A/N - Jareth's mother is dead, the Queen is his stepmother. I didn't make that clear earlier, but it will help if you know that before reading further.

"Change her back, Grandmother," Jareth said as they rematerialized inside the Brocade Oubilette. Penelope and Sarah looked around in surprise. They were in a fancy room with pictures on the walls and a tree growing in the center of the room and they could hear water running but couldn't see anywhere there was a river or anything, it was more magic, they were sure of it.

"Jareth, what did you do to them?" Rinna laughed picking batter out of Penelope's hair.

"They were attempting to make pancakes. Thankfully neither of them turned on the stove."

"Where is the water?" Sarah asked. "I hear water."

"Water is the source of my power," Rinna explained. "It is always with me, even if you cannot see it. Any by the looks of you two, water is needed." She waved her hand and the two girls were clean again.

"And who are you? Are you a giant fairy?" Sarah asked and Penelope laughed.

"No silly, she's the Guardian - she takes care of us."

The fairies fluttered around them like butterflies and Merliah perched on the flowering tree, watching. The Goblin King was not in a happy mood, this could be entertaining, she thought to herself, fluffing her feathers.

"I demand that Sarah be turned back into an adult," Jareth said, frowning. "She's been through enough." And he couldn't punish her the way he wanted to if she was a small child, he thought to himself ruefully.

"Glad to see you too, Jareth," Rinna snapped before looking at the fairies. "A youth spell?" The corners of her mouth twitched and Clarice held back a giggle.

"We thought she was a troll," she explained and Jareth muttered something under his breath about females and rash decisions. Rinna ignored him and turned to Penelope, hands on her hips.

"You, young lady, could have been hurt going back home. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Penelope sniffed and shook her head.

"I just wanted my momma," the little girl said and Rinna sighed, hugging her as the little girl cried for her parents. Sarah's eyes filled with tears and she walked over to her new friend, joining the hug. Penny smiled a little when Sarah's arms came around her.

"I know, Penny, but she's in the Fade now - nothing can hurt her anymore. But Famish can hurt you if you get too close to him, so you are going to have to listen to us, all right?"

"All - all right," she sniffed and Rinna stood up to face Jareth.

"I still need to do some work with Penelope, you need to take Sarah home and wait for the effects to wear off. By tomorrow morning, she'll be back to normal," she said firmly. Jareth looked at her not believing his ears.

"Wear off? Can't you do something?" He looked frantic.

"Yes, I can work with Penelope and heal her as I should. You however can take care of your intended - at your own castle. Now if you'll excuse us, we have work to do." She took Penelope by the hand and smiled down at her. "Ready to try this again?" At her nod, Rinna smiled approvingly. She glanced at Jareth.

"Still here?" Jareth's face was blank and Sarah glared at him.

"And just what am I supposed to do with a child?" he asked his grandmother.

"With all the children you've stolen over the years, I'm surprised you need to ask."

"I do not - oh never mind," he muttered grabbing Sarah's hand. She looked at him closely, seeming to remember something just out of reach.

"Are you a real Goblin King?" He nodded, not daring to laugh. The glare on her little face was the same as when she was adult. It was just too much to bear right now.

"Well, don't get any ideas about turning me into a goblin. I beat up two trolls and a bad king. I can do the same to you too." Rinna bit back a laugh and Jareth hid a small smile.

"I shall remember that, now - let us leave the ladies to their work and I shall show you my kingdom."

"All right - I guess. Penny - you gonna be okay?" The other girl nodded and Sarah turned back to the Goblin King.

"Let's go." She was fearless, even as a seven year old and Jareth found himself loving her even more.

He bowed, "As you command, Champion."

"Champion - I like that," Sarah grinned and the two disappeared together. Rinna turned to Penelope and held out a hand again.

"Let's go sit down and chat," she said and the two walked over to the fireplace again. "Famish cannot harm you here."

"I know. I'm sorry I ran away. I'm not supposed to be seven - am I?" Her blue eyes shone with an understanding of magic, and Rinna shook her head.

"No, pet - we have to go back to the beginning. Now relax and you'll see yourself as you really are."

An adult Penelope came into view, shimmering like the light on an ocean wave. The younger Penny stared at the vision who smiled at her. The older Penelope spoke.

"I'd forgotten how unruly my hair was at that age."

Rinna looked at the vision then back at the little girl who sat there, stunned.

"I grow up to be pretty," the little girl said, breathlessly.

"You have always been beautiful, Penny. Do you remember everything from when your parents died?"

"Yes, I came into my parents room and Famish was killing them in their sleep. I tried to stop him but he bound my magic."

The older Penelope nodded. "And that is the last thing I remember before you came to me at Sarah's challenge. Everything else is like a dream, really."

"There must be balance in our world. I would dearly like to destroy Famish for all he has done, but like two sides of a coin - good and darkness must co exist. However, the lines have been drawn and he will be removed from your kingdom. He will be given his own realm far from our borders, where he can plot to his heart's content. It is the best I can do."

"Then what will become of my kingdom? Will my brothers get control?" Penny shuddered, they were no better than Famish. Rinna shook her head.

"No, they will go with him and you will be put on the throne."

"I do not want to have these memories of what he did to me, I have so much shame that I could not stop him," the older Penelope whispered. Rinna gazed at the older Penelope and sighed.

"There is a way to start again, if you want to," Rinna said. Understanding dawned and Penelope nodded. Rinna held both Penelopes by the hand and a buzzing noise started, then it slowly turned to a humming, then a beautiful aria of music that shone like light somehow. And then it was done and the older Penelope was gone.

"How do you feel," Rinna asked Penny.

"Like anything is possible, Guardian," she smiled.

"Well, anything is possible, child," Rinna grinned back at her. "Let me go to the Council and start the proceedings to get your uncle banished. Then there is much for us to do, starting with a party celebrating your new life."

"Will there be pancakes? We tried making them but that Goblin King showed up."

Rinna laughed. "Yes, my sweet - if you wish it, there most certainly will be pancakes."

JSJS

Sarah and Jareth appeared in the middle of his throne room and the goblins stopped their party to look at them in surprise.

"Who wished her away - she's pretty," a goblin said happily. "Can she sing to us?"

"This is the Lady Sarah and she's under a youth spell thanks to some careless fairies. Entertain her." He started to walk away and was surprised to feel Sarah's arms around his leg.

"Uh uh, you have to stay too - I'm not allowed to stay with strangers."

"You think you know me?" Jareth asked, amused.

"I know you more than I know them," she said, pointing at the goblins. "And the fairies say I'm supposed to marry you someday. I want to see if you're worth the trouble."

Jareth had a hard time keeping the laughter inside and nodded. "As you wish."

He showed her all the secret passages of the castle, playing hide and seek with her and the goblins for hours.

"Do you have a momma?" Sarah asked as they hid from the goblins.

"I did, she's gone now." Sarah considered that.

"Just like Penny's."

"Yes."

"Do you miss her?" The large green eyes watched him closely. He nodded.

"Every day."

"You can't be all bad then, if you miss your momma." Sarah decided. Jareth found himself hiding a tear, before brushing it away quickly. She was going to be the death of him yet.

They had a huge feast - with pancakes - and at the end of the day, he tucked her in a bed fit for a princess. She yawned and smiled up at him.

"You know what, Mr. Goblin King?"

"What, my little Champion?" His eyes glittered in the dark, like little lights, she thought.

"I think maybe when I grow up - I will marry you."

Jareth smiled. "I would be honored if you did." He kissed the top of her head and left her to her dreams.