Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favorited and followed so far. Hope this next installment is to your liking. Still taking some time to write and type this up as I am working on it at my job when I have a few moments. And as always the characters of Labyrinth do not belong to me.


Upon Wings She Came pt. 2

Barnabas scowled as his General looked at his wound, it would not heal like normal and there were no true healers among the vampire race, their bodies capable of healing at an extremely accelerated rate compared to any other race of the Underground. His General frowned with displeasure as he pulled away from the severed arm.

"There is no way to fix your arm, Sire, the blade must have been enchanted to permanently handicap those of us with faster healing abilities."

"That damn Goblin King, I will make him pay for this!" He snarled furiously. "And that wench will be punished for attacking me and running away like a coward. I will drag her back here and make her live out every nightmare that has ever ran through her pretty little head."

"Do you think it wise to attack him so soon, Sire?"

"Are you really questioning me, Victor?"

"Of course not, Sire, it's just that there has been some talk within the ranks," Victor adjusted his sword belt as he gave a momentary pause. "One of our spies in the Fairy Kingdom reported in that their King, Odin, has taken up arms with the Goblin King against us. We have already had too many unsatisfactory run-ins with Odin's forces."

"It's not my problem if you do not know how to train your men, maybe I should have you replaced with someone more qualified for the job. How does that sound?"

Victor bowed low so his face was mostly hidden from his leader as he tried to control the angry scowl bubbling to the surface. As he rose he excused himself and exited his leaders rooms and headed for the barracks to speak with those whose loyalties were strictly with him alone. He was not going to risk losing his entire force to his leaders obsession with some slip of a girl.

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Jareth watched as Sarah slept peacefully next to him, he traced the sharp lines of her face with his finger as if committing the image and feel to memory. He did not know what their future would hold in the long run, but if her willingness to depend on him to help her was anything to go by, then things looked a little more on the bright side. She gave a soft moan and nuzzled closer to him as if seeking the heat of his body, he inhaled sharply as the movement caused his body to react in response, he released the breath slowly in an attempt to calm the rest of his body.

"Is everything alright, Jareth?"

Her eyes peered up at him from the pillow, but almost as soon as the words left her mouth a blush began to creep across her cheeks as she became aware of his dilemma.

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to..."

He pulled her lips into a sweet kiss, effectively silencing her words. "It's alright, Love. How are you feeling now, any better?"

"A bit, I'm still not used to using so much magic in such a short time."

"As I mentioned earlier, I have a gardener."

"Well, he should be dunked head first in the bog of eternal stench, because they frankly don't know how to garden."

"You don't really want me to do that."

"And why not?"

"Because, my gardener happens to be your dear little friend Hoggle. Though the stench that would cling to him for the rest of eternity would probably kill every plant out there. Then, he really will be the worst gardener in all of the Underground."

"Surely he wouldn't stink for the rest of his life, that's just what you want them to think, right?"

"My love, if it went away the threat would lose its power, and I would have to resort to worse methods of punishments. You wouldn't want me to have to go down that road would you?" She shook her head softly. "Then, take my word for it, once you've been dipped in the bog you will stink for the rest of your life."

"I'll keep that in mind , my lord."

"Why don't we go see about getting some supper before that voice of yours gets us into trouble."

"I don't know what you mean by that."

"I mean if you keep calling me, my lord, in that sultry voice of yours I may not be able to control myself and I will ravish you senseless."

She blushed not just at his words, but also at the tone in his voice and the look in his eyes, both were filled with unwavering desire. He rose from the bed then turned and pulled her up as well, they stood there in each other's arms for a moment before he transported them to the kitchens.

The chef turned around to see his King and Lady Sarah standing behind him and quickly fell into a bow until the King motioned for him to rise. "Would you like something to eat, Majesty? I can have something fixed up quickly for you."

"Just something simple tonight, it is rather late, anything to heavy won't sit very well."

The chef nodded then quickly got to work as the couple walked out of the kitchen. They walked down the hallway to the large dining room to wait on the food. Jareth made music play from invisible hand and pulled her into a waltz. She giggled happily as he spun her around the room, then the music slowed and he held her close while serenading her. It was not long before the chef came into the dining hall rolling a cart with trays of food on it. Jareth and Sarah came over to the table and took the two seats at the end. The chef placed a tray of fruit and cheese in the center, followed by two glasses of sweet white wine. He bowed to them again then took his leave, they ate the food on the table while they talked lightly of what Sarah wanted to do in the gardens though he kept insisting that he could find someone to do it for her, however, she broke in that it was the least she could do for him allowing her to stay in the castle when he didn't have to. He finally conceded to her wishes chuckling softly to himself, then, suggested that they move their evening on to the gardens for a walk before they retired for the night. A few moments a comfortable silence passed as they walked down the stone pathways before she stated that working in the gardens would help her get used to using her magic so she wouldn't get so worn out as quickly.

"I can help you with your magic as well, particularly learning how to defend yourself and transportation, those will be the first ones you need to make your priority."

"Illusions...?"

He looked up at her, momentarily taken aback by her implication, but then an amused smile curved the corners of his lips. "Yes, I can teach you that too, but may be after you master the basics. Illusions have a lot to do with getting into someone's mind, and unless you're properly trained you could really hurt someone."

"And I suppose you think you are trained enough to go around putting my impressionable fifteen year old self through that?"

"Yes, I am well trained and highly qualified to prove it to you..." he stepped up close to her as if to challenge her. "However, what I would show you to prove what I'm saying you couldn't handle in your...fragile state."

He had turned from her and was inspecting some of the plants she had been working on earlier in the day and thus missed the indignent look that sprang onto her face at his words.

"I beg your pardon?!"

She did not even see him move before she was pinned up against the nearest tree, his lips had captured hers in one of the most passionate kisses she had ever experienced and though she kept telling herself to push him away she couldn't help but respond to his lips. His deft fingers had reached around to trace intricate, intimate designs on the bare skin of her back; the sensations making her arch into him almost involuntarily and a moan to sound out on her lips as he trailed his kisses to her sensitive neck.

"Jar..."

"It's as simple as that, my dear." she blinked away the image to find he had never moved from the sparse inches from her own spot. "Your mind is no match against me as it stands, but in time we will change that."

Her whole body tingled from the lingering sensations, she breathed in a deep breath then let it out slowly. Jareth was watching her closely, he knew he really shouldn't have pushed that boundary with her, but he simply couldn't refuse her challenge no matter how innocent it was. He didn't want her to be scared of him like she was of Barnabas, however, he needed her to understand how much he wanted her too.

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Their days went much the same way for the next couple of weeks, while the King was busy doing paperwork or holding court in the throne room, she would spend her time in the gardens until she became too tired to continue she had Brigy show her around the castle more so she could get more familiar with the layout, thus how she found the library. Now, when she wasn't with the King or in the gardens, she could be found with her nose buried in a book. Life was peaceful and she was enjoying it immensely, Jareth had not tried to push her into overly intimate or created another illusion, not that he needed to. Her imagination apparently had a mind of its own and constantly played compromising scenarios in her head, thus making it hard to look him in the eye and not blush the next time they were together. In the evenings they would take dinner in the dining hall, and every night he would take her into his arms and dance with her around the room until the food was brought in, and they would enjoy the small talk over their meal, and finally end the night with a walk through the gardens before he took her back to her rooms and kiss her goodnight.

This was the happiest she had been in a very long time, and wished though in vain that it would never end.

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It had been a little over a month now since Barnabas had attacked Sarah here at the castle, and no sign of him had been seen since within the Goblin Kingdom, but Jareth had no intention of believing that they had seen the last of the monster which was why he currently sat in a meeting with Odin in his study as the other monarch was going over information his men had managed to come across about Barnabas and his troops, however, his attentions were on the crystal he held in his hand. He was watching Sarah as she read in the library, drapped across one of the chairs, her dress had slipped up to her knee as she laid in a most unladylike position in one of the chairs. He couldn't help but stare at the creamy skin that was exposed...

"Jareth!"

His eyes darted to the frustrated Fairy King, he had the decency to make a show of looking ashamed of his lack of attention. The other man sighed, he knew his friend too well, and while he acted apologetic he most certainly was not.

"I understand you have fallen head of heels for this girl, but if you want my help I need you to focus on the information I am giving you now. We need to have a good plan of attack and defense, and having it ready before the vampires are on our doorsteps."

"I know, and I am hearing you, but do you seriously think Barnabas would be so foolish to attack so soon? Surely, he's not that daft as to think I wouldn't be on my guard and ready for him?"

"Barnabas has gone off the rails, there are unconfirmed rumors that a good portion of his forces are against him right now."

"Does that not bode well for us?"

"Yes...and no." Odin looked away for a moment as he took in the view of the labyrinth. "The good part is we won't be up against the entire vampire army, however, the sheer desperation Barnabas seems to be at to simply get his hands on this girl you have here suggests that he will go to any lengths to obtain her again. A desperate vampire is a dangerous thing, and he is smart, he will try to get a hold of our magic."

"Then, we will have to be smarter than him."

"Precisely, which is why I think we should bring the fight all the way to your doorstep and use the labyrinth to our full advantage. Cast a spell over your castle and the maze to keep them from transporting directly here." He watched the Goblin King nod in agreement. "One more thing, you're not going to like it, but it will be more effective this way...she needs to lead Barnabas into the labyrinth herself."

"NO! Leave her out of this plan...she won't be able to do it, not after what he has put her through."

"Don't be foolish, Jareth, she is the best bet to get that wretch exactly where we want him. Dangle the one thing he desperately desires to possess and he will come running without a second thought." Odin sighed in frustration still seeing the protest in the blonde man's eyes, he continued on with the final nail into the coffin of Jareth's argument. "Besides, should she not be the one to decide if she is not ready to face her tormentor?"

Jareth sighed, he knew his friend was right; he ended their discussion for the time being and told Odin to join them for dinner later where they could discuss with Sarah the plan and ask her if she could play the part they needed her to. The Fairy King promised to return and join them for supper, with a bow he vanished back to his own kingdom. Pulling a crystal back into view he looked in on Sarah. He saw her floating in front of the top most shelves of the ceiling high bookshelves, her wings beating steadily behind her. Disappearing to the room he waited for her to lower herself back to the ground, when she did he wrapped his arms gently around her waist, one hand splaying possessively across her abdomen.

She had initially stiffened but relaxed upon realizing who the arms belonged to, she sighed contently and leaned her head back into his shoulder as he nuzzled her neckline. He took in the light smell of jasmine on her skin and brushed her hair over to the unoccupied shoulder while effectively skimming his fingers over her sensitive wings. The sensation of his deft fingers over her wings had an unexpected moan escaping her mouth, Jareth's hands pulling her more tightly against himself, he traced a line down her spine to the point where her wings and back connected. He had found this particular spot was very sensitive to his ministrations of her wings and had her arching in pleasure; unfortunately she'd been asleep the first time he had come across this piece of information while he stroked patterns on her back.

Her body reacted just as he expected, she moaned even louder than the last time; he twirled her then so she was facing him and pressed her against the shelves as he peppered kisses along her jaw and down her neck. She couldn't control her body as her hips pushed forward into his. She knew she needed to stop this before it went any further, but damn the man made her almost forget her insecurities. She felt the room shift and knew he had moved them to the privacy of his room. The mattress pressed into her back as his hands skimmed her body, his bare hands shooting...

"Jareth, stop messing with my head."

He chuckled against her neck before stepping away from her. "What gave me away?"

"Your gloves." She watched him cock his head curiously at her. "You've never touched me with your bare hands before. You have always kept the gloves on to keep from over exerting your magic by accident."

"Do you believe that I don't want to touch you without them?"

"No."

"Would you wish me to?"

"Maybe another time, but not right now."

Even though he was somewhat disappointed by her response he still smiled at her, lifting her chin and placed a soft kiss on her lips. He adored her cleverness, she knew so much about his world even with her limited exposure to the different races that lived there. For instance her knowledge that most fae wore some type of gloves to keep from skin to skin contact when not necessary, their magic easily transferred to another being by simple touch could cause some very interesting effects between the two. This was one of the many methods used to ensnare mortals back when the people of the Aboveground still worshipped the Pagan gods of old. Taking her hand in his he led her to the large fireplace and set them in the two chairs placed before it, her face taking on a more serious expression at his continued silence.

"Jareth, what happened?"

"Nothing has happened, love, but tonight we are going to have a guest joining us for supper." Her look turned confused at this. "He is a good friend and ally of mine, but this visit is not personal, it is so he can talk to you regarding Barnabas and our plans to rid the Underground of him. He has something to ask you, and you are more than likely not going to like what he says, I don't particularly like it myself, however, as I am a king I have been taught proper war strategies, and unfortunately his plan is the best course of action. So what I'm going to ask you now is that you at least listen and very carefully consider what he asks of you. He will not sugar coat anything about this situation just to spare your feelings on the matter, and I can no longer leave you blind to what is about to happen here."

"Just how bad is it about to be?"

"No matter what happens or who has more forces with them, it will be an intense and dangerous fight; vampires are not gifted with their own magic, but they can cipher it from beings like you and me, thus making them leeches. They can temporarily obtain our magic just from a taste of our blood, and that is what is going to make this battle so dangerous, one amped up vampire could turn the tide in this, imagine the possibility of an entire vampire army with magic coursing through them. And if I fail you will be in more danger, I cannot return you to the Aboveground for two reasons, though there are others. Unlike me and my kindred, vampires can travel freely between the worlds without being summoned. Secondly, your physical transformation, you would never be able to roam amongst the mortals."

"I'll stand out, I'm an abomination in the human eye now."

"Abomination might be a bit strong, but ultimately yes. The human race no longer believes in the fae anymore, we are myths from a bygone time. We try to find the true believers subtly through books and art that depict the world down here and its inhabitants." He gave her a small smile and placed a hand over her smaller one. "Let me walk you back to your room, we should start preparing for our guest."

"As you wish."

He held his arm out to her and she looped hers willingly through his, they walked down the corridors in silence, both thinking over what had just been said and what would be discussed over their dinner. When they arrived at her door he did not immediately release her, but pulled her into an embrace. With one arm wrapped around her tiny waist he used his free hand to cup her chin so he could place a kiss on her mouth, her hands came up to rest on his chest before he pulled back reluctantly and rested his forehead against hers.

"Sarah, there is only one thing that I wish, only one thing I truly desire, and that is for you to allow me to love you the way you deserve to be. For you to rule beside me as my equal, my queen; you were too young the last time we'd met, but I hope that when this is all over you might reconsider my offer." Releasing her from his embrace he brought both of her hands up to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "Until later."

She watched him walk back down the hall, her mind did not know what to make of her current situation, she'd come to the Goblin Kingdom under the pretense that she would likely become a servant or something lower, but never did she expect him to ask her to be his queen. The thought made her blush, because somewhere over the last few weeks she had begun to fall in love with the King of the Goblins. Quickly, she entered her room and shut the door behind her, she went to her wardrobe and began scanning the dresses that had been provided to her, anything to keep her mind from thinking about the King's words in the hallway.

After several minutes she came across a midnight blue gown, the top was a beaded corset with a square neckline, and two delicate gossamer straps that covered the shoulders. The skirt was made of several layers, the bottom most a silk fabric layered over with gossamer that had little rhinestones imbedded in them to make it shimmer like the early night sky. Looking further in the closet she found a matching set of pumps and white elbow length gloves. Taking the items behind the dressing screen she hung the dress up carefully and placed the other items on the stool before going to bathe.

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An hour later Jareth found himself deep in thought and tapping his riding crop against the heel of his boot to a unknown melody, he was curious to see how Sarah would take the question that was going to be asked of her. He also kept thinking about the astonished look on her face and in her eyes upon his declaration, he loved the way her cheeks would stain whenever she blushed. He sincerely hoped she would accept his offer this time, he had fell in love with her all over again as they spent more time together.

The sound of a gruff throat clearing alerted him to the presence of his friend; he had not heard his entrance into the throne room. He sat up in his throne taking on a more regal air, though he slumped back down a moment later much to the other man's amusement.

"Was everything alright back in the Fairy Kingdom?"

"Of course, though, Titania was a little put out when I refused to allow her to accompany me back. Said that it has been entirely too long since she has seen our good friend, the mischievous Goblin King."

"Hence why I came anyways."

Both men turned to the entrance of the throne room where a beautiful silver-blonde haired woman stood with a smirk on her unmarred face, her dress hung from her slender frame in spun rays of sunshine. Her azure blue eyes watched them, waiting on some kind of response from them. She was not disappointed.

"Woman!" Odin growled in frustration.

"Oh be quiet, Odin. I'm more shocked you did not think I would come anyways." She pushed her husband aside and walked up to the other fae man and engulfed him in a hug. When she backed up she reached up and pinched his cheeks and gave him a pointed look. "Where is this little mortal turned fae, I wish to meet her before we dine."

"I believe she is still getting ready for dinner up in her room, I'm sure she will be down shortly."

"What room is she staying in? Surely with everything that's going on you are keeping her close to your suites?"

"Titania, leave the girl be, it won't do for a strange person popping in on her with no fair warning. You can meet her when she comes down." Odin said with irritation.

"She is in the Queen's suites, isn't she?"

"No, she isn't."

"And why not, surely you'd want her close to keep an eye on her for her safety, and maybe even a midnight tryst..."

"Titania!" Odin looked like he was about to throttle the woman.

A timid 'ahem' sounded from one of the staircases leading to the guest quarters, all three royals turned and found Sarah standing on the last step. To Jareth, she looked like the goddess of the night sky in her midnight blue gown that shimmered softly in the evening light. He walked to her side and offered his arm in which she took without hesitation. He led her over to the other two, she looked at the strangers cautiously, reminding herself that they were here to help them. She felt the other woman's intense gaze upon her and held tighter to her escort.

"Sarah, I want to introduce you to Odin and his wife Titania, the King and Queen of the Fairy Kingdom. They will be helping up against Barnabas and his forces, it is actually Odin's plan that we discussed earlier and will continue to discuss over dinner." She curtsied to them as was proper. "Why don't we go ahead to the dining hall, the food should be ready soon."

He turned and led them down one of the corridors, Sarah still held tightly to his arm. He could tell she was on edge, Titania had that effect on almost every woman she came in contact with. He placed his free hand over hers and gave her a reassuring smile and they continued to walk in silence to the dining hall. Once they arrived each of the men pulled out the chair of their respective lady before taking their own seats. The servers ushered the food in on the trays and placed the plates in front of each person.

"So, Sarah, what has Jareth told you of our plan thus far?"

"Not much, just that you had something you wanted to ask me regarding it. However, if you are looking for information on the going on of Barnabas' military forces I will be rather useless to you. He kept me under lock and key and made sure I was limited to any exposure to any other person with the exception of a few people."

"That's not what we need of you, though it would have been helpful." Odin paused and looked at the young woman before him with a thoughtful eye. "What you need to understand is that the only thing Barnabas is interested in is obtaining you. He does not want this kingdom...just you, he is willing to risk everything because something about you has him all wound up. Personally, I think it is your transformation, your magic that you gained. With you under his control he had a endless amount of magical blood at his disposal, you provided him with the power he didn't have naturally. What we need you to do is be the bait. Lure the wretch into the labyrinth, once inside he will be trapped."

"He has no desire to see me live, if given the chance he will kill me himself for the fact that I attacked him when I managed to escape."

"No, magical blood means too much to a vampire, Barnabas is no different." Jareth intervened.

"We have no intentions of leaving you alone for him to take, Lady Sarah, we would have someone to bring you back to the castle as soon as he is in the maze." Odin continued.

"If someone is with me he will know it is a trap. He'll be expecting Jareth or at the very least one of his guards to be with me, especially after our last encounter with him."

"What if an innocent little maid was with her?" Titania said. "He expects to see someone with the obvious ability to protect her physically and magically, let's put someone who can do both but without looking like they could."

"And who are suggesting, wife?" Odin growled in irritation again.

"Really, Odin, you must get past this childish annoyance because I disobeyed you and came here anyways, you knew what you were getting into when you married me." She pouted her pink lips at him before twisting them into a mischievous smile. "And naturally, I mean myself. I am well trained with a sword, and I'm one of Merlin's own apprentices so I am a very skilled in my magic. Plus, I'd like to get to know Lady Sarah better."

"Absolutely not..." Odin stopped mid rant and looked over at the Goblin King who was chuckling. "And what is so funny?"

Sarah looked between the three royals taking in that only Odin seemed upset, while Jareth was outright laughing, and Titania was trying to hide her amusement behind her hand, she was half convinced that they were all half crazy. Apologizing to his friend, Jareth put on his best serious face though laughter still played in his eyes.

"Well then, as I was saying, you cannot be in the labyrinth during the attack because you need to be back in our kingdom taking care of things there, I will not risk losing both of us should something go wrong."

"Your brother, Oberon can watch over our home while we are gone, and besides unless you or Jareth are going to conform your bodies to that of a little girl, and put on a dress, you really have no better plan."

"How can you make yourself look like a little girl again?"

"Magic of course, dear Sarah. Anything is possible with magic."

When their eyes met she watched as the Fairy Queen's body morphed into an innocent looking little girl that couldn't have been any older than ten years old by human standards. Her jaw dropped, if she hadn't just witnessed it for herself she would not have believed it possible. Odin finally agreed, though grudgingly, then ordered his wife to return herself to her proper age and appearance. He turned back to Sarah and repeated his question to her, she knew she didn't have much of a choice unless she wished to possibly offend the other woman.

"There doesn't seem to be another option, so I will do my best."

"Very good. We will start working on the final plans tomorrow, my informant says that Barnabas' forces are almost ready to start moving on us. He is very much aware of my involvement with you, Jareth, so I would start keeping a guard close by. I don't know if the spy is in my kingdom or here in yours, either way he knows that we are preparing for an attack and simply does not care. He wants Lady Sarah so desperately, he is willing to come at us with only half of the vampire army, and a desperate vampire is far more dangerous than normal."

"Well, the spell has been cast over the labyrinth, and doubly over the Goblin City and castle, so they would have to already have been within these limits to go unnoticed. Once a vampire sets foot within the labyrinth walls I will be alerted. Same goes if they are in the maze already and enter the city, I will know. I've only made it so you can come and go as you please without the wards going off."

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Sarah walked in silence through the gardens, her arm looped through Jareth's once more. He had asked her to wait for him in the throne room while he showed Odin and Titania to their quarters for their stay in the castle. When he returned he suggested a walk through the gardens before they retired for the evening, she had agreed, simply wanting to spend a little more time with him since she hadn't been able to earlier in the day. She looked over the plant life as they walked, she was really pleased with the overall progress. Seeing a wilting flower she released his arm and walked over to it, as she weaved her magic around it she could feel his eyes watching her. When she felt his arms wrapped around her waist she sighed contently, he pressed a kiss to her temple.

"You are taking everything quite well, love, especially given what is being asked of you. I know it can't be easy."

"Honestly, everything about this terrifies me, but there is no other option that will give us the upper hand, so I will play my part to the best of my abilities. What did Odin mean about Barnabas only coming at us with half his army? That's not like him, he'd want his entire forces with him."

"From what Odin's informant has said, there are some among his followers who don't share his desire to attack a force like ours over a 'mere' girl, they know we are prepared for them and they are not willing to risk everything like he is."

"There is no some...the only other vampire who could turn that army against Barnabas himself is Victor. You must be careful with him as well, he is just as ruthless as his Sire, but he is twice as calculation. If he has turned the army against their leader he has something up his sleeve, and it won't be good for anybody in the Underground."

"Well, for not let us worry about the vampire we know the mind of, if this Victor becomes a problem down the road we will take him on when that time comes." He held her in silence for a moment, simply enjoying her being so close. "You have done a marvelous job in the gardens, they haven't looked so glorious in centuries."

"Thank you, my lord." She felt his arms tighten possessively. "I enjoy working out here, the fairies have even been helping out."

"Is that so, they must have become fond of you, especially since you have spoiled them so with their own castle. Maybe they think your place is here beside me as well." He turned her in his arms and kissed her softly. "Sarah, do something for me."

"Anything, my lord."

"Stay with me tonight, I do not wish to sleep alone." He saw the uncertainty in her eyes though she tried to bury it. "We won't do anything you don't want to, you have my word. I just want to have the woman I love beside me to hold."

"Then I shall stay with you." She smiled up at him.

From her balcony Titania watched the couple below walk back to the castle arm in arm, she smiled softly down at them. Never had she seen her friend so happy as he was around this young woman. She turned from the balcony rail and went back inside to her husband who sat staring intently into the flames of the room's ornate fireplace. She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought her lips to his ear.

"I believe our little Goblin King is quite happy. Don't you think so, dear husband?"

"I do, and I do not want you meddling in his affairs, we already have enough trouble on our hands, we don't need any you can conjure up if you go sticking your nose in their business."

"How could you say such things to me?"

"Because I know you, and though your intentions are good, you always take them too far. This girl may just be the one to make Jareth realize it is time for him to take a queen who can give him an heir."

"How do you know she could give him an heir?"

"Because she's already bared a child." He saw his wife's inquisitive look and sighed. "I was given her story by Jareth a couple of weeks ago, she had a child with Barnabas during her imprisonment; that monster forced himself on her."

"That poor girl!" Titania held her fingers over her mouth in shock. "Does she know that he told you this?"

"No, and it is probably best if it stays that way. It took him a while to get the story from her himself, in fact it took that vampire arriving and giving her no option but to finally tell Jareth everything that had happened to her during her time in their stronghold. She was in bad shape when she arrived in the forest, so much so that her body stayed in self defense for days after she was found. Whatever she did to attack him it completely drained her and to top it off her own attack blinded her temporarily in the process."

"So she doesn't have complete mastery over her magic yet?" At his nod she gave a small smile. "Well, I can help her there, it will be a great way to get to know her too."

"Jareth has been working with her when he can, but I'm sure he would welcome your help in that case, maybe then I can get him to focus on the upcoming battle, those damn crystals of his are going to be our downfall because he can't tear his eyes away from them long enough to help come up with a good plan."

"Oh, I don't think my help will stop him from watching her, he is quite taken with little Sarah. He will keep watching her regardless."

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They laid silently on his bed beneath the covers, she nuzzled her head into his chest and her hands were clenched into his shirt while his own arms were wrapped around her. His fingers making circles through the fabric of the nightgown he had conjured up for her to wear. She was starting to get used to the secure feelings that were brought forward every time he held her so, looking up into his eyes she pushed herself up and kissed him, he pulled her tighter to his body and returned her kiss with just as much passion as she gave.

"Promise me something, Jareth."

"Anything you want, my love."

"Don't put yourself in any unnecessary danger during the battle with Barnabas. I don't want to lose you to him, you're the only person I have here."

"I have no intention of leaving you alone, besides you have yet to give me an answer to my proposal. I very much plan to woo you into submission, and spend the rest of my life with you."

"Sweet as that is, it was still not a promise." She smiled at him.

"Well then, minx, I promise you that I will not place myself in any unnecessary dangers that would keep me from coming back to you." He said as he rolled above her making her squeak in surprise. His left hand still holding her hip possessively while his right held him up from its resting place to the side of her neck.

He leaned down and captured her lips in a passionate kiss that made her toes curl, his left hand crept up to where her wings and back became one and brushed the overly sensitive skin there making her arch into him with a gasp. His lips moved down her jaw line as his fingers continued their assault on her back. Wanting to gain back some of the control she had held at first she took her opportunity with his unstable position and flipped them over. Her legs now straddled his hips as she leaned down and mimicked the trail of his kisses, enjoying the sound of her name coming from his mouth as she took the initiative. With one last hard kiss she pulled back from him and rolled back to her original spot, giggling at the sound of his frustrated groan.

"You are quite the tease, Sarah. We must remedy this soon or I shall go mad."

"We're all a little mad, my love."

His eyes widened slightly at her endearment, she had not called him such during her stay until that moment. Wrapping his arms back around her he held her close, unwilling to spoil the moment with words.

"Jareth, I was curious, what was so funny over dinner tonight?"

"I've always found Odin and Titania's little spouts of anger towards one another funny. They have been married so long, yet they still behave as if they were no more than disgruntled children towards one another. Odin always tries to remain so serious, and Titania has always been a playful personality, but with a more dangerous edge lying just under the surface."

"I see. And do they truely love each other?"

"In a way, their marriage was an arranged one, but Titania held strong feelings for his younger brother Oberon before their parents announced the betrothal. I think it broke her heart a little knowing she was not being promised to the man she desired to be with, and I believe Odin knew this from the start, but because it was his duty to marry and provide an heir to the throne he did not end the engagement. However, they have grown to love one another if not in the traditional sense."

"And do they have many children?"

"No. She has never been able to conceive, though they have tried." He saw sadness creep into her eyes at this. "Do not fret, Sarah, it is not uncommon for fae to have trouble conceiving. Besides, it is not our place to worry about that for them. Let us sleep, we will have much to discuss with them in the morning and the coming days to prepare for what is to come.