A/N - one request...if you have a question in a review, please log in so I don't have to answer you in an author note.

Sarah looked up at the Lordos castle and shuddered. Some legends were apparently true about vampires. They lived in huge grey fortresses guarded by huge grey dragons. Flying overhead, their purple scales glistened in the sunlight and they glared down at the visitors with a cautious eye. Seline glanced up and hid a grin at Sarah's awestruck look. The dragons purred as they saw Seline was there.

"They act like you've visited before," Sarah noted. "Do you come to the embassy a lot?"

"As High Queen I make a point of visiting each embassy once a month unless delegates have some business at the High Court. This however is a social call. Alia has told her grandfather of your kindness to her while she was in the hospital."

"She's a great little girl. Just like Jenata. I really didn't do anything special." Sarah felt herself blushing and wished she knew how to act more grown up in front of the High Queen. Seline stopped walking and put her hands on Sarah's shoulders, looking at her with something like affection.

"You have much compassion and insight, Sarah. Do not sell yourself short. The Lordos are strong allies. I am well pleased that you have impressed them." Sarah was speechless. She hadn't been trying to make allies. She had just seen a little girl in pain who didn't have a mother. Maybe it had hit a little too close to her own situation. At least, until she'd realized that Karen had always been there for her.

"Well, thank you. I think we're going to have a fun visit." Sarah seemed to remember something. "So we can see them during the day? I thought sunlight hurt them."

"The 'only out at night' situation was a human myth in your world. Lordos just prefer to be inconspicuous. This is difficult for them during the day as they are a very compelling race. They are by nature a private people."

"Does Jareth trust them?" Sarah asked, staring at an unsmiling guard who must have been close to seven feet tall.

"Jareth trusts himself. He is loyal to his family, but it is hard to explain. My children have not reached the level of maturity to trust others. My husband and I share a deep and unbreakable bond of love, but it took centuries for it to flourish. Jareth is very young, and he is only now beginning to question himself."

"Centuries?" Sarah frowned. She didn't have centuries to get Jareth to trust her. She rolled her eyes. Why did it matter if he trusted her? They were only friends and it's not like Jareth needed her. Deep down she knew she was lying to herself but she was afraid. Someday he'd realize that she wasn't what he needed.

How I long for you to know how much I truly need you. Jareth's whispered plea came back to her and she took a deep breath to get the memory to disappear. This courting thing was like an experiment to him. She couldn't get her hopes up and he was a king. A man. She was just a fifteen year old girl who hadn't really seen anything of the world.

Still, she missed him. She missed his kiss and the way he said her name. She missed his teasing. She missed having him hold her as if she was a treasure to him. She wondered what he was doing. She had to admit it, she was starting to have feelings for the Goblin King.

Be careful Sarah, he is closer than you think.

Who is? Jareth?

No.

Who are you? Sarah strained to hear an answer, but voice grew still. Sarah shuddered as a chill went through her. Jenata saw it and held her hand.

"Are you cold, Sarah?" Jenata looked a bit like Jareth when she was concerned. Somehow, that gave Sarah courage to face the Lordos family. She squeezed Jenata's hand and smiled at the little princess.

"I'm fine - let's go find Alia."

But she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her. As they entered the ambassador's office, Sarah smiled. Alia was on the floor, playing with two dolls. One doll was a fairy princess with dark hair and the other was the Goblin King doll Jareth had given her. She was completely healed and seemed to have a calmness about her that had been missing while she was in the hospital. Alia glanced up and grinned wildly as she levitated off the floor to hug Sarah.

"Sarah - I knew you'd come see me," Alia cried and saw Jenata. "And who is this?"

"Her name is Jenata," Seline said. "She is my granddaughter and would like to be your friend."

"Hi," Jenata said, speechless for once. Alia floated down and smiled.

"Hi! Would you like to play dolls with me?" She held out a princess doll and Jenata smiled shyly.

"Okay," she agreed. "Your doll looks like Uncle Jareth."

"It is him! He gave the doll to me when he brought me home. And your doll is named Sarah."

Ambassador Delmorten came in from another door behind the large desk and smiled. Bowing to Seline, he noticed Jenata playing with his granddaughter. Sarah was watching them in shock.

"Ah, you have brought us two lovely visitors! Princess Jenata," the old man bowed and Jenata giggled. He turned toward Sarah. "And the brave and fearless Sarah Williams."

"I don't know about that, sir. I'm just a girl." Sarah blushed again, thinking about Alia's dolls. It couldn't mean anything. Alia was just obviously naming the princess doll after her because she'd been a friend to her in the hospital. Orthos shook his head.

"You are brave. You have a way about you, young Sarah. You will be a fine queen someday."

"What - no," Sarah said quickly and Seline held up a hand.

"Calm yourself Sarah. Jareth is courting you. It is a logical assumption that people believe you will marry my son. But that is not a discussion for today." She watched the two little girls playing. "Today is a day for family."

JSJSJS

Jareth ate his lunch with pleasure. This cousin of Becca did indeed know how to cook. She also knew how to sit practically in his lap as she offered him grapes.

"Lunch is excellent," Jareth commented. "I so rarely get to relax. Most of my time is spent running my businesses. I find that I am quite interested in learning more from all of you. My usual associates do not value the simple pleasures such as getting to know me."

"How horrible for you," Elisa sympathized. Becca rolled her eyes.

"When will you be leaving?" Jake asked.

"At the end of the week. I have an important meeting Saturday night." He was going to kiss Sarah senseless and get her to admit she loved him.

"Ooh, Jareth - I have to say that you are more interesting than any of the boys I've met in this little town. After vacation, you have to promise to come visit me in Norway."

"I have always enjoyed my time there. Tell me has Sarah ever visited your country?" Jareth reached for another sandwich. Elisa laughed and put her hand on his thigh.

"Sarah! She doesn't travel. She's too busy with her little plays and her charity work. My brother tried asking her out last time we were here and she said she'd rather visit some homeless children in a shelter."

"She's traveling now," Becca said eyeing her cousin. "She's visiting Jareth's family. They like her."

"I thought she was with Karen's family." Jake said.

"Karen is my aunt. Sarah is staying with my mother. And as Becca says, my family is quite fond of her. As am I."

"Like a cousin - that is so sweet." Elisa was smiling at him again.

" Actually we are courting." Jareth watched the twins' reaction to his announcement. Jake looked angry but Elisa simply stared at Jareth with a frozen smile distorting her lovely face.

"Courting," Elisa repeated. "But you're family."

" We are not related. Not yet anyway," Jareth smiled. "But in time I hope to win her love."

"You love her? You don't even know her," Jake sputtered. "And her father won't let her date."

"That was before she met me." Jareth calmly watched the boy stand up and stalk off towards the woods.

"Is he offended?" Jareth asked, amused. "I would think he'd be pleased that Sarah was well admired by someone like myself. My opinion is quite valued and I believe Sarah is amazing."

"Have you kissed her?" Elisa asked. "She's but a child. You should kiss someone older. Someone who could make you happy."

"Really Elisa you are supposed to be Sarah's friend," Becca said angrily. "Sarah has strong feelings for Jareth. I think she's falling for him."

Elisa fell onto Jareth and kissed him. Her breath was sweet, her lips were warm. Jareth enjoyed it for a few moments before realizing something important. For the first time in his life, he did not wish to be kissed by many pretty girls. He wanted Sarah. He drew back from the girl and smiled.

"Thank you," Jareth said. "That kiss was just what I needed." Elisa smiled smugly at Becca.

"Really?" Elisa asked.

"Yes, it made me realize that I'm in love with Sarah." He stood up. "I must tell her."

He ran off towards Sarah's home with Becca's relieved laughter ringing in his ears.