A/N: To recap quickly for those of you who did not read chapter 11: The snow had long since melted and the labyrinth was back to its normal mild weather. Sarah and Toby had been studying daily and when they weren't studying they were having their meals since all the hard work made them hungry. And when their days were finally done it was all the two of them could do to fall into bed.

MAY EVE

Raindrops are like fairy whispers.

~Author Unknown

Chapter 12: Stormy Weather

A fierce storm rolled over the labyrinth as Sarah lay awake in bed. She wasn't quite sure what time it was, but she was well rested. It was finally 'the weekend' and as such she didn't have to report early to the study to learn unending amounts of all things Seelie and Unseelie. She was shocked as the days wore on at how much she was being taught. If she were just a normal human girl staying in the castle as a guest or a tenant should she really have to learn all the ways of the Royal Kingdoms?

The more she learned the more she began to wonder if there wasn't an underlying reason for all of this. Afraid to even ask because she was worried about the answer, she let it lie. Perhaps one day someone would just come out and tell her.

Yes, because that's the mature thing to do. Sit and wait for someone to tell you what to do and what your life is. She frowned and sat up in bed. She stretched long and hard, hearing little pops and feeling muscles unwind.

And then she blushed.

I really need to stop doing those. . .things. . .before someone catches me. You would think I was some sort of animal not a human being. She giggled thinking of rabbits and hamsters. If only. . .

Finding the humor in something she hopped out of bed and went straight for her wardrobe where she quickly changed into a grey peasant gown and silver flats. Running the brush through her long hair she smiled at her reflection. Dressing for the weather, I suppose.

Since she'd been back Underground she began to notice small changes. She was losing a little weight, only in the places she thought she needed to, like in her face and around her middle. As if she were shedding her childhood body right before her eyes. Yet, being that she was so sick for so long all the places that seemed weak had strengthened, like her legs and arms and though she had some excess around her middle, it was more so just sitting there, now it was gone. Her hair was shinier, her cheeks were pinker and her lips were softer. Her eyes, which had once paled were back to their regular emerald-like quality.

Checking herself over one final time, she decided she was as good as she was going to get and she headed out to find signs of the living. Everyone seems to want to sleep in on a day like today, she mused. Maybe if I head to the dining room there will be breakfast, she thought as her stomach growled.

~M*E~

Jareth had bathed, dressed and had his meal well before anyone else seemed to stir. The weather was gloomy, but so was his mood. After last night he was certain that Sarah would be the death of him if he didn't act soon. But he also worried that if he moved too quickly she would simply close in on herself, leaving him to start all over again.

And that just would not do.

He sat lounging in his throne room, off of the large dining hall where breakfast had been served nearly an hour ago. His leg draped over the arm of the stone seat, his riding crop tapping it in time with his heart beat. His elbow resting on the other arm of his throne, his head resting in his hand. It was quite a dreary day, even for the Goblin City. He wasn't sure if there would be any goblins brave enough to leave their homes for simple grievances on this day, but as the King, it was his duty to wait out the designated time allotted to such things.

He sighed, he was very, very bored.

"No! It's alright, you don't have to make fresh food just for me. This fruit looks wonderful. No, please stop it! Don't make such a fuss!" He heard Sarah's voice trickle out from the hall behind him and he smiled.

"Sir Didymus, is it?" He asked as he threw a crystal in the center of the throne room. Out of the puff of smoke stood a bewildered little fox in Shakespearian dress armor with a staff and a large feather poking out of his hat.

"Why. . .Y-yes, Your Majesty." The small fox collected himself quickly and bowed so low that his nose touched the stone floor.

"Please guard this room. Let no one who enters leave it and keep them quiet until I return. I will only be but a few moments." Jareth smiled slightly at the over-eager creature.

His eyes grew wide and his nose twitched wildly, there was even a hint of tears welling in his eyes. His muzzle quivered and he bowed again. "Yes, Sire, I would be honored to guard this room for you with my life! No one shall pass, nor leave without my permission!" He stood tall once he recovered from his low bow and saluted Jareth in an odd fashion.

Jareth, for his part, tried not to laugh at the silly beast and simply nodded and headed to the dining hall. Sarah was trying desperately to stop the little goblins with the chef hats from removing and replacing the entire breakfast table.

"No, Lady, you get fresh food. Sit and we be back." One hopped up and down, cornering her between himself and a chair. "No worries, we make it quick."

"Honest, I'm fine." Sarah protested.

"Kip get you good breakfast." The little chef assured and once Sarah was seated he turned and waved his little arms for the other goblins to clear the table and prepare a new dish.

Sarah just sat there completely exasperated as she watched them work. Jareth couldn't help but smile at her. She was so lovely even when she had a frown on her face. "What have you been doing in here?" He asked, his grin widening when he saw her jump.

"I was just looking for something to eat and when I saw that everything had already been done I tried explaining that I didn't need them to go through all of the trouble of. . .," she waved her hand about her, "this just for me!"

"Fip, you may all go. Lunch will be late if you waste your time with this." Jareth ordered and as always, with a flick of his wrist the table was cleared. Fip sniffed and stomped out of the room, his staff following him.

Jareth looked at Sarah and smiled. "Here." And he outstretched his hand. In it was a large, ripe peach. "This should hold you over until lunch."

Sarah looked at it skeptically before she reached out and took it. She sniffed it and heard Jareth chuckle. "It won't bite."

"Neither did the other one. . ." She frowned. The Goblin King rolled his eyes.

"Honestly, Sarah, do you think I would do such a thing to you again?" He asked, looking pained. Sarah bushed and shook her head slightly. "Good, now I have some work that needs to be attended to. I could use your assistance."

"What is it?" She asked, her mouth slightly full with peach. Jareth 'tsk'ed her and once again she blushed but swallowed her bite of fruit before repeating herself. He smiled and leaned in, intent on brushing a stray drop of peach nectar from the side of her mouth, when on its own accord his tongue flicked out and caught it.

His eyes closed as he savored the flavor there and with hooded lids he gazed into Sarah's eyes. "Mmm, delicious." He purred.

Sarah, for her part, nearly lost her mind as she threw her arms around his neck - peach still in hand - and devoured his mouth with hers. She fought him for dominance, her tongue plunging past his lips, tasting peaches. She moaned as he pressed back, taking over the kiss and nipping her bottom lip, only to suck away the sting. He lifted her from where she sat and pulled her body as close to his as physically possible, enjoying the feel of her curves under his gloved hands.

Pulling away to allow her to breath he began to nip along her neck, eliciting soft gasps and moans as he went.

Finally, Sarah returned to reality and released her grip on him and repeated her question a third time. "What is it you want me to help with?" Her voice sounded shakier than it should have and she blushed.

Jareth waved his hand as if to dismiss the whole thing, "Oh, just grievances from the goblins. Perhaps a female perspective could help." He smiled.

Sarah gawked at him. "Jareth, that's your job! I'm just a. . .a. . ."

"Well?"

"You're a king! I'm just. . ." And for some reason she couldn't put her finger on it. A human? A girl, perhaps, still too young to have any responsibility? A peasant? Sarah wondered if she couldn't answer simply because she didn't want to know what he thought she was.

"Sarah, I'm shocked at you! All this time and you haven't placed yourself yet." He frowned at her and let his words begin to sink in before he continued. "Did you think I would have you and your brother here as guests for all time? Perhaps make you mere peasants? Slaves?"

"You wouldn't!" Sarah gasped.

"Of course not! Sarah, no one has a need to learn all that you are learning unless they are going to have a job to do. Toby is learning the laws and rights of this kingdom and the way to fight and protect himself because he is going to one day be the head of my army. Toby is being molded into a knight." Jareth explained.

"He's too young! He'll be killed!"

"This will not happen tomorrow, silly girl. But, one day my aid, Brennan will be too old, perhaps too weathered to keep up with his job. Toby will take his place." Jareth said. Sarah nodded slowly, but still wasn't sure how she really felt about it.

"So Toby will have a place in your kingdom, that makes me feel a little better." She smiled.

Jareth glared at Sarah. She couldn't be this naïve, this ignorant, could she, he thought. "And what, exactly, do you think you're lot in life will be?" He was losing patience.

Sarah grumbled and stomped away from him. "I don't know! I have no idea what I could possibly do here. I'm not the right type to be a knight, I'm not royal. . ."

"You are the Champion of the Labyrinth. By rights you are and have been offered the kingdom you've conquered!" Jareth moved swiftly and in an instant he was before her, gripping her by the upper arms and staring into her eyes, hoping to see a glimmer of understanding.

"What?" Sarah gasped, her eyes grew wide and she felt as if she'd drop to the floor that instant had it not been for Jareth holding her there.

"You have all the power needed, and now the knowledge, to become the Goblin Queen, Sarah." Jareth whispered.

"But then, what happens to you?"

Jareth's mouth turned into a devilish smile that send shivers down Sarah's spine. "I become your slave."

A/N: Wow, these two are like freaking animals! *smiles* I hope you enjoyed this chapter, if you did (and if you didn't) just go ahead and tell me all about it in that little box below. Thanks!