Sarah was running down a long corridor, her pale yellow gown brushing over the stone floors. She had a race to win, but she had no idea where the finish line was. Where was she and why couldn't she find her way? She heard Jareth's voice calling to her, urging her to turn back. She didn't understand - she needed to finish. She needed to find him.

"Jareth? Where are you? Why have you abandoned me?

There was no answer, only the pained call of an owl. The sound wounded her deeply, and she became panicked. Time was running out and she had no idea what to do.

She looked around, searching for some idea where to go. Why didn't he want her to finish? Why didn't he want her? She ran to a large window, seeing a beautiful castle in the distance. Her castle. She jumped from the window and transformed into a golden owl, wings spread wide to claim the night sky. Somewhere in the distance, she heard the call of another owl and her soul shivered. She needed him and she would have him.

The scene changed to the Escher room. Jareth was holding a crystal out to her younger self. The words rang through her head. I ask for so little...fear me, love me, let me rule you and I will be your slave. She saw the young Sarah reach for the crystal only to crush it against the stone floor. Jareth fell to the ground, but instead of turning into an owl, he lay there, not moving. A fierce wind blew through the room and the young Sarah laughed, raising her arms in triumph.

No, the older Sarah thought - that isn't what happened. I didn't hurt him, it's not what happened.

Sarah woke early the next morning and sighed; she'd had that same dream for the past week, ever since that night she'd gotten the invitation. She showered, packed, and drank three cups of very strong coffee. She called to Hoggle, telling him she had to take care of a few things before coming to visit. She called Doug and left a message at his hotel simply saying she was sorry. Then she called her editor and told her that the next two articles had been mailed as promised, and she was taking a short vacation to clear her head. And no, she would not be writing about it.

She looked at the mirror in her room and took a deep breath. Tonight was the wedding.

"Hoggle? I'm ready," she said and as the old dwarf appeared in the reflection, Sarah felt the pull of the Under Ground reaching for her.

Sarah looked around and shivered. She was in the Goblin City, or more accurately, in the castle. She gave Hoggle a quick hug and smiled. Looking around, she saw she was in a large bedroom decorated in yellows and purples. A magnificent four poster bed was in the center of the room, blanketed with a plush purple comforter. She sat on the bed, gazing at the hand carved bedposts. All of the dark wood furniture had the same master craftmanship and Sarah was pleased. It had not been what she'd been expecting in a Goblin castle.

"Elves," Hoggle said uneasily. She turned to him, an eyebrow raised in silent question.

"They are good at working with wood. Living in trees and such." He paused, not sure of himself. "Sarah, it's good to see you here. Welcome back."

"What is she like?" Sarah asked bluntly, leaning back against the pillows. Hoggle frowned, not understanding.

"Who?"

"Genevieve, the bride. What is she like?" Why Sarah wanted to know what Jareth's future sister in law was like puzzled him but it must be a female thing.

"She's a girl. Silly, selfish - like most girls. Not that I'm sayin' you are selfish." He seemed flustered, like he wanted to be off spraying fairies. Sarah laughed lightly as her eyes narrowed in thought.

"Does Jareth seem to - care for her?"

"Well seein' who she's marrying, I guess he likes her fine." Sarah seemed to digest this information slowly, and she nodded.

"I didn't think you'd come," he said honestly. She smiled at him sweetly.

"Miss a royal wedding? I wouldn't dream of missing it," she answered. Hoggle felt as though something wasn't being said. Sarah was acting strange, but he'd done his part. She was here and she seemed all right being here. It was good enough for him. He excused himself to tell the king she was here and Sarah rested on her bed, lost in thought.

"So, you are the Champion returned," a female voice purred. Sarah looked over at the door to see Genevieve standing there smiling.

"I'm Sarah," Sarah said, sizing up the woman. Petite, blonde, beautiful. All the things a king would look for in a bride. Sarah felt a flood of wrath threaten to overcome her. Threat, her mind whispered. Rival - must destroy rival. Sarah tried to get the strange thought out of her head, the woman was speaking again.

"Jareth's told me so much about you. He thinks you are quite the special one."

"I wonder that he thinks of me at all, with a wedding to plan," Sarah said, a hint of anger in her voice. If Genevieve noticed, she did not choose to comment.

"Amazing isn't it that a man would choose to help plan a wedding. Most would simply show up and take credit for a perfect day."

"Well, Jareth has always been an over achiever I'm sure," Sarah said calmly imagining strangling the blonde beauty with her own perfect blonde hair.

"The wedding is going to be lovely. I'm so glad you're here to celebrate with us," Genevieve said and bowed as she walked away. Sarah got up to close the door and stood there, amazed. Genevieve was at the end of the hall, kissing a dark haired man passionately. Something snapped inside of her and a cold fury surrounded her body, squeezing her lungs shut so that she had to gasp for air. Then the world spun out of control and everything went black.

When she awoke, Hoggle was standing over her, an empty bucket in his hands. She noticed she was soaking wet and there was a very amused Goblin King watching from the window seat in her room. Hoggle ran out of the room, slamming the door. She jumped up, anger still boiling, though she wasn't sure why. Then she remembered - the woman had betrayed Sarah's king, she'd kissed another. So furious was she that she missed Jareth's question.

"What?" Sarah snapped, her eyes glowing yellow in the dim light of dusk. Jareth's smile froze and he looked at her expression.

"I asked if you were going to wear a wet gown for the wedding, but perhaps you'd be more comfortable if I just took those things off of you?" His tone was calm but she could see the racing pulse in his throat.

"Don't you have a wedding to get to? They can't start without you and I don't think anyone would miss me at all."

"I'd miss you," he said quietly, getting up to push a stray lock of damp hair over her ear. He leaned in and her heart started to race. "I miss you now."

Before she could respond, he walked out of the room waving a hand towards her bed. A beautiful yellow ball gown appeared and she bit back a gasp. It was the same one from her dreams.

"I'll see you in the ballroom, kindly do not keep me waiting too long. As you say, there is a wedding tonight."