Sarah gazed at herself in the large oval mirror, not recognizing herself. Her dark hair was piled upon her head in wild curls. Tiny crystals of red and gold, sparkling like a fine mist, were sprayed upon her hair from an ornate bottle of what looked like pure light. Sarah tilted her head to watch the sparkles dance over her hair and smiled.

"Nice hair spray," Sarah commented. Selene laughed as she finished Sarah's hair.

"The essence of every spell cast here does not disappear - we merely find new uses for it. Some of the magic is gathered up for new spells, and some are used to protect us."

"This is magic hairspray?" Sarah asked, momemtarily forgetting her conversation with Briella earlier that day. Marissa and Selene shared a look before the High Queen continued.

"In a manner of speaking. It will shield your thoughts from those who would listen in uninvited. We all wear such in our hair. It is tradition, nothing more. I'm certain none would betray you in such a way, but old habits are hard to break." Sarah didn't looked entirely convinced but decided to change the subject.

"I had a nice day with Briella today," she ventured and Seline smiled again. "I, um - learned a few things."

"Indeed?" Marissa asked, watching Sarah carefully.

"Yes. Briella said I should tell you but, I -" Sarah faltered.

"You may tell us anything, child," Marissa said calmly. "It is in our job description to be good listeners."

"Well, my pin - there's a voice, it's Rialta."

Seline jumped up. "No. You must be mistaken, where did you hear that name, Sarah?"

"I told you, she's the voice I've been hearing. She's told me things."

"Sarah, I don't know about any voice you may be hearing but it is not Rialta. She is gone and cannot harm anyone."

"She's not gone and she didn't harm anyone," Sarah said quickly. "That's what I'm trying to tell you. She was tricked. By someone close to her, but she doesn't know who. Briella told me that she's been having dreams about Rialta. She's trapped."

"Briella knows about Rialta's fate?" Selene asked, shocked.

"She knows that Rialta loves Seth and she didn't want to leave him. But she can't be with him in the Fade until the person who trapped her is brought to justice."

"And why didn't my daughter think to mention this to me?" the High Queen glared.

"Because at first, she thought they were only dreams. And then when I told her about the pin talking to me, she put it all together. Rialta loved Seth and someone was jealous. He used some sort of spell to get her brothers to lure her out into the woods. Then Jareth and Seth came and well - it gets fuzzy to her. But she does not want to hurt anyone." Sarah was out of breath, trying to get the words out in a rush.

The High Queen sat down heavily and covered her eyes. "Jareth killed Rialta when it seemed she had lured Seth to his demise. If what you say is true, he has killed in error. It is a great crime, Sarah. He could be banished for something like this."

"I know. Briella told me. But Rialta believes that Jareth and Seth might have been under the same control her brothers were. She doesn't believe Jareth killed out of anger or revenge. But her memories are clouded. She's asking for our help. She thinks that at the ball tonight, the person will strike again. But I don't know why she thinks that."

Marissa shrugged. "Tonight is the night Jareth intends to proclaim you future queen."

"Of the Goblin Kingdom?" Sarah asked, stunned. Marissa shook her head.

"That is the start, but there is more, much more, dear Sarah. Jareth is my own heir. When he marries, his queen will share the Crystal Kingdom's magic. The two of you will be the most powerful force in our realms. Once I retire of course."

"I never agreed -" Sarah started and Selene glared.

"You are being courted and as such it is the expectation that you will be queen. If that is not your wish, you can reject him at the ball and be done with him."

"And let him die?"

The two queens froze, staring at Sarah. Selene sat down on a cushioned chair, eyes unseeing as her sister frowned in confusion.

"Who told you about that, Sarah," Marissa asked slowly.

"King Logan," she replied. The High Queen bit her lower lip and calmed herself.

"I see. Well then, you should know everything before you make your choice."

JSJSJS

The empty ballroom came to life slowly. First, the walls started to glow with a faint golden light, illuminating the twenty round tables arranged in a semi circle. Near the far wall, three head tables were set, the middle table was set for one - a silver tablecloth adorned with diamonds for the Crystal Queen Marissa. The table to the right, decorated in gold and black was for the High King and Queen, Logan and Seline. The third table was a surprise. To the left - a table of red and black was for the self exiled princess, Karen Williams and her family.

Everyone knew that Marissa wished for the Princess Kareena to return to her world, but in what fashion? Marissa had taken Kareena's role as Crystal Queen out of duty, but it was who she was now. She wouldn't give it up when she'd worked so hard to maintain order.

Fairies nestled into the warm recesses of the huge chandeliers overhead. They would observe, listen, learn. But they would not show themselves unless provoked. And no one would provoke them tonight. The Goblin King was choosing his bride. Talk was rampant - some fools even thought the human child, Sarah Williams would be his choice. The serving girls had overheard Hoggle's sisters talking about the upcoming ball and how sweet young Sarah was. But the serving girls were also not ready to give up their fantasies about Jareth. He could be quite the lover when approached with a sweet smile and a low cut gown.

Jareth walked into the room and smiled sadly. Tonight would have been the night he had planned to tell Sarah of his love. Instead, he would let her go for her own good. Briella would be a good queen to the Goblins and Sarah could live her life without the fear of Jareth's all too human feelings.

Giving the room one last wistful glance, the king walked out and went to his chambers to prepare.