Jareth had left half an hour ago and Mariya was still awaiting his return as she had been instructed. The little goblin woman sat in her room with her son fast asleep on her lap. Marshus had tried to stay awake, but in the end it had proven too hard for him. And Mariya couldn't have been more proud of him.

The young goblin had worked extremely hard that day, and no one could deny that his apprenticeship was a trying one. Even on a slow day serving Jareth was no easy task. But today had been exceedingly busy; for everyone had been preparing for the Lady Sarah's return. They had cleaned the castle top to bottom, tailored clothes and brought in accessories for the girl, and they had also helped escort all the chickens out of the throne room, besides assisting Jareth in his everyday tasks.

It had been a taxing day for everyone involved. And now, in the wee hours of the morning, everyone was finally getting some well-deserved rest.

Everyone besides me, Mariya thought, smiling to herself as her son snored loudly.

She chuckled quietly at the sound as her child slept like a babe. And the goblin woman would've been content to watch him for the remainder of the night, but she had one last duty to perform before she could finally rest for the night. Jareth would be back from the Aboveground soon and the King had requested that she be in his Chambers around Midnight. Mariya gently laid Marshus on the floor placing a pillow under his head as she kissed his hands in a farewell gesture, before she turned and left.

As Mariya exited her room she spotted the large grandfather clock on the wall and squeaked in surprise. It was almost 12:40! Without another thought the goblin sprinted headlong for the Kings' chambers. If she didn't make it to the room before he got back there would be hell to pay. She had to hurry!

Mariya reached the large double doors just as the clock changed to 12:50. The small goblin huffed from the effort of running so fast for so long, but didn't waste any time in entering the room. As she did the goblin woman realized that she most likely looked like a train wreck, but she didn't have time to worry about that as she focused on the two figures waiting for her.

Mariya suppressed a grimace as she took in the sight before her. Jareth stood in the middle of the room with an unconscious Sarah cradled limply against his chest. The little goblin didn't need to take more than a glance at him to know that the Goblin King was furious.

"Where have you been," Jareth barked, making Mariya jump. "I've been back for ten minutes!"

Mariya bowed deeply to him, not daring to meet his eyes. "My most humble and sincere apologizes, Sire. I didn't know you had arrived."

Jareth glared daggers at her, a growl escaping his perfect lips, and Mariya shuddered as she continued to bow, hoping his anger would pass. And to her relief, Jareth began to calm down. After several minutes of glaring at her the Goblin King sighed heavily and his expression softened.

"I'm sorry Mariya. I shouldn't have lost my temper so easily, but it was an arduous trip." He walked over to his giant sized bed and laid the still form of his beloved down. "You needn't fear my wrath Mariya. It has passed and is therefore forgotten."

Mariya stopped bowing and watched silently as Jareth tucked Sarah into bed lovingly, pulling the covers and sheets over her with care. Once he finished, he couldn't help but smirk. "Despite being the one to agree to come with me, the hellcat fought me the entire way here." He shook his head with a tired chuckle. "If the teleporting hadn't knocked her unconscious we might've had some trouble with her tonight."

Mariya had made her way to his side and stood looking down at the future Queen. How tranquil and reserved she seemed, but both of them knew that it wouldn't last when she awoke.

"Are you ready my King," Mariya asked, focusing her wide eyes on Sarah.

Jareth hated what he was about to do, but once more reminded himself that he didn't have any choice. It was the only way to assure that Sarah, his beloved Sarah would never leave him again.

"Yes, Mariya, let us begin."

Jareth was about to draw his finger across his palm, when a gnarled hand grabbed his. The Goblin King looked expectantly at his old nurse.

"What is it, Mariya?"

The old goblin held onto his wrist, but it was a gentle grasp that made Jareth look into her large brown eyes.

"If she ever finds out about this, Jareth she will immediately suspect you. She wouldn't suspect me . . . Please let me be the one to do it?"

Jareth was about to protest, but Mariya continued forcefully. "You have already shown your mind to her. She will fill your entrance instantly, but the Lady does not know me. I'll be able to mask my presence. . . Please, my King."

Jareth looked deep into her eyes and after a moment nodded his consent. The old goblin woman told him she was ready and he placed his hand on Sarah's forehead. Mariya brought her pointer finger across the surface of her palm and a fresh cut appeared on with a line of blood.

Jareth moved his finger across Sarah's forehead and a matching line of blood formed across her smooth skin. Jareth took Mariya's other hand and held it firmly closing his eyes to gain concentration for what he was about to do.

"Whenever you are ready," Jareth told his old nurse, closing his eyes and waiting preparing his magic.

Mariya took a deep breath before she gently laid her bloody hand on the sleeping girls' forehead, merging their blood together. Jareth who was connected to both of them gasped in pain as the women touched. Jareth clenched his with jaw tightly to keep from crying out from the effort of his task. Mariya held his hand tightly a pained expression crossing her wrinkled face as well.

They both felt Sarah's pains and joys as if they were their own. They saw her accomplishments and failures. They saw her entire life play out before their eyes in only a few moments time. Mariya searched for the proper memory and once she found it, she latched onto it, waiting for the connection.

Jareth summoned all of his inner-magic, willing it to channel it into Mariya and Sarah. If this spell worked, the two women would be connected mentally for the remainder of their lives. And with the life-long connection they would have to stay within the same realm at all times. Sarah would never be able to leave again without Mariya accompanying her.

Jareth nearly fell over as he felt his magic transfer into them, but he fought the fatigue. It took most of his energy to seal the memories but he gave it willingly. At first Sarah wouldn't accept the magic, but after several minutes of prodding, Jareth felt her give in and take the magic he had offered. As she did so, the spell was completed, and Mariya and Sarah were one.

Jareth opened his eyes and gave Mariya an exhausted smile. The goblin woman immediately returned the smile, and whipped her brow as she realized the sweat that had formed there.

"That was an impressive display of magic, Jareth," she congratulated him with a shaky laugh. "No one since your grandfathers' time has been able to succeed at the binding spell."

"I can understand why," Jareth said grasping the nearest bedpost as a wave of nausea hit him.

"Do you need medical attention, Sire?" Mariya asked worriedly, her features crinkling more than usual.

"No Mariya," he assured her gently. "I just need rest . . ."

Mariya took the hint and turned to leave, but before she could reach the door Jareth appeared in front of her, blocking her path. Tenderly the Goblin King took Mariya's still bleeding hand in his and brought it up to his lips. He kissed it and the line closed up and disappeared.

"The Healer's Kiss," Mariya mumbled in wonder. It was a beautiful piece of rare magic that few used anymore, but then again this was Jareth the Goblin King and he never stopped amazing her.

"Goodnight Alta. Thank you for your help."

Mariya bowed her head to him in respect and departed to collect her son from his stone floor bed, to return to her small cottage outside of the castle walls.

Jareth stumbled back over to his bed, taking off his pants, boots, and cloak as he went, and when he finally came to the bed he only had his undergarments left. He climbed beneath the massive comforter and silken sheets as slowly as he possibly could, for his body was still aching from the binding spell.

Then once he was in, Jareth leaned over Sarah and healed her cut making sure there wasn't a trace of the spell he had performed before he turned off the lights.

The Goblin King settled in and wrapped his arms around Sarah and sighed in contentment, as he held her for the first time in what felt like an eternity. And for the first time since she had left the Underground, Jareth fell asleep immediately, his dreams peaceful and serene, for he knew that Sarah was his and she would never leave his side again.