Disclaimer: As usual, nothing belongs to me except the plot. Maybe if I could make enough money to buy it off…?

Something deep within her consciousness stirred.

There might not be miracles… But there is magic.

It was the only chance she had.

Closing her eyes, she imbued her voice with all the power, with all the desperation, with all the conviction she could master.

"I wish the Goblin King would come and take Toby away, right now!"

Chapter 2

And then she held her breath. Waiting, just waiting. Waiting for the mystical sparkle that her imagination had conjured. Waiting for the storm clouds to brew and his imposing figure to form. Waiting for something, anything, to happen.

A second passed. Then two.

Sarah dropped her head, brown hair falling forward to create a curtain of hair, as though a veil, to keep the outside world and the harsh realities at bay. Fresh tears formed, mingling with those already shed, her breath hitching. Sarah cocooned herself within her own two arms, the only comfort she could give herself now – the only comfort she could ever receive for now.

Silent tears streaked down her face, as a large, gaping abyss took the place of the organ that had once been her heart. Pain swelled, and the young girl dropped her head onto her brother's body, feeling the slight shift of his chest as he breathed.

Please. Please. Please.

And then she cried. She cried like she had never been able to during the war, when she had to be strong, pretending that nothing was going on, and pretending to be normal for her parents. Sarah cried without abandon, heedless of the moans and panicked cries of the people further up with street. The only thought ringing throughout her head was: Why me?

And now what? Her house had been destroyed. Her family was dead, save a two-year-old toddler. Dead. Everything that she had ever treasured, cherished, held precious was gone. Forever. What did she have to live for now? Where would she live? What was the use of protesting and rebelling against the enemy anymore? They had won, after all. Everything she had believed in, fought for, was lost.

Dead eyes, numb with the shock and pain opened, as she gathered Toby into her arms, crooning nonsense to him in a hoarse voice. He probably couldn't even hear it, but it was more for her comfort than for his. Emerald eyes, dulled with pain, scanned the street, praying for someone to come, her thoughts whirring in the recesses of her mind.

Danny. Danny would help her. He'd been a steadfast and loyal friend throughout school, and she'd heard rumours that he was involved in the rebellion as well. Danny. She had to find him.

She placed a shaking hand on the wet tar road, starting to push herself up, only to fall back down with a cry of pain. Her leg. She'd forgotten. Sarah's breaths came in large gasps as her eyes whirled up and down the street, focusing on her leg at last, wincing at the sight of the torn, mangled flesh that had once been pale and smooth. Another flesh reminder of the horrors that had just passed.

She whimpered slightly, desperation flaring within her once more, hot as fire, at the sound of Toby's breathing faltering. He needed medical care, and fast.

Sarah hoisted Toby to her side more securely, gritting her teeth and sucking in a deep breath, tears falling again from her eyes as she put weight on her injured leg. It shook beneath her, as she just stood there, still as marble, lifeless as stone. Pain exploded behind her eyes, and she wanted to scream in anguish, announce her loss and communicate her pain. She would be more than justified to.

And then, her leg gave way. She couldn't even find the time to curse, as she twisted so that her back took the brunt of her fall, holding her precious parcel to her, out of harms away, and maneuvering so that her injured leg wasn't beneath her.

Wind rushed passed her, and time seemed to slow as she clenched her eyes shut, and involuntary sob ripping through her, and waited for the mind-numbing pain that would soon follow.

Sarah gasped as something met her back – something that wasn't the ground. She shook, body ripped with helpless, angry sobs as she looked up at the person who had caught her, but was struck dumb.

Mismatched grey eyes stared back at her, wild, fine blond hair framing his abnormally pale face, the delicate eyebrows that curved upwards at the ends. Her shocked eyes caught his, and though she saw his mouth move, Sarah could hear nothing but the rushing of blood in her ears and the relieved thumping of her heart.

He's here. He's here. Toby's safe now.

A relieved sob escaped her, and Sarah saw him come to a surprised stop in whatever he was saying, curiously raising a brow. But she couldn't care less, and she desperately twisted off him, thrusting Toby into his shocked hands as she tumbled to the ground, an anguished cry leaving her.

"Sarah…"

Was that shock and pity she heard? Her pride reared, smarting from the blow, as she glared at him with all the strength she could muster.

"You're real," she breathed, reaching out a shaking, blood-stained hand to grasp the fine linen of his soft shirt, dragging him down towards her so that he had to carefully kneel amongst the dead bodies that surrounded her.

"You're real?" she asked, voice trembling as dark spots swam over her, shaking the fabric she grasped within her fisted hand.

"I am. Sarah…" The Goblin King responded, trailing off as he took in her bloodied form and mangled leg, pain twisting his regal features into an ugly mask.

There it was again. The shocked, disbelieving expression,, the pain on his face… She didn't want it. Didn't need it. She'd been taking care of herself and her family for months even before he came. So he had absolutely no right to barge in here with his pity and sympathy for her and in whatever condition she was in now.

She. Didn't. Need. It.

"Don't!" she finally burst out, sobbing. "Don't look at me like that!" Sarah ignored his shocked expression, glaring daggers at him as she interrupted whatever he was about to say.

"Take Toby," she commanded, eyes blazing with the strength born out of desperation, fear and love. Her breath hitching, Sarah resiliently pushed back the impending tears, locking her gaze, not on the Goblin King that knelt in the blood and dirt beside her, but at the young babe with so much more to give the world, who might experience dying before even having the chance to experience the living.

"Take him. Heal him. Give him the chance to live. I know," she railroaded on, cutting through his protests. "I know he won't be able to live in this world anymore. I know I won't ever see him again…" and at this, her voice broke, and she buried her bloody hands to her face, releasing her hold on the stunned fae's shirt.

"Save him," she sobbed, shoulders shaking with the strength of her emotions. "He has a right to live. He shouldn't have to live here – not in this world, torn apart by bloodshed."

And Sarah finally fell silent, tears trickling down once more, as she stared at the Goblin King lifelessly, animation draining out her eyes, head resting on the road.

The shouting was getting closer, and Sarah flinched as the sound invaded her already throbbing head. Tilting her head, she saw specks of green, and moaned in despair, covering her face again.

The soldiers were coming again. The enemy ones. She didn't want to see them now – to face them, to look into their eyes after they'd murdered so many people. Anger rose up within her, coursing through her veins with a vengeance, her hands clenching into fists as she closed her eyes, rolling away.

Hadn't they done enough damage? Why couldn't they just leave in peace? Why did this fucking war even start in the first place?

"You have to leave," Sarah said hoarsely, not looking up, long brown hair splayed across the ground, mingling with red. "They're coming soon. And they'll be suspicious of your appearance. It'll only cause more trouble," she said, spitting out the last word viciously.

The choked laugh came from above her surprised her so much that she looked up questioningly, only to see intense eyes pin her down.

"Trouble? A group of incompetent boys give me trouble?" he barked out harsh laughter, using his free hand to rest gently on her cheek, the warmth sending shockwaves through her.

"Sarah…" he whispered, voice tortured, as he leaned further over her. "Come with me." His voice intensified, as did his gaze.

"Come back to the Labyrinth, Sarah. Let us heal you – take care of you. And I promise," he said, looking entreatingly into her eyes, cutting her protests off. "I promise that I won't force you into any position that you don't want."

Sarah fell silent, staring blindly into his eyes as the throbbing of her leg – hell, her entire body – continued. Her mind was awash with so many different emotions that she wasn't even sure she could even decipher them all.

At last, she dropped her gaze, eyes returning to where her parents' bodies lay. Cold and Still. Lifeless in death.

"I can't," she haltingly said, though every sense in her body was screaming at her to go with him.

To choose life.

To choose the world she had longed to remain in since she had first entered it.

To choose the world where anything seemed possible. Where there was magic, where dreams could come true.

But it wasn't enough.

Sarah shook her head, seeing the frustrated look cross his beautiful face.

"I can't!" she finally cried out, blinking back tears. "My parents –"

She stopped, biting her lip so hard that beads of blood started to appear. A gloved hand appeared in her line of vision, and Sarah jumped, looking up inquisitively, shivering when it brushed her lip.

Gently, his hand pulled her bottom lip away from her teeth, wiping off the flecks of blood that lingered there.

Sarah's breath caught, and her eyes welled with tears at that simple gesture of caring, and before she knew it, she was in his arms, sobbing once more. Safely enclosed within his embrace, Sarah breathed in the comforting scent of warmth, of spiciness and magic – of Jareth.

She felt the firmness of his muscles under her, security and safety washing over her like a cleansing rain.

She didn't flinch as he dipped his head down, whispering softly into her ears. "Come with me, Sarah. Precious thing. I will not force you to stay –" and there, his voice broke slightly, to Sarah's confusion. "Please. You're hurt – dying maybe. I have healers back at the castle. Just say the words."

"But – my parents…" she stammered, burying her head into his chest, into the security he seemed to radiate and provide.

"All will be taken care of, love," he murmured back, voice catching as he took in the bloodstained grounds around him. The bodies twisted and mangled into unrecognizable shapes, horrified expressions, and expressions of pain marring every face. Unconsciously, his hold on Sarah tightened, as though he never wanted to let her go.

Sarah sighed, unknowingly relaxing into his embrace. She gripped his shirt even harder, nodding once, even as it broke her heart. She couldn't even see that they were properly buried. Or have someone to identify their bodies at the morgue.

But she knew, deep in her heart, if her parents were still alive… They would want to her go.

Looking up at Jareth, she met his eyes evenly, whispering brokenly, "I wish that the Goblin King would take me away… right now."

And then she saw his eyes flash with triumph and relief, power gathering like storm clouds, roiling around him as he straightened, somehow managing to look like a king, even in the most inopportune situations.

What's done is done. What's said is said.

Sarah shut her eyes tightly, feeling a dizzying sensation, as though suddenly dropping into a black hole. Faster and faster – until she could have sworn that she could feel wind whooshing past her.

And then… nothing.

Sarah glanced up from where she had hidden her face in Jareth's clothes, stiffening in surprise, wonder and awe as she looked around at the magnificent room they were in. The ceiling was high, the colour scheme rather pale, like the last time she had seen it. But without all the goblins cavorting around in it, the room actually looked… elegant. Beautiful.

"I've called the healers," Jareth said, causing her to squeak with surprise and look up at him, everything crashing down on her again.

She was safe. No more fighting or worrying. No more hiding or living in fear.

Now that that was over, Sarah began to feel her leg pulse with pain, and she quickly reached down to grab at it, hissing at the pain, even as tears spilled over.

Gently, she felt herself being lowered, Jareth laying her on the floor, as a couple of other fae men burst into the room hurriedly, exclaiming in shock as they took in the scene.

"Donavon. Huelsein," she heard Jareth greeting them, before her eyelids started to slide shut, feeling blackness eat at the edge of her vision. Her breathing grew loud and raspy in her ears, and Sarah whimpered in panic, moving her hand weakly to catch hold of something – anything.

A warm hand coated with leather found hers, and Sarah gripped it as tightly as she could, even as she felt other hands probing at her wound.

"Sarah. Sarah? We're going to move you to your quarters. Toby has already been taken care of."

She felt hands on her shoulders, shaking her lightly, but the words appeared blurred, the voices coming as though from deep underwater.

And with a soft sigh, she lost the battle, slipping under as the comforting darkness enveloped her.

The last thing she heard was a panicked voice calling her name, and a soft caress on her face.

A/N: Here it is! I'm so sorry for making everyone wait for… two months? Finals are a month away, so the next chapter will probably be up a week after that. I'll try to make it as soon as possible though!

Thanks to Serethiel96, krazychicka, JasperSelene Moonridge, Flying Dragonite and Kay104 for reviewing! And all those who favourited me/put this story on story alert! I love you all!

Special thanks to Kay104 for chasing me for this chapter :D *hugs*

As always, please review! Every single one is as important to me :D

And they help me write faster! *wink wink*