Part 3

The horse flew through the air with only the calming sound of the giant wings beating through the air. Well, perhaps there were a few more sounds. Tic was sitting at the rear of the horse and giggling. Sometime during the ride Toc had climbed to the head of the horse and had begun to purposely catch bugs and then eat them. The Queen briefly wondered if a poor unfortunate fairy might have wondered up this high and become a meal for the little gremlin.

But other thoughts were ruling her brain. Mostly she was stewing over broken promises and replaying her time together with the King. But upon reflection was he ever really there? All the times there were together she knew his mind was elsewhere. Perhaps there was something to be said about looking beyond the realm for a suitable mate. But that wasn't the issue right now. He had brought that horrid girl back again. It was clear now that Jareth had never really forgotten her.

Cindy was here when that Sara gal first came here. She stayed out of the way of his quest, she even cheered on Sara as she crushed the little man. Watched with glee as Sara took the wind out of his sails and showed him his place. It was a very good thing to witness. It fit in perfectly with her plans. When Sara left Jareth was groomed to humble himself before her glory. And he did, for awhile. It was only natural. Heck, it was fate. A kingdom of goblins and gremlins was the stuff of fairy tale. The two were virtually the same to any human's mind. One might be inclined to say they were meant to be together. However, in all honesty she hadn't given a thought of a union of the two Kingdoms' until Sara had arrived.

Sara a curse and a blessing. And now she was back. And she was no longer a girl. That was apparent. Well, the Gremlin Queen would not stand by idly by this time as Jareth attempted to woo her once more. Oh no. But it really shouldn't be much of a challenge. What chance did a human girl have against a Queen?

Cindy sat up straighter in her saddle and smiled as the horse began it's decent upon the balcony. Rather convent that Jareth had this balcony that opened up to his throne room. Otherwise she might have to put some effort into her surprise visit. The mechanical horse landed with soft clicking of hoofs and folded up its wings. The ladder descended and Cindy stepped down from her ride. The two mischief makers were already on the ground hopping from foot to foot waiting for her to give her approval.

Taking off her gloves Cindy knelt down to look at them. Toc gave a toothy grin filled with bug parts, and Tic was giving her best "I'm innocent" look she could muster. Cindy reached down and removed a bug wing from Toc's eyebrow and touched the cheek of Tic.

"Have fun my lovies." She told them and watched as their smiled grew larger and watched the cloud of dust they left in their wake.

Surprisingly, the throne room appeared to be empty. Where were all his little subjects? She knew he had been neglecting them, but she wasn't aware that they were out of the castle. Well, at the very least out of this grand room. But then again, Jareth had become increasingly boarding and been found of being alone.

Cindy walked over to Jareth's throne and made herself comfortable. It wasn't as nice as her own throne, but the surprise look on Jareth's face when he saw her sitting there would be worth a little discomfort. With Tic and Toc about it was only a matter of minutes before he knew she was there.

Jareth took Sara to a prepared room for her and lay her down gently of the soft bed. The room was almost homey. He had added a few things from her above ground world, but added it to a collection of finery that suited a queen. We walked over to the window to let in the night breeze. The night was wonderful. Everything was falling into place. Jareth looked at the twin moons and smiled. Sara stirred in her sleep, and mumbled something. He walked back over to watch her sleep. He could spend the rest of his life watching her sleep. But that time was coming to an end. He had watched her for years. Since she was a teenager and took his notice. He would watch her no longer. Even though it gave him a sense of contentment he was sure it would feel better to lay by her side as she slept. And why not? She didn't have any choice in the matter. Not at the moment anyway. And it would be a delightfully surprise to her when she woke up.

All that really mattered at the moment was she was here with him now, of her own free will. She had nothing left in the upperworld, nothing to call her home. It was regretful that Tody and her father had passed on. But he was secretly happy that they did. He had no part of that twist of fate, but it seemed to work out beautifully for him. Now, it was only a matter of time before she came to realize that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

He moved close to her and moved a strand of hair from her face. His touch lingered on her cheek. Strange, but before when he had done this she had popped awake, forcing him into a quick retreat. But she seemed to be in a deep sleep. It was little wonder really. She had lived through many traumatic events this past year.

He wanted to enter her mind, enter her dreams and play with her; he wanted to be with her. The need was so strong that he couldn't resist. He knew she needed the sleep, but damn it, she had the rest of her life to sleep. She was with him now, and he came first. The mere thought of what he could do in those dreams was making him burn with a raging fire in his whole body. Could she feel this heat? Jareth closed his eyes and nudged her mind.

She was having a meaningless dream, nothing specific, just random thoughts. He stood and watched her walking down a hallway, then through a door. This was his chance. With a thought the garden was behind the door. Sara walked out into the garden and as she walked, little unseen spiders wove a dress around her. It was sheer and flowed, but fit her to a tee. Jareth watched her as she became aware of her attire. She laughed with glee and spun around. She turned around to come face to face with him.

Jareth was wearing tight, form fitting black pants with boots that went to his knees, and nothing else. He was holding a crystal rose and started to walk purposely towards Sara. Oh she knew that look. She had seen it many times in her dreams when she dreamed of him. It was a promise more than a look. And his promises always made her wake from the dream wet and more tired than before. It was always a wonderful dream when he was there. He was the kind of lover she always wanted, gentle, yet demanding. And he looked demanding tonight!

A smirk was on his face as he came close to her. It was his will, this dream was and he was dangerously close to willing that dress away. But he had time. All the time in the world. She was in his world now, and time meant very little. Sara was blushing so hard her face was turning a delightful shade of pink. He knew what she was thinking and took delight in it.

He pulled her close and leaned down take a deep breath of her scent. Wanting more, he moved to kiss her neck. Sara gasped and held onto him. His tongue darted out of his mouth and he licked a line down her neck to her collar bone. Then he found her pulse beating frantically like a caged bird, he gently nibbled the spot with relish.

Sara's knees weakened and he took her weight. Yes, indeed, it was fun to play with her in these dreams but Jareth longed to wake her and ravish her for real. Gently, gently he thought. I want her to beg for me. He leaned back and traced the rose down her chest, dipping lower, lower, when suddenly the dress was gone. Sara didn't care. She was trying to catch her breath. The rose was now circling her nipple and Jareth smiled at her. His eyes alight with mischief.

Jareth threw away the rose and moved to take her nipple into his mouth. As his mouth closed over her breast Sara moaned as the waves of pleasure washed over her.

Jareth screamed.

What had happened? Jareth looked around and found himself on the floor by Sara's bed. His head was pounding and his body filled with unrealized fulfillment. Slowly he sat up and looked at the slumbering Sara.

Damn, he thought. She was left in control of the dream. He knew he was still in it, but he could no longer experience it. What the bloody hell had happened? Then he heard the sound.

His clock was chiming, but it was off key. One chime, something wasn't right, the second chime was a little more off key. The third chime sounded like a wounded cat. Then the clock did not chime at all.

"TicTock" Jareth muttered. Damn it all. That could only mean one thing. Cindy was here. And she was bound to be bent on trouble. No now of all times! Jareth looked down at Sara. She was breathing hard and feeling herself. Oh to be in that dream! Oh to have his hands on his body. But it would have to wait. For if the queen was here she's wasn't bound to wait long.

Jareth looked upon Sara one last time and a small whimper escaped his lips. Well, staying here and watching here wasn't helping cool his body any. Rather painfully he walked from the room and gently shut the door. He banged his head against the door and had to adjust himself.

Damn that woman and her timing! By all that he held dear he would give her hell for interrupting him!

Hoggle sat upon his throne in the land of stench, lost in deep thoughts. He worried about Sara gal and wondered what he could possibility do to help her. These past few weeks when he had gone to see her she was always sad. Her eyes always red and puffy from crying and she seemed to be growing further and further away.

It was a problem alright. What she needed was to get away from that step-problem she had to deal with. What she needed was to get away, at least for awhile; she needed to come back to the underworld. But Sara never had. She had kept in touch with her friends, but she never set foot back into Jareth's realm.

What she didn't know is it wasn't all his. She needn't fear him in all places. If she chose to come to visit him for instance she would be welcome. But she would never come back to this place. True to his word Jareth had made Hoggle the "prince of the bog of eternal stench." But it was his subjects who made him unofficial king. Most of the creatures here in the bog were poor unfortunate souls who had set foot in the bog, but there were also little creatures that were born of the bog. They were little, well, walking, hummm... Hoggle thought for a moment of a way to describe them. Well, he just called him "Brownies." They were the ones who made him feel at home.

After Sara left the first time and Hoggle went back to the Underworld he had nowhere else to turn. Remembering Jareth's words he took a chance and come here to the bog. The smell was still horrific, but over the years he had grown used to it. Now, like his loyal knight Sir Didamus, he had grown found of the smell. There really were days where the air was sweet and fragrant. And the little "brownies" had come forward and made him king. It was a title he took seriously. Over the years there had been a few changes to the bog. Sir Didamus came back to guard his post, and the creatures of the bog had rebuilt the bridge.

All were welcome in Hoggle's realm. No one was turned away. But short of Jareth's wrath, no one ever came here willingly. Which brought him back to Sara. He knew the best thing for her would be to get away from that horrible step-mother. But he also knew that Sara would never come to this place. He often drenched himself in cheap perfume when he went to see her. She had never said anything, but she must have known.

The brownies were trying to ease their master's distress and had begun to pile flowers from the bog and other gifts around his feet. Hoggle sighed. What was he to do?