Sarah walked into the queen's study and waited. The guards had told her that the queen was in an important meeting and would be joining her shortly. She took this time to wander the room, looking at bits of the royal family's history. A large painting over the fireplace showed Jareth's parents surrounded by three beautiful Fae offspring. It had not been there when she was visiting for the luncheon. She recognized Jareth and Briella, but there was a third Fae, a young man, that Sarah did not recognize. She wondered about that and stared, holding onto her overnight bag like it was her last link to her own world.

"His name was Seth," the High Queen said softly. "He died in Jareth's arms."

"I'm sorry," Sarah said, still staring at the dark haired man. "He looks kind."

"Oh he was, he was Briella's twin." The queen sat down and looked lovingly at the portrait. "I had it taken out of storage recently. I've been thinking about family and how as much as we love them, we cannot choose for them."

"Your highness?" Sarah put down her bag and sat across from Jareth's mother.

"I'm sorry, Sarah. This really doesn't concern you. Marissa's visit made me remember that family should be treasured while they are around. We three sisters have never been close. But as for Seth, you may recall that Fae males do not have an easy time of it here." At Sarah's nod, she continued. "Seth was impetuous, like his father - he wanted to be a great warrior. He trained with the royal guard at all hours and was becoming quite the swordsman."

Tea magically appeared on the table before them and the queen poured two cups, handing one to Sarah.

"He and Jareth staged mock duels, practiced together, plotted together. And Briella joined in as she could, though her father did not wish her to become too boyish. He married a girl my husband did not approve of and they had a child. One day, my children were off together, riding, and saw a robber holding up a woman and her child. On further investigation, they saw that it was Seth's wife. Without thinking, Jareth dispatched the rogue but there was another hiding in the bushes who came out to kill the woman. Seth jumped in front of the blade. He was dead before our magic could be used to heal him. It all happened so fast."

"I don't know what to say," Sarah said, her heart breaking at the story.

"I only tell you this because I want you to know that I love my children. Seth was brave to try to defend his wife, but we found out that she was in league with the robbers. It was a set up from the beginning. The robbers were the woman's own brothers. After that, my husband understandably became more protective over Jareth. It is not meant to disparage you in any way to say that Logan does not trust you."

"What happened to Seth's wife - and child?" Sarah asked, sipping her tea. The queen smiled then, a somewhat evil smile.

"The child is being raised as Jareth's ward. Her name is Jenata and she is the most perfect little girl I've ever seen. Jareth took responsibility for the child as he felt he was to blame for Seth's murder. As for the wife - well, she is no longer an issue."

Sarah wasn't sure she wanted to know more about that so she changed the subject. "I'm looking forward to helping you with your gardens."

"Ah yes, the gardens. You can tell much of a person's heart by the plants they choose to cultivate. Come, let me show you to the room that Jareth uses when he visits us. We could have given you a proper guest suite but Jareth felt that since he is using your bed chamber, you should be allowed to use his. He seemed to find it amusing, though I hardly can understand him most days." The queen smiled indulgently. "He is quite the mastermind of his own little plots, but they all seem to work out in the end."

Sarah followed Jareth's mother down long hallways lit by candles. Coming to an ornately carved wooden door, the queen nodded.

"This shall be your room during your stay. I will have someone fetch you in the morning for breakfast and then we shall plan our week together."

"Yes, your majesty," Sarah agreed and walked into the large room. The queen left her to her own devices and Sarah closed the door, taking a good look around. Gold and black wallpaper with an intricate pattern of leaves and morning lilies covered the walls. A large black sheeted bed rose in the center of the room on a raised dais. She impishly wondered if the dais would slowly spin while slow music played. She frowned suddenly, not liking the idea of Jareth seducing women in this room.

A beautiful ebony desk stood near the large window overlooking the High Court. Sarah sat down and was surprised to see an envelope with her name on it. She slowly reached for it and smiled.

"My dearest Sarah,

I wanted to welcome you into my bedroom. Though it would be much more fun for both of us if I was there in person. I'm getting ready to go to your home this evening for dinner. I'm sure it will be delicious but I will not notice. I know that I will be staring at you, wishing to dance with you as we did in the ballroom.

Sarah, I know you feel I tricked you - that we all did. But believe me when I tell you that you were born for a purpose. I will not be so bold as to say it is as my queen, but your heart brings life to this world and I am glad of it. I can only hope that you give my world and myself a chance to prove to you that you are welcome here. I do not know what human love is, but with you, I would like to learn if you but give me time to do so.

The Labyrinth was real, your friends were real. Although the babe was not in harm's way, you were. You were tested by my Labyrinth as is our custom. You were found to be brave, loyal, trustworthy and in many ways, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen both inside and out. You must choose your own path, Sarah - but know this. I will always be waiting for you to choose the path that brings you to my side.

Yours Always,

Jareth"

Sarah read the letter two more times and tears filled her eyes. She wished that she'd kissed him goodbye and that her letter had been as sweet as his was to her. Sighing, she got into her nightgown and crawled into Jareth's bed. It smelled like him - musk and magic and something that uniquely her Goblin King. She drifted off to sleep smiling. He was her king, and when she went back to him, she would be sure to let him know that she wanted to be on the path to his side no matter how long it took her to get there.

JSJSJS

Jareth stared at the letter, letting the words sink into his mind. She was so young and he would give her the time she needed. He read the words again, trying to believe that she meant them. He wondered if she'd found the letter he'd left for her and if it had softened her heart at all.

"Dear Jareth,

I know you must think it's silly of me to be writing to you when you are right across the hall with Toby. Becca thought that if I wrote out my feelings, I could be more honest. Well, here goes.

I don't trust you. I don't say this out of anger or rudeness. I say it because I've never been courted and I don't know how I'm supposed to feel about it. I want to get to know you better, but it's going to take some time. I'm very young and my dad doesn't seem to think you want what is best for me, only what is best for you. There is something going on there that I don't really understand, but I'll figure it out. I always do.

That being said, I like you. You are funny, smart, ridiculously handsome, and you challenge me more than anyone I've ever met. I don't know why you like me or what you really want, but since it is starting with a friendship, I can do that.

I think about you all of the time. I shouldn't - but I do. I think about what it would have been like if we would have met under different circumstances. Would we have become friends? A king and a boring, normal teenager? I don't think so. But - here we are and you seem to like me. Is it wrong to tell you that I wanted you to kiss me during my run? Is it wrong to admit that I wish I was brave enough to march across the hallway and kiss you like I've wanted to since I first saw you?

I'll end this for now. I hope you have a great week with my family and I look forward to your ball at the end of the week.

Till then,

Sarah"