The sight of Nalth's sword flying from her hand made Jareth's pounding heart calm in disbelief. Never had he thought that Sarah was able to win in a true duel and she impressed him– Again. Just as he was about to step forward, the Queen leapt aside, grabbed the woman's wrist, unsheathed her dagger, and stabbed her.

His blood ran cold and heart plummeted to his gut as he watched her fall on her back, then turned his gaze to the Queen, who stepped back, holding the bloodied dagger, then to Sarah's sword that laid in front of the mad Queen and sprinted to it. The Queen was about to slash him with the dagger, but right when he picked it up, he disappeared, then reappeared right behind her.

Predicting his intentions, Nalth jumped aside. Spun around and flashed a twisted smile, locking gazes. "Oh, Jareth… You really did love her."

He glanced at Sarah, who was breathing rather quick.

No doubt she was going into shock.

He couldn't waste time with the Queen, but the elven woman was too quick on her feet. He looked back at the Queen's maddening eyes, then began slashing, causing the Queen to keep jumping back as fear washed over her face as he didn't even pause for a breath of air. Images started to flash before Jareth's death-filled eyes. This woman killed and captured his men and now she stabbed Sarah. He was not going to let her live!

He didn't even notice her dagger hit the ground as he kept slashing like a madman until he backed her in the wall.

"Jareth…" Nalth whimpered, now scared for her life, holding a hand in surrender as the other was on the wall. "Please…"

The maddened King grabbed her throat as she clawed at his wrist, staring her in the eyes. "I want to see the life dissipate from your eyes," he dangerously growled.

Before Nalth could say anything, he ran Sarah's sword through her– Staring in her frightened, yellow eyes as blood started to trickle from her mouth. The Queen clenched his wrist for dear life, until her eyes grew dull and her legs started to go from under her, then the Queen laid motionless at his feet.

Taking a step back, the King lowered the sword to the ground, then hurried to Sarah and knelt by her side. Her skin was pale, eyes were wide with tears streaking the corners and her breathing was quick and heavy. He removed his gloves and applied pressure on the wound, feeling her take a deep, pain-filled breath. "Sarah," he said, trying to remain calm, but his panicking heart was besting him. The armor was like leather to that dagger… "Stay with me. Don't close your eyes. You're going to be fine."

He didn't know if that was a lie because she was already in shock. She lost too much blood and it was only a matter of seconds before she was going to pass out. Quickly, he picked her up, got to his feet, and carried her out to the stairs, walking passed the two elven soldiers guardian the stairway and a moment later, he heard them start to shout: "The Queen is dead!" Jareth would glance at Sarah's eyes and when he saw that they were growing heavy, he averted his gaze ahead of himself. "Sarah. I need to stay awake."

Instead, her tense body grew limp.

His heart jolted, glancing at her eyes that were now closed. When he came to the third hall, he practically ran to the alchemist room while the sound of soldiers' feet echoed through the walls. He kicked the wooden door open, slamming it against the wall.

Altha's head shot up as she was banging a goblin's arm, then horror washed over her face. "No…"

Jareth stared at her as he stormed inside, and carefully laid the limp woman on the floor beside the fire place. "Save her," he heavily ordered. "Can you save her?"

The healer knelt beside the woman, gently touching the wound, then placed her fingers on her neck. "She's alive, but barely."

"Can you save her?" He nearly shouted, trying to keep calm to the best of his abilities.

The healer turned to the other four goblins in the back room. "I need you all out. Now. You're all going to live and I will see to you when I'm finished here."

The five, bandaged soldiers practically scrambled out, fearing their King's desperation, but smiles crept on their faces at the sight of him.

"You too," Altha hissed, turning back to the wounded woman.

"What is she doing back here?" Jareth hissed, staring at the healer as if she knew the answer. "I sent her back!"

The elder whipped her gaze to him. "She is near death and you want to talk about this now?"

Understanding, he nodded, then walked out the room, closing the door behind.

The goblins cheered and chanted "Long live the Goblin King" for the next three hours as they celebrated in the throne room. However, not being in a celebratory mood, the King just locked himself away in his room and dressed in casual clothes after being in armor longer than he likes. He would briskly pace as thoughts of Sarah's death choked his mind. She was still in Altha's care, who had yet to tell him anything. Getting to worked up, he went to the throne room where his over half of his remaining men were now drunk and cheered at the sight of their King.

Two hours ago they buried and mourned the fallen, but now they celebrate the living and freedom.

Jareth flopped on his throne as the oblivious creatures continued to celebrate with laughter, drinking, and pranks. He seemed fine on the outside, but his heart was panicking and mind was spinning. He knew that if it wasn't for Sarah, he would've been killed and Nalth would be sitting on the throne, but it wasn't worth dying for, was it? Especially when it was someone like Sarah. It wasn't even her battle to begin with. How the hell did she even return, anyway? He sent her back! He tried to protect her and she still ended up getting killed!

His blood chilled.

No.

She wasn't dead.

Sarah was not dead.

Six hours passed since he brought Sarah to Altha as the afternoon sun fell over the kingdom and the goblins continued to celebrate. However, Jareth needed to be lost in his own mind, but he knew that if he was alone, it would be dangerous. He needed his mens' voices and laughter in his head to replace the dark reminders of Sarah. He wanted to know why it was taking so long, but he knew that the wound was an awful one. He just wanted to know how she was doing.

"Jareth."

The King turned his head to the elder, who was stating at the entryway. He slowly stood up, and calmly walked passed her to have her follow down the stairs. "Does she live?" he coldly questioned as they went down the next flight of stairs.

"She does, but lost a lot of blood."

He felt sick and quietly asked, "How is she now?"

"Asleep. I need you to take her to bed."

The two fell into silence as they made their way to the third floor to the alchemy room. The alchemist opened the door to the woman laying on the floor wearing her red shirt from the first day she arrived and a strange coldness wash over Jareth at the sight. Without the faint rise and fall to her chest, it would seem like she was dead due to her pale and motionless body. She didn't even give a twitch. He entered the room, knelt beside her, and carefully picked her up and carried her out. "Does she still have a chance to die?" He quietly asked the alchemist at his side.

With Altha's silence, he knew that there was.

Their walk was silence as he carried the woman to her room where Altha pulled away the blanketing. He carefully laid her down, covered her up, and then stepped back– Just staring at her with a heavy heart. "How did Sarah return here?" he whispered, half to himself. "I sent her back."

The elder gently took his hand, tugging him to the door. "I will tell you outside," she murmured.

His heart darkened, turning to the healer, he whispered, "What?"

Altha didn't look at him.

He studied the elder. "You brought her back?" Betrayal was now in his heart. "You, a healer, brought her back to war?"

Her hand fell from his own. "I knew if something happened to you, she would save you," she heavily murmured.

"She nearly died!" He hissed, trying not to raise his voice, staring at the healer that he had trusted for 145 years. "I was trying to protect her!"

"And I was trying to protect you!" she snapped, yellow eyes flashing at him. "Sarah was trying to protect you! I have a feeling she was stabbed because she was trying to protect you."

Jareth stared at her, not wanting to admit it, then he leaned forward and hissed, "She nearly died because of you."

"It was a risk she was willing to take," she strongly replied. "She loves you, Jareth. And because of her, our king lives."

Jareth looked away, trying to keep calm as his fist slowly tightened, then stormed out of the room.