Chapter Five: Meet Again

Gildan's Note: Chapter 5 is up :) I love this chapter a lot actually heehee - the story is finally being set up - what's up with this big party? Will that play an important role in the story? What is that one memory Sarah can't remember? Dundundundun - also thanks to everyone who's favoriting/story alerting/reviewing my story!

The next day was much like the first; it was quiet around the castle because King Warrick was throwing a huge ball for Sarah and it took some time to prepare.

"All for me?" she had asked in shock.

"Eighteen is a special age, and plus you're our guest, and being friends of the others, we want to do something nice for you." He had explained.

So that was how it had turned out to be a quiet second day. Nothing exciting had happened…until later that evening…

Sarah was sitting on her window ledge, the others were asleep and Warrick had gone only a few miles over to order the necessary supplies for the event. She hugged her knees and wondered if her dad and Toby had noticed she was missing. Did time stop there? Did it continue? She closed her eyes; she didn't want to think about home. Just…eyes. She felt herself suddenly being watched and opened her own eyes to see a barn owl perched on the branch out her window.

"Eek!" she cried, nearly losing balance. She situated herself back comfortably on the ledge. "Jesus, you scared me. Freaky little owl aren't you?" The owl swiveled its head, and Sarah shuddered.

She leaned out the window a little, "Do I know you from before?" she asked it.

All of a sudden a puff of smoke revealed a man. "You might." Jareth said, sitting with his back on the trunk of the tree and his legs spread out across the branch.

"AGH!" Sarah pulled herself back into the ledge area. "Who are – What are-" but she knew it very well who it was.

"That's how you react after not seeing me for over three years? I'm almost offended."

"Well you kind of just transformed right in front of my eyes!" she cried. "You're telling me I'm not supposed to be scared by that?"

"Perhaps another time then."

"What? Don't…I mean."

Jareth knew he shouldn't play with her, but he couldn't help it, maybe this was why he wasn't very likable.

"What – you'd like me to stay?"

"Well, maybe not from what the others have been saying about you."

"WHAT? What have they been saying? That Higgle fellow better never see me again or else-

"His name is Hogwart! I mean – Hoggle." And then, to herself, "Why did I say that?"

"Wait…are you saying you don't recall everything from before?" Jareth shifted his legs.

"Yeah…I don't. And I certainly don't remember you!" she got up from the ledge and closed the curtains.

"Ah da da da – let's not be so hasty here." Jareth got up and walked through the open window, standing behind Sarah.

She turned around sharply, "Get out of my room!"

"What have I done?"

"…I don't know but I know of what you did last time! I'm remembering more and more – and I remember you making me go through that labyrinth, threatening me and my friends constantly – and trying to trick me." She was in his face now, but it was here she had finally seen his eyes again. Her sharp gaze fell flat instantly.

"Well I can promise you I won't make you go through the labyrinth again."

"How are you even here anyway? Warrick said there was a barrier."

"WARRICK! HA – he's no match for the Goblin King." Jareth laughed.

"I'll tell him you're here."

"I hear he's out of town."

"I'll tell him you WERE here, when he returns."

Jareth's demeanor changed. "…don't."

"Why shouldn't I? You come here and already you act like a jerk to me."

He sighed. "It's only because…nevermind."He turned away.

Sarah folded her arms. "What?"

"I just…haven't seen you in awhile. I don't know how to…" he let out a frustrated sigh and turned to her. "I'm the bad guy. Maybe I should go. Have fun with Warrick."

"Jareth wait!" she tugged on his sleeve. "I don't want you to go."

"I thought you hated me?"

"Well…my memories of you aren't exactly the fondest…but…I…" she looked up into his eyes. "I just feel like I want to talk to you…is all. This time around…I don't know why…I think I'm forgetting something important."

Sarah stood thinking awhile.

I must sound so stupid." She looked to her feet.

Jareth raised her chin up so their eyes could meet – "Never my dear."

Sarah smiled. "Am I supposed to hate you?"

"I don't know. Maybe. I don't want things to be like they were before."

"Neither do I. Ugh, I'm so confused right now."

"As am I - Unfortunately, I have to leave you for the night."

"What? But why?"

"I must go prepare for some things is all. I'll be back." He said.

"When?" Sarah asked.

"Tomorrow night." He replied, smiling and pushing her hair out of her eyes.

"I'll be here." She assured.

And with that Jareth left through her window, none of the others having any idea that the Goblin King had visited Sarah, or the fact that something had been rekindled that night. Sarah stood at the ledge for awhile, her palms burning from a memory she couldn't recall.