Chapter Twenty One: Day Five (Death To Them All)

He stroked her hair gently, gazing at her face as she slept. She was so beautiful; he wondered how it was he became so lucky to have her. His fingers trailed through the wisps of golden chocolate, before sliding down the side of her face. She breathed evenly as she inched closer to him. He grinned, pecking her on the forehead ever so lightly. It was still dark outside, for the sun had not yet risen. Jareth glanced at the large clock that sat on the far wall, and the time read just before 5 AM. He sighed, pulling the blankets away from his naked body, and slid off of the bed, padding over to his wardrobe.

The Goblin King pulled the wooden doors open, sifting through the shirts and pants, before pulling out a black shirt, black leather pants, a vest, and his boots. He pulled everything on, before opening a drawer at the bottom of the wardrobe, grabbing a pair of gloves. He stood, shutting the drawer, and pulled a black trench-like coat off of the rack, sliding it onto his shoulders. He adjusted the collar, before putting the gloves on, stretching his fingers so that they fit comfortably in the material. He glanced at the table, seeing a brightly packaged box with a letter on top of it. He walked over, and lifted the white envelope out of the ribbon. His name was written in an elegant script. Tearing open the letter, he stared down at Aerynn's handwriting, and he smiled.

Dear Jareth,

I thank you greatly for what you given to me, and now I believe it's my turn to give something to you. This'll look familiar, but it is freshly crafted.

I love you,

Aerynn

Jareth sat the note aside, before opening the box, seeing a replica of his pendant resting within. But the silver was polished, the gold disk with its engraved design. Though there was something different about it. It wasn't an exact copy. The disk held different colored jewels where there were orbs. There was a red, green, blue, and clear jewel in each slot. There were three strips of leather cord that were braided together for extra durability. His heart melted in his chest as he stared down upon the pendant. She had taken the time to find a way to give back. He lifted the pendant above his head, sliding the cord around his neck. It hung just where his old one used to.

'Thank you, Aerynn.' He thought, looking over at her sleeping frame. He turned on his heel, walking through the archway, down the numerous flights of stairs, and into the armory. He scanned through many different styles of swords, maces, axes, and shields, before pulling a one handed sword with a gold and black hilt, diamonds embedded into its blade. He slid the sword into its place by his hip, before storming out of the armory, and eventually out through the large double doors of his castle.

It was still dark, and there were hardly any goblins, faeries, or Fae out to question his sudden appearance. He rushed over to the stables, where a few horses that had been— essentially smuggled from the mortal world— rested. He glanced among them, choosing a white steed with flowing silver hair. It reminded him of his cousin, Vixanne. He snatched an apple from a barrel, and stroked the horse's nose. Her bright blue eyes opened, staring at him. He held the apple out to her, and she gingerly took it, munching on it quietly. He opened her stall door, leading her out of the stables. She let him climb onto her back, bending down for him. He whispered a word of thanks in her ear, before nudging her slightly, and she began to trot forward. Jareth was glad that she was already saddled and ready when he chose her.

He snapped the reigns once, and the horse ran faster, charging through the Goblin City out to the Labyrinth itself. The horse's hooves clopped on the stone pathways. Jareth was amazed at how well she could easily and quickly make necessary sharp turns or stops. His hair blew in the wind, blowing around his eyes, but he didn't mind it. It felt pleasant to him; to feel the sense of freedom that riding or flying gave him. His heart pounded in his chest as he rode closer to his destination, his blood boiling beneath the surface of his flesh. It was time he made those damned creatures pay before they tried to hurt her again…

"Whoa girl, steady…" He murmured, tugging on the reigns as they came to two different doors. He swung his leg over, and slid off of the horse, tying the reigns to a nearby try. She neighed softly, nudging him in the crook of his neck as if to say 'Be careful.' He nodded once, glancing at the two doors. He didn't need to worry about which one was which. The door with the knocker's ring in the mouth of a goblin was sealed shut. It always had been since Sarah had first gone through and met the fieries. He walked along the stone pathways, crushing thin weeds here and there with a few of his steps. Sunlight was just peeking above the tips of the distant mountains to the East. It was still dark in the Labyrinth though.

Jareth walked up to the door on the left, and lifted the knocker into his hand. He knocked three times, watching as the door pushed open by a slight gust of wind. A thin fog washed around his ankles, and Jareth stalked forward, keeping quiet and light on his feet as he rushed through a tunnel of vines and trees. He could hear soft chatter and a fire roaring. The forest was humid, most likely from the heat of the flames. Jareth stood in the shadow of a tree, out of the fieries' line of vision. There were only about thirty of them, probably the survivors from their last encounter with him. Most were sleeping, for there were four gathered around the fire. They were beaten up reddish-pink things, munching on what looked like a few dead chickens. He could hear their conversations, for they were practically shouting every now and then.

"Damn that Sarah... I was sure we would have had her this time!" Jareth looked closely, seeing the disappointment on their faces.

"If Jareth hadn't of interfered, she would have been done for." Another fiery snarled. Jareth chuckled under his breath, peering closer still. The first fiery sighed, throwing a leg bone into the fire pit. Feathers were strewn around, but mostly piled in a black heap.

"Vex, remember how Jareth go there in the first place. Sarah called for him. We learned from some of the other goblins 'round the city that she left him all those years ago. Why would she have returned?" Vex, as Jareth learned, looked puzzled for a brief moment, before shrugging.

"I dunno Linch. Ferz, toss me another one." The fiery named Ferz picked up a wing that had been ripped off, and tossed it to Vex. Jareth cringed at the sight of the fieries tearing into the chickens, and crawled closer to hear, for their conversation grew quiet suddenly.

"Linch do you think it's true? That Sarah's come back to become the Queen?" Vex asked, leaning closer to the fire pit to discard the bones. Jareth crouched low, preparing to invade on their little part at any given moment. But first, he had other plans, especially for that Linch character. A crystal formed into his finger tips, and he listened for Linche's answer.

"She may have. But I have a plan that will rid the Underground of that stupid bitch forever..." Jareth growled, letting the crystal slip through his fingers, and fall down into their circle. The fieries glanced at it, puzzled as to where a crystal such as that could have come from. The fiery Ferz reached out slowly, and put one fury finger on it-

And that's when it exploded.

Jareth had barely enough time to duck behind the tree as the eplosion ran through the forest. He could hear the fieries screams of terror as the smoke filled his senses, blinding him temporarily. He coughed once, waving his hand into the air to clear it. He stared down into the pit, seeing burning fieries, but yet some how Linch and Vex managed to survive, though just barely. Jareth snarled, lunging into the air, and landing down beside them. Linch looked up to see through the smoke a dark figure with mismatched eyes that seemed to glow with hate. The fiery gasped, and tried to crawl away, but Jareth's booted foot landed on his leg, crushing the bones beneath the surface. Linch howled in pain as Vex stood, wielding his blade. He weakly swiped at the Goblin King, but due to lack of strength, Jareth had plenty of time to pull out his own sword and block the attack. Vex had no time to dodge Jareth's swipe, which cut his body in half where he did not already come apart. The fiery was dead immediately.

Linch clawed at Jareth's boot, trying to injure him in some way. Jareth ran the tip of his blade along the fiery's back, before bending down, and lifting the damned thing up by it's fur. He squirmed in the King's grasp, before freezing all together as he stared into Jareth's eyes, frightened by the Fae's cold stare.

"I hope you realize that you days end here." Jareth growled, lifting his sword higher into the air, holding it so the tip was just under Linch's neck. He whimpered quietly.

"I didn't mean no harm. It's just after twenty years you build up a grudge... Please let me go, Your Majesty..."

"Nice try... but do you know exactly who it was that you attacked a week ago?" Linch looked puzzled, but he answered honestly.

"Sarah, of course." Jareth chuckled, before laughing.

"No." He replied simply, driving his sword through the fiery's head. Linch's eyes remained open, his face frozen in shock, even after Jareth removed his blade from his skull, and tossed the dead body into the fire pit that was still going strong. He wiped his blade clean by shoving it into the earthen ground, and pulling it back out slowly. Sheathing it gently, Jareth spun on his heel, climbing back up to the ledge where he had been standing, and disappeared in a poof of faery dust and peach scents. Upon his return, he found Aerynn still asleep in their bed. He smiled as he peeled his ashen and smoked clothing away, before climbing into the bed beside her, and falling asleep with his arms wrapped firmly around her.

Chapter Twenty Two: Day Seven (Cravings, Mood Swings, and The Ice Mage)

"Is it always like this?" I whined to my mother, staring down at her reflection in the crystal. She sighed, a pleasant smile on her face. She nodded, and I groaned, running my fingers through my hair, and pulled slightly. This couldn't be. I couldn't be this obsessed with suddenly wanting pancakes with ketchup instead of syrup. Nor could my bitchy attitude toward Jareth that morning have been normal. But Sarah said it was perfectly natural to have strange cravings and mood swings at this stage of pregnancy. She said human wise I was anywhere between month 4 and month 6. 'Dear God…' I thought miserably.

"It'll all get better sweetheart. I promise." She said, her image flickering in the crystal.

"I suppose."

"Ha ha. Well, I have to run, Toby is going to be here soon, and I told him that I'd help him move into his new house." I froze, staring down into the crystal.

"Whoa whoa whoa, back the fuck up. Toby got a new place?" Sarah glared at me.

"Please don't use that language with me, missy. And yes, Toby got a new place. He lives about a block from where I do." I nodded once, muttering an apology under my breath.

"Okay, well, give him my best, okay?"

"Will do. I love you honey."

"I love you too, Mom." Her image disappeared, as did the crystal in my palm. Jareth had told me not to worry about leaving them around, that after I was done talking to Sarah, it would disappear on its own. I sighed, staring out through the window out to the Goblin City and the Labyrinth itself. It was bustling like it had been a few days before, though rain poured down on the magical land. Jareth had told me that the winter seasons were coming in, now that summer was over. He had thanked me for the pendant I had given him, and in return he made me a fancy breakfast with just the two of us, and a bit of romance— though nothing beyond harmless kissing and butterfly touches.

And of course, how did I thank him this morning?

I cussed him out when he suggested that we take a walk through the gardens. He mentioned something like he had to deal with some Kingly affairs, and I hadn't seen him since then.

Naturally I felt bad, but I couldn't truly be blamed for it. It wasn't my fault I got pregnant with his child. It wasn't my fault that for the next few days I'd be the biggest bitch in the entire Underground. I sighed, placing my hand on my belly. The day before, I felt the first kick, which nearly sent Jareth into an early heart attack. He thought that there was something wrong, and when I explained it was the baby… it was like he was seeing daylight again. That look of awe and peace that crossed his face was so beautiful. I realized there was more about Jareth that I loved apart from his looks or his personality. It was his heart, and its purity.

The rain continued to sweep along the streets and alleys of the Goblin City, out into the Labyrinth and only ending Lord knew where else. I walked over to the window, placing my palm on the edge as I gazed out across. The clouds rolled along the skyline, and the weather smelled fresh and clean. But it was more intense than in the mortal world. True, after heavy rains is when we could smell the cleanliness. But here… it was automatic. I inhaled deeply, my eyes fluttering at the sensation of pure rain. Nothing to pollute it in the slightest. No smog… no smoke… nothing.

Damn it was good.

I left my position by the window, trotting down the stairs, and following my memory's map into the kitchen. Very wonderful and interesting memories were left here between myself and Jareth. It was quiet in the kitchen, light washing into the room, giving it warmth. I smiled softly, resting my hand on the stone counter. Though I had entered the room in search of food, I was no longer hungry for anything. Almost as if the air I had tasted up in the chamber had satisfied my strange cravings. I sighed, staring around the kitchen. Such beauty, the castle had. I knew that I would never tire of its mysteries. They were part of my life now. A life that I didn't know would ever end.

'What am I thinking? All things have to end eventually… Even in the Underground.' I thought sadly, glancing out of the small windows, and I could have sworn the plumps of clouds seemed thicker and grayer, the rain falling harder. I shook the feeling, glancing down at the ring on my finger and the roundness of my belly. I smiled slightly, leaving the warmth of the kitchen.

The castle was full of goblins, trolls, dwarves, and Fae, as I could see. Some of them greeted me with a casual 'Good afternoon!' or whatever. I nodded in response half the time. But much like Jareth, the Fae were a beautiful people. They had sharp features, intense eyes, and slightly pointed ears. Most of them wore attire similar to mine and Jareth's, but a few had their own twists. Strands of gold and silk were wound into intricate designs that resembled certain aspects of the Underground. Some wore necklaces with family crescents, and others had specific colors that they wore. Even though they all knew I had been here for several weeks and I would continue to stay, that didn't stop their staring. I'd hear hushed conversations relating to their awe of my appearance or Fae resemblances.

I glided through the throne room, passing out into the open courtyard that led to the Goblin City. I glanced up at the sky, seeing the rain. Instantly, I was irritated by it. What I had considered beautiful and relaxing a moment before, now appeared harmful and filthy. I grimaced in my distaste, before sighing again, and turning away from the open doorway. Instead, I walked down a narrow hall, through a random door on the right hand side. I blinked once, staring at a large room filled with bookcases and wall shelves loaded with encyclopedias, dictionaries, fiction, non fiction, biographies, poetry, and even a few 'How To…' books. I released a breath I didn't realize I had been holding at the time. Light poured into the library, stained glass windows sending rainbows all around in glittering patterns of beauty and grace. I giggled to myself, walking through many aisles of books, until I came to the center of the room itself. Four hand-crafted wooden desks were positioned neatly in a quad on a soft, red and purple carpet.

Even in the warmth and light, the room temperature seemed to drop, and I could see my breath in front of me. Frowning, I turned around to see a woman with hair black as coal, skin as pale as flesh could be, and a pair of ice blue eyes. She was adorned with flowing blue robes that clung to her figure in a more seductive tone as apposed to the natural curves the rest of the Fae had with their own attire. A pendant in the shape of a oval made of ice rested just above her cleavage. The first layer was black ice, dull and scarred with wear and above it was a diamond, clear as could be. She was beautiful, but in a frightening sort of way. Almost as if everything about her screamed dangerous. My heart pounded faster in my chest, and I thought I saw a glint of hatred in her eyes. But a smile flicked on her thin, blue painted lips. She stalked forward, holding out her hand to me.

"You must be Aerynn." She said. I lifted my hand, and grasped hers in a firm and quick shake. Her flesh was cold as ice, but I didn't jerk away from it. I didn't wish to show my fear to the strange woman. She released my hand, and my arm dropped to my side.

"Pardon my rudeness. I am Celeste, Heiress to the Polar Regions in the Northern-lands of the Underground. I understand that you are engaged to the Goblin King, is this not true?" I paused, before finding my voice.

"Yes, this is true." I said, straightening my posture.

"And I see that you are with child." She added, briefly glancing at my pregno-belly.

"Yes, I am indeed." She smiled softly.

"I wish you the best of luck with the up-coming challenge you will face. But I do urge you to tell me what it's like to have a child." She said, walking over to one of the cushioned benches. I felt a tug that forced me to the follow her, even though I wanted to be rid of her presence as soon as I could.

"But can you not simply find out one day for yourself?" I asked softly. She sighed.

"Sadly, I cannot. Yes, I am in fact a Fae, but as part of my heritage, I was given a burden that I must carry." I frowned slightly.

"You don't have to answer, but may I ask what burden that might be?"

"I am to become Queen, and as such, because the Northern-lands are much, much colder than they are here, if I were to have a child, then such a child would not have time to be physically Changed before freezing to death. And besides, the body can only take such Change after a certain age. Even if a child were able to survive such temperatures, the Change itself would surely kill them." My heart skipped a beat at this, and I was suddenly regretting my ever asking. Thankfully, Celeste didn't have time to see my regret, before she changed the subject.

"So… how long have you known Jareth?" I glanced at her, trying to see if she was really curious or trying to find something to gossip about.

"Um… nearly two months now…" Her eyes widened slightly.

"Two months? And you're already getting engaged— not to mention pregnant?" I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Well… it's one of those instances where it hasn't been long… but it feels like I've known him for forever. I knew most everything about him before I even met him. And even though when I did first meet him it was hard to see much, I knew instantly who he was." I said, reliving my memories of a high school that seemed so distant, and a first meeting that would stay with me for all time.

"Fascinating…" Celeste said, a glint in her eye. I blushed faintly, a nervous laugh in the back of my throat. Her eyes continued to study my face, which made me feel very uncomfortable, and I was thankful for the next voice that I heard.

"Aerynn?" I turned my attention behind me, seeing Jareth standing beside a bookshelf. His eyes wavered from me to Celeste, and I saw worry. "Celeste." He said simply, a touch of harshness in his voice. I turned back to the dark haired woman, and her expression sent chills down my spine. Her face was calm, but her eyes were throwing daggers at Jareth. She blinked, and the coldness was gone. Replaced by what appeared to be a false warm smile.

"Ahh, Jareth. So good to see you again." She said, standing up, and gliding over to him. She threw an arm around his neck in a sort of half hug, but he didn't return the motion. He remained frozen.

"Yes… nice to see you too, Celeste." He muttered under his breath, his eyes locked with mine. She stared at him for a brief moment, before returning to me.

"It was very nice to finally meet you, Aerynn." She said, before waving goodbye, and disappearing around a corner. Jareth and I remained motionless for a moment, before we heard the library doors open and shut loudly. Jareth exhaled, appearing in front of me in a matter of seconds. I felt queasy, chilled and yet burning at the same time. He sat down in front of my, checking my forehead and my pulse.

"She didn't hurt you, did she?" He asked softly. I shook my head.

"Son of a bitch, Aerynn… You're burning up in some places, and in others you're ice cold." He said angrily. My hands trembled in my lap and I felt nausea creeping up on me again.

"I don't like her…" I whispered.

"She's an ice mage. And a cruel one at that. No one likes her." I shook my head.

"It isn't something like that. Her presence bothers me. And I'm pretty damn sure it bothers the baby as well." I said, unconsciously placing a hand over my belly. Jareth glanced down, covering my hand with his own. I stared into his eyes, feeling a sense of calm in them. His mouth was turned down in worry, and I was afraid it would stay like that. "She spoke so calmly, but everything about her was just… wrong… evil…" I continued, shuddering. Jareth pulled me into his lap slowly, cradling me against him. I sighed heavily, feeling a tear rolling down the side of my face.

"It's okay love. I won't let her hurt you." I inhaled sharply, choking back a sob.

"She spoke of the fact that she cannot have children. She spoke as if the fact that any child in her world would die was nothing. She made it seem like the child was the most unnecessary thing in this world. She's more than cruel, Jareth… that woman is heartless!" I silently sobbed into his shirt, grateful to release my fear of the woman. His arms wound tighter around me. I shook in his hold. We sat like that in silence until it felt as if something stabbed me in the gut, and I cried out in pain.

"What— What is it? Aerynn, love, what's wrong?" Jareth repeated these questions as I cradled my stomach in pain. Tears blurred my vision as my breathing quickened.

"I—It's j—just the baby…" I whispered. Jareth's hands stroked my face, my shoulders, my thighs… every visible part of me. My breathing was hard and ragged, and I felt another jab of pain. Though this time it sent spots into my already blurred vision. I felt him lift me into his arms, and the world spun around us, making my nausea even worse. I moaned, feeling myself being lied down upon a soft bed. I curled slightly into a ball, holding my stomach in my arms. I heard a soft pop! and a secondary though smaller body came to the bed beside me. Delicate and gentle hands with thin fingers traced patterns into the sweat on my face, and I felt my shirt lift, revealing my stomach. But all sounds and images were blocked from me. The only thing that kept me in the conscious state of mind were the caresses I was feeling from eventually more than one set of hands.

Chapter Twenty Three: Day Nine (Complications)

He ran his thin fingers through his hair, sighing loudly. Dark circles were under his eyes as he stared upon her sleeping form. Vixanne's thoughts along with Vizael's knowledge scared him. His body trembled slightly as he covered his face with his hands, his mind reeling through everything…

"Vixanne… Vixanne, tell me what's wrong!" He shouted at the young Fae. Her face was pale, her eyes filled with worry. Aerynn had passed out shortly after a young Fae healer came to Vixanne's aid. Vizael swooped into the room, transforming beside him. His expression went from confused to shock in a matter of moments. Vixanne traced physical spells into Aerynn's forehead and stomach, moving her lips though not making a sound. The Fae healer, a small boy no older than a mortal five year old, muttered ancient spells for relaxation.

Vizael stared down at Aerynn, seeing her face contorted in pain. "Had something happened prior to this?" Jareth shook slightly before answering.

"Celeste…" He whispered.

"Son of a bitch!" Vizael shouted, knocking over a chair. Jareth glared at his brother.

"No, don't you dare! Do not take your anger and frustration out on my fiancée! If anything, take it out on me! I was the one who didn't warn her!" Vizael shot a dagger flying look at the Goblin King.

"It's not like that, Jareth! Father warned Celeste not to disturb her in any fashion! The entire Underground knows that your future Queen is with child! Celeste knew better than most not to cause any sort of trouble!" Jareth roared in fury, but was silenced when Vixanne reached over and slapped him on the head, and placed her index finger over her lips. He sighed.

"Fucking bitch! I HATE THAT WOMAN!" Jareth hissed under his breath. Vizael placed his hand on the King's shoulder comfortingly.

Eventually, Vixanne sighed heavily, and Aerynn fell motionless. The Fae boy had already vanished with a bow. Jareth glanced at the girl, before giving her his full attention. "Well…?"

She turned to him, placing her hand on his cheek gently. 'If the pains had continued, she would have miscarried.' Tears brimmed at his eyes as he glanced at the young woman, exhausted on his bed. His lips trembled as he tried to form words.

"W-what… caused them?" He asked softly. Vixanne looked away for a moment, before exhaling softly. She placed her hand back on his cheek. 'Fear. It appears as if it was a reaction caused by the baby. She was afraid, and the baby thought she was in danger.' Jareth leaned back, staring at the Fae girl in confusion.

"Fear?" She nodded.

"So… it was self defense?" Vizael asked after being silent for several moments. Vixanne looked over at him, and nodded. "Interesting…" He said softly.

"Father is going to want to know about this." Jareth muttered.

"Indeed. Perhaps we can get that bitch exiled."

"How about we just fucking kill her?" Vizael chuckled, but shook his head slowly.

"No. That would result in our getting exiled. If you were exiled, Aerynn wouldn't have a known and true King to stand beside her, and the Council would elect one." Jareth nodded slowly. True, he hated the ice mage to no believable end. But risking his Kingly rights and forever being exiled from his throne, Aerynn, and his future child? That was something he didn't want to risk.

"Thank you, Vixanne." Jareth said, dismissing her. But she didn't leave right away. She frowned slightly, placing her palm back on his cheek.

'I'm worried…' Jareth frowned as well.

"What for?"

'I told you the pregnancy would last thirteen days and nights. But the baby is developing much faster than I had originally anticipated.'

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

'I don't know.' Jareth sighed again. Vixanne leaned over, pecked him on the forehead, and disappeared. Jareth stared down at Aerynn, before silently sobbing to himself. Vizael was at his side in moments, placing an arm around his brother's shoulders.

"I tried to keep her safe since the fiery incident. But it seems like no matter what I do, something tries to or evidentially does harm her." Vizael pondered this for a brief moment, before answering to Jareth's statement.

"Perhaps danger or tragedy is naturally attracted to her?"

"I don't know, Vizael… I just don't…"

Jareth looked over to see Aerynn changing her position slightly, turning her head to the left and raising her arm so her hand rested beside her face. He smiled slightly at how incredibly adorable she looked. The scars from the fieries had long since faded away; her skin glowed in the morning sunlight. The Labyrinth was drenched from the rain, but none of the civilians seemed to be truly bothered by it. There hadn't been rain in the Goblin City for years. From what the King observed, they enjoyed it.

But Aerynn's condition worried him. She had been sleeping since Vixanne had tended to her (once again). He knew that she needed sleep, but for almost two days? If she managed sleeping through dusk and into dawn, she'd be well on her way to three. He kept his gaze on her, studying her face. She had a button like nose, a strong jaw line, with plump, peach colored lips. Her eyes were adorned with thick lashes that graced her wonderfully. Her brown hair spilled around her like the petals of a flower. He followed her hand, down her arm, across the rise of the blanket, where beneath her breasts rose and fell with her breathing. The roundness was from her belly, so delicately shaped with pregnancy.

He smiled. He was going to be a father. For the first time, he would be able to experience holding his own flesh and blood in his arms. He'd have to think of several names to throw at Aerynn, asking for her input. A blush crossed his face as his gaze drifted to Aerynn again. He frowned slightly. But when was the last time she ate? Surely that would not go well with being with child. From what he learned, a child needed plenty of nutritious foods. Nothing too spicy or full of fats. Jareth blinked once, before quietly slamming his face into his palm.

He'd been watching mortals too much.

In particular… Sarah.

Though he had never watched her pregnancy with Aerynn, he had watched the first child. One that had been miscarried by that rat husband she had at the time. Even though he had been deeply infatuated with Sarah (and wanted her like a druggie wanted cocaine), he still considered her well being. And watching as he had beaten her like vermin was torturous. He would have flown to the moon and back to save her, but he knew better than most of the shield she had put up around herself. How he had hated it. A wall she had built in front of herself. He assumed she wanted to make sure he never interfered with her life again. But as time passed, he learned that she was trying to forget him.

And then Aerynn had to remind her.

He smirked slightly, imagining his lover's eyes. After first seeing those eyes, he paid close attention to Sarah's mind. Though it was mostly blocked, he had managed to get snippets over the weeks. He found that her mind was setting up barriers and walls to forget him, but her heart wanted a reminder. The magic that she possessed had allowed a reminder. It could have been anything, and it was the eyes.

Jareth remembered learning from Sarah's mind that her pig husband thought it had been a birth defect. That there had been something wrong with Aerynn. And no matter how many times he listened, the same answer would be given from her mind.

There's nothing wrong. She's exactly what I wanted.

Jareth sighed, walking across the room, down the numerous stairs cases and hallways, before entering his throne room. It was bustling with goblins as they passed around a baby girl dressed in a light blue dress with yellow lace. He rolled his eyes. Another baby?

He sat down in the large throne. How he wished that he could be warned of such things like this. It was part of his job as Goblin King to visit whatever older sibling had wished away a baby. To explain the rules to them; the whole 'You have thirteen hours to solve the Labyrinth before the baby becomes one of us forever' deal. 'But when was the last time I actually did that?' He thought, stroking his chin in thought.

'When Sarah wished Toby away.' He answered himself. He glanced at the clock. All journeys began at the 13th hour. The clock face displayed it to be at 1:17. 'Hmph… this next one has quite a whi—' The castle doors flew open, and there stood a teenage boy, panting for breath. Jareth raised an eye brow to the young lad, before promptly asking,

"Who are you?" The teen looked puzzled, but placed his hands on his hips.

"I'm Roy, O Mighty Goblin King. I want my sister back! Now!" Jareth sighed, waving his hand.

"Fine, take her." He said. The Roy kid cocked his head to one side, before he and his sister disappeared.

The goblins didn't like this.

"Sir! Why'd you do that?"

"Yea! We wasn't harming the little lass!"

" 'Twas totally—" Jareth stared down at the purple goblin.

"What? Unfair? You say that so often, I wonder what your basis for comparison is!" He sighed in anger. The goblins muttered in protest, but dropped the subject. Jareth had grown tired of the goblins rushing out to kidnap babies. Ever since Sarah had wished Toby away, he had feared that he would be attached to another young girl.

'It's more annoying now… besides… I don't think I could fall for another… I don't plan on losing Aerynn.' He thought with a smile.

No… it wasn't his intention at all.