I have fought the writer's block as best I can and managed to extract this chapter from my mind. sigh

I really need a break from Labyrinth and all related characters... Labyrinth overload!

I wrote this in between watching anime. Nothing spectacular I'm afraid sigh it's so hard to find decent anime these days. Anyone have any suggestions? ; )

Thank you to those who gave me a few suggestions for the storyline, I have it all planned out from now on.

"From now on we can't use any magic I'm afraid, are you ready?" Sarah nodded her eyes sparkling with pleasure as she looked at the pure white snow. She and Jareth were prepared. Since they couldn't use magic in the shadows of the mountains (the Elders made it that way, they said it was to prevent attack or mischief but Jareth had always thought they just liked to watch people struggle) they had to have all the equipment to survive the next two days already prepared. They were both wearing warm cloaks and clothes. Sarah also had a scarf and gloves as she was more greatly affected by the cold than the Goblin King was.

Their journey had been pretty uneventful so far, the most interesting thing that had happened was being visited by that ridiculous tree dragon. Last night she had woken in the early hours and seen Jareth standing completely still just gazing at the stars. He had looked so peaceful yet so sad, the moonlight turned his skin almost to silver. Sarah remembered thinking she had never seen anything more beautiful before her eyes had fallen shut again forcing her back to sleep.

The horses stepped into the snow and the temperature dropped dramatically. Sarah was glad of her warm clothes. Following Jareth her mind turned to her impending return home, after spending the last few nights in a sleeping bag she longed for the comfort of her own bed but she would be sad to leave the Underground. Leave the Underground or leave Jareth? A voice spoke within her without her consent. Im just sad that I won't see my friends again. Hoggle, Ludo, Sir Didymus, Ambrosia, Darien, Demetria and I suppose Jareth as well but not as much. They said they would come and see me in my mirror as long as I called but it won't be the same.

Observing the snowy landscape around her she thought about what kind of characters the Elders would be. She imagined wise old men, harsh but fair residing in a sombre palace of rock and ice totally dedicated to the gathering of knowledge and wisdom.

Jareth glanced up at the great mountains and shivered slightly. Oh god I can't believe I have to visit them. This is Sarah's fault, she better take the consequences of her actions seriously. Looking back he saw the delight in her eyes as they rode through the winter wonderland. She doesn't even know what she's about to put me through.

"Hey, Jareth do we actually have to go up there?" Sarah pointed to the mountain looming over them. He shook his head.

"No, not to the very top"

Sarah sighed with relief, the mountain gave her a strange, chilling feeling. Or it could just be the cold.

"The sun is about to set" Jareth observed "We'd better find somewhere to stay the night." They made camp in the most sheltered place they could find. Despite her warm clothing Sarah still felt cold.



"Can we light a fire?" she asked hesitantly not sure whether the Goblin King knew how to do such things without magic.

"Sure." He replied pulling something out of one of the packs.

"Jareth...are those...firelighters and matches?" She'd expected something complicated with a log and a twig, maybe some flint. He laughed.

"You didn't expect me some boy scout affair did you? That's not my style, I've had to visit the elders quite a few times before although then I was able to Teleport straight to the beginning of the snow" here he shot her a look "can I trust you to go and get some fire wood while I clear the area of snow?"

"Yes, boss" she replied cheerily giving him a false salute before heading towards a group of snow covered trees. There she found a pile of perfectly chopped, dry logs and kindling. "What the hell?" She returned to Jareth and explained her discovery. He sighed "It's the Elders; they must have sensed us and are helping us out a bit."

"That's great!"

"I suppose, though their help normally comes with a price...How much more is there?"

"Quite a bit I can't carry it by myself so I may need some assistance"

They walked together through the snow their boots crunching and Sarah suddenly flashed him an evil grin which he didn't even notice. Stopping down slyly she gathered a handful of snow and made the perfect snowball. This could be dangerous but what the hell... it's not every day you find yourself with the kind of opportunity.

Thump the snowball hit Jareth's shoulder and he spun around in surprise to find Sarah innocently rubbing her gloved hands together to get rid of the snow. He growled.

"You'll regret that"

"Oh will I?" she waited. "Come on then oh mighty goblin king show me what you've got!"

He shook his head and gave her a feline smile "Not now...when you least expect it"

"Im quaking in my boots" she replied sarcastically watching as he gathered up the firewood "spoilsport"

They returned to their makeshift camp Sarah keeping a watch on Jareth just in case he decided to send a snowball her way. To her disappointment the Goblin King didn't seem at all interested in a snowball fight. The fire was lit and they had finished supper before he made his move. She had decided to take a walk and have a look at the beautiful night time winter scenery when his arms enfolded her from behind.

"Jareth...what...?" she lost the ability to speak as she felt his warm breath on her cheek and felt his strong arms around her shoulders. Bending down he whispered in her ear.

"When you least expect it..."

"AH JARETH! YOU BASTARD" He had slipped a rather large amount of snow down her back. Chuckling he turned back towards camp ignoring Sarah leaping around trying to dislodge the snow from down her back. "GAH IT'S COLD"



"So observant of you"

He got another snowball, this time it was harder and hit him squarely in the back. "You'll pay for that Goblin King!"

He turned and raised an eyebrow "Oh yes?"

"Yes...when you least expect it!"

"I'll be waiting then."

Sarah glared at his retreating back and thought about how to get him back. Dam I don't have a plan at all! Sitting on a nearby log she scooped up a handful of freshly fallen snow and rubbed it through her gloved fingers thoughtfully. I'll just have to think of something when the time comes.

Jareth was sitting in the warm glow of the fire when she returned wearing his night clothes with his cloak, gloves and boots. "What? No shower of snow to rain on my head? No tower of snowballs? I'm disappointed in you Sarah"

"Just you wait!"

"I am waiting" he shrugged his shoulders and looked around.

"I'm going to bed" she growled back trying to conjure her night clothes. "Dammit!" He laughed.

"Now before you get all excited about changing in front of me I'm going for a walk so you'll have your privacy."

"You can watch for all I care" she snarled back stomping over to Robin and pulling her nightclothes out from one of the many packs, it was amazing how much stuff was stashed in them.

Jareth watched in amusement as she removed her cloak, scarf and a jumper before hesitating. "You're not seriously just going to sit there and watch are you?" He nodded and raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you didn't care"

"I don't but I'm not going to make it that easy for you" she stalked around to behind the horses so she was mostly hidden from his view.

"Spoilsport" he called turning and prodding the fire.

"Pervert" she shouted back quickly ripping off her clothes and replacing them with her pjs. God its cold she shivered. Once in her super warm sleeping bad she sat up and addressed Jareth. "So...tell me your secrets."

"Secrets?"

"Yes your deepest, darkest secrets"

"Hmmm" he tapped his chin with a gloved finger and looked at her "Alright then, my deepest darkest secret"

Sarah grew intrigued and despite herself leant forward expectantly. He moved forward to whisper in her ear.

"I'm a magical Goblin King who owns the Labyrinth and takes wished away babies. Don't tell anyone, it's a secret" He gently bit her earlobe before pulling away laughing at the outraged look on her face.



"JARETH!"

"Sorry, sorry! What's all this about secrets? Why are you suddenly interested?"

Sarah shrugged "Your company isn't exactly stimulating Jareth, I'm bored" Boring, hell he's the most interesting person...Fey... I've ever met. Im surprised my nose isn't growing.

"Well I'm sorry I fail to amuse you but I have no secrets."

"Really?"

"Do you?"

"No...Night" Sarah lay down and closed her eyes. After a while Jareth also retreated to his sleeping bag. Sarah waited for what seemed like hours until she could be sure he was asleep. Standing super quietly she tiptoed over to the sleeping Fey. "Payback time" she whispered gathering a hefty amount of snow before kneeling and pressing her lips firmly against him. He woke with a start to find Sarah kissing him. He opened his mouth instinctively allowing her tongue to slip into his mouth. Reaching up he ran a hand through her dark locks pulling her closer to deepen the kiss. She drew away quickly.

"Sarah...what?...GAH!"

Dumping the snow on his face she laughed and returned to her own sleeping bag. "You're not the only one who can fight dirty!" Shaking off the snow he shot her a filthy look.

"I have been generous up until now Sarah, but I can be cruel"

"Oh really?" she scoffed "Pleasant dreams" She turned her back on him the fight going out of her eyes and touched her burning mouth with a cold finger. Dammit he's good.

Jareth was fuming. Glaring daggers at her back he plotted about the next day. Their last one together. Now this is going to be fascinating.

Ho ho ho! I wonder what will happen next...really I do... DAM WRITERS BLOCK! sigh Y'know recently I'm even starting to be repulsed by David Bowie WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME?