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

Chapter Fourteen

The Not so Flawless Victory

Sarah quickly finished her letter to Jareth and called Feryia to send it off with the messenger bird. Pacing her room nervously, she thought of everything that had happened so far. What if she failed and Verdant was killed? The Un-Seelie Court would undoubtedly start a war with the Seelie Court to gain control. As far as Sarah was concerned, they had left each other well enough alone.

A moment later, Verdant appeared with a tray of food for Sarah. Bidding her goodnight, Verdant left to write a letter of his own. Sarah would never be safe in his castle. If she got in the way there was a good chance she would be killed. He would write to the Goblin King to tell him to come reclaim his Queen. His resolve hardened at the thought of anything happening to the only true friend he had had in many long years.

Over the next few days, Verdant trained Sarah and spent time with her as though he had not just cut her stay short. No doubt as soon as the Goblin King received his letter, he would be here to take her away. He treasured these last few days with her, taking in every feature, the way her eyes lit up when she smiled or laughed. How he would miss this precious treasure.

"Verdant, are you alright?" Sarah was eyeing him curiously, as he was staring into space. His glowing red eyes blinked and he turned his attention to her.

"Why yes, I was just thinking, that is all."

"What were you thinking of? You were pretty out of it," Sarah said curiously.

Of how much I am going to miss you…Verdant thought silently, not responding to her. Then finally, he stood from his chair, offering her his arm, a feeling of satisfaction going through him every time she accepted it.

"Come it is time for dinner," Verdant said, leading her out of the library, their favorite place to sit and talk. Sarah wasn't fooled, she knew something was wrong, but she would let it go for now.

After dinner, Verdant led Sarah back to her room, pausing to look upon her fondly. She merely smiled, and titled her head to the side.

"Goodnight dear Sarah," Verdant said almost a little too sadly.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Sarah asked

"Yes," Verdant replied, his glowing red eyes smiling at her from under his cloak. Sarah smiled seeming to accept his answer.

"Alright, Goodnight then," Sarah said brightly. Verdant sighed as he made his away from Sarah's room.

When Sarah woke up the next morning, Feryia was pacing her room nervously by the door. Sitting up quickly, Sarah watched her worriedly.

"Feryia? What's going?" Feryia seemed startled by Sarah.

"We're under attack Lady, the King ordered me to watch over you until your king arrived," Feryia said.

"What? He means to let me go?" Sarah was panicking. She couldn't leave! She needed to stay here and help Verdant. Just then a loud wolfish howl sounded throughout the castle, causing both women to jump.

"Oh, Lady, please come with me! We must get to the front gate quickly! The castle is being taken!" Feryia didn't wait for Sarah to respond but grabbed her by the hand dragging her down long stone hallways. Sarah looked around, hoping for any sign of Verdant, to know that he was alright. She didn't see him until Feryia had nearly gotten them to the main gate and two dark elves that did not belong to this kingdom appeared. Their appearance was lean and muscled with dark skin and long white hair. They looked quite good, but Sarah was too frightened to take notice.

Sarah and Feryia held tightly to each other's arms, waiting to run, but there was no need. A low growl emanated from behind their attackers and Verdant's towering frame could be seen approaching them. He wore no cloak, baring his long fangs; he was truly a terrifying sight. Sarah had to remind herself that he was the same person. The two Un-Seelie dark elves attacked him, but were taken down, not with out leaving some damage.

Getting a better look at him, Sarah could see that he was bloodied and limping. Her eyes filled with tears at the sight of her dear friend in such a state, but she had no time to worry. Verdant's feral red eyes rested upon her face, and gentleness returned to them for a moment, as he took her up into his boney arms and moved quicker than Sarah had ever imagined, getting her to the front gate.

It all happened so quickly. Verdant left her to stand at the doors, and then Jareth was there running up to her and taking her into his arms, pulling her away. Sarah wouldn't budge; she turned her eyes fixed on the Dark Elf King fighting off Un-Seelie soldiers so that she could get away.

"No! Verdant!" Sarah cried out, not wanting to leave him to fight on his own. After taking down a group of enemies, he turned to her, his eyes wild with concern, pleading, and aggression.

"Take her! Get the hell out of here now! I didn't call you here for a tea party Goblin King," Verdant growled out loudly. Jareth needed no second warning, and picked Sarah up bridal style to carry her out of the castle to where he could use magic to return to the castle. Sarah was reaching over his shoulder to Verdant, tears streaking down her face.

"No, Verdant, please," Sarah sobbed. She saw his cursed face twist in agony and sorrow as she disappeared with Jareth. The next thing Sarah realized was that Jareth had transported them straight into their room. Her shoulders were shaking violently, taking in Jareth's appearance for the first time in over a month's time. Sobs racked her body as she flung her arms about his neck, crying into his shoulder.

Everything came crashing down, surely she had failed. Maybe Verdant would survive, but for now she relished in the feel of being in Jareth's arms again. He moved to sit on the bed, still holding her to him. He wanted to soothe her, calm her, but there was nothing they could do. Even with Feyore and Eve's help, they could not take out the leader of the Un-Seelie Court's army. There was no time to convince the rest of the court, they would never make it in time, they could only hope.

"Jareth," Sarah called weakly, after her sobs had died away.

"Yes love?"

"Did I fail?" Sarah asked. Jareth was startled and sorrowed by her question. He ran his fingers through her hair, kissing her upon the forehead.

"Of course not, you did all you could," Jareth said gently.

"What do we do?" Sarah had just noticed that it began pouring rain outside the windows, falling so quickly that the drops looked like they would be hurt to be caught in.

"We wait for word from him," Jareth sighed.

"What if he…" Sarah couldn't finish that thought.

"Do not think that way, it will be alright."

Sarah moped around the castle all day, not leaving the room she shared with Jareth. She wouldn't even come to see her friends or eat any of the food he brought to her. She just sat upon the bed or paced, worrying, and unresponsive. The possibility of her failure consumed her.

The next day proved no better for Jareth as he tried to rouse Sarah from her lull, but she wouldn't budge. She ate little, and said even less, though it was an improvement from the nothing that she would talk about yesterday. They even lay in bed in silence, Sarah being on her side facing away from him. Neither got much sleep.

On the third day, Jareth was losing his cool, and couldn't handle her aloofness any longer. Cornering her in the room while she paced he grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her to look in him the eyes.

"Sarah!" Jareth's voice was almost a hiss. "Do you realize how worried we've all been? How… How hard it was for me to share you with that… with the dark elf king? It's been over a month! I've missed you, your friends; even Eve and Feyore want to see you! Sulking around will not help Verdant now, and being depressed about the fact that he saved you makes it seem like a waste! This is not the Sarah who beat the Labyrinth, who is not afraid of any royal. We need her back… I need her back" He almost regretted his words, but they had the desired effect. He watched as her face went from blank and impassive to hurt and angry, and then understanding. Instead of lashing out, the fire in her eyes tamed.

"I'm sorry Jareth," Sarah said softly, causing him to sigh and pull her to him tightly.

"I realize you are concerned and think that you have done wrong, but I think if things had gone awry Queen Asura would have made sure that you knew so by now," Jareth said.

"I know, I've handled this terribly… I just… I guess hoped that if I isolated myself I wouldn't feel as guilty, and it would give Asura a chance to show me something, anything. I usually hear her in my head when I've done something right. Should I have fought harder to stay?" Sarah looked up into Jareth's mismatched eyes with an expression he could not read.

"I think if you were meant to, you would have," Jareth said gently. "Listen to me, you did all you could, I don't want you torturing yourself over this…" Sarah nodded, her head against his chest. "Now would you please, please join me for dinner tonight?"

"Yes, of course," Sarah said with a light smile. She wrapped her arms around his neck to give him a kiss, her fingers tangling in his hair. "I've missed you so much," she murmured against his cheek. She felt him sigh and lean into her.

"I've missed you too my darling, but if you keep this up, we will be far too distracted to make it to dinner," Jareth replied with a smirk. She playfully batted at his arm before taking his hand and leading him out the door.

They walked arm in arm down to the dining hall to a rather delicious meal. The cooks, whomever they were, had really gone out of their way this time. Sarah thought briefly of how odd it was that she had never seen them before. They ate in peace, Sarah talking of her stay in the Dark Elf kingdom. She could see Jareth's eyes tighten as she spoke of her friendship with Verdant, but he endured.

"Your Highness!" Both Jareth and Sarah looked towards the door to the dining hall, having heard Didymus' voice come echoing down the hall. A moment later he bust through the doors, bowing, and panting. "I have a message," he said handing over a burned piece of parchment.

Jareth met Sarah's gaze as she recognized the neat script of Verdant. Unfolding the parchment it read:

King and Queen of the Goblins,

I write to you with news of victory. We've had many losses, and are recovering sluggishly. It is obvious we were not ready for an attack such as that, though I was aware that something of the sort may happen. Thank your Queen for that, if not for her we may have fallen that day.

I ask a request. I doubt this will be the last time we see the malevolent dark elves, and ask for assistance. I know you do not see me in the best light, but you are the only two allies I have right now. Please consider my plea.

Sincerest Regards,

King Verdant Xulance of the Dark Elves

Sarah moved to read over Jareth's shoulder and gasped, gripping his arm.

"Jareth we must help," Sarah cried.

"If it pleases you," Jareth sighed.

"I cannot forget how kind he was to me…"

"Nor can I forget how he stole you from me, Sarah!" Jareth's voice was a growl. "I will help him, only because he is an ally of yours. I will not deny you your own friends"

"You don't know the whole story, or anything about his people," Sarah said getting defensive. "He was just trying to bring solace to some of their pain…"

"…by stealing you?" Jareth was looking at her incredulously, angrily almost. Sarah sighed and shook her head. There was no point in arguing with him while he was still angry with Verdant.

"I'm sorry, he could have been cruel, but he wasn't," Sarah said, resting her hands on his shoulders. Jareth sighed, and lifted one of his hands to rest over hers.

"I do owe him for that, I will do what I can, but you must tell me all of what you know." Sarah was thrilled, she leaned down and kissed Jareth full on. Didymus had long since dismissed himself, so they were alone again.

"Thank you so much Jareth!" Sarah smiled brilliantly as she told him everything she knew. Jareth could not deny that the smile on her face, which had been absent the past three days, was worth it.

Author's Note:

Soooo, I didn't kill Verdant, though that would have drastically changed the way the end of the story would be. There are a few more chapters to come, at least one and an epilogue. I'm trying to think of something that will make it easy to come up with sequel material. Anyway, thank you all soooo sooo sooooooooo much for all your reviews. I know this wasn't the swiftest update, I hope you're not too angry with me about that. As always, keep on reviewing, and forgive any errors that slip my eye.