Rinna, as a beautiful silver owl, flew quickly to her daughter's castle. The sun was rising and it always gave the Lady Guardian hope for a fresh start, a new day in which to make things right. The High Queen was waiting at the large open window of her sitting room, watching her mother approach.

There was much to discuss and Rayven wished her husband hadn't been called away. But the safety of their world came first, and Doyle was a warrior. Rinna landed gracefully, her feathers swirling as she spun into her human form. Mother and daughter hugged tightly, then the queen motioned to two matching comfortable chairs near her fireplace. A low table had a kettle and two cups waiting, and Rinna could tell by the aroma that it was hot chocolate.

"Ah, you remembered," Rinna smiled as her daughter poured two steaming cups, handing one to a grateful Guardian. Rinna sipped it, closing her eyes and smiling blissfully. Chocolate was a human memory, but still - she was allowed the odd human need, even now.

"I remember everything about our time together, Mother. I only wish that you came to see me more often."

"I know, my love. But we each have our roles to fill, and the dangers never really go away, do they? Famish is plotting again, he still feels the rage of losing the Under Ground to your mate." Rayven growled, anger lacing her next comments. Anger Rinna could not fault her for, given the circumstances.

"He killed his own brother to gain his throne, I have no sympathy that he could not kill my husband to gain Doyle's."

Rinna took another sip and sighed. She had thought that when she'd first come to this world from her own, things would be easier. She was so young then, so ready to take on the challenges of starting a new reality. But as goodness grew, so did darkness. Prophecies and spells, wars and magic. Centuries of learning who she was, showing her only daughter that sacrifice was never easy, but sometimes necessary.

So many things set in motion by a wish made one dark night by a child. Sarah's wish had started a journey for them all and it had taken years to get to this point. But, now that the time had finally come, Rinna was not certain of the outcome. Fate only took you so far, after all. She hoped the players in this drama all knew their strengths, for it would not be easy to get their happily ever afters.

"He's dragged Penelope into his plots. The girl has challenged Sarah for the throne of wishes. It was quite heartbreaking to watch. This is not the path Penelope was meant for, but my hands are tied. Her mother did not die for this to happen to the girl. I feel so helpless, my daughter."

"Only Sarah can put it right, Mother. Do you think she is strong enough?"

"She must be, it is the only thing that will save our world. She must win these challenges and Penelope must win her own."

"Her magic is bound and her heart bound as well. She has been mistreated for years by Famish and by the terms of our treaty, we've been powerless to stop it. We cannot go into the troll kingdoms without cause." Rayven leaned back, staring into the fire. "Her mother was such a gentle soul, she did not deserve to die the way she did."

"You miss her still, I know," Rinna said softly. "But her soul is somewhere Famish can not harm it, so we must focus on the girl. She's been wronged for many years and the time has come to make it right. When Famish allowed her to come to our realm, I had hoped we could teach her our ways, but she was already too broken, too bitter. We must help her find her true path."

Rayven nodded. "You are right, but it shall not be easy being a spectator when I wish to tear Famish's heart out myself."

"Patience, my darling. Fate takes time, but time will triumph."

JSJSJS

Through his scepter's crystal, Famish watched the two girls being flown to the top of Mt. Orthom. Penelope was stupid, but she was easily manipulated. The bag would only give her what he allowed, and she would not be able to use her own bound magic. The magic that he fed off of her during her sleep, her innate goodness corrupted into destructive impulses that he fed her during those same dreams. The little fool. She had no memory of seeing him kill her parents, it was easy enough to push her into thinking she was nothing to be prized, a lowly servant with no magic of her own.

So like her mother, so lovely, yet always choosing the wrong male to worship. His mouth watered, thinking of what he had done to Penelope when Jareth had rejected her. He knew she dreamt of it often, and it pleased him.

After Jareth was married to her and then killed, he would claim Penelope as his bride and rule the Goblin Kingdom. Then after the High King and Queen were destroyed, he'd be in line to get the Under Ground. All was in motion, all was perfection. He laughed, staring into the black crystal on his scepter. All was perfection indeed.

JSJSJS

Sarah swallowed hard as she slid off the back of the bright red falcon. Penelope jumped off the back of hers as easily as jumping off a chair, landing lightly on her feet.

They both stared at the cliffs ahead, hearing the cries of birds echoing off the stone walls of the caverns and mountainsides nearby.

"Well human, are you ready to lose? You can always back out now and save yourself the humiliation."

Sarah leveled her with a steady gaze, her eyes glowing with Fae magic.

"Even if I were to lose this challenge, I've won Jareth. So I am at peace. You however, carry a lot of anger and it's so unnecessary. I pity you, honestly."

Sarah walked calmly to the edge of the cliffs as Penelope fumed. Clarice flew to them, hovering over the steep drop. Sarah looked down and wanted to faint. It was such a long drop to the bottom.

"You will each find your steed amongst these fine warriors. Choose wisely as if you do not, you will die. Sarah, you will go first as this is your chosen challenge."

She flew off to a safe distance to watch. Circling above, a lone owl seemed to observe them silently. Jareth, Sarah thought longingly.

I'm here my love, you'll do fine.

I can hear you...I heard the fairies too but couldn't understand them.

You are slowly claiming your kingdom. When you finish the challenges, you shall understand their language and be able to speak it as well as if you'd been doing it all your life.

Is this cheating?

No, as long as I do not give you advice or aid you in any way, I may speak to you.

What happens if I lose...I'll die won't I? Please tell me you won't let Penelope marry you. I'm selfish, but I can't think of her in your arms, even if I'm -

You will not die! I would never allow that. You will never even hint at such a thing again, do you understand?

I love you Jareth, always. Just please, always remember that.

She shut him out of her mind, she needed to focus. He screamed from the sky, willing her to look at him, but she would not. Climbing the rocky protrusions of stone, she let her gaze wander over the multitude of birds. They all seemed to watch her, waiting for her next move.

Sarah closed her eyes, calming herself. She had to believe she could do this or she wouldn't succeed. She started singing softly to herself, the song Jareth had sung to her in the ballroom. It gave her courage, and she needed it right now. The birds slowly stopped their squawking and settled into their nests, listening.

She felt a nudge under her hand and looked down. A baby owl was staring up at her and the fairies gasped.

"The royal familiar has chosen her."

"She is beloved of the owls."

"But can she fly?"

"Shush, she's singing."

Sarah smiled and pet the owl on the head as it closed its eyes and seemed to purr. She realized that she could feel its thoughts, its love and she blushed. Such an innocent little one, she felt an urge to keep it safe.

Merliah, the owl thought at her. My name is Merliah. Choose me and when I'm old enough, I shall die to protect you, my queen.

But I must fly, and you are still so small - I would love to choose you, but how?

Sarah, spread your wings and fly. Just like in your dream.

Sarah stared at the baby owl and knew what her dream had meant, she couldn't depend on Jareth to save her or even want her - she had to do this on her own. She turned towards the cliffs, spreading her arms wide. Jareth screeched, flying down to her, terrified.

Sarah opened her eyes wide, seeing her terrain, her realm. She smiled once, then flew, turning into a bright golden owl, swooping down into the mists of the mountainside before soaring above Jareth in triumph.

The fairies gasped, then applauded, then flew into the sky, surrounding her with their shouts of loyalty, of devotion, of hope. Sarah felt like crying and laughing and screaming all at once. She was free, she was chosen. And Jareth, precious Jareth, he was flying around her as if she hung the moon.

Sarah and Jareth landed in a rush, tangled in now human arms and legs, laughing and kissing as if they'd been spared execution. And in a way, they had been.

"You've done it, my love," Jareth crowed. "You've flown as a true Queen of Wishes. I hoped, but I dared not say it aloud. You are truly remarkable my dear, sweet, wonderful Sarah. Queen of my heart." He held her as they rolled on the ground like children, laughing and not caring that the fairies and birds watched them in great amusement.

Penelope could not bear it a moment longer. She brazenly walked up to an eagle and tried to climb on its back. It went to bite her and she yelped, kicking it. She pulled the black bag from her shoulder and flung it open. Inside was a harness. She threw it over the eagle and hung on for dear life as it flew wildly, screaming in anger before flinging her into a mud puddle near the nesting area.

The fairies laughed, almost falling from their birds as they taunted Penelope. A baby owl hopped over to her, eyeing her cautiously before regurgitating the remains of a partially digested mouse onto her hair.

Sarah stood up and offered her hand to the disgraced woman. Penelope stood up and slapped Sarah hard, mud streaking the queen's face.

In that moment, Sarah saw into Penelope's mind. how much she was loved by her mother. The death of the girl's parents. The abuse and pain from Famish, the pain of not being able to access the magic she had thought she had owned as a child. jareth's cruel rejection of her. And finally, what the troll king had done to her in punishment of that rejection. She saw it all and fell to the ground, sickened.

Jareth ran to her, pulling her to his chest. "Now Penelope shall be punished."

"No, she will not be exiled. She must not go back there. Rinna must be told, so much pain, Jareth." He touched her and felt the same memories, the same pain through their bond. He stared at Penelope.

"I had no idea, I - have no words."

"Keep your words, kill me." The words were hollow and they did not notice Rinna's return.

"You spare the girl?" Rinna asked lightly. Sarah nodded.

"I do."