A/N I hope everyone realizes that Loren/Bertram are two different Phooka guards. I had thought I'd made that clear, but if not... I apologize. Also, Robert has a bit of magic in him. I only say this because it was mentioned briefly many chapters ago and may be forgotten. This story will have maybe two more chapters then I will be posting a sequel of one shots leading up to the wedding and beyond.

Devlin arrived at the infirmary, knife drawn and ran up to the first bed he found. Throwing back the blanket, he was stunned when his blade impaled a large rock. He cursed, it was one of those living rocks that Ludo commanded. The blade was thrust back out by the rock and then Devlin went to kick the creature.

Loren and Bertram arrived just in time to see the rock jump up off of the mattress and pound Devlin in the head. Staggering backwards, the Lordos dignitary went to hold on to a table and knocked over a tray full of medical specimens. A Minotaur nurse came running in, breathing fire. Devlin scowled and went to throw his knife at her before realizing it was bent out of shape from crushing into the rock creature. He threw the destroyed knife down and it fell under another table.

"What are you doin' tryin' to skewer a rock?" Bertram yelled. "Have ye no compassion for the injured?"

Devlin couldn't answer as the nurse had reached him and lifted him over her head like an unwanted toy. She threw him into a wall, cracking it and Devlin jumped back to his feet, his magic tainted with madness.

"I will find Rialta and bring her home!" he said wickedly. "I will kill Jareth and rule everything as is my right as a true king!"

"He thinks he's a king," Bertram said shaking his head. "What an idiot. Jareth is king and a right good one too."

"Where is the Goblin King?" Loren asked, scratching his head. "Ye can't exactly have a grand battle when your opponent is a rock."

"Did you fools bring this trash into my infirmary?" the nurse asked, fire blazing from her nose. "How many times have I told you not to bring your toys in here?"

"Toys? I will have you know that I am Lord Devlin!" he yelled back then froze. He'd said his name out loud. Now the magic of the castle would be able to pinpoint his location. He ran for the door just as the nurse went to grab him again.

"When Jareth finds ye, he'll haul your sorry carcass to the throne room and make ye weep like a lass," Bertram promised.

"The throne room! That's where he's hiding," Devlin cried and disappeared again in a blaze of flame.

"I really hate when he does that," Bertram sighed as the two guards dematerialized to follow the mad Devlin. The nurse shook her head and started to clean the infirmary.

JSJSJS

Sitting regally at his at his stone carved desk, Jareth waited for everyone to materialize. The desk was imposing, shiny black lava rock. It glowed slightly, glints of gold and red fire like minerals throughout it like wisps of smoke within the hard black surface. His desk appeared to be carved from the room itself, but could appear and disappear to any room in the castle as he saw fit. A matching, though very plush and comfortable chair sat behind it and Jareth smirked as Sarah appeared in his arms. He tightened his hold on her and watched the others arrive.

Alia and Jenata appeared and found themselves on a long dark red velvet sofa near a immense window overlooking the Labyrinth. The window was open and a soft fragrant breeze rolled in, a hint of some far away ocean tinging the air. Glass was not needed in the windows; if rain fell, the castle's magic kept it outside where it belonged. Occasionally though, a stray bolt of lightning would find its way inside if there was an unruly goblin or two. Jareth always swore he had nothing to do with it, but the grin on his face betrayed him.

Seline and Hoggle materialized next, standing near the door of Jareth's study. Seline rushed the desk, smiling. "You are well again. Sarah has marked you as her own."

"As I have marked her," the king said, smiling back at his mother. "Her magic is slowly merging with mine. I felt something else though - not just Avian power. Her father?" Jareth said, thoughtfully.

"My dad?" Sarah asked, shifting to stare at Jareth. He kissed the top of her head and nodded. Hoggle slowly walked toward the desk, never taking his eyes off of Sarah. Jareth ignored him.

"I told you," Seline reminded Sarah in that faintly English accent. "Your father has a bit of magic in him. It is not Avian, but something alien to this world. Earth has its own source of power, but few families have had access to it. You are even more special than we'd realized." She looked at her son, slightly worried. "Devlin is within the castle, I can feel him."

"He grows desperate if he risks being seen here," Jareth said. "Surely he knows he cannot hide forever."

"Will you get rid of him like my dad?" Alia's small voice cut through the conversation. The adults turned to him and Jareth stood, gently placing Sarah back into his chair. Walking over to Alia, he knelt next to the sofa and grasped her hands.

"Alia, we will do all we can to protect you. Your grandfather loves you very much and we will send word to him so that he may come to get you to safety. Have no fear, child."

"I'm not afraid for myself, your highness." Her eyes clouded. "I'm afraid because my family doesn't seem very nice. What if I'm not nice? Will you get rid of me too?" Jenata gasped and clutched her friend's hand tightly.

"You won't hurt Alia, will you uncle?"

"Of course not," he retorted, rolling his eyes. Sarah bit back a laugh. "Alia look at me."

Jareth stared into the young girl's eyes as if searching for something. A hush came over the room and the faint sounds of singing filtered through the room, a song so gentle, none were certain they'd really heard it at all. After a long moment he smiled softly at Alia. "You have your own road to navigate, young Lordos. You have the example of your mother and grandfather, or the misguided path of your father and uncle. But the choices you make seal your fate. I believe you will choose wisely." He stood, glaring at Hoggle. "As for you, we need to speak."

Hoggle was just reaching the chair where Sarah sat. As he heard his king, he spun around to glare back at Jareth.

"You got Sarah into danger. I's takin' her out of here and gettin' her to safety."

"You will do no such thing, scab," Jareth boomed. "You will give me Rialta's ring and get yourself far from my sight. If you had been a true friend to Sarah, you would have come to me as soon as you knew of Rialta's plight."

"I came, didn't I? Have the stupid ring, just let Sarah go."

"Let me go? He's not holding me prisoner, Hoggle. And I'm not leaving him. What has gotten into you?"

"He said he was gonna make you queen, but we don't need a queen. I need you to be my friend. He's got everything, why should he have you too?"

"Hogbreath, we have no time for your foolishness," Jareth growled, but Sarah held up a hand and leaned closer to her friend.

"Hoggle, he doesn't own me. He loves me. And I love him. I love everyone here."

"Even Hoggle?" The dwarf kicked an imaginery pebble away as he stared at the floor. She reached over and squeezed his hand.

"Especially you Hoggle. You are one of my dearest friends. But Jareth is my home and you are going to have to get used to it. Please don't make this harder than it has to be, we have to find Devlin and keep everyone safe. Can we count on you?"

"You'd still be my friend, even if you was queen?" Hoggle asked, a hint of distrust in his voice.

"Even then," she said, holding out her hand. "The ring, please?" Hoggle glanced from Sarah to Jareth, then down at the ring.

Trust them, Hoggle. I do. They will not let any harm come to those they love.

"Princess, you are sure?" he asked the ring. "Well - all right then." He gave Sarah the ring and she smiled at him. Standing up quickly, she went to Jareth and handed it to him. His arm went round her waist and he pulled her to him, glancing over at the dejected dwarf.

"Your understanding of human love needs some work," he said wisely. "You must try to be as I am, impossible as that will be, but in time you may come to some simpleton understanding of it. I myself understand this love more than most," and Sarah rolled her eyes at that.

"Jareth," she said pointedly and he grinned down at her.

"Yes, my love?"

"Shut up and let's find the evil Lordos," she said trying not to smile. She froze and stared at Jareth.

"Sarah?"

"He was just in the infirmary - how do I know that?"

"The castle is letting its magic enter your own. Soon you will know all that I do," he assured her. Hoggle snorted.

"Hope she doesn't become a rat like you," he muttered. Sarah laughed out loud while Jareth pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Where is he now?" Jenata asked, holding Alia's hand tightly. "He better not be coming near this room to get Alia - I'll kick him in the knee!"

"The throne room. Fitting," Jareth muttered. "For that is where he shall meet my justice."

In a blaze of glitter, they were all gone again.