Chapter Three: Meanwhile

Gildan's Note: Chapter 3! Finally able to introduce Jareth into the story :)

Meanwhile, Jareth sat on his throne, humming a melancholy tune to himself when a messenger approached.

"Sir," he began, "I have important news."

Jareth sighed, "Go on- but if it's about Warrick I don't want to hear it."

The messenger fumbled about. "It's…somewhat…about…that…um…SARAH! She's returned!"

Jareth jumped out of his seat. "WHAT?" he paced throughout the throne room. "Sarah? Back? How did I not know this? When did she return? Where is she? Certainly not in the labyrinth?"

"No sir, she is at King Warrick's castle, she returned about half an hour ago."

"Half hour…" Jareth began pacing more quickly, muttering incoherently to himself. He looked at the messenger. "Well? Don't just there! Inform the others and find out all you can!"

The messenger fled, leaving Jareth alone. He sat back down on his throne, looking into the crystal ball, trying to see Sarah through it, but it was a futile attempt. He couldn't see anything in it, just the view of Warrick's castle where his powers ended.

"I have to break that barrier." He muttered, getting up to find out all he could about getting past the seal. He exited the throne room to the old library – finding a large mismatched book of spells. He knew it was a Barrier Spell that Warrick had placed on the castle (even though Jareth knew he wouldn't want to go anywhere near that place, except for now) and breaking it should be rather easy.

"Hm." He perused through the yellowing pages, eventually stopping one marked "Blocking Spells" – just under it was a sub header for Barrier Spells, and an ancient spell was written there in ink.

"I wonder if this would work"; and he grabbed the necessary materials needed. He would have to be quiet about it though, rather than barging into the castle he'd have to be cautious, appearing rarely (and at times, probably he thought, in owl form).

He was shaking slightly now, almost unable to hold all of the ingredients – but why? He knew he'd be able to test the spell's efficiency through the crystal, and see if he could see Sarah – that must have been it. He was nervous to see Sarah, she was older now – grown up, even if slightly. How much had she changed? He hadn't changed at all, being ageless in this world. But he had become a little sad since her leaving, unsure of what to do anymore. He just lazed around the castle – and with Warrick new on the scene, there was more reason to be bitter.

He set the ingredients down and began to read over the spell, taking out a small pot to put it all in. The ingredients would turn into a smoke that would take itself to the place of his choosing (in this case, Warrick's barriers) and disintegrate it without his ever knowing.

He burned the mixture and placed the bowl on the sill of the window – facing out to Goblin City, out to the labyrinth, and out to the castle of Warrick. He chanted the mantra to himself, and watched as the smoke lifted out and went towards Warrick's territory. How he hated that man, trying to be a better king than he – he was the only king in this region and it had worked that way. Now here was another "king" not too far from Jareth's grounds! The nerve this guy had – but he was likable. That was what really bothered him, he was likable and Sarah would easily take to him.

He watched the last of the mixture burn away and breathed in its scent, hoping that it had worked. Due to the distance he waited about an hour, then returned to the crystal and looked inside.

He wasn't ready for this.

Wasn't ready.

To see her again.

Sarah…

There she was, in an average outfit, but beautiful nonetheless, with her wide eyes and sweet face. He felt frozen by her – but still nearly dropped the crystal. She was enjoying lunch with her friends…and Warrick.

"That stupid prick." He muttered. "Stop being so generous to her."

For he had known he was the one who had been generous, although Sarah had not seen it. He had to see her again, talk to her, and convince her he wasn't all bad. But how? He was the Goblin King after all! But maybe he had changed, learned some things about himself. Would it be enough to win Sarah's heart? No, he did not want to have to win it – Sarah was not his possession, he didn't want it to be that way! He just wanted her to love him, as he loved her. This was the first time he admitted to his love for Sarah to himself. It was a love that had grown during her absence.

"Sarah…" he murmured, watching her laugh alongside with the well-groomed King.

He had to see her, and soon - but he also knew that timing was everything…