XXVI
Jareth and Sarah appeared in the throne room of the Goblin Castle. Obi-Wan still held Padmé tightly in his arms. Sarah pulled away from her husband's grasp and hurried to the Master Jedi's side. "What happened?" Sarah demanded turning back to face her husband, "What did you do to her!" Sarah shouted, throwing her arms wildly in the air. "His majesty has done nothing wrong. He has made Padmé at peace. She is ready now," the Master Jedi reached out to steady Sarah as a cloud of shame passed over the Goblin King's face. "Always quick to see the worst," Jareth sighed. "I'll leave you now, Master Jedi." Jareth nodded curtly to the Master Jedi before vanishing from the room.
Sarah stood still trying to comprehend the sudden disappearance of her husband. "You are harsh on him." The man behind her chastised. "He hurt her," Sarah managed but the words sounded hollow to her ears. "He saved her, your majesty. And he saved you too. If your husband had not intervened Padmé would be dead and you would have been trapped in the Labyrinth." He watched as Sarah moved slowly toward him. She dropped to her knees at Padmé's side, stroking the woman's hand. "What will happen now?" Sarah looked up the Master Jedi. "When the dream ends she'll fade back to the spirit world." He looked down at the young woman in his arms, his eyes filled with ancient sadness. "What do you mean?" Sarah looked to him with tired eyes.
"Padmé managed to draw on a connection with her late husband to bring her out of the spirit realm in order to protect her children from him. The connection was weak and the more doubt he felt the weaker she became. By the time you entered the Labyrinth the link was effectively broken. Your husband was able to establish a temporary link to sustain her long enough for you to run the Labyrinth in order that the children could be restored." Obi-Wan watched as Sarah processed his narrative. "She was very brave." Sarah wiped a stray tear from the corner of her eye. "She was," Obi-Wan smiled sadly as a shimmering energy enveloped the body in his arms. In a matter of minutes the energy dissipated and Padmé was gone.