Devlin watched the preparations and smiled. Everything was going exactly according to plan. He had Alia back and her stupid human father was executed before he could implicate Devlin in any of their plans. His father would rue the day he took Devlin's ideas as folly.

Alia's mother had been a fool to run to the human world and get mixed up with a human. It had made Alia's magic unpredictible, dangerous, even if the girl herself had no clue of her power. It was a matter of time before she became unmanageable. Luckily she had her loving Uncle Devlin to guide her.

He watched her playing with the young Princess Jenata. Both children had untapped magic that could be drained slowly over the next few centuries. Devlin would have to move swiftly tonight if he was to get to the next phase of his plan.

Stealing the young nobles and siphoning off their powers was a brilliant idea. Why his fool father insisted on honesty and honor when they were Lordos! It burned him to think that they threw away their warrior heritage just to be part of a system that thought to overlook them when it came to matters of leadership. Devlin was born to be a king. And a king he would be, with Sarah at his side.

His plan was simple. Steal the children, raise them as his own and have them supply him with all the magic he needed to conquer the Avian realm. After that, the Crystal Kingdom would be his for the taking and he could kill off every Avian royal that dared stand between himself and the greatness he was destined to possess. Lordos would rule all of the kingdoms as they had centuries ago, before truces and treaties weakened them to the point of near servitude.

Sarah stood nearby, a frown on her beautiful face as she watched the girls from underneath a shady elm tree. Had he convinced her about Jareth's ill intent? She hadn't spoken to him yet today, and he had been itching to ask about her mysterious chat last night. Who had she gone to see and what had been said? Was she honestly falling for that pathetic Goblin King? Not for the first time, he wished he could read Sarah's mind. When she was his queen, all would be forgiven.

He cursed. There was a block in place so that no one could read her thoughts. The High Queen may have thought to do so, to protect Sarah from men who would use it against her. Men like Devlin himself, he mused. No matter - when Jareth saw that Sarah was just like all the other humans, he would cast her aside and Devlin would make his move. Humans were lower than filth, but they could be used appropriately when needed.

Humming to himself, he made his way to the throne room. He had, after all, been sent today to bring a message to the High King. Devlin muttered under his breath. Avians were a proud people, too proud for their own doing. Killing under the guise of justice. Well, Lordos could be just as proud. And when their precious Jareth was killed later that evening, debts to his beloved Rialta would finally be paid.

JSJSJS

Jareth decided to talk to Robert and Karen before the ball. He had a few questions on how he should proceed when he saw Sarah again. Blast it all, he was nervous and that made him irritable. He raised his hand to knock on their door then stilled as he heard them argue. The door was slightly ajar and he peered inside, stifling a laugh.

"Are you sure that I have to wear this - I feel ridiculous," Robert groused as Karen laced the high heeled boots he was now wearing.

"Stop complaining. These boots are the height of fashion in my world and you will look dashing. Besides, it's a masquerade ball - you can't very well waltz in wearing an old pair of loafers now can you?"

"There is nothing wrong with my old shoes. They cover my feet and keep them from stepping in Merlin's messes when I'm out in the back yard."

"Merlin does not mess in the back yard and you are being silly. Now hush and let me see how this jacket looks on you."

Robert's response was muffled as he threw on the white dress shirt laid out on their bed before allowing Karen to help him into the dark green jacket.

"Well at least it isn't sparkly," Robert grumbled.

"Only royalty wears sparkly clothes, you look fine. I can't wait to see Sarah tonight."

"I'm sure Jareth feels the same way. You think she'll give him a chance?" Jareth's eyes widened. He felt stupid eavesdropping but any insight would be welcome. "She's just fifteen you know."

"You proposed to me the first time when you were fifteen," Karen reminded him. "Unless you count that time we were five and I shared my Halloween candy with you."

"You gave me the stuff you didn't like so my proposal was just a way to get to the chocolate." Jareth heard a smack and Robert laughing.

"I think that deep down Sarah has strong feelings for him," Karen said, laughing. "But she's never really dated anyone else before and she might want to explore a bit before she makes a final decision."

"Well she doesn't have too long to dabble - Jareth only has a year," Robert sounded worried. Jareth risked a quick look inside the room and saw Karen take a deep breath.

"Jareth knows how long he has. I only hope he uses the time wisely. You can't trick someone into loving you. Pretty words and promises don't measure up into a real relationship. It takes compromise and sacrifice. Sometimes you have to walk away from what you want so that the other person has a chance to find their own way in the world. Like I said - patience for when you want something so bad that you let it go - it's hard."

"And patience for when your stupid husband makes a fool out of himself trying to protect his family from things he doesn't understand." Robert said wryly.

"Yep, plenty of patience," Karen agreed, kissing him gently. "But it's worth it in the end. If Sarah can love Jareth half as much as I love you they are going to be just fine."

Jareth walked away, thinking to himself. Sacrifice for the one you love is better than ruling your love's heart. He knew what he had to do now. He just hoped Sarah would understand.

JSJSJS

Sarah looked up at the huge Goblin castle and smiled. It had been a long time since she'd stormed through the fortress to fight Jareth. No matter that Toby had always been safe - Sarah had still been tested and had won.

Your kingdom as great, the voice whispered. Your love as true.

"That's not part of the story," Sarah said to herself. "You can't just add to it."

That is what a story is, Sarah - words added as needed to complete the bigger picture. Jareth is more than a king - he is a man. And you have captured his heart. Tread wisely.

"Who are you?" Sarah said, knowing she wouldn't get an answer.

I am a friend to you and you need one more than ever. There are those who would harm you. Remain cautious tonight at the ball.

"Do you at least have a name?"

"Rialta," the voice whispered out loud and Sarah jumped. She'd heard the voice out loud for the first time. She looked around but only saw goblins rushing out to welcome her. Smiling, she was led into the throne room where Briella sat, looking every inch a Goblin Queen.

"Sarah, so good of you to come visit me," the princess said, rising from Jareth's throne. "I've been meaning to chat a bit with you."

"Princess," Sarah curtsied and Briella smiled.

"You're different than most humans I've met," the princess said honestly.

"You've met many, your highness?"

"A few. And you may call me Briella. You are, after all, being courted by my brother."

"Um, well. I suppose."

"He seems quite taken by you. Well - I've called you here because I thought you'd like to see what a day for Jareth is like. How he spends his time."

"Oh - well. Yes." Sarah was dazed by the thought of learning more about Jareth. She had assumed he sat on his throne ordering goblins around. But since she'd learned of his past, she had more questions about how he really spent his time.

"Good. First things first. He rises at dawn and flies around the border to make certain the city is safe from harm. His lieutenants are sent out throughout the realm to patrol the various kingdoms under his protection. Then they meet for a working breakfast and report to him of their findings. Jareth then spends an hour at his hospital, visiting his soldiers and any ill who are there."

"Hospital?" Sarah asked, amazed.

"Yes. He built it eons ago. The health and safety of all those under his protection is of paramount importance to him. He does not allow harm to come to those he is responsible for - he is a mighty king," Briella said proudly.

"I see. Then what does he do?"

"You're just in time for it. I will do it today as he is in your world. Citizens from other worlds who had an audience with their embassies may be directed here to plead their case to Jareth. If he finds that the cause is sufficient, he may aid them as he can, or in extreme cases, he may send them onto the Crystal Kingdom to present to Queen Marissa."

They sat in the throne room, Briella on the throne, Sarah in a comfortable chair next to it as the princess explained the various cases that came to them. A world of creature who looked like giant honeybees told Briella that their supplies were being raided by a nearby planet. Briella nodded and sent out orders for the Imperial fleet to step up patrols and make their presence known in that sector. Sarah had forgotten that she was on another planet. Staring at the bee creatures was a bit rude, but she was fascinated. After that, there were the usual mundane requests for more farming supplies for the locals, more ale for the goblins, more chickens for the villages.

"Princess, may I ask you something," Sarah said as they took a short break.

"Of course, Sarah," she said.

"Have you ever heard the name Rialta?" Briella froze and looked shocked.

"Where did you hear that name?" she asked slowly. Sarah stared back, worried.

"I met someone named Rialta and I didn't know if she was someone I could trust." There, that was mostly the truth, Sarah thought.

"Rialta was Seth's wife." Sarah turned pale.

"Sarah? I insist you tell me what is going on," Briella said harshly.

Tell her about me, Sarah. She is a friend.

Later that afternoon, Seline and Marissa helped Sarah into her ball gown. It was pale yellow with a flared skirt - not too poofy, yet flowing and rounded. She swished when she walked and she blushed, wondering if Jareth would like it. Then she frowned. Jareth had been kissing Elisa yesterday. And he hadn't come to her room last night to confess it.

Would you have listened to him? Rialta asked gently. Sarah sighed.

"Maybe," she whispered.

"Maybe what, dear?" Seline asked, pinning Sarah's hair into place. Sarah smiled weakly.

"Maybe this won't be a total disaster tonight," she said trying to be calm. She was going to see Jareth tonight. How was he going to act? Would he tell her about the kiss? Would he dance with her? How could she tell him about Rialta?

Devlin's words came back to her. Why indeed would a Goblin King take an interest in her? She was a nobody. A human. She had no magic, no beauty, no gifts. Just a fierce love of her family and a basic intelligence.

You are a gift, silly child.

Sarah said nothing, simply listening to the sisters prattle on about the ball. There was only one more hour before she saw Jareth. One more hour before this all would be over, one way or the other. She tried not to cry.