It was a two-day journey to the Goblin Kingdom and 50 entrances were discovered in the Labyrinth. Queen Nalth's army had been training long and hard for this day to come and she had arranged an audience with them. The young Queen stepped out to the balcony to the courtyard where her army of at least hundred elven warriors stood facing her as the sun was setting. "We have trained for a long time for this day to come," her voice boomed through the walls as fire of war was in her heart. "Our brother also rots in the prison cells and we shall free him! We will leave at dawn to overpower the Goblin City and the castle and free our comrade!"

Her army roared.

"The Goblin King doesn't stand a chance against us and he will see the true power of the elves! Our empire will grow with our name going down in the Underground's history for generations to come! King Jareth's head will roll! His goblins will be our slaves! And if the King does not surrender, then I will have the honor of stopping that once human heart of his– Forever!"

"Long live Queen Nalth," the army cheered. "All hail the Queen!"

A sneer of power crept over the Queen's face as her heart was starving for war, itching for the death of the King.

The first thing Sarah did when she woke up was roll on her back and stare at the ceiling; lost in thought about her feelings for Jareth. The way they danced would make others believe that they were in love, but she wasn't in love with him… She was falling in love with him. Automatically, she placed a hand on the crystal around her neck. He had yet to tell her how to use it, but instead of thinking of it as her key home, she thought of him. For three minutes the young woman was like this; just thinking about Jareth, her family, and her soon-to-be ex.

She then thought of his uneven pupils and different colored eyes; staring at her with an emotionless gaze– Hiding every emotion within his cold heart. Knowing some of his past, she could now see the betrayal and pain he had felt. His heart was guarded and love was foreign to him, but that was something that he wanted more than anything in the Underground. She knew that he was prepared for the worst and yet hoping for the better. If she ever got to have his heart, she knew that every guard that Jareth had will be completely down– Leaving it vulnerable. But he was desperate like he was fourteen years ago to the point he would give her almost anything… It would be hell for him.

He would suffer just to have her love.

If she was manipulative and cruel, she could play with his heart like a puppet on a string and when she had everything that she wanted from him, she could just snip the strings and leave him to fall.

Sarah winced at the thought. She would never be able to do that. Not only to Jareth, but to anyone.

A knock on the door broke her thoughts.

She gave a small sigh of relief, wanting her grim thoughts to end. "Come in," she called, not taking her eyes off the stoned ceiling.

Five goblins poured in the room with pieces of armor in their hands and lined in a row. "Miss. Williams," a charcoal goblin in the middle began in a scratchy voice, "the King has ordered armor for you."

Sarah sat up, staring at them with wonder. "Armor?" She scanned the leather braces; black, torso mail; black pants; leather boots; and a helmet.

"Yes, Miss. If you wish to survive in war, you will need armor."

"Oh, um, thank you."

He dipped his head, placed the armor on the bed along with the others, and left, closing the door behind as quick as they came in.

Sarah blinked at the wooden door for a moment, then to the armor. She received armor? Well, like the goblin had said, how else was she to survive a war without protection? She climbed out of bed, stretched, brushed her hair, then started to dress in the gear.

Sarah was surprised by how well the mail had fit as if it was custom to her as it was lean and flexible, but it wasn't metal nor leather. Whatever it was, it certainly was durable and suited well. The braces on her forearms were just made out of thick, brown leather as well as the boots and pants. The helmet was just metal. Seeing that she was all set, she tucked the helmet under her arm, walked out of her room just as Hoggle was walking towards her room.

Her dwarven friend's blue eyes grew as he stopped in his tracks. "Sarah?"

She simply smiled as she passed him. "Hi, Hoggle."

He followed at her side, scanning her top to bottom. "Got new armor?"

"Apparently. I'm on my way to see Jareth now."

The two friends made their way to the throne room, only to find a bored Jareth lounging on the throne. When he noticed her, he got to his feet and approached her with a smile. "Ah, I see it fits. How does it feel?"

"Fine."

He frowned, walking around her in examination. "The mail will take almost anything that gets thrown at it. Well, most of it." He stood in front of her, looking her in the eyes.

Sarah frowned. "What do you mean by most of it?"

"It can't take a steel bolt."

In the beginning, Sarah felt like a prisoner being held against her will, but it was for her own safety. Now here she was, getting ready for war like a warrior, who only had a couple of days of training under her belt. She didn't even feel like she was ready for this, but she didn't want to abandon them either. She was dragged into this and she planned on staying until the end. However, was the risk even worth it? Well, at least she just had to keep an eye out for crossbows being aimed at her.

"Now," he began, "would you like to train now or later considering you're already for a fight."

Sarah lightly thought about it and shrugged. "Might as well now, but I'd like to finish getting ready for the day." She wasn't big on training with swords as the first thing in the morning, since she still wanted to eat, do her daily routine of hygiene, and the sorts, but they did have all day to train.

The King walked out of the throne room with the pair following.

The armor was much more flexible than Sarah had thought as she swung her sword like she was wearing a heavy coat. Not only that, but Jareth had purposely struck her shoulder to test it and she didn't even feel any pain besides the impact. Then they proceed to train and the duo were now getting to know each other's techniques and it was hard to strike a blow. However, as they trained against each other, she noticed that he was growing distant as if in thought. She couldn't help, but try to make eye contact, and when she did, he just stared at her as if trying to make sense of something.

Then after a two hour session, Sarah had permission to take a bath, then when she was done, she found a crimson dress on the King's bed. It was similar to the green one, but had a corset and short sleeves off her shoulders. Right when she opened the door to the hall, two goblins came in the room, picked up her armor, then left. Used to it, the woman continued her way to her room.

"How long must you torment me?"

She spun around, facing a causally dressed Jareth with numb eyes. "What?" She quietly asked, confused.

"I am making a warrior out of you," he coldly stated, slowly approaching her. "You now can predict my next attack and you have yet to beat me. You are a quick learner, but you are not ready for battle. And every time I look at you, I imagine the teenaged girl that saved her brother and now she is a warrior, who plans to die for my kingdom." He stepped forward, causing her to step back until she met the wall and he rested his fist above her head with his gaze studying her. "Then after the war, you plan to return to your home as if nothing happened– You keep my hopes up."

"You never gotten over me, have you?" She quietly, not taking her eyes off his own. She knew that he didn't, but she wanted to hear it for herself. She certainly was falling for him…

Jareth raised his head, took a breath, then looked back into her eyes. "These past three days have been hell for me." His voice was low and tender like he was putting his heart on the line. "You have grown into such a beautiful, lovely woman, who is still strong and independent. Sarah. I ask of you to do what is right for your life. Your life is valuable to others and you deserve a long and fulfilling life. If you stay here, you may die, but…"

The woman felt the same unwanted feeling from last night return to her and murmured, "You don't want me to go."

A strange light entered his unique eyes as he slowly leaned forward to her.

Sarah felt her heart skip a beat, but didn't turn away, allowing him to gently kiss her. She closed her eyes, returning the kiss, until a voice screamed her head: You are going to go home! Sarah immediately turned away, feeling hot with embarrassment, and whispered, "I can't." She forced herself to look him in the eyes with a small shake of the head. "I can't…" She briskly walked down the hall, heading to the stairs, questioning her feelings.