The next morning Jareth and Sarah went to visit Morgan and Genevieve to tell them about Sarah's challenges thus far and Famish's plots. Morgan was livid that Famish had remained in power for so many years. He was equally thankful that Sarah and Penelope were safe. He told Jareth of the Council meeting that morning and they surmised it was about Famish's plans being exposed. Jareth nodded, wondering what the Council would do with the evil king.

"Now that we have proof that he killed Harmon and his queen, it should be easy enough to banish him." Jareth hugged Sarah to him and she nodded.

"It is good to know Penelope was not really such a horrible person. To think of the things she must have gone through," Sarah said sadly.

"How could we have let this happen, brother? To not realize the extent of his evil? Poor Penny, she was such a sweet little girl." Morgan stood looking out a window and Genevieve sighed. Queen of Faith she may be, but even faith could be tested by evil. She wondered to herself if faith could really move mountains.

"And you say when you left her she was a child?" the new bride asked and Sarah nodded.

"As she is again," Rinna's voice rang out clearly. "She is safe now, and can reclaim her kingdom." They had all jumped when she'd suddenly appeared in the room, next to a young Penelope.

"Grandmother, you do like startling people," Jareth said drily. Rinna smirked.

"Not all of us need glitter and lightning to impress," she answered and Sarah bit back a a laugh. Jareth glanced at Penelope who was watching them all with wide eyes.

"She is still a child," he said, stating the obvious. Rinna nodded briefly.

"She is starting over again as is her wish," she said, smiling down at Penny. "She will be trained correctly to use her magic, isn't that right, your highness."

"Yes maam, I'm gonna be a good queen, not a bad one, right?"

"Well that's up to you now, isn't it?" the Guardian said lightly and the little girl nodded. Penny looked at Sarah and frowned.

"You grew up."

"That's a matter of opinion," Jareth muttered and Sarah pulled his hair. Penny laughed.

"I still like you though - will you be my friend?" Sarah walked over to the little girl and put her arms around her gently. Penny sighed and leaned into the embrace.

"I will always be your friend, your highness - and if anyone ever tries to hurt you, I will kick them in the knees for you." The two laughed and hugged again. Rinna took the little girl by the hand and smiled at everyone.

"Genevieve, if you would be so kind as to keep Penny with you while we go to the Council meeting, I'll drop Sarah off at her final challenge and come back for her later," Rinna said.

"Final - I thought I had two more," Sarah said, confused. "Not that I'm complaining."

"Going into the Dark Lands to save your friends counted as your test of loyalty. Now you only have to claim your throne." Jareth and Morgan started laughing softly and Sarah glared as the brothers kept trying to keep a straight face. It was failing dismally and Jareth looked positively wicked.

"Why must everyone laugh each time I'm to do a challenge," she demanded. Genevieve grinned.

"Because you really do have to go claim your throne, Sarah - and your throne may not want to be caught."

At Sarah's blank stare, the two brothers dissolved into mirth and Sarah wondered just what new headache she was getting herself into now.

JSJS

Sarah looked at the rose and gold colored castle, spellbound. It was every fairytale palace brought to life. Tall turrets with long triangular flags in green and gold fluttered in the morning breeze. A moat of gently flowing water surrounded the palace and she could see many tiny multi colored fish swimming happily in schools, twisting and diving in perfect harmony. A large drawbridge of gold, studded in jewels awed her and she could see gold veins running through the rose colored stone of her new home. If she listened closely, she could hear fairies nearby singing about their new queen and the rise of the fairies once again and she smiled. She was getting to love those little demons and who could have imagined that? Their language flowed into her mind as they sang and it was just as Jareth had said, she understood it without conscious thought.

Clarice flutttered nearby smiling as Rinna started to explain the challenge to the young queen who was looking at the castle with a mixture of fascination and concern.

"Sarah, there are many strange things about the Under Ground and many tests to one's patience." She shot a glance at Jareth who suddenly found the sky fascinating. She smirked and turned back to Sarah. "Your role as Queen of Wishes is one that has only had one other before you. She was a good, caring soul named Meridia. She built this palace and ruled the fairies for several hundred years. She was a water sprite and she was also Jareth's mother." Sarah gave a stunned look at Jareth, who nodded, smiling as he took her hand and kissed it gently.

"My mother and father each ruled their own parts of the realm. Though Rayven could very well have taken on the role after she married Father, she chose to let the Labyrinth follow her instinct and choose a new queen when she felt the time was right. When you came here, you brought hope and life to all of us, Sarah. I could ask for no better queen - no better wife than you." Sarah's eyes were filling with tears. "She would have loved you, you know. Just like the rest of us - you've enchanted us all with your kindness and your spirit and we adore you."

"I don't know what to say, but your father?"

"He gave the title of King of Wishes to me once my mother died and focused on being the High King. Someday, you and I will take over for my father and Rayven when they retire from their roles. But the King of Dreams without a Queen of Wishes is a lonely existance. Father knew that half of such a couple would not benefit anyone - and he knew that someday, my Queen would be chosen and life would move on for all of us."

"You've been alone a long time," Sarah sighed and he tilted his head to one side, smiling.

"I haven't been alone since the first time I saw you, it just took you a little longer to come around to my way of thinking," he smirked.

"Stalker," she accused playfully.

"Besotted fool is more like it," he answered, kissing her hand again. "And now you have your final challenge - if you think you are ready for it."

"If it means I get to spend eternity with you, I'm more than ready," she said, kissing his hand now. Rinna smiled at them.

"Sarah, the castle knows that you have gone through your first two challenges and is ready for you to enter. Your final task is to claim your throne."

"And what does that mean? Do I have to pass another test?"

"All you must do is sit on it, and you will become queen," Rinna said, but there was a look of dark mischief on her otherwise innocent face. Jareth bit back a laugh and Sarah eyed them both warily.

"There must be something more to it than that," she said, suspicious.

"Isn't there always, darling?" Jareth said, avoiding her questions. Rinna took a deep breath and continued.

"There have always been pretenders to the thrones of our world. After Famish killed Meridia, he sent others to try to take her place. Crimson did not care for this and made certain that only a true Queen of Wishes could sit on the throne. She's very territorial and you will have to convince her that you are the rightful queen. All you need to do is find the throne and then - find a way to sit. If Crimson agrees, you'll be accepted as queen and the castle will open itself to all Fae royalty and nobility once more so that you may be properly welcomed into your new life."

"Crimson - is that another fairy?" Sarah asked and Jareth made a strange noise while Rinna glared at him sternly.

"Not quite," Rinna said. "But she has been known to bite."