A/N I still don't own it.

I sit on my window seat and lean against the cool glass. I don't know what it is he does to me. I don't understand. All I know is at this second, I want to wake up in my bed at my dorm, with my roommate telling me I'm late for my Wednesday 8:45 math class, and, hell, I'll even take the speeding ticket from the officer who sits in front of my college. Right now, I just wish all of this was just another one of my silly dreams about a place I wasn't sure existed. I'm tired of surprises and confusion and visions.

I hear the door open behind me, and despite myself I want it to be him. But it won't be. He's with his parents and their guest and I'm sure the random girl who showed up uninvited claiming she knew him is the last thing on his mind.

"The King asks you to come to dinner, milady. He sent me to receive your answer."

I'm tempted to say no, to hide in my room. But, I suppose, that would be admitting defeat on my goal. So, instead, I nod and ask the goblin to send Winky in.

He scurries out, and soon my faithful hand-goblin comes rushing to help me find an appropriate dress. Apparently, the guest is an important Lady in the Unseelie Court, and I fight myself on telling Winky to tell Jareth I suddenly became ill. But lying to him would not help, and poor Winky could not lie to her King. So, I choose a lilac gown with a white under dress and draping sleeves, telling Winky that I can take it off myself when I go to bed, so she needn't wait up.

I go down to dinner and curtsy to the High King and Queen. I force my spine straight and my face to have a relaxed and pleasant smile. "Sarah, Champion of the Labyrinth, this is my father, King Oberon of the High Court of the Seelie." Jareth seems tense, and I wonder if he picks up that something is off with me as well.

"It's an honor, your Majesty."

"Lady Sarah, it is a pleasure to see you again."

I take the queen's formal tone and title as an indication. "My Queen, your words honor me."

"And this is the Lady Yllarath Gladomain, of the Winter Court." Jareth seems less than enthused about her presence, but contains it very well. After all, only a fool would risk offense to any member of the Unseelie, the court especially.

I curtsy to her, careful to curtsey less than to the King and Queen, but more than I would to someone of the Seelie Court. I don't wish to risk offense. She returns the favor.

"Lady Sarah is the only Champion of the Labyrinth in history. She is currently an honored guest of King Jareth."

"My Queen, you are too kind." I tell her as I bow my head in thanks.

As we sit for dinner, I get a good look at Lady Yllarath. She has coal black hair, with the palest white skin I have ever seen. Black narrow eyes with think lashes and thin brows frame a perfectly pouting mouth. Delicate features, clearly used to being pampered. The only logical reason I can think of for them inviting an Unseelie Fey is if they want her and Jareth to marry. He is paying attention to her, asking questions about her life, trying to get to know her. I don't like it.

As the meal progresses, Lady Yllarath manages to get make everyone smile at least once. Normally Jareth doesn't smile. Not unless it's that sexy, cruel, sarcastic one I love so much. But the one she rings out of him is softer, not sweeter, but not cruel either. She seems nice, though, and as much as I try to hate her, I can't. Even if she is trying to gain Jareth's approval. But, really, who wouldn't want his approval?

After the meal, the ladies excuse ourselves to the lounge while the men retreat to the game room for a short while. Arath, as she asks that we call her, reveals that she is as out of her element as I am. Apparently her people are very different. As she regales us with tales of her court, I find myself in awe of her versatility and grace.

Before long we are joined by Jareth and the King. The High King seems happy that Jareth is having such a good time with Arath. His smiles and chuckles seem to flow freely, and I find myself doubting if what the Labyrinth said was true. I have never seen Jareth seem this happy, this smiling. I force myself to keep my own smile in place, to keep my expression light and tension-free, but I know the queen has noticed, and I fear Jareth has as well.

Once Arath and the High King and Queen leave, I quickly retreat to my room, not giving Jareth a chance to say anything. I sit on the window seat again, too distracted to do anything other than stare out the window. What if the Labyrinth was wrong? I hated watching those smiles appear on his face, hearing those chuckles slip out so naturally, and knowing the whole time I had never caused him to react like that.

Tomorrow, we can visit my friends, if Jareth says he's free. And from there I can decide what I want to do. Seeing Didymus will be good, I think. Help me put things in perspective. And Ludo, of course, will hopefully make me feel just as warm and welcome as he used to. Hopefully, Jareth will even allow me to invite Hoggle. And if he doesn't, I'll go with Hoggle, and Jareth can do his royal duties.

I get ready for bed and try to sleep, hating myself for being this hurt over a few smiles and chuckles. Eventually, I fall asleep, thinking about a certain grumpy Goblin King.

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