A/N: I have noticed that my chapters have been getting increasingly longer. I hope that isn't an issue. I let my muse flow until I feel like it is a good stopping point for the chapter before I continue on to the next one.

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to give my story a read, this is my first Labyrinth fanfiction, and I was nervous as all get out about posting it. There isn't going to a set schedule for me to upload the chapters as I have work and real-life issues to deal with.

Please leave a review if you have time, I would love the feedback. And without further ado…

I do not own anything except any OC characters that I choose to add into the story. Thank you.

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XVI.

Sarah finished her bath, wrapped herself in one of the big fluffy towels she had grabbed from the shelf, and made her way back into the bedchamber. She noticed that Uma seemed to be gone and she breathed a sigh of relief. It would have been highly embarrassing to dress in front of someone else, especially if that someone was a stranger. Sarah reached the bed and noticed that a change of clothes had been laid out for her.

She grimaced as she noticed the dress first. Since her aboveground clothes were dirty and dingy, this would have to do, she mused. As Sarah pulled them on, she realized they were fortunately simple enough undergarments, not unlike the modern ones that were heaped in a pile in the bathroom. It was a plain cloth torso-lette with thin straps that had ties that ran up her side right underneath the armpit. The underwear portion was a thick piece of material cut into a v-like pattern with a simple strap that wrapped around her waist and tied on one side. It was soft and it reminded Sarah of a set of pure cotton undies that she had stored away for when she had that time of the month.

After she finished making sure the undergarments were in place correctly, she reached for the dress. Sarah was grateful that there wasn't a corset with this dress because she wouldn't be able to get into it by herself, let alone tie it. Once Sarah felt she had adjusted the dress correctly, she took a moment to look at herself in the standing mirror next to armoire. The dress was simple in make, and it was a deep emerald color, about a shade darker than her eyes. It had a square neckline that was modest enough to say the least. The green material of the sleeves went to the elbow and then switched to a more cotton-like fabric, that was white, that flared out and ended in a bell-like shape. The bodice had a straightforward string-tie design that ended at the waist, which Sarah tied the two ends into a quick bow. The skirt had two splits parallel to each other on either side of the waist that peeped the cotton underside of the dress. The dress also had silver embellishments along the neckline and at the separation between the green and white material of the sleeves. The dress was much nicer than any of the play clothes that Sarah's mother had given her. She felt out of place in it, but with her other clothes not being functional at the moment, it would have to do.

As she finished giving the dress a once over, she saw that her hair had seen better days and it would do with a good brushing. Sarah turned to examine the room. Sarah noticed a different piece of furniture that she didn't see in Jareth's bedchamber. It was an antique-looking vanity that matched the rest of the wood-furnished décor. There were a multitude of boxes and it had a few drawers. It also had a matching stool that was pushed underneath it at the moment. Sarah pulled the stool out and took a seat before deciding to look through a few of the boxes and drawers. It was pure luck that the first drawer that Sarah came across was the one that she found what she was looking for. She pulled a very ornate-looking silver brush with embellishments on the back and handle. The bristles seem to be well crafted and the detailing on the back and handle looked handmade. Sarah was almost afraid to use it. She took a deep breath and began to untangle her hair, watching herself in the mirror.

Once she felt her hair was knot-free, Sarah rose from the vanity and pushed the stool back in. As she stood, a wave of exhaustion came bearing down on her, and she faltered in her stance. Sarah wondered if maybe she wasn't fully rested enough, but it wouldn't be unheard of after going through quite the ordeal as she had. Sarah grabbed the vanity for support and looked around until her eyes rested on the bed. It wasn't quite as enormous as Jareth's but being a queen size bed was still much bigger than the full-size that Sarah had back at her apartment aboveground. It was also the 4-poster canopy style with the curtains in the same colors as the rest of the chambers. Sarah stumbled her way over to the bed and crawled in, pulling the soft comforter around her as she laid back upon the many pillows. It was like lying in the middle of cloud and she mulled on the fact that she might get to the point of being spoiled if allowed to lounge about in this chamber any longer than necessary. Her eyes began to drift closed as she basked in the softness of the bed. Sarah's last thoughts were of pondering over how she was going to get home and whether Jareth would take her if she asked. In the safety of the Queen's chambers, Sarah fell asleep, letting the exhaustion overtake her.

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Jareth strode through the corridor towards the Queen's chambers, his face a mask of stoicism, but underneath he was filled with concern. No one had seen hide or hair of Sarah. It seemed that she hadn't left her room since Uma showed it to her, and Uma had confirmed that she hadn't been called by Sarah either, even though Uma had been waiting to hear a call, while doing other chores. He hoped it wasn't something more serious, something that rendered her incapable of calling for help if she needed it. Jareth pushed those thoughts from his mind and continued towards the corridor that held both his chambers and the ones that he put Sarah in. Jareth took a deep breath and placed a hand on the door in a similar fashion to his door. The door warmed under his touch and swung open quickly, sensing his distress.

Jareth stepped in and stopped for a moment to observe his surroundings. Nothing was out of place, and the fire crackled gently, bathing the room in soft light. His head turned towards the bedchamber door, which was closed at the moment. He strode over to the door and repeated the hand movement on the door, which instantly warmed under his touch. Jareth stepped inside as soon as the door swung open, his breath caught in his throat. His eyes flew around the room and when they landed on a head of mussed brown tresses that peeked out from the covers on the bed, Jareth relaxed and released the breath he had been holding.

He walked over to the bed slowly, eyeing Sarah carefully in the bed, making sure she was still breathing. When the mass of covers appeared to be moving in a manner that depicted breathing, Jareth continued up to the bedside. He was about to reach for the blankets when Sarah shifted in her sleep, pulling the covers from atop her face. Jareth was instantly graced with the fact that she had bathed, and even changed clothing. He smiled warmly when he noticed that it was one of the many dresses that had been placed in the armoire, which just so happened to magically appear as soon as his magic was sufficient enough after they had been rescued. He was glad to see that she had at least approved of them. He studied her relaxed features for another moment and then reached out a hand to brush it along Sarah's forehead and down her cheek. "Precious, it's time to wake." He said quietly, before pulling his hand away.

Sarah groaned softly and reached up to rub the sleep from her eyes, before blinking them slowly open. Her gaze focused on Jareth, who had resumed his stoicism again. "Wha…what time is it? I didn't mean to fall asleep; I was just so tired." She replied, her voice thick with sleep.

Jareth gave her a gentle smile, "It's just after 6pm; supper is prepared to be served in the dining room. My family will be joining us. They were present whilst you were unconscious after we were rescued." He answered.

Sarah sat up slowly, pushed the covers off herself, and stood up. She nodded sheepishly to Jareth before she excused herself to use the facilities. When she returned, he was leaning against one of the posts of the bed. Sarah pulled the stool out from under the vanity, taking a seat before she reached into the drawer to pull out the silver brush again. She met Jareth's gaze through the mirror while she brushed her hair. "You said your family was joining us? What did I miss while I was out?" She asked curiously.

Jareth chuckled quietly, "Drama, of course. It was absolute mayhem when we arrived in the foyer. My mother fretting for naught. My brother and sister ensured that everything was under control. There were stipulations in place in the event that something akin to my disappearance were to occur. My head knight was also privy to these conditions as well if something were to go amiss. Ayden, the healer that you met previously, was briefed on them as well. It serves no purpose if everyone is not on the same page." Jareth replied as he waited for Sarah to finish brushing her hair.

Sarah listened intently while Jareth spoke as she brushed her hair. When she decided that all of the tangles from her unexpected nap were free, she placed the brush in the door and then stood, turning towards Jareth.

Jareth waited for Sarah to turn towards him before he extended his arm to her. "May I escort you to supper, my lady?" He asked with a smile, his eyes alight with amusement.

Sarah closed the distance between them and placed her arm around his. "You may, your majesty, thank you for your generosity." She joked, giving him smile as well.

Jareth's smile morphed into a smirk as he replied, "My pleasure, Precious." He placed a hand over hers and led Sarah from the bedchamber, through the sitting room, and out the door. As they walked together down the corridors, Jareth watched Sarah out of the corner of his eye but kept silent.

Sarah let Jareth lead her through the corridors, not wanting to get lost. She was nervous about meeting Jareth's family, but it was inevitable since they were all staying in Jareth's castle. Sarah spared a glance at Jareth as they walked, and when their eyes met, she smiled softly at him, then turned her attention back to where they were going.

Jareth stopped them a few feet from the large pair of sturdy double doors and patted her arm gently. He gave her a strained smile as he spoke, "My family is a bit…strange. They are inherently fae. And overly so. Try to take everything they say and do with a grain of salt. They mean no disrespect or harm."

Sarah nodded as gave his arm a soft squeeze. "They helped rescue us, all I can do is make nice with them, or at least try to." She replied, giving him a soft smile.

Jareth squeezed her arm back gently, pushed the middle of the double doors, and they both stepped inside.