I know that everyone has been waiting very patiently for updates and I appreciate the comments and encouragements. Trust me, with this chapter, the wait will be considered well worth it.

Eighteen

Sarah knew she had to be dreaming again. She was wearing the same sheer night gown and was standing near the crumbled granite chair in the midst of the court yard. The air was alive with electricity that caused the hair on her arms to prickle. She glanced around- Jareth was no where to be seen this time though. Looking up she saw the sky: it was no longer filled with stars, but bulging with thick slate grey clouds.

Quite suddenly the Wiseman appeared at the opposite end of the court yard. His bird/hat was asleep, snoring. "Come," he told her, beckoning her with his hands.

She followed him through the hedges into the wilder parts of the Labyrinth. The trees around her raised spares limbs to the sky as if they were trying to puncture the clouds and release their rain. She thought to her self that she was probably near the forest of the Firies- she fancied that she did not really desire an encounter with them. Still the Wiseman led her on.

Finally he stopped in a small clearing. In a display of un-natural strength he had her gripped by the waist and was tossing her high into the air. The electrical currents sped over her body as she flew towards the clouds, growing and stretching like a thriving seedling. Her fingers reached the clouds and the moisture filled membrane broke sending large drops of water splashing over her.

Laughter erupted from her in absolute joy. She looked down at the Labyrinth beneath her being bathed in the rain. The effect on the land was instantaneous- leaves burst forth and limbs began to stretch. The land was green and wet; the land was alive.

Sarah awoke with a smile on her face. She felt absolutely thrilled to her very core. Had that been the Labyrinth's way of communicating with her? Stumbling from the bed, she ran to her window and threw back the curtains, letting the cold night air in. The land that greeted her was still parched and near barren, yet there was something, just on the horizon, waiting. She knew it.

The urge to run outside, to be among the twists and turns was overwhelming. She knew that the hour was late. Or was that early? She glanced at the clock over her fire place- it was one o'clock in the morning. Jareth would scold her something fierce for going out alone in the dark and cold, and what if she ran into another guest? The possibility of having an encounter with Count Wimberly made her stomach turn.

A low rumble moved under her feet. She knew that feeling; she had felt it recently when dealing with Leslie. It was the Labyrinth. A wide smile spread her lips and the floor moved again. "Okay, okay," she said out loud. "Let me put on some warm things."

It was the day of the ball. Matters concerning the Wimberly's, the high king, revenge, all seemed trivial to her at the moment. She just wanted to be outside. Having pulled on thick stockings and shoes and finding her thick clock and gloves she stepped out into the quiet hall not realizing that she still was wearing her night gown. Her mind was full of the twists and turns of the maze, and she had to be among them.

The night air kissed her face and caused her heart to race. She had successfully found her way down stairs and had passed through the kitchen without having seen, or even smelled, another soul. Where was she going? The thought made her hesitate. She hardly knew her way around every twist and turn- what if she got lost? The ground rumbled and propelled her closer to the walls of the Labyrinth. With a smile she set off at a light jog disappearing into the shadows that played with the moon light.

The rumblings led her through the maze, coaxing her deeper in. The Labyrinth had showed her path and she took to it eagerly. With every turn she felt more alive than ever. Her body was tingling, with blood and oxygen; unseen magic filled her senses. The scent of water filled her lungs.

Bursting forth into the granite court yard was the equivalent of being reborn; she gulped air and stared at her surroundings. This time the rumbling moved the very air and sent the hairs on her arms up and down rapidly. "You delightful creature you," she said addressing the maze. "Do you really want me? Am I really what you desire?" The ground under her swayed and she moved as if a giant wave had passed under her feet.

With a laugh she moved about the court yard, dancing with the rumblings. Knowing now that not only the king, but the land wanted her as well was freeing to her mind and body. She was on a high. Heat radiated from her center out, leaving her excited and breathless. The sensation was near sexual. If Jareth were to step out of the shadows she really wasn't certain if she could control….She inhaled sharply.

Jareth had indeed stepped out of the shadows, and she danced right in to his waiting hands. His eyes regarded her curiously and a slight smile played the corners of his mouth. She swallowed hard: he too looked as if he had just stumbled out of bed. The memories of those first few mornings waking next to him played through her mind; his sheets twisted around both of them.

Running his fingers over hers, Jareth considered what he was going to do next. He had been suffering from a case of insomnia: tomorrow (or rather today) was going to be a large event and his brain refused to shut down. After everything- the ball, the confrontation with the Wimberly's, the fitting retribution for both Leslie and Sarah- then he could concentrate on having a proper hand fasting ceremony with Sarah. Then it wouldn't matter what the Labyrinth did or didn't say; she would be his and that would be the end of it. He knew in his heart that she was the rightful queen of the Underground.

At that moment the ground had rumbled nearly knocking him from his chair in front of the fire place. Looking out his window, feeling the cold night air, he had surveyed the land wondering what the Labyrinth wanted at this time of night. Then he saw her: a small figure running through the maze, knowingly moving around twists and turns. Watching her trace her path he could smell moisture on the air. The low rumbled moved again and he grabbed his warm things and headed outside.

Finding that Sarah had not been a vision, but really there running through the maze had surprised him. Getting a better look at her he realized that she still had on her night gown under her warm things; her hair was messy, and her cheeks were pink. She was very real, and very alluring. "Did it call you out here?" he asked curious.

Absently she licked her lips. "Yes." She felt her stomach twitch. The Labyrinth had to be behind all of this: getting both of them into its center. "You as well?"

His throat felt dry. "Yes."

Still riding on her high, she leaned close to him. "Does the Labyrinth always want what you want?" she asked. Her heart thumped loudly.

Jareth eyed the air around him, considering what he had been thinking about before the maze had interrupted his thoughts. "If I say, yes, does that change anything?"

She kissed him brief yet gentle on the lips. "If you say yes, then you had better find a way to hand fast with me tonight." She heard him make some intense, strangled noise deep in the back of his throat, and then felt his lips on his hers. She pushed her self against him even as he held onto her.

"My precious one," he murmured close to her lips. "You would commit your body to me this night? You would do this now?"

"I would do this the right way. We are all in agreement now- you, me, the Labyrinth." He interrupted her with another kiss. He was taking her breath away. "I don't want to wait Jareth. It must be tonight."

"It must be now." He held her face and kissed her forehead. "No pomp and circumstance needed; a simple blessing of our union. Come, hold tight to my arm. One, two, three-," they stepped hurriedly and disappeared from the maze.

When they reappeared Jareth made for a door at the end of the hallway. They were at the physician's quarters. He rapped on the door all the while keeping Sarah close to his side. She with rumpled clothes and tousled hair was the sexiest thing to him. Bartholomew would do well to bless their union- his standing as a medical professional and a long time member of the royal house hold would suffice. He knocked again, impatient. A bleary-eyed Bartholomew appeared brushing hair from his eyes. "W-what? Your majesty!" he exclaimed registering who was before him.

Jareth wasted no time. "I need you to perform a hand fasting."

Bartholomew hesitated. Jareth rolled his eyes- Bartholomew still thought that he had intentions towards Leslie Wimberly- and brought Sarah into view. "Surely you cannot object?" he asked coyly.

"Thank the powers that be," Bartholomew replied with relief. "About time," he then added ushering them in to his room. "Sire, I am honored to be bless your union, but a second witness is required."

"A goblin must be about some where?" asked Sarah with a hint of agitation.

"The second witness must be an adult fae," explained Jareth. He released Sarah and raising his hand drew a crystal from the air. His servant Jewels' face appeared. "Jewels, come to the physician's quarters at once."

Bartholomew seemed to consider something. "Neither one of you has been drinking this evening, have you?" he asked them. "I only ask because it is after all two o'clock in the morning- an odd time to desire a union if ever there was one."

Jareth was at Sarah's side again, holding onto her. "When one knows what one wants,' he said.

She smiled. "One should secure it. It is past time Bartholomew," she then added. There was a rush of cloves and cinnamon in the air as Jareth gazed at her. His comforting, familiar scent made her ache.

Jewels was as bleary-eyed as Bartholomew had been. A quick explanation from his majesty though ceased all questions. Then Bartholomew had them hold hands creating a never ending x-formation. "Elements of the above and below- bear witness with us here," he said in a commanding tone. "These two under no duress come to ask a blessing on their desired union. Who are you, son of the ancients that comes before these witnesses? Tell me what you seek."

"I am Jareth Choblyn, a son of the Underground and King of the Goblins. I seek passage to my beloved."

"And who are you, daughter of man that comes before these witnesses? Tell me what you seek." He hastened to add, "More or less repeat Jareth's statement."

Sarah licked her lips. "I am Sarah Williams, daughter of my mother Linda Williams and Champion of the Labyrinth. I too seek passage to my beloved."

Laying a hand over their clasped ones Bartholomew spoke, "Be found with no deceit or prior commitments; be you both sworn to each other." They felt their hands grow warm with each word spoken. "We bear witness. Love and be loved," he concluded removing his hand.

At that point Jareth kissed her nearly forgetting that they were not alone. She was his. Hang any and all complications that might await them- he had her and was going to hold on to her. Bartholomew clearing his throat reminded him that there were others present. Pulling back he smiled like a school boy.

They both attempted to express their gratitude to Bartholomew and Jewels while also trying to make a hurried exit. Out in the hall they paused, holding hands and gazing at each other. Sarah was unsure how to progress- she had just married the Goblin King! Her libido was demanding attention and small portion of her mind was demanding sleep, and yet all she could do was stand there, smiling awkwardly at him. Jareth drew close and kissed her hand. "Your chambers or mine?" he asked.

He heard her breath quicken. "I should think that the queen should go to the king's chambers."

The images he saw of Sarah laying in his bed, her body exposed to him, his sheets wrapped lazily around her legs and waist were untainted by any other conflicting images. "I should think that very fitting," he said before he kissed her. He had her turned and against the door where he pinned her body. She smelt like lavender and felt as soft as flower petals. When he slapped his hand twice against the door he felt her tense. "Easy my precious one."

"But why are you knocking on Bartholomew's door again?"

Her voice was airy and light. He pulled back to smile at her mischievously. "We are no longer any where near the physician's quarters." Leaning around her he opened the door to reveal his bed room. "Your majesty," he then said sweeping his hand inside the room.

"Ah!" she exclaimed softly. "You keep using your magic so late at night and you won't have any in reserve for more productive services." She flashed him a smile as she walked in.

"More productive services?" he repeated amused. The door closed. "Believe you me, my precious one," he had her about the waist. "I won't need magic to perform any services." She leaned against him. His hands moved over her in a gentle caress. "I am perfectly fit to see to any services or needs." Her scent filled his lungs as he found her neck under her hair. "The challenge will be invigorating."

She turned to look at him. Her eyes were emerald embers. Taking his hands she said, "Then meet your challenge Jareth." She stepped backwards to the bed and sat on the edge.

Exhausting the last few precious hours of night with Sarah were perhaps the happiest moments he had experienced in these last five years, Jareth fancied to him self. He made love with her until both of their bodies cried out for a rest. The first time was a rush; a need to be one that out weighed any other sensory desire. The feeling of being with her, in her was the equivalent of surviving a track through a massive desert, only to be greeted by an oasis of spring time and water. She moaned with an intensity that would have frightened him coming from any other woman, but this was Sarah, his Sarah, and he met her need with equality.

The following were moments of climatic pleasure. They allowed for exploring touches, tracing curves and contours with curiosity. Seeing her smile or feeling his breath catch only encouraged them.

They lay next to each other, the sheets thrown over their bodies for warmth, breathing quietly. He found him self fascinated by the curve of her hip which he traced lazily with his hand. Sarah looked up at him. "We are going to need a fair amount of caffeine to make it through the day," she remarked with a laugh. "Though it was well worth it."

Jareth made an approving noise. "We'll have to try moving our exertions to the day time hours. For the present though, I find a good hot bath and vigorous scrub get one going after a late night."

"Vigorous scrub?" she asked raising an eye brow. Jareth sat up and stretched. She traced the line of his back with her eyes. "Sounds very tempting." He was off the bed and moving towards the wash room. She watched him go, his naked form high lighted in the grey light that lit the room.

"Sarah, you're blushing," he called from the door way. She rolled her eyes and let out a giddy laugh knowing it was true. "Stop gawking and come join me." Having drawn the bath he climbed in and had her sit in front with her back facing him.

"Jareth about today-," she began to say.

"Hush!" he interrupted reaching for the bath sponge. "The day is still outside those doors. In here it is only about us. Now about that vigorous scrub I mentioned earlier." Suddenly there were bubbles in the tub. Sarah shook her head amused as he began to run the soap filled sponge over her skin.