Sarah was sleeping soundly as she hid her face away from the sunlight that poured into the room, until there was a knock on the door. "Who is it?" She drowsily called, forcing herself to open her eyes.

"It's the servant," a scratchy voice called. "The King wanted me to bring you fresh clothes and to clean yours."

Sarah blinked, trying to wake up. "Come in."

The door opened to a green goblin dressed in rags and carrying a folded, green outfit. He placed it on the bed and picked up the dirty bundle of clothes that was on the corner of the bed.

"Thank you," she politely said.

The small creature gave her a smile, dipped his head, then left; closing the door behind.

Curious and now awake, Sarah sat up, unfolded the clothing that turned out to be a long, pale-green dress. Not wanting to be rude, she got out of bed, and threw on the dress. It was lean and elegant with short sleeves, and a simple neckline, causing her to smile. The young woman admired herself like a teenager again. The last time she wore something formal was her senior year of prom and it was nice to wear a dress like this again.

There was another knock on the door.

"Come in."

Instead of a servant, it was Hoggle muttering to himself in annoyance about not able to take an apple, then stopped in his tracks, staring at her with puzzled eyes.

Sarah grinned at her friend, not forgetting about the dress. "Hi, Hoggle."

"Did Jareth give you that?" He asked, studying the dress.

"He did."

"Hmph." He crossed his arms. "You two really are becoming pals, aren't you?"

She smiled. "You said that last time."

His arms fell to his sides. "It's just strange that you are actually being nice to him after what he put you through. I still don't trust Jareth and neither should you." He waved a warning finger at her. "There's always trick up his sleeve."

Sarah slightly tilted her head with a smile. "You're a such a caring, little goblin."

His blue eye twitched. "Gobl– I'm not a goblin!" he suddenly cried. "I'm a dwarf!"

The woman blinked, never hearing that before. "What? I never knew that."

"How can you not know that?" Hoggle cried, offended. "Do I looked like a frizzy-haired, gremlin that lives in the Goblin City? No! I do not. I'm a dwarf. There is a difference!" He placed his hands on his hips, glaring at her.

Sarah giggled, finding humor in his reaction. "Sorry, Hoggle."

"No, you're not!"

"Sarah."

They both turned to the door, finding a serious Jareth dressed in a white blouse; black vest; long coat; and grey pants. His hands are behind his back as his pale eyes were locked onto the human. "We need to train. Now. We may have less time than I thought."

The woman immediately frowned. "What happened?"

"Elves were seen at every entrance of the Labyrinth this morning." He briskly walked away, snapping his riding crop over his shoulder.

The friends traded worried glances, then the woman threw on her socks and sneakers, then hurried out the door to catch up to the King with Hoggle at her heels.

Within thirty minutes of nonstop training, Sarah's positions and accuracy were getting improving with each swing and strike on the dummies. She felt herself get faster mentally and physically as she was preparing to fight for her life. In the next half hour Jareth had ordered for another sword and in a few minutes, a servant arrived with a sheathed sword.

It was now a match.

The quick-thinking woman foresaw his attacks like he said to and would dodge and block as best as she could. However, if this was a real battle, she would've died many times.

"Better your footing," the King ordered, not taking his pale eyes off her. "It will save you." He came in with a strike.

In that split second, Sarah noticed what he was talking about, causing her to spin to dodge, then tried to strike him, but he blocked.

"You're a quick learner," he dryly commented with a hint of amusement.

She gave a brief smile. Then she saw a glint in his uneven pupils and before she knew it, she was managing to block a couple of full-speed blows, until he was behind her with the sword to her throat. Surprised by his speed and the fact that this was an instant kill, her eyes were wide while she was panting for breath with her own sword lamely at her side.

"Do not let them get behind you," he softly advised in her ear. "There will be nothing that you can do. No chance of survival unless they are merciful– Which they will not be. Also, may I say you look stunning in that dress?" He lowered his sword, released her, and backed away.

Sarah turned to face him with a small smile at the complement. "Thank you."

A sad grew on Jareth's narrow face as he looked at her with almost disappointment like a mentor who sees greatness, but knows the apprentice will never reach to that greatness. "You won't be ready by the time they get here. You should leave while you have the chance, but I know you won't– It's not your nature."

"It isn't," she quietly agreed.

Sarah knew the Labyrinth was the only thing keeping the enemy out, but were quickly getting bold. Jareth already has one prisoner and the next morning, there are warriors at each entrance over the miles of Labyrinth. She didn't know about big the elven queen's army was, but by the sounds of it, it was big and well-armed. Either way, she knew that Jareth was not going to go down without a fight and if things do get bad, then she didn't know what she would do. She had a family to worry about after all.

After an hour and a half of training, Sarah's left arm was sore. She was laying on her bed, staring at the stoned ceiling; lost in her own mind. The elves were getting bolder and they were on the brink of war. She was trapped here against her will for her own safety like a prisoner of war, but now she was training to be a warrior herself and die like a warrior. Maybe Jareth was right about her returning home, but he continued to train her– To teach her to defend herself in battle. Hoggle told her that if Jareth falls, the goblins and everyone else in the kingdom would be made into slaves. There was too much on the line for her to give up, but was it worth dying for when she had a family at home? Were they worried about her if they noticed that she was gone? Of course they were! It was her family and this was Jareth's battle after all!

Frustrated, she got off the bed and made her way to the door, opening it to her friend, who was about to knock, but made her way passed him. "Sorry, Hoggle, but I have to find Jareth." The woman made her way up the flight of steps at the end of the hall, then made a direct beeline to the throne room where Jareth was as usual. "I need to talk to you."

The King turned his gaze to her with a forced smile. "Anything wrong?"

"How sure are you that you will win this war?"

"Questioning your decision, I see."

She took a small breath. "I have a family and if something happens to me…"

His smile faded. "I can take you back if you'd like." He summoned a crystal ball on the tips of his fingers and held it out to her, but his eyes were saying something else.

"But how will I know if you're okay?" She quietly asked.

"If we're not, then you won't know. If we are… I might send Hoggle to let you know."

Sarah turned away, confused and frustrated with her second thoughts.

"You're homesick."

She turned to him, caught off guard by his statement.

"You're not having second thoughts, but you're homesick." Jareth stood up and dismissed the crystal with a wave of his gloved hand. "You fear that they are worried about you, but don't worry– I can alter time to send you back as if you had never left." He slowly stepped towards her without breaking his gaze. "If I give you a solution that will solve your problem, will you stay here until the last minute?"

She gave him a suspicious glare. "What kind of solution?"

"I'll have it to you by tonight and if you feel that you need to leave, then you can use it." He held up at finger. "But only during the battle."

Seeing that it was fair since she did want to stay for fight along side him, she nodded. "Deal." She started to walked away and gave him a relieved smile. "Thanks again, Jareth." Then she left the room.

After taking a shower a little after sundown, Sarah was dressed for bed and when she walked in her room, she found a golden necklace with a crystal ball. Afraid to touch the crystal, she just threw the necklace around her neck, tossed her hair over the chain, then crawled into bed.