

Sarah quietly contemplated all that he had said. After a few moments, she met his mismatched gaze, frowning slightly. "'Unable'… You mean you didn't have a choice?"

Jareth nodded, but Hoggle answered her question. "His Majesty is required ter take the children who have been wished away from the Aboveground. It's a part o' his duties as King of the Underground and Lord of the Labyrinth."

Jareth scoffed at her startled expression. "Did you think that I took children for my own amusement?" he asked derisively. "I didn't know…" Sarah replied softly, her head lowered so that she could avoid his gaze. "Yes," Jareth mused quietly. "I'm afraid there is quite a lot that you don't know..." He shook his head in response to Sarah's questioning look, and abruptly turned his back upon the pair. "Well, as much as I like catching up with old enemies, I do have a kingdom to run." he tossed over his shoulder. "If you'll excuse me…" And with that, he disappeared in a cloud of smoke and glitter.

Sarah coughed as the wind blew the smog directly into her face, and studied the spot were Jareth had been standing only seconds ago. She glanced in bewilderment at her friend, who merely shrugged. That certainly could have gone worse.