It was more than about time that Jareth started to make an appearance, so he dressed himself, asking the servants (he had had his goblin staff hire local Fae villagers, which had serviced him quite well for many years as goblin townies made a terrible muck of things when he wanted to keep things clean) to step outside as he wanted to feel his fingers dance across his massive wardrobe, testing and rubbing against the various fineries and admire his clothes on him without that self degrading conscious of his feeding him wicked thoughts of how prideful and vain he was being. What the staff saw His Majesty do just might end up floating on the air about the town, being volleyed about by lashing tongues looking for any reason to say "Yes, see there is why we do not have an heir to the throne yet! Our King is more in love with himself than his people!" and then it could end up in those dreadful gossip papers. No, it just wouldn't do.

He really didn't want to go through with that again. Not like after his last engagement to the Countess of Idora over ten years ago. It had ended shortly before Jareth had met Sarah. His and the Countess' parents had arranged the marriage while they were children, but the Countess, being a mischievous, devious woman of her own mind, just repulsed Jareth. Well, if he was honest to himself, he didn't care much for her self-centered egotistical tricks. She had accused Jareth of not paying enough homage to her, and what not, and he wasn't, if they were to be married in slightly more than ten years time, why should he start on something he would bore of before he even officially began the courting, dreading it as he did? So, she had started to have an affair, flaunting the other suitor in front of the public who started rumors, slanderous as they were that Jareth (Casanova of his period) wasn't good enough to satisfy her.

He hadn't even touched the wrench.

She was supposed to be pure for him as a bride in waiting. Evidently she misunderstood the marriage contract, as three months before Jareth laid eyes on Sarah, the Countess of Idora was trying to hide the expanding abdomen of hers behind frills and layered skirts. Rumors of that sort don't stay hidden very long and Jareth demanded to know if there was an ounce of truth behind them and there was more like tons.

It was over before Jareth could flick his wrist and he never felt more relief than at that moment in his life. He had a few more years to fulfill his obligation to his country by marrying. And then in a few hundred years to produce an heir. He wasn't interested in settling down at all as he hadn't found her yet, and really was starting to believe she wasn't anywhere to be found.

But then Jareth hadn't been looking in the right world.

After a dry spell of no brats to take back to his world (which would turn into Fae, not goblins--this only worked on young children who still had to develop their magic or it was lost after the age of eight), she got the ball rolling by calling for him, granted, she didn't believe him to exist, and had no idea about what she got herself into—but that was fate.

And when Jareth laid eyes on her, it was all he could do to play along to her expectations and more, giving her exactly what she asked for and more—he could taste her spirit and her imagination—he could smell her dedication and integrity—he could see her loyalty and nobility. She was a peasant in her world, but she was well bred, a descendent of some ancient nobles from long ago, with a touch of magic in her that was long suppressed and buried in her veins to give her he could sense it. He didn't know why it wasn't completely drained like every mortal in her world, it had to be her imagination and dreaming, or something. Even the Underground sensed it, which is probably why it helped her at all; an unfair advantage, thought Jareth.

When he first saw her, watching her as an owl as he had been flying between worlds, he had chanced upon her reading a novella paralleling their worlds and it was strange, with the rarity of that tale about and that she would have it. He had racked his brain trying to find how that was possible but nothing came of it. Where did such a book even come from? He wondered if someone long ago had written it and then left it in the mortal world. Something to look into later.

It was destiny and she was destined to be his, and his her, and he would move the stars in heaven for her to be his queen and be with him to the end of time.

But, as heavy as that was, he wasn't going to tell her just yet. Charades and masquerades must decorate this pantomime and if she couldn't figure it out through his actions, well, she would soon enough.

Jareth settled on a solid black ensemble and as he sat on the edge of his bed, tucking his pant legs into his riding boots, a slight tapping echoed into his room from his door.

"Yes?" he called out; he felt much rejuvenated. The large oak doors cracked open and a young messenger goblin bounced towards him. He was just a mere boy in goblin years, Jareth had taken care of him as a young orphan in the royal orphanage as his parents had both been killed as they had enlisted in the Mine Rebellion in the distance land of Urio as they were immigrants to this country. It was this young boy who as a child pulled the King's hair because he wanted him to stay and read to him, and so Jareth sat back down and had him on his lap as he read. The Goblin King was well known as being a supporter of goblin rights, but many kingdoms were racist to their species and exploited them in the mines and cheap labor. It was a family tradition of being fair to brother species. Jareth wouldn't go so far as to marry one, but he respected them.

"What is it boy?" Jareth held his other boot in his fingers, dangling it as he asked.

The goblin rocked on his heels with a huge grin on his face as he then said, "Your Gobliness—she's here! She's returned—"

"Make yourself clear—"

"Sarah! The one who after she left—you were all depressed and wouldn't come out of your room and—"

"That's enough," Jareth almost growled. He put on his other boot and wondered why in heavens he had taken pity on this intelligent goblin and paid for his tuition for schooling. Other goblins went on fine, their limited vocabulary serving his purposes fine, not rambling on about things they don't know. There was a public village and private school the goblins could attend if they wanted to, but schooling among that race hadn't taken off very popularly yet, and on suprise visits, it was rather a party house among the villagers then a house of education. Jareth then chose to put the boy into the private one, where nobles of all races attended as well.

An educated mind led to dangerous thoughts. He didn't need reminding about that very dark period in his life.

"We do not want to see her. She is not to be brought forth to us unless we request her presence, and she is not allowed to approach us whenever she feels like it without our prior approval and she is not to address myself as Jareth, but as your Majesty, Highness, whatnot. Understood? We do not care right now she is here. Thank you, we appreciate your care for our well being." Jareth dropped into his formal kingdom addressings as he rose and looked down at the goblin boy. He nodded and trotted off.

Jareth's heart was racing and he felt his forehead slightly glisten. She had returned to the Labyrinth sooner than he thought, and she was now in the same world as him, breathing the air he breathed…she was so close yet so unattainable. He had thought it would have taken longer. He had to play this game now, and she would win once more. He would see to that. With all these dangers lurking around the castle that wasn't here previously, she would be safe as long as she followed the instructions that would appear on her vanity in a letter he had ordered delivered and with his ring, she was off limits to being eaten as a tempestuous dessert to dinner. However, that was an idea Jareth chose to store away for later…he could think of a few of his favorite delicacies that would suit her well. Smirking Jareth slipped on his dark studded jacket and sauntered out of his bedroom. He had his first official function to oversee for tonight and make a few diplomatic hellos and such. Tonight was the night of nights the games would begin, with the loser buggering off to wherever they came from.

It was also the night before each girl would get to spend a night with the King and that could be the end of a woman's career of respectability, being with Jareth's reputation of being beastly. Really, he wasn't going to object to it, but his stamina was longer than most he knew and he could go at it all night. Sometimes one could hear his conquest's screams from inside of the Labyrinth, or so the rumors were. Jareth wouldn't know from his position. But his waiting list of court courtesans was never lacking. That couldn't be a bad sign. Depending on his mood, if one was to bring along a friend, they would get bumped up to the top.

It was good to be the King. But right now though, nothing was satisfying his thirst for that one person who could crush his heart just with a glance.

And now she had returned. And he believed, if he knew she would be his once and for all, he wouldn't dare look at another woman for fear of losing her. He had had lifetimes of messing around, and now it was time to get down to business.

Sarah had returned to the Labyrinth a different way than she had before. This time, when she opened her front door with Sir Didymus, the row of flats she busy street she would step out onto was gone and replaced with what appeared to be a market square. The housing and bustle of life was not like the sector she and Ludo had destroyed with stones. The housing was flint and brick, some the size that seem to be made for creatures her height, and others for goblins.

The market was buzzing with clamor of all sorts. There were what looked like men and women scurrying about in mismatched clothing and elaborate outfits; goblins jumping onto carts and haggling with furry bird people; some thundering things were pushing through slowly as they towered above everyone's heads; there were so many Sarah couldn't take it all in at once. The air caressed her nose with spices covering the smell of sweat and fruits and vegetables and roasted nuts and smaller animals dangling from the rafters of store fronts.

"This is the central market square," Sir Didymus walked off. Sarah had to trot after him. "This is where His Royal Majesty's castle purchases some of their food. Other items are imported and some are even taken from the Royal Gardens…'

"Royal Gardens? As in that monstrous maze of his?"

"Of course not Milady…what you saw was the more unfortunate part of the kingdom, the business end of it if you will."

"Humph!" She let out.

"We are more civilized than that would present to the world—"

Sarah cut him off, "Are you on his payroll?"

"Yes, I am, as I was before."

"Should have realized," she muttered. At that moment as small black and silver carriage being pulled by two black stallions and a goblin at the reigns slowed down beside them. The door sprung open and Sir Didymus bowed her in first. Sarah stuck her head in cautiously at first, dreading the idea that blond haired devil/angel might be in there. He wasn't so she climbed in and then the door shut.

Sarah spun around to look if Sir Didymus had got in, she hadn't heard him, and he wasn't. Sarah started shouting and pounding on the door as there was no handles anywhere in sight and she looked out the small back window and saw that the carriage had started moving again, and Sir Didymus waved goodbye to her. Sarah was pounding the window but it wouldn't crack any. When the village was behind her and nothing but country was left, Sarah quieted down and just watched the forest rush by and tried to listen to the horses but it seemed that the buggy was sound proof because she couldn't hear anything, and doubted that they heard her.

Sarah started fiddling with the ring around her pointer finger and she looked at it, wondering if what Sir Didymus had told her was true. She removed the ring and slowly slid it on her left ring finger and turned it this way and that in the light. It was a beautiful ring, passable as a marriage band, but it wasn't the same as being engaged or anything.

Sarah had notions of romance which were outdated and more childish. She hoped for a man to bend down on a knee and propose to her. She wanted him to hold her on a pedestal above the world and treasure her and she would him—she dreamed…

Yes, she dreamed of everything that He had once told her. Just, as a mere girl on the verge of womanhood, she hadn't known what she was offered, not understood it, and even in the circumstances, doubted she would have ever accepted his offer. But, that was what she was now waiting for, and if there might be a slight chance he would offer it again (though she doubted it highly) she might take it, she hadn't had any better offers and her days were dwindling down in the marketable age range of young brides. But, if she had slammed his offer back into his face, why would he offer it to her again if many other rich, royal and noble women were trying to catch his eye?

Then that horrible seed of humiliation and doubt took root in her brain.

He was going to rub it all in her face, of what she could have had. She was going to see him love woman beautiful and rich in front of her, flaunting how happy he was now.

Sarah bit back tears. She would not show him that. He would not delight in her sorrow.

Sarah rocked her head in her hands and felt the niggling sensation of a migraine tiptoeing closer. She was going to be in for a rough night.

The carriage stopped and the door sprung open again. Sarah climbed out of her cell and looked up at the long, elaborate staircase leading up to a very beautiful and different Goblin Castle. "This must be the front end…" she said to herself as the building did not look anything like her last visit.

"There had been renovations since your last visit, Lady Sarah." A goblin said beside her. Sarah looked down and saw it was a scrawny thing.

"How do you know my name?" she asked it.

"There isn't a goblin in this kingdom who doesn't know who you is," it giggled. "You are the only one to defeat His Highness ever. The kingdom was rainy for a whole month and His Highness never left his room for two weeks and then for a month stayed in the castle and wouldn't eat…and then when he did, the affairs of the castle were neglected. About a year later, one day, he was back to normal and then started ordering renovations on the place and hired a bunch of my kinfolk and unemployment went down, and then…" the goblin went on and on, as he walked up the stairs. Sarah followed listening, surprised that such a creature could talk as a proper person. Apparently the education system had improved as well, she thought.

"So, what, am I now like the local celebrity?"

"No! But we wouldn't mind you to be our next monarch—"

"Great, so now I have my own fan club." Sarah followed him up, past some armed guards and through the foray and down many hallways. She could hear many people around but not one person showed up for her to see. "Where is everyone?" Sarah asked.

"The other suitors are most likely preparing for the official supper and opening ball being hosted by His Majesty. That will be tonight. I hope you stay for the ball, it will be very nice. Here we are," he stopped in front of what had to be her new bedroom. He opened the door and inside was basic necessities, such as a bed, vanity and chair, desk, bookcase (with no books) and a closet. "We have hired more staff for this event, in a few moments I'll have sent down your own servant who will help you with dressing and in the manners of the court."

As Sarah turned around to say that won't be necessary, he was already gone. The thought died on her tongue as she surveyed the room in wonder and then stood in the long hallway looking up and down the hall full of mirrors and portraits of many other Fae which looked similar to Jareth. All the doors on her floor with shut. Sarah started wondering up the hallway and found a spiral staircase that took her up several landings. This gave out to another hallway, without mirrors but walls full of tapestries and weaponry. It had a darker aura about it and more masculinity that pulsed through her.

Sarah started walking down the hallway, not seeing any doors or windows and wondered where this would take her and it stretched to her left and right as well. Then, Sarah had the idea to move aside one of the tapestries as it seemed the slightest breeze was moving one on the floor. She moved it and found that a pathway was behind it. Sarah, being Sarah, remembered that nothing is as it appears in the Labyrinth and with a deep breath went behind the tapestry and found herself in a goblin guarded area.

"Halt!" Two guards echoed together.

"Oh, sorry. Where am I?"She ventured forth.

"His Highness' private study," one barked back. "Leave!" The other added. Sarah saw then that they were standing in front of an intricately decorated door and it was shut. Perhaps Jareth was in there.

Sarah backed out and went down the other side of the hallway, checking every now and then behind other hallways, but the hallway turned off and at the very end of it, Sarah more guards. She headed down towards them.

Jareth had returned to his chambers from his study as he had forgotten some papers and was about to leave when he heard the guards outside bark out orders for someone what business they had here, and ordered them to leave as ordered by him. Jareth crept to his door and whisked a crystal into existence, then braced himself against the door as he saw her. Sarah had found herself, clean and tidy outside his door and was now retreating from his crystal down the hall.

He wanted to go out and welcome her, take her in his chambers now, but backed away from her retreating form. She was to wait. That nosy, wondering chit was a bundle of trouble. No matter. He knew she was safe in here. She would go back to her room and he would see her tonight.

Sarah had found her way back to her room and found that a person was in there waiting. She believed she looked like a maid, neat and tidy. When Sarah had opened the door, the woman, about Sarah's age smiled at her and said "Hello."

"Hello…Who are you?" Sarah left the bedroom door open just in case this wasn't the servant that was meant to be sent to her.

"My name is Apepi, I was given to you for the duration of your visit in the Underground. I am a Fae, like His Highness, and thus was chosen as a respectable servant to serve the mortal."

"Fae? Like a fairy? With wings and such?" Sarah was perplexed: Jareth had no wings—but then he could turn into an owl, and that wings…and that fairy that bit her had loads of glitter…

"Not fairy, no. They are different. We are the ancient race descended from the consummation of Angels and Man long, long ago. We have both traits of both species, and yet, we evolved into our own breed over time. That is something we never run out of: time."

"And Jareth—your King—is this?"

"Yes."

"And where does the glitter come from?"

"That is just excess magic or something he adds for effect. As long as I've known him, he prefers the dramatic."

"Can you do that crystal thing?"

"No. Some of us possess talents in other areas. That is why he is a King and I, nothing more than a lowly serving maid."

Sarah bit her lip. "How long have you known him?"

"Too long. Our time and your time are different."

"How do you know I'm not one of you?" Sarah backed up a bit.

"Well, besides the questions, mind," she leaned in a bit closer, "you smell different."

Sarah looked affronted. "I do not smell!" She had had a shower before arriving here, with strawberry scented shower gel. She thought it smelt nice.

"I don't mean to say you smell horrible, forgive me. But, you smell mortal. We immortals have keener senses, and you smell different, otherworldly. Perhaps that is why His Highness is attracted to you. He gets bored easily, and as you are different, and won't last long, he doesn't have to invest much."

"Jar—His Highness—is by far not att—" She was silenced by Apepi's raised hand and felt her temperature starting to raise at this outspoken thing.

"You bear his ring. Therefore, you bear his favor, and at a time like this, it must mean something more than just favor. Lust? If I am not mistaken, you are the one, and only, among mortals and immortals to successfully beat him at his own game, well within the time limit. I heard he had to try to shorten and cheat you out of a few hours."

Sarah was rather not sure how to talk to this Fae woman. She was confusing and rather forward and horrible. Choosing to remain silent, battling her thoughts, Apepi just grinned, with a wicked smirk.

"Forgive me Lady Sarah Williams. My tongue rather likes to run a bit. It's not often I come to court to help a fellow female in need of help to seduce a male."

"I'm not seducing—"

"Shhh….I know all about what His Highness likes. I've known him for a very long time," she flicked her fingers and the door closed. "Now then, tonight you have a dinner to attend to, followed by a masquerade. You must not be tempted by anyone there, or you will fall out of favor and be sent home. Of course, you might see His Highness frolicking about, but as with males, it's more encouraged unless, as a female, you're a harlot. We have many here tonight just for that—so watch out. They tend to like both sexes."

"Yes, we have in my world too."

"It's more of a natural Fae instinct, we live for pleasure, like a hedonist," Apepi had come closer to Sarah and was rubbing her elegant, soft hands up and down Sarah's arms as she was speaking. Sarah found herself with her eyes closed, enjoying the contact and lulling into Apepi's talk. "You see, we are gifted in the gift of love, pleasure, sensual things. There is nothing more beatiful than the flesh, more natural than the body, and to hide it, be ashamed of it, that is the sin...Utip mygio leimsa fardar oplik...Polib fardar juto..." Her voice got quieter.

"See how easy I have you now," Apepi whispered against Sarah's ear. Sarah's eyelids flew open and she backed away slowly against the door. Apepi was chuckling.

"Now you know what to look out for. Come, we must dress and prepare you for dinner, and I'll let you in on a few pointers."