Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth.

Chapter Twenty

All I'm losing is Me

By the time Sarah had woken up the next morning, Jareth had already left her. Letting out a yawn, she wondered what time it was. Stretching out in a feline like manner, Sarah looked out the window to the position of the sun; it seemed to be about noon. She sighed as the feeling of peaceful ignorance from morning sleepiness left her, and her situation came crashing back down upon her.

Sarah would not cry as she got ready, nor would she show that anything was wrong when she met with Jareth for lunch. They had another meeting with the allies, and Sarah didn't know how she would react to being around everyone. It was hard enough to keep up a convincible façade around Jareth.

He was no fool, nor was he blind; Jareth could sense Sarah was distressed about something. Deciding it would be best not to bother her at the moment, he chose to take her silence as companionable. When finished, he stood, pulling her chair out for her.

"Is it time already?" Sarah mentally winced as she let a bit of weariness seep through her voice. Jareth stared into her eyes, but she averted them quickly.

"Sarah…" Jareth said in a pleading whisper as he moved to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "What troubles you so? This darkness doesn't suit your radiance." Sighing, Sarah leaned back into his embrace.

"It's nothing; I'm just worried about every thing that's going on." Sarah was appalled at how easily the lie slid from her lips, at least it was not meant with malicious intent. Wasn't lying supposed to hurt more? She had clearly inherited her mothers acting. She felt his chest heave in a sigh as he said nothing more; placing a comforting kiss to her temple before transporting them to the courtroom.

Upon arriving, Sarah plastered a smile to her face, watching Selina chat idly with Verdant. It didn't take long before Verdant's glowing red eyes were smiling at Sarah as Selina just about jumped over the table to greet her.

"Hello Sarah," Selina said almost unsurely.

"Hello," Sarah replied with a smile. "Let us go wait outside, its lovely outside." Selina nodded her agreement as Sarah linked her arm with hers and the two girls walked outside. Selina sensed that Sarah was being guarded though she gossiped with her as though her vision had not upset her in the least and nothing had happened.

"Sarah?" Selina finally stopped Sarah with her incessant distracting talk. Usually Selina loved to chat with her friend, but something was wrong. The longer the conversation went on, the more Selina wondered. Grasping Sarah's hands in both of her own, Selina's blue green eyes searched Sarah's emerald ones. "Please… I know there is something wrong. Those fools in the court room may be oblivious, but this isn't right. There is a great weight upon you; I can almost see it upon your shoulders. What happened?"

Sarah's face fell, her eyes slightly wide. Maybe she could put off the rest of the allies, but Selina, was not so easily dissuaded.

"Selina you are my very closest friend. I'm just worried about everyone's safety." Sarah returned her friends gaze, hoping that the honesty of that statement alone shone through to her. With a sigh, Selina nodded.

"If you are sure," Selina said.

"I am."

"Promise?" Selina looked so hopeful.

"Yes, I promise," Sarah replied, not having to force the smile the came to light her face.

With that said, comfortable silence settled between the two. Sarah kept a carefree smile on her face as she dwelled on her fate, while Selina stressed over what else to say.

"Selina?" The girls had been quiet for some time, and it had been Verdant that had brought their attention back to the courthouse that loomed behind them. Sarah did not fail to see Selina's eyes brighten at the sound of his voice, or the gentle tone Verdant used when he called for her.

"It's alright, go," Sarah said encouragingly.

"Are you sure?" Selina asked. With a smile and nod from Sarah, Selina's face relaxed into one of thanks as she gathered her skirts up and stood to go meet Verdant.

Moments later, Sarah felt Jareth's presence behind her. A gentle smile remained on her face as he sat down behind her pulling her back into his embrace. Who knew when that blasted devil king would call on her, why worry them and ruin the time she had remaining. She was far too stubborn and valiant to trouble them with this burden she found her own.

"Are you ready to go home?" Jareth asked.

"Yes," Sarah sighed out with contentment, resting her hands on his as they came about her waist. With out moving his hold on her or saying another word, Jareth transported them back to the castle beyond the Goblin city.

"How DARE you!" Asura's voice rang shrill and true through the malevolent King Madoc's head. "What gives you the right to bind me in my own realm and intervene in the lives of others?!" Madoc sighed; Asura was brilliant at screaming him into head aches.

"It's just good business, I needed to sway her, besides you have already shown her something of the sort," Madoc said in a bored voice.

"That was my decision to show her! It was never to come to pass, only to see if she were true enough to sacrifice herself. You… You have crossed the line! When the fates find out…"

"What do you mean when?" Madoc laughed madly. "Don't you mean if? Come now Asura, you know what power I hold over you, and I can destroy you if you interfere. She had thought that the vision was from you, and she blindly trusted your copy into not telling anyone. I'll have her Asura, no one else will do. Besides, what better way to destroy an enemy than by going straight for the heart…"

Sarah was cradled in Jareth's arms on the bed. They had hastily skipped dinner and gone straight to bed. It had been awhile since they had let their heated passions get the best of each other, but it had been a wonderful release indeed.

Sarah savored the moment, listening to Jareth's even breathing beside her. Leaning up she kissed him on the lips ever so lightly, not waking him from his slumber. With a gentle sigh, she stood up and got dressed in simple cotton gown. Brushing through her hair, it instantly tamed and the slight frizz disappeared.

Moments later The Queen of Goblins could be seen wandering down the halls. She made only one stop before she made her way outside to the gardens to answer to the nagging cloud that had been present in the back of her mind since this morning.

Sarah didn't even have to wait long, there were two dark elves waiting for her by the lake and they did not look friendly, but they were not from the Un-Seelie court. They were not the beautiful dark elves, but those cursed within Verdant's court. How safe could he possibly be with so many traitors, perhaps he would be alright, if she did as she was told. With a sigh she stopped in front of them.

"Evening Mistress," the dark elf closest to her said. "Have you the item?"

"Yes, let us just go," Sarah sighed out.

"As you wish Mistress," The second dark elf said. Sarah felt in the pocket of her robe for the glowing blue orb. It was warm to the touch and seemed to pulse slightly. The two Dark elves moved to stand on either side of her gently taking her by the arm.

No sooner had Sarah disappeared from the grounds of the Labyrinth that Jareth rolled over in his slumber, waking to find that his Queen was no longer at his side. He did not sense her distress; but there was something horribly wrong, because he didn't sense her at all. Panic over took his features as he dressed hastily and began searching the castle, waking all.

Hoggle, Ludo, and sir Didymus were running frantically about; splitting up to search the town.

"Where is she!?" The Goblin King hissed, pacing about, sending word to Eve and Feyore, he grudgingly even sent word to Verdant of his Queens disappearance. He would not have reacted so badly as long as he could still feel her presence around the castle, but she was gone with out any trace. He could not endure it should she be taken from him again. It was the same, he could feel the presence of something that didn't belong, but could never place it. Just like the first time she was taken…

Author's Note:

Oh gosh, long time no see eh? I am sooooooooo freaken sorry it took me this long update. But I am on Christmas break and can promise more updates. If you're still alive out there, please review and let me know what you think. As always, please forgive any reviews that have slipped my eye.