Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth, or any of the characters.

Chapter Nine

Three Faces of the Spirit Queen

The last thing that Sarah heard was the sound of Hoggle hurrying away. She tried desperately to hold on, afraid of what this vision would show. She couldn't move, and her eyes refused to focus, it was as though she was stuck in limbo. Finally, deciding that she could not avoid this forever, she gave into the darkness.

The vision was not of a battlefield but a darkened castle dungeon. Sarah's white ethereal form was shackled to the cold stone wall. There were two guards standing outside the bars of her cell. They were heavily armored, so much so that she could not figure out what shape they were. There were torches along the walls, the flames blue and black instead of red and orange.

A distanced cry echoed down the long hallway, it sounded female. Whips and rattling chains were heard. Sarah could feel panic rising within her. Though it was just a vision, she knew she was next. The guards outside her door chuckled, and turned to look in at her. Their eyes where the same glowing red color of the large dark elf that had slain Jareth in her last vision. They looked to be shorter, ghostly versions of the aforementioned elf. "Dark Elves," Sarah whispered to herself. Why did they look like this? Surely if they could be benevolent, they shouldn't look like demons, what happened to them?

Sarah could hear the scraping sound of the cell door closing down the dank hall from hers. Soft sobbing was echoing all around. A moment later another dark elf with a black mask over its face appeared at the door with a flail. It looked the perfect image of executioner, only Sarah knew that he was here simply to torture her.

Jingling keys could be heard as the guard closest to the door fumbled around for the right one. Finding it, there was a dead clinking sound as he unlocked the door. The only thing that was not white or translucent was the dungeon, the bars, and the torches. Sarah supposed it was because if this was the vision to come true, it may not be the same people standing guard or preparing to beat her now.

Fear gripped her as the taller elf approached, raising the flail. He went to swing when a load roar echoed deafeningly through the stone hallways. He stopped immediately, the red eyes under the mask laughing at her.

"It appears your King does have a heart, he has come to surrender to our demands," his voice was hard, deep, metallic and scratchy sounding. "The Underground will soon belong to us if all goes as planned." The other dark elves began laughing maniacally. It was disgusting to hear. Another roar was heard in the distance and they stopped laughing immediately. Fear crossed their blazing red eyes. "Something is wrong." That was the last she heard before the scene faded around her. The next thing Sarah knew, she was lost in an immense fog.

"Is this the next vision?" Sarah couldn't see anything.

"No." Startled, Sarah turned around looking unsuccessfully for whoever had just spoken. It was most definitely a woman's voice unlike Sarah had ever heard before. "I will lead you to the final ending, and before I return you to your King, you shall know me."

Sarah wanted to call out and ask so many questions, but she had a feeling all would be answered after this final White Shadow. She was about to protest, she couldn't see anyone leading her anywhere, but stopped. In the distance a soft humming could be heard. It was a beautiful tune that hung eerily in the air; she had never heard the melody before.

Moving slowly, Sarah headed to where she believed the sound to be coming from. The fog began dissipating as she got closer to the voice. Finally, the Fog cleared, and she was looking upon an older version of herself with a bundle in her arms. She was standing in her study which had been transformed into a nursery. She didn't look that much older than she was now, maybe mid twenties. This was the last White Shadow, as everything had the same ghostly appearance as the others.

Sarah watched her older self rock and sing to the child. The baby did not cry or fuss, but cooed as the older Sarah laid it to rest in its crib. No sooner had her older self set the child down that the door opened. Standing there was a slightly older Jareth; he walked with a slight limp.

"Are they still in chaos," came the older Sarah's voice.

"Afraid so love, how is Rosalie?" Older Sarah smiled to Jareth and went over to embrace him.

"She is just fine, but I hope that we can help in someway to return the Underground to some semblance before she or any other children we may have need to worry about ruling," the older Sarah said resting her head on Jareth's shoulder.

"Things have been really messed up since that war 40 years ago," Jareth sighed.

"Yes, I thought for sure everyone would lose their kingdoms, I didn't think this would be possible," the older version of herself said looking over to Rosalie's crib.

"It took awhile, but I think the Underground is becoming a much better place than it was…" With that line, this scene also disappeared in a fog before her.

Sarah waited as she was enveloped in complete white. She was not waiting long before a shadow started to emerge from the swirling white mists. What came forth, she didn't know, but instinctively backed away.

"Do not fear me child," came the woman's voice from before the last vision. Sarah gasped as the woman came into view. She was dressed in elegant black and red robes, glittering in silver decorations. Her head however, was frightening. There were three faces attached to the body. One a beautiful woman's face, to the left was a lion's face, and to the right a boars face.

"Who… who are you?" Sarah stopped backing away, but stood staring.

"Queen Asura, of the spirits. The fate of the Underground rests upon you, it is against all of the rules for me to show which answer is the right one. You must figure it out for yourself. However, I have narrowed your choices to three, most of which seeming unfavorable.

"Why have I chosen you? You were the only one to defeat Jareth's labyrinth, you are a very clever girl. No one else thinks the way you do, and if you look to the big picture, I believe you will know which path leads to the betterment of the Underground."

"How could I possibly…"

"Do not doubt yourself Sarah. When the time comes, I will appear to you once more, and you must choose which ending you desire…"

"But I don't know the exact ending, they are all open ended, anything could happen!" Queen Asura's human face smiled.

"Yes, I have shown you the start, but the true ending will be up to you."

"I don't understand... Why stop the vision at Jareth dying, with something going wrong in the dungeon, and why show me with my future child? What do they have to do with the Underground?"

"Everything. If Jareth dies, it may bring peace between the other kingdoms and the dark elves, or perhaps it won't. Maybe something went wrong to your favor in the dungeon, something that you could do to take out the dark elves for good. Perhaps you want your child to grow up worry free from the dark elves. Only one ending is truly correct, the other two are to make you realize what you are risking. You cannot think of yourself Sarah, but of others," Queen Asura said gently.

"Why did you show me this?"

"Because if you do this right, the suffering of many will be little or extinguished completely." Sarah reached out as she felt herself being pulled out of the spirit world. "Do not fear child," Queen Asura said. "I have the greatest of faith you will do the right thing." Giving a small bow, Sarah could felt herself falling. "Till we meet again Sarah."

"Sarah!"

"Sarah!?"

With a groan, Sarah opened her eyes. She was no longer sprawled on the hallway floor, but lying in the bed she shared with Jareth. Her hand was clutched tightly within Jareth's.

"Sarah, what the hell happened? You've been out most of the day. What did you see?" Jareth's voice was heavy with relief and concern.

"I… I saw the other two endings," Sarah said gently. "I saw her… I saw Queen Asura." Jareth narrowed his eyes.

"…the demon queen of the spirit world? She never intervenes unless it is very serious, Sarah what she show you?" Jareth cupped her cheek in his hand, looking down upon her desperately.

"I can't tell you," Sarah whispered. Jareth looked taken aback, almost dejected.

"Why? Sarah, you know you can trust me."

"I know I can, but I can't let anything sway my decision." Jareth nodded, seeming to understand.

"Sarah, you should know, I've been meeting with the kings and queens of other kingdoms, and they have offered their support for battle. We've been making plans should we need to act. The letter Hoggle was carrying was a message from the dark elves. They will avoid revenge if we give them our kingdom."

"We can't do that!" Sarah sat up quickly, throwing her hand to her forehead. She winced and hissed in pain as her head throbbed. "Don't give in!" Jareth put his hand on her shoulder, making her lay down again.

"We won't Sarah, we won't." Jareth sighed standing up to leave a kiss upon her forehead. "I'll have Dydimus send up some dinner for us."

"What? I've been out all day," Sarah questioned in alarm.

"Yes, the sun set about an hour ago. I've been worried sick about you" Jareth ran his fingers through her hair before sending for Dydimus. Sarah's mind buzzed with everything she had seen. She never intervenes unless it is serious… The demon queen…

Jareth returned a moment later and sat beside Sarah on the bed. Having her sit up, he piled pillows up so she could sit up against them. It appeared either Jareth or Elda changed her into a nightgown.

"Are you alright," Sarah questioned. Jareth turned to her and gave her a gentle kiss.

"I am fine now that you are awake," Jareth said with a smirk. With a nod Sarah offered up a smile. A few minutes later Dydimus brought up a meal for them. It was some sort of vegetable soup with noodles served with bread, and Sarah found it was quite good. After eating, she felt much better, but was somehow exhausted as though she had literally run through the spirit world.

"Get some rest love," Jareth said gently. "It takes a lot out of a new seer to experience lengthy visions." He made the plates and things of the like disappear back to the kitchen. Sarah smiled as he kissed her on the forehead and then the lips. Having her recline to lay town, he tucked the covers in around her. She had never felt so taken care of before. She held lightly to his hand, as he smiled down to her. "I will join you shortly." With that he turned to leave.

"I love you Jareth," Sarah said quietly. Jareth smiled, his heart melting.

"And I you, dearest," Jareth replied, his cold façade returning as he exited the room. Soon enough, Sarah fell asleep.

Author's Note:

So, uh, what just happened here? Why are the dark elves such a big threat to the underground? What could they possibly do? Well then, we'll just have to wait and see. Well, mostly you, I have a vague idea in place anyway. Heh. A great big, HUGE, thank you to those who have reviewed so far, it's really awesome to read what you think! Keep it up and keep on reviewing! Also, please forgive any errors that slip my eye.