Back at the castle, the family gazed into a large crystal suspended in the center of Jareth's office. It was surrounded by smaller crystals that orbited the larger globe as if they were small satellites. Queen Seline explained to Robert that this was how Jareth maintained order and knew where he was most needed. Robert nodded absently and focused on the crystal, searching for his daughter. All he saw was mist and fog.

"How does Jareth do it? Find what he's looking for?" Robert asked, eyes never leaving the crystal. Seline waved a hand over the globe and cleared the mists blocking their sight. A dense forest was shown, creatures chattering to themselves in excitement. They seemed to be watching something just out of sight. A flash of light and a whizzing spear appeared, but Robert could not see who had thrown the weapon or where it had landed.

Finally he saw Jareth find Sarah and Devlin find them both. He glanced over at Jenata and Alia, should they be here for this? What if it got violent? Why wouldn't any of these supposedly powerful people get Sarah out of there? She was just a child after all, not a queen - not yet. Robert felt conflicted over Sarah, he knew she loved Jareth, but real danger just wasn't acceptable. Maybe Sarah could live at home and Jareth could come visit her when she turned 18 - no one said when they had to actually get married.

They could be engaged for years. And then maybe things would fizzle out between them and Jareth wouldn't die over it, Jareth might even find someone more suited to this world. He shrugged to himself, remembering the way Sarah had spoken of her king. Maybe he was just being delusional, Sarah loved the king and Robert sighed to himself in defeat. She would never give Jareth up, but maybe she could see that his world was too violent for her. It was a mess and Robert had no solutions.

The children were sitting quietly together, watching the adults. Occasionally one would whisper to the other and nod. They had never seen a challenge before, and didn't know what to expect. Jenata thought Sarah shouldn't have jumped into the Labyrinth without being summoned, but Alia believed that maybe she knew what she was doing. Maybe in order to be a queen, you had to know when to take risks. Jenata frowned, thinking about that for a moment. She gave Alia a small hug and then looked into the crystal again, searching.

"You may have a point, I mean Uncle Jareth takes risks as king all the time." Jenata made her voice sound confident, but inside, she was a little scared. She'd lost her parents, she didn't think she could handle losing her uncle now.

"Do you think they'll be all right?" Alia asked quietly. Jenata shrugged.

"I think as long as they stick together, they'll be fine. Friends should stick together."

"Like us, right?" Alia asked, grinning slightly as Jenata nodded. Together, they stood near the large crystal, holding hands and waiting. Within minutes, a loud wind was heard and blew the mists away. The girls held each others hand just a bit tighter.

Now the Labyrinth would begin the challenge and no one would be able to enter or leave the Labyrinth until it was settled.

Devlin had thrown a spear at Jareth, wounding the king slightly. Sarah had growled in anger and jumped from the tree branch she'd been standing on, facing Devlin with a snarl. Karen had frowned at that, muttering to herself about Marissa's departure at such an important time. Robert was only half listening. Seline reminded Karen that Marissa's life was bound to the Labyrinth as Crystal Queen and she had a duty to see to her people and her own survival. Karen reluctantly agreed with that logic, but Robert could see she still was not pleased.

Marissa had gone back to the Crystal Palace to prepare for war if Jareth and Sarah lost against Devlin. Seline and Karen had been shocked that their sister would even think of such a thing, but the Crystal Queen had a responsibility to all of her realm. Family love aside, Marissa had to be practical. She had gone quietly so that the servants and guards would have no reason to suspect the danger they were all in now that the challenge had started. Seline's brow furrowed in thought and she tilted her head, considering.

"Well this will be interesting," Seline said quietly as they watched the scene unfold. "Jareth has never been without his powers before, hopefully his military training will come back to him when he needs it."

"Without - what?" Robert asked, stunned. "What do you mean? He's the king of that maze isn't he? He's the ruler of the Labyrinth, he built the thing didn't he?" He paced to the window and then back again, searching everyone's face for answers.

"And that is exactly why he is without his powers. If he is challenged for his kingdom and uses his powers, he would win without trying."

"Isn't that the point?" Robert asked the High Queen. She shook her head.

"It would not be a fair fight. The Labyrinth is tied to the Crystal Kingdom's power and Marissa is bound to it as well. If there is any treachery in a challenge, both would fall."

"Marissa would die as soon as the Labyrinth sensed Jareth having an unfair magical advantage," Karen explained gently. "Jareth must win as any other challenger would, by his wits and instinct."

"And where does that leave Sarah? Helpless - listen, you have to get her out of there. This isn't her fight."

"Oh, but it is," Logan said, entering the room. "It is much more her fight than anyone else's. She is the presumptive Queen and must prove herself worthy. The Labyrinth will test the girl and decide if there is a reason for her to have interfered with a challenge. If she is successful, all will be well."

"Really," Robert growled. "And what if she isn't successful - what then?"

"Then she dies and so does any hope of Jareth regaining his magic. Devlin will rule the Labyrinth and destroy it from within just to steal its power."

"Logan, must you be so blunt?" Seline asked, exasperated. He nodded, unfazed and calmly gazed into the crystal.

"Are you serious?" Robert asked, outraged. He spun to face his wife. "Did you know this? Did you risk my daughter's life for this place, knowing she can't win against Devlin?"

"Robert, you have no idea what Sarah can do. I told you that she was meant to be queen," Karen said calmly. "I told you that she was meant for Jareth. This isn't the way I thought events would play out for her. But she chose to aid her king in his challenge, and so her path is her own to follow. You will have to trust in our daughter."

"I know that you all hang the stars and moon on Jareth, and I don't want him to die either, but if it is a choice between that happening and losing Sarah," Robert said angrily and Karen glared at him, her eyes glowing brightly. He took a step back, suddenly remembering that his wife was not human. Her voice took on an otherworldly tone and a hush settled over the room.

"Sarah was chosen for this and she will not fail. Your family has a bit of magic in it through your maternal grandmother. Her power is just as great. And with that magic, lended with Jareth's power, she is stronger."

"But she has no power in the Labyrinth," Robert argued. Seline smirked at that.

"Jareth has no power in the Labyrinth. Sarah has no such restrictions."

"So she can use magic?" Robert asked, filling with hope again.

"No," Seline said simply. "But the magic just may use her."

"That makes no sense! Does everyone here talk in riddles?" Robert yelled.

"Let the scene play out as it will, Robert," Logan said gently. "Sarah's will is as strong as Jareth's. She will not fail."

"How can you all be so calm?" Robert asked, amazed. Karen smiled softly.

"Because we trust Sarah, and I think maybe it's time that you did as well."

JSJSJS

Sarah jumped down from her tree and whirled around to face Devlin. He regarded her as one would notice a small pet, smirking. She kept a barrier between Devlin and Jareth, circling left or right as the Lordos moved. He would not get near her king.

Devlin went to raise his hand, and - nothing. No burst of power, no magic.

"You went back on your word," Devlin growled at the Goblin King. "You lied and now you will die."

"I did nothing - yet," Jareth taunted.

A new voice broke into the argurment. "Silence. Prepare for judgement."

"Who was that," Sarah whispered to Rialta, who had appeared next to her.

"That, my dear Sarah, was the Labyrinth."