Hey guys. Thanks for the reviews, they really keep me going. Please keep them coming! Hope you enjoy this chapter. Love you all. xxx

On returning from the council Jareth flew straight to the tower window, his greyish white wings spread wide, the currents of air causing up drafts that let him soar over his Labyrinth. The Labyrinth felt him passing overhead and welcomed him with warmth through the night. Jareth's heart sang as he soared and he called his joy across his kingdom in a long drawn shriek. Effortlessly he circled the tower, slowing his decent before coming into land with a small clatter on the stone sill.

Sarah was awakened by a gentle tapping at the window. For a few moments she lay still listening. The word Nevermore replayed in her head as she was reminded of the poem they had once read in school. Sleepily she rolled over in bed to glance at the window. There, blocking out the silvery moonlight was a beautifully handsome grey owl, its imperious eyes fixed demandingly on her. Shivering slightly as her bare feet touched the cold stone of the floor, Sarah rose, realising for the first time that she was wearing a thin diaphanous night dress that fell almost to her ankles. Wrapping her arms around herself she crossed to the window and tugged at the latch. It was stiff and heavy, and the owl had to hop back a little as she jerkily managed to open it. The owl stalked inside, and paused for a moment before stepping off the sill and turning smoothly into the Goblin King. Sarah stepped back and gasped.

"Good evening, my dear," Jareth welcomed silkily, "it is a beautiful night, is it not?"

Sarah nodded, struck dumb with awe anew at the charismatic figure that Jareth struck. Reaching up, he pulled a single grey feather from his hair and leaning towards Sarah, he pushed it down the front of her nightdress, between her breasts. It tickled deliciously and Sarah could not help but giggle slightly at the feeling. She smiled shyly at Jareth, before stepping forwards and wrapping her arms round his narrow waist. Jareth enveloped her in his powerful arms, made strong from all the flying he did, and looked down at her indulgently. Sarah pulled back slightly, seeking his eyes with hers.

"Did you meet with the council?" she asked him.

He nodded, taking her by the hands and leading her to sit on the edge of the bed, wrapping her in the blanket for he had seen she was starting to shiver.

"Yes I did. I have just returned from the negotiations. It was difficult to change their minds you see, that is why it took so long. The problem was that in the underground it is considered proper for any person who is to sleep with a King to undergo what they call in your world female circumcision."

Sarah gasped, looking terrified. Female circumcision was not only considered completely barbaric, but was also highly illegal in all civilised countries in her own world. The only people who still carried it out were native tribes. Involuntarily Sarah's legs pressed together in an instinctive attempt at preservation. Jareth wrapped his arm round her waist and sought to reassure her.

"Do not worry, my sweetheart." He kissed her gently in her hair. "The negotiations took so long as I refused to let this happen. I said I would not allow it. Because I want you to be able to gain as much pleasure as possible from all that we may do." At this Sarah blushed deeply. "In the end the only way I could persuade them was to insist you remained intact for the purposes of appeasing the Labyrinth, and by making certain other compromises."

Sarah leant against his side and he tightened his arm round her, pulling her closer. "Thank you," she whispered, "what compromises?" she queried after a moment.

"Don't worry, the first part I will have complete control of." Sarah shuddered, thinking of what had passed earlier. She was not sure that this reassured her much, although she did know that she trusted Jareth, and that he would keep her safe. "The second part the council will carry out, but I will be with you at all times." He squeezed her to him again. "The questioning may be a little embarrassing, but together we can cope." He kissed the top of her head. "Now, we will get some sleep, because we must start preparations early if you are to ready to face the council tomorrow. Lie down."

Jareth gently manoeuvred Sarah until she was lying down facing the wall. Carefully, he lay down behind her, draping his arm over her waist. He kissed the back of her neck.

"Are you comfortable?" he asked.

"Mmmm," was Sarah's sleepy reply. She was so happy, despite what lay ahead. Jareth was lying in bed with her, being gentle and loving. She wondered what had triggered the change. And then his words came back to her.

"Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave." Fear him? He terrified her. Love him? She adored him with all she had, worshipped him and could never get enough of him. Had she done as he had said? Yes, she was getting there. She still doubted him sometimes, but today she had given everything she had into carrying out his orders. And now it seemed to be paying dividends. She pushed back a little, until she could feel his chest against her back.

"Jareth?"

"Yes Sarah?"

"Does this mean the Labyrinth is appeased?"

Jareth shifted uncomfortably, moving slightly away from her. "Let's not talk about that now. Just get some sleep. It will be a big day tomorrow."

Sarah bit back her further questions and shut her eyes. Oh well, she thought, for now at least she could enjoy the gentle side of the Goblin King. She smiled to herself as she drifted off to sleep in his embrace.

Jareth lay for a long time, simply breathing in Sarah's scent and enjoying the feel of her warm body against his. He had had to fight himself when she had shifted back against him, but was confident that he had hidden the state of his arousal from her. He listened to the gentle rhythm of her breathing, and wished that tomorrow was over, and then she would be his to do with as he liked. He smiled wickedly at the thought and shifted his hand so that it rested flat against Sarah's stomach. He remained still for a long time before he too drifted off to sleep.