Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth, and even sadder still, any of the characters.

Chapter Three

Moon Dance

Sarah had just shut the door behind her, still completely stunned over what had just happened, what she had just allowed to happen. I must be losing it. This has to be a trick; I've gotten over him long ago. Haven't I? She was berating herself for allowing her thoughts to get so attached to the idea of being with Jareth again. He was almost a completely different person from the King whom she had beaten over two years ago. Could it be that he only treated her as such because back then she was just another player in the Labyrinth? Why was he acting like this towards her, like he would give anything if only she'd stay? There had to be something going on, but he had seemed so sincere, she hated to think it would all be a scheme.

Pacing around the room, Sarah sighed and seated herself at her vanity, looking herself over in the mirror. Her appearance was almost too perfect, and this place felt too right, like the Labyrinth itself was pleased with her presence.

"If only I knew I could really trust him," Sarah said to herself with a sigh. Even if I could, could I really… could I really just up and leave my family and friends behind…Three days for him to win me over completely, and make me believe that he really loves me… Thinking of this, it briefly reminded her of her favorite Disney movie back home, "The Little Mermaid." Poor Ariel only had till the sun set of the third day to earn the kiss of true love. It was almost comical how this situation was almost exactly the same, at least in her mind. Sarah knew that she had been falling for Jareth again ever since he had first flown in to her room for the second time. She doubted that she had ever really gotten over the idea of accepting his offer.

The only thing that was stopping her from accepting her long buried feelings was Jareth. If only she knew that this was all because he cared for her. She would have no way to know, he would most likely never tell her. Shaking her head, she put her thoughts to the back of her mind. She still had another two whole days to decide if true love was enough to make her leave behind everything she had ever really known. Isn't that how it's supposed to go? The prince and princess fall in love and live happily ever after? She sighed, letting her mind wander.

A knock at the door startled Sarah out of her reverie. Was it really seven already? She looked out the window to see that the sun was indeed making its descent, turning the entire world to dusk.

Opening the door, Sarah saw no one, but heard someone clearing their throat. Looking down, her lips formed a small "o" as she saw a short Goblin maid standing before her.

"Watch out there deary, come now, I'm here to get you ready for dinner. His Highness would like you in formal wear. Don't be frightened now, go and pick out a gown you would like to wear for the evening." The little goblin maid had bustled her way past Sarah making her way to the wardrobe, beckoning the dark haired girl to come over.

"Alright, but may I ask your name?" Sarah began rifling through the wardrobe towards the formal gowns.

"M' names Elda, is that the dress you want?" Sarah had pulled out an emerald green Victorian style dress with black lace. It complimented her eyes perfectly. With a nod from Sarah, Elda instructed her to undress to under garments and step into the dress. Doing as she was told, Sarah relaxed her arms to her sides as Elda did up the back of the dress which was in a corset style. Sarah's form was very lithe, making the need to lace the corset like top up to very uncomfortable standards unnecessary.

Satisfied with the way the dress fit, Elda led Sarah back to the vanity making her sit. The Goblin maid had set out a silver choker with emerald gems dangling from it freely, and a pair of matching ear rings and a bracelet. The dark haired woman eyed them warily.

"I've got to do your hair up, and get your make up on first." Sarah remained silent as Elda worked on her hair, fidgeting with the lace on her dress. "Don't worry yourself dear, he'd still think you were pretty even if you showed up in a burlap sack." Sarah blushed at her words, but smiled all the same.

Elda seemed to curl Sarah's hair by magic, pulling the mass of curls to rest upon the top of her head. She parted the girls hair to the right and used an emerald comb to go along the parted side to sit comfortably in place with the curls. Next Elda applied some smoky eye shadow and dark red lipstick. Sarah's lashes were so dark; there was hardly a need for mascara, but the maid insisted on going all out. After applying some eye liner, the last thing to do was put the jewelry on. Elda could see Sarah was uncomfortable accepting such luxury.

"Relax, His Majesty wouldn't have em' here if he didn't want yer' to be able to wear em'."

"I know," Sarah replied. "I just… I'm not used to it. I feel wrong, like I'm accepting a gift for someone else." Elda chuckled, saying no more as she put the necklace on for her.

With the jewels safely secured, Sarah slipped on matching emerald slippers and looked at herself in a full length mirror. She hardly recognized herself, looking like the most beautiful Victorian lady she had ever seen. Elda smiled, seeming pleased with her work.

"Now, now deary, no time to gawk, you'll be late for dinner." Sarah turned and smiled at the maid.

"Yes, thank you for everything," Sarah said turning, holding her skirts up as she walked from the room. Standing outside to escort her to the dining hall was again Sir Dydimus.

"My Lady, if I may say, you look absolutely ravishing in that gown."

"Thank you, I can hardly believe it myself," Sarah said, smiling warmly at her friend. She wondered briefly if she would get to see Ludo or Hoggle around any time soon.

Sarah and Sir Dydimus walked in comfortable silence, the darkened hallways looking completely different than in day time. Following the same procedure as breakfast, Dydimus opened the door allowing Sarah to enter before closing it behind her. The dining hall was lit only by candle light towards the head of the table from where Jareth came striding over to her. He too had dressed in an emerald green velvet over coat, much like the one he wore in the ballroom dream. He had on a ruffled black poet's shirt, black slacks and black boots, matching Sarah perfectly.

Jareth smiled to Sarah, bowing to her. Sarah returned the smile and curtsied as best she could in response. She had a strange feeling that Jareth had watched her make her selection so that he could purposely match her.

"You look beautiful Sarah," Jareth said, almost in a whisper. He didn't feel the word "beautiful" did her justice.

"Thank you," Sarah said, a light blush staining her cheeks. "You look wonderful." Her voice was so quiet that she wasn't sure that he heard her.

Jareth's only reply was to keep that devilish smile on his face as he led Sarah over to the table to seat her on the right side. Instead of sitting at the head of the table, he moved to sit opposite her. The food before them looked exquisite. There were meats of all kinds, salads, breads, vegetables, and fruits. Waiting for Sarah to serve herself, Jareth took some food for himself. After they had both settled comfortably into their meals, he spoke.

"So Sarah, how did you enjoy your first day?" Jareth watched as Sarah tried to compose herself through her meal, smiling inwardly that she was trying so hard to appear proper.

"It was wonderful, I had a really good time, and this dinner is excellent." Sarah found it odd how content she was to be sitting here, eating dinner with the Goblin King.

"That is good to hear, I'm glad your stay has been enjoyable thus far," Jareth replied. They both finished the meal in amiable silence. Once sure she was completed with eating, Jareth rose and pulled her seat out for her. "Come with me Sarah, there is something that I would like to show you." Taking his hand, Sarah smiled and held gently to his arm as he led her from the castle.

"Where are we going?" Sarah looked up questioningly to her escort as he took her back towards the garden.

"Patience my dear, you will see all in good time," Jareth replied gently. Sarah looked as though she was going to ask again, but they had already reached their destination. She couldn't help but stare open mouthed at the scene before her. The pond they had visited earlier was now completely alight with fire flies. The moon shined brightly over head, giving the pond surface a glassy appearance.

"Would you honor me with a dance?" Jareth held his hand out for her to take. Sarah smiled assuming they would dance around the decently sized pond.

"Of course," Sarah replied, taking his outstretched hand. The Goblin King smiled, music could be heard playing lightly from somewhere. They started to waltz, twirling around. Sarah had no idea where he was leading her, but she felt weightless. They locked eyes, seemingly unable to look away. When the song had ended, they stopped dancing and merely looked into each others eyes. Sarah thought for sure she should be able to feel the ground by now, but looking down, she saw that they were hovering over the lake. Her eyes widened and she threw her arms tightly around Jareth as though afraid she was going to fall in. Jareth chuckled lightly, holding her tightly.

"Now, now Sarah, do you really believe I'd let you fall?" Sarah took her shocked visage away from the pond below them, and back to Jareth. She could only imagine what they had looked like, dancing among the moonlight and fire flies, over a glowing lake. The water swirled and shifted to their every movement; how could she not have noticed? "You could have this every night, darling," Jareth whispered into her ear.

Sarah almost gasped as he brought his face closer to hers, but it was only to whisper in her ear. She relaxed her grip slightly and instead of clinging for dear life, held him in a hug.

"What must I give for you to stay with me?" Jareth had long since realized his feelings for her. It had all started out because that's what she wished of him, now, being parted from her; it was of his own accord. Certainly he had tried to deny it at first, but watching her over the past two years, he just couldn't leave her alone, the feelings refused to die.

"I thought I was the one who had to give something to stay?" Sarah was a bit confused now. Jareth had said he would ask something of her, should she decide to stay.

Smiling, Jareth rested his hand to the back of her head, and simply held her against him. He had longed to do this, but he would never let her know that. Sarah relaxed into his hold.

"I did say that didn't I," Jareth said referring to her last statement. "Not now, Sarah, on your third day, I will ask you."

"…but," Sarah had begun to protest, but he silenced her by shushing her and tightening his hold ever so slightly.

"Patience Sarah," Jareth whispered. Sarah involuntarily let out a yawn, she was growing tired. Smiling Jareth lifted her into his arms as though she were his bride and transported them to her room.

"I can still walk you know," Sarah said with mock anger, failing miserably at hiding her smile.

"Ah, but these are your three days to feel like royalty!" Jareth set her down at her vanity, and stepped back. "Get some rest, we have another eventful day tomorrow," he said. Leaning down, much like he had last night, and kissing her lightly on the cheek.

"Good night Jareth," Sarah said if all but a bit airily, earning another devilish smile from him.

"Sweetest of dreams to you, my dear Sarah," Jareth said before disappearing from the room.

Moments later, Elda appeared to help Sarah out of the dress. Returning her hair to normal, and unclasping the necklace for her, Elda left her to put her things away and get ready for bed. Putting the jewelry away and hanging her gown up, Sarah sighed. It had been a really good day. Going to the bathroom, she washed the makeup from her face and got into another night gown that was similar to the first.

With a yawn, Sarah crawled into bed with a smile, easily falling asleep. Meanwhile, Jareth paced his quarters. He watched through a crystal as Sarah fell asleep, his brow furrowed, stress etched across his features.

"I would say things went very well you're Majesty," Sir Dydimus said from the door.

"Don't you ever knock?" Jareth turned to look at the little fox being, un-amused.

"The Labyrinth wants a Queen," Dydimus replied almost dismally.

"Yes, its had enough single hand ruling from me, and if I can't make her love me, then there will be no one else," Jareth said stubbornly. He had his sights set on Sarah long ago, mortal or not, that could be repaired, and she could rule at his side always. After all, who better to rule at his side than the girl who had defeated the Labyrinth? This was only a small plus to the fact that he had indeed fallen in love with the girl.

"Maybe so, but the Labyrinth has a way of getting what it needs. If you can't convince Sarah, then it will find someone for you." Dydimus was serious, talking as though the Labyrinth were the true king trying to find a bride for its keeper. Jareth sighed, the knight was correct any how. If the spirit of the Labyrinth desired a Queen, then he had only two more days to convince Sarah to be his. If he was going to rule, he wanted a smart, capable, clever, Queen at his side, not some silly gaudy Fae. He wanted Sarah.

Author's Note:

Alright, so maybe Jareth is scheming a little, but wouldn't you rather rule with someone you love if you could manage it? No, he's not as much of a stubborn jerk as you all may have read him to be in other fics, and Sarah is not as stubborn or out spoken either. This fic is a lot mellower, but that doesn't mean that things still can't go wrong. I maintain the prerogative to a little evil in the writing of this story. As always thank you to have reviewed and please review and let me know what you think!