~All credit goes to Jim Henson, I sadly Do not own the Labyrinth, cause if I did...well let's just say it would have ended differently.~

Much thanks to my beta Joie Cullen! Without her we wouldn't be here reading this!

Chapter 3

Garin watched, thunderous laughter racking his frame, at his mother's shocked expression. The Champion of the Labyrinth backed away from her as if she offered her a snake, which in her mind was probably a very accurate description of the sweet fruit. While many of the Fae adored peaches and the Queen merely offered the girl a snack, few would know why it would not seem that way to the Champion. Oh but he did!

"Amused are we Garin?"

Clearing his throat Garin stood and gave his brother a rakish grin. The crystal within his hands popped and disappeared while Jareth glared daggers at him. A healing black eye greeted him and his grin fell to a more serious expression.

"She has come again Garin! Brought herself within my dreams and defied me once more!"

"Then perhaps I should have brought that crystal out earlier."

"What?"

"Hmm? Oh nothing. I speak of mundane things. Tell me Jareth, have you spoken with the Champion of the Labyrinth?"

With a grunt Jareth turned and walked away. Apparently he would get nowhere with Garin. Here he was, going mad, while his brothers acted like they knew nothing of what he spoke. Sighing heavily he disappeared on the spot in a sparkly poof of glitter.

Sarah sat up in bed with a stretch. Her dreams were becoming a bit much lately. Throwing back the covers she slid her feet to the floor only to let out a scream of shock. Scrambling across the bed she fell in a mass of tangled sheets and limbs to the floor. Groaning and rubbing her now aching backside she peeked under the bed, staring at the kid slippers tapping the floor across the room. As it was unlikely they were going to just disappear she rose up to the side of the bed and squinted her eyes in displeasure at the woman there.

"You share some unpleasant habits with your son your Majesty. He too comes to places uninvited. Don't you have to be called here or something? Aren't there some kind of rules that prevent you from leaving the underground? I thought the Fae were not allowed to toy with humans."

Pushing her hands against the mattress Sarah plopped back down on the bed thankful for once that she was alone in the house for the day. Sort of. At least this was something she would not have to explain.

"Do forgive me Sarah but I am High Queen after all. And as such I may visit the Aboveground as I so choose. I had no intention of invading your privacy as you said but we are both women here and I thought it would not be too much of a hardship. I am concerned for you, you see. Please, come and sit with me awhile so that we might talk."

Rolling to her stomach Sarah grabbed the sheet off of the floor and wrapped it around her body. Climbing from the bed she moved to sit next to the Queen, scared to take her eyes off of her, nearly jumping back in bed when she noticed the tray of sliced peaches waiting for her. It was hard not to glare at the woman, Queen or not.

Smirking she motioned to the tray. "Sarah, do you not like peaches? I can remove them if you like. They are my favorite of course but if you prefer something else..."

"I do apologize but your son seems to have an affinity for them as well and let's just say I've had all the enchantments I can take for one lifetime. Will you tell me now why you have come?"

She ignored the Queens raised eyebrow at the word enchantment and picked up a slice of peach praying that if it were enchanted it would get her the hell out of here. To her bitter disappointment it was lovely and sweet….and transported her nowhere.

"Because you are ill. It seems that only I can tell you the cure for that illness. What you choose to do about it is entirely up to you. You see Sarah I am half mortal. My father is Fae but my mother was mortal. She chose to live in the Aboveground, even raised me there in my youth. Once I came of age however, my magic began to dissipate. Oh I could have lived on for another twenty or thirty years had I chosen to stay but I would have slowly wilted as a flower would without water and slipped into the great fade. What kind of existence is that when one can enjoy all the exuberance that life has to offer simply by making another choice? So as my father wished it I returned home. I met Jareth's father shortly thereafter and without a very long story that we do not have the time for, we were married and blessed with four children. One of whom you have met."

She chuckled at Sarah's grimace. My how they fought each other tooth and nail. Continuing on as if she hadn't noticed, she tried hard not to smirk in pleasure that Sarah was proving as easy to read as she'd hoped. "So you see, you must eventually return to the Underground as one of its people. You will not survive Aboveground. I will, of course, look in to the matter further; after all, you could have family ties to the Fae that we do not know about."

Eyes widening in shock Sarah sputtered, nearly choking on the peach she was presently munching on. Dropping it on to the tray she nearly toppled from her chair, barely managing to catch herself. After several humorous attempts at speech and a quite entertaining flapping of legs and arms to disentangle herself from the sheets Sarah's face finally appeared in all its glorious red form.

"What? I am absolutely, positively, without a doubt NOT going back to the Underground! Have you lost your senses woman….your Majesty? Back near that over bearing, bossy, pompous, arrogant, too charming for his own good, devilishly handsome, cruel King?" Her mouth flopped shut causing a popping sound that would have been comical had she not been so horrified by her own words. "What I meant to say…your Majesty, is that with all due respect I have a life here. I have no wish to see your son. Ever. Again. "

"Well he is his father's son." Smiling, the Queen stood, the tray disappearing, leaving behind no evidence of her visit. "My darling girl, if it were that simple I would do as you wish. As it is you are most likely part Fae with magic of your own. You can weave dreams now having dragged me into one just this past evening tide. As such, being that it is no longer safe for you to remain above, life or death of course, you must return with me soon. I assure you that should you not wish to see my son you won't. I would like to invite you to stay as a guest at the palace with myself and my family. Jareth will not be in attendance and we can find you suitable lodgings and launch you into Society! Why, I haven't had a reason to throw a ball in ages."

"I beg of you, Stop!" Panicking had never been on her list of childish things she was really great at but now was probably a good a time as any to add it. "You can't just drag me to the Underground if I have no wish to go! I have anemia, I am not dying! And what would it matter if I had magic or not? Why would I die if I remained above? I have lived here until now! I don't understand. And what makes you think you can force me to go... And a ball! And are you saying to me that I was actually with you? It wasn't a dream?"Her voice had now risen to what she liked to refer to as 'crazy lady proportions'. Yay Panic. She had made out with a very delectable Goblin King. Bloody Hell she felt faint.

Watching her pace back and forth the Queen was reminded of another who liked to take such avid walks about their room. Since she appeared to be getting more agitated by the moment perhaps it was best to bow out now while she was at least thinking about it.

"Sarah, as part Fae you are one of my subjects. We could go to the Courts if you like but they will rule in my favor. Magic grows as you age and you are nearing the brink of womanhood. However, magic needs magic to give it life, to breathe and flow. The Aboveground has long been a place of non-believers and those that do are too afraid to voice it. I will give you until the night of your eighteenth birthday. You will be able to see your family, Toby as well. Take heart Sarah. It will be no more difficult than your trips abroad. Think of it, a new life full of beauty and wonder. You could have your dreams, dearest. Think about it. After all, what could it hurt?" With her final words, trying hard not to mention the single tear that ran down Sarah's cheek, she disappeared on the spot in a flourish of petals.

Groaning in frustration Sarah shouted, "Wait! You didn't answer my question about my dream! Oh, it's not fair!" Throwing herself across the bed she willed herself back to sleep.

Shortly around five Karen walked through the door; a file in hand. Stress was taking a toll on her. "Sarah!"

Smiling sadly as Sarah came bounding down the stairs she stopped short. There was color in her once pale cheeks. Her hair swayed, its lustrous glow somehow returned. Something was different, almost as if the girl's illness had faded for the day. "How are you feeling, hon?"

"Much better actually. I don't know what happened but I felt wonderful when I woke up!"

A quick kiss on the cheek and they began discussing the day so far, though Sarah chose to leave out pertinent information… like the fact that she had no wish to return to school. What if the Queen were telling the truth? She desperately hoped it wasn't so.

"Sarah?"

"Hmm"

"I spoke with Doctor Howard today. He faxed your test results to me so that we could go over them together."

Sarah's knees began to shake so badly that she nearly crumpled to the floor. Grabbing the back of the nearest chair to hold herself up she put on her serious face, rounding the legs to sit.

"Well, what did he say?"

"They can't find anything wrong. Your test results, well… they came back wonderful. They say you're as healthy as a horse. You don't even have anemia. At this point they have ruled out everything they can. You can wait this out and see if a new symptom appears that might tell them more or get another opinion from yet another specialist. Four doctors and nothing. I'm so sorry dear."

"Does Dad know?"

Karen merely nodded but said nothing. Her father had taken to working late a lot lately. Being unable to face Sarah's illness had driven him from the home, and her.

She should have expected these results. Feeling wonderful ever since she had been in the Queen's presence had tipped her off to the fact that perhaps she had been telling the truth. After all, the short time she spent with her (she was magical after all) had brought her old self back. Now that she was alone her illness was already making itself known however, sapping her energy even as she sat there talking to Karen. Her eighteenth birthday was in ten days and just in time to be going back to summer term at school. Having planned to stay with Dad and Karen instead, she knew at least Karen would protest but it gave her the excuse considering the Queens proposal. Damn Jareth and his family to hell but they were a pushy lot! She was going to have to claim to be going back to school so that no one was the wiser. Ugh!

"Don't worry Karen. Maybe it was anemia and the medicine worked. Let's give it a few days and see how I feel? I think I'll go lay down though, I don't want to push it too far."

Without waiting for an answer she practically ran for the stairs. Closing the door to her room she locked it behind her. Turning around she nearly screamed in shock and frustration. There was a man on her bed. A seriously dark, handsome, looking a hell of a lot like a certain Goblin King, man on her bed. She. Was. Going. To. Die. Or Scream. She wasn't sure which yet. Stomping over to the bed with all the indignation she could muster she stood, hands on hips, tapping her foot in fury.

"Alright. Who the hell are you and what do you want? Do none of you Fae respect ANYONE's PRIVACY! What in the Gods name are you doing on my BED?" She had the strong urge to shove him off of it.

Smirking at her in pleasure Garin gave the bed a pat, practically preening when she sputtered in disbelief and turned the lovely shade of an apple.

"I can see why he likes you, spitfire. Must be an Aboveground thing. I would assume that's where my mother gets it." He stood to cross the room towards her, smirking in arrogance as she backed away. His body gave off the feline grace of a predator that practically screamed Goblin King. Damn but he had to be a brother. Maybe not so alluring as Jareth but dangerous just the same. Shaking her head to rid herself of her unbelievable train of thought she eyed him warily and came to a stop. Whatever he wanted, she would stand her ground.

Having noticed her spine return Garin grinned. Pulling her against him he lowered his lips and gave her a quick but determined kiss on the lips, surprised at the silky softness and sudden tingle they left behind. If that palm moving to slap his face was anything to go by she must have liked it as well. Dodging to the side he let her go, dancing around to the other side of the bed, the only obstacle in the room he knew she would not give chase around practically roaring with laughter.

"How dare you? Do not presume to touch me again sir, you go too far! Would you please tell me what the hell you are doing here or get out of my life?"

"Amazing how the tongue of the Underground slips in and out of your speech is it not? A beauty to rival any Fae as well, even sick as you are. I should very, very much enjoy becoming better acquainted with the Champion of the Labyrinth. You may indeed rest assured that I will not be telling my brother that you are in residence in the palace. I would wager that you would be worth living an eternal life as King of the Goblins. Tell me Champion, what is your connection with Jareth?"

Was he hitting on her? It seemed to be a day for jokes and hilarity at her expense. "There is nothing between Jar….erm, the Goblin King and I. I ran the Labyrinth. I won. The end. Now I must get back to living my life so if you could kindly poof yourself away or whatever it is you Fae do I would much appreciate it."

"Come, come Sarah you don't have to lie to me. I am not Jareth. Do you not care for him?"

God he sounded just like him! She gave herself some time to consider her answer, which in his mind was answer enough, but he waited just the same. "I do not know what to tell you, sir. I do not really know him. He made me an offer once, so I thought, that I am still not sure I understand. I might have given him the love that he so claimed to crave, but was that really what he wanted? I know that I feel something in my heart for him but to what affect I cannot say. As for my mixed language it is merely because I have long wished to see the Fae court. I have read about the beauty and grandness of the palace. I long to see it, even if it is for but a moment. ACK!"

Squealing Sarah latched on to the laughing rogue as he spun on the spot, his arms tight around her. His lips hovered dangerously close to her own causing her to suck in a breath and suddenly they were standing on an estate with the most beautiful grass she has ever seen. It was late, nightfall, but she could see the beautiful garden in which she now stood. Here was here meeting place with the Queen.

Her chest rose and fell as her breath sped up. Why was he staring at her? Turning her head the moment was lost so she deftly removed herself from his arms. Afraid to move she twirled on the spot, slowly taking everything in. Grinning she stopped when she came upon the castle. "It's beautiful."

"Your beauty only enhances it my dear."

Blushing furiously she turned to scold him only to laugh at his current antics. Kneeling on one knee, right hand over his heart, he offered her a lavender rose. Stepping forward she gave a playful curtsy and brought it to her nose. Watching him over the petals she laughed aloud at his mischievous grin just before offering him her arm. "Come, Rogue, show me your home?"

"A rogue am I?" Entwining her arm with his he rose and began strolling her through the gardens. Pointing out things about the castle and grounds, he smiled as she drank it all in, his eyes searching her face. He could see why Jareth wanted her, desired her so strongly. As confused as she was a little competition never hurt anyone.

"Garin my boy, care to introduce us?" Suddenly before them stood a tall, impressive, gorgeous man. He was richly dressed in black and his dark features favored Garin's. His eyes were a crystal shade of green that Sarah had never seen before. His kind smile made her think of a smirking Goblin King. Without waiting she sank into the most genuine curtsy she could muster. Dipping her head she remained in place waiting for permission to rise. "Your Majesty."

Garin grinned at their father who rolled his eyes at him. Knowing full well what the boy was about the King called upon her. "Rise, Champion of the Labyrinth. We will have no such formality here my dear. Tell me, how did you come to visit my gardens? I hear that Milady wife was unable to persuade you to join us this evening tide. Come, you will explain whilst I show you the castle grounds. Garin has other matters to attend to."

Glaring at his father from over Sarah's head, Garin turned and walked away. He knew a command when he heard one.

Sarah, not knowing what to do placed her arm through the High King's and allowed him to move her towards the palace doors. "Your Majesty, I would beg of you that you not force me to come here. What could be gained by it? I merely wish to live a normal life above. Nothing more. I ask for so little…." Oh great! Now where had she heard that? The king began to chuckle and she knew he had heard it too, once upon a time.

"My dear you mistake us. We have no wish to force you into anything. We fear for your very life Sarah." Placing his free hand beneath her chin he turned and raised her eyes to his. "Would it really be so hard to live in a palace and enjoy the grandest of life? Parties, Jewels, people to cater to your every whim. Not to mention the splendid company. We want to care for you Sarah, if only to have your friendship in return?"

Sarah nodded through her tears. Lowering her head she stared at the ground willing them away. Now she knew it was true. The life or death part at least. Since she had come everything had changed. Her body felt lighter, without weight or the fatigue of stress. She wagered that were she to walk by a mirror she'd have her beauty back instead of the pale sunken sickly look she had sported for the last year. She felt whole again, and was now certain the feeling would leave her as soon as she left here. "Can I at least spend a few more years Aboveground?"

"I will think on it my dear. For now I think it's time you returned home. My son is coming to discuss an important matter with the Goblin Kingdom. I'm afraid that Garin did not chose very well did he, the hour for your visit? For now I…" His voice cut off just as Sarah felt a breeze from behind her.

Frozen in fear she was unable to move as the King moved to stand back to back with her. He facing his son, Sarah facing nothingness. Was he shielding her? Hearing a chuckle brought a shiver to her toes as Jareth, King of the Goblins strode towards his father. The King gripped her arm from behind and had it not been for that she'd have fallen were she stood.

"Father. Tsk Tsk. I never thought to see you strolling about the gardens with a beautiful young thing that is not my mother. Come now, this is no place for secrets. Who IS this precious thing you are hiding, hmm? She can't exactly get away now can she?"

By the Gods he was circling them! Standing her ground, back straight she took a deep breath as his boots came in to view. Lifting her eyes to a forward position she should have reveled in his sharp intake of breath, should have been proud to see him shiver. Frozen as she was her only option was to stare down the Goblin King. Now where the hell was his charming brother when she needed him?

"Well, isn't this a sight!" All heads but Jareth's turned to see Garin fast approaching. Grabbing Sarah's arm from the King, they turned on the spot with Garin's words ringing sharply in her ears. "A lovely evening to you both! Father hope you enjoyed the visit. I'm sure she'll be happy to never see any of us again. Back to business big brother."

Just like that they were gone, but not before Sarah heard the unmistakable voice of Jareth shouting at Garin to remove his hands from her.

Jareth was too stunned, had reacted too slowly to snatch her from his brothers embrace. Fury rolled over him in waves as he turned to glare at his father. Tempted to snatch the man by the shirt, King or father be damned, he balled his fists and closed his eyes, tampering down what he could of his temper.

"Would you care to explain why the Champion of the Labyrinth was standing here, in the palace gardens of all places? With my brother no less? I believe I am due an, explanation of sorts."

Waving his hand in dismissal the High King ignored Jareth's questions and began his trek back to the palace. "I have dinner to attend so if you would be so kind as to explain why you have come we can be done with this. The Champion of the Labyrinth is welcome in my kingdom as is her right by defeating you. I hear lately she can weave dreams. Interesting is it not?"

Whistling he practically skipped up the palace steps, leaving an incensed Jareth behind. Roaring in frustration Jareth turned on the spot, no longer caring about the business at hand. He appeared outside of Sarah's windows just in time to see his brother place a kiss upon her cheek. Ignoring his father's summons that was now pounding in to the back of his brain he waited for Garin to leave before popping in to Sarah's room without his usual poof of glitter.

As Garin disappeared in a whirl wind of pure breeze, no froufrou glitter here, Sarah grabbed a hold of the canopy pole and sunk down on the bed. Her energy ebbing a lot faster than she had originally anticipated. Apparently, since it was smacking her in the face so to speak, she could not deny the truth of the High King and Queens words. Although they seemed to be a little off on the timing according to the rapid decline of her current line on vision.

Lifting her head she could see a blurry shape making its way towards her once more. Sighing she lay back on the bed. Her words a mere whisper. "Garin, was it? You should go. I am tired and have met more than enough of your family than I care to meet today. Please….go."

Hearing chuckling, Sarah felt ice freeze the blood in her veins as strong, leather encased hands wrapped around her shoulders. The shot of magic she received was not enough to save her, however, as a fainting spell overtook her but a moment before.

Authors Note: I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to review and set up alerts for my story. Take the time if you can to check out my Beta's stories Damage and May Eve: Joie Cullen. I love her work and she inspired me to write my own!