At this point I'm the Queen of never updating. This chapter has been pretty much done since I last updated, but I've been so busy and distracted lately. I also recently moved from IL to TN and it's the first time I've ever been off on my own and away from my family, it's both frightening and exciting. -quirkybooks

A Cruel Fate

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When Sarah arrived home, she was surprised to find it was still dark outside. It had felt like she'd been in the Underground for hours and she expected it to be light out. She felt dreadfully tired and fell asleep while making a note to ask Oberon about the time difference when she saw him again.

The next morning when she woke, she looked around her room, feeling partially disappointed to be there.

"It was just a dream." She whispered under her breath. The idea of dreaming the whole thing up, King Oberon, the Underground, the masked ball, greatly depressed her. But it had been a great dream and one she would cherish.

She got out of the bed and quickly changed from her night clothes into her plain muslin gown. She loved the dress but couldn't help but feel a little unsatisfied with its plainness, especially compared to the two beautiful gowns, King Oberon had magicked her into.

She sighed aloud and reminded herself to be thankful for the dress she had, it was better than nothing at all. After a few more minutes of getting ready and collecting her thoughts she headed to the kitchen.

"Good morning, papa, mama." She kissed both of her parents on the cheek.

"Good morning, Sarah." Her mother responded.

"Morning, Sarah. Will you wake the little ones before you head out to do your chores?"

"Yes, papa." As she turned to walk towards the kid's room, her mother stopped her.

"There's something in your hair dear, just above your right ear." Sarah pulled the item out of her hair. She had to fake a cough to cover her shocked gasp. It was a silver leaf.

"Sarah? Are you alright? You're not sick are you?"

"No mama, I'm fine. Sorry for worrying you. I'll go wake the children now." She couldn't get out of the kitchen fast enough. As soon as she got of her parent's view she stopped and looked at the leaf again, carefully she tucked into her apron pocket.

As the oldest most of the daily responsibilities fell onto Sarah. It could be tiring at times and sometimes she felt like shouting "it's not fair." But she knew that would only cause her more trouble. So most days she went about her daily chores trying to make them more exciting. She had an excellent imagination (although, it had gotten her in trouble a time or two before.)

Sarah wanted to go about her chores extra quick today. Rushing her siblings from bed and into the kitchen.

"Tobias please get up." She shook her little brothers shoulder, but he only rolled on to his other side. "Irene and Erwin are already up. And I need to start on my chores."

At last, Tobias finally got out of bed and headed to the kitchen. Sarah, went out the door to the henhouse.

She couldn't help but laugh as she threw grain out to the chickens. Carefully, she checked each box for eggs and grinned at the little baby chicks that kept peeping from under their mom.

After, finishing up in the henhouse she walked to the stables. "Hello, Lancelot. How are you this morning?" The horse neighed in response. "That good huh?" She laughed and continued to talk to the horse as she cleaned the stable and got him fresh food and water. "Oh, Lancelot, I had the most wonderful night. I danced with the most beautiful man. And I wore the most beautiful dress. There was magic and magnificent creatures." She spun around the stable, "It was all so wonderful. And that man was so handsome." She sighed dreamily. "Perhaps, I'll see him again tonight."

Later, that day Sarah sat in a clearing by the edge of the forrest that surrounded her house. She wanted to go back to the Underground right at that moment, but knew it'd be best to wait until that night when everyone else would be asleep. She didn't want to risk one her parents or siblings trying to find her while she was gone. She wasn't sure how'd she possibly explain her absence to any of them.

She laid back on the grass and pulled the silver leaf from her pocket. Twirling it absentmindedly between her fingers as she stared up at the sky.

A noise in the trees brought Sarah back to reality. She glanced up and saw a beautiful white barn owl. At first she thought it might be Oberon, but Oberon had been much larger and his feathers were black. This was someone else. Or perhaps it's just a regular old owl she told herself. But by Sarah's blush and giggle as she watched the owl, it was obvious she didn't believe that.

Present day…

Now that she was no longer in the presence of the Goblin King, Sarah felt far more relaxed. She carefully made her way the through the maze. The labyrinth didn't seem too threatening, she was certain she was clever enough to get through it in no time at all.

Sure, she'd gotten off to a rough start. Being unable to find the entrance, until that dreadful dwarf, (Higgle(?)) helped her. He'd set Sarah on edge. Something he said didn't seem right. "Oh it's you." What could he have possibly met by that? It's not like he could've possibly been expecting her, right? She'd left the rather odd dwarf, feeling slightly unsettled, but continued into the labyrinth. At first she had struggled to find any openings in the wall, until the little worm had told her where one was. But now, she was certain she knew all the tricks the labyrinth would throw her way. She'd even been clever enough to start using her lipstick to mark arrows along the stone.

As she made her way through the labyrinth something tickled at the back of her mind. Something about this place felt familiar, like she'd been there before. Maybe, it was because she'd spent so many hours reading about it and imagining it. But that didn't seem right. It felt like there was something more, something she'd forgotten. But no matter how hard she tried she just couldn't remember.

"Agh," Sarah's angry shout rang loudly throughout the Labyrinth. She was so focused on trying to remember whatever it was she'd forgotten, she hadn't noticed she was walking into a dead end. The walls kept changing, it just wasn't fair! She shouted even louder, this time, the mark she'd just made had been changed.

"Oh, what a horrid place this is," she cried, while throwing her lipstick at the ground.

Jareth sat in his throne room holding the babe. What a pity he had to be wished away, it wasn't really fair to use an innocent child as a mere pawn; even if it was only for a few short hours. But it was the only way he could be sure to get his Sarah back. He'd watched her enough to know any magic she held now lay dormant within her. So any hopes of her accident wishing herself into the Underground were unlikely. He couldn't go to her in his human form unless he was called upon, and even then she'd have to say the right words. She, herself, was far too old to be wished away, so that left one option. Having her wish away young Toby. But in the end it'd all be worth it because he'd soon be reunited with his love.

When he first came to her, after she'd spoken the right words, he half expected her to remember everything and instantly fall into his arms. But the Fates never made things easy, now did they? When he offered her the crystal he'd earnestly hoped she'd accept. Then they wouldn't have to go through this whole affair of her running the Labyrinth. But deep down he knew his Sarah would never, she was too strong willed. So now he sat in throne room holding a babe, anxiously waiting for the next 13 hours to go by. Alas, that's the way it had to be done.

When the Goblin King first laid eyes on Sarah all those years ago he knew he must have her for his very own. But sadly, the fates had a different plan and their love was not meant to be, instead they both lived tortured existences and were left separated by more than just the Above and Underground realms. Their separation had led to her untimely death; at her own hand. And that had nearly led to the Labyrinth's demise.

After his beloved's passing the poor Goblin King was left with only one option. Following suit of his dear Sarah and joining her in the after life. But Fae cannot harm their selves. They are very strong creatures and their magic prevents them from doing so. Not that there was a lack of trying on his part. His many attempts time and time again proved to be fruitless. Thus, the depressed Goblin King put a bounty on his own head.

It is very hard to kill a Fae and even harder to find someone both capable and willing to commit such a crime. It is well known in the Underground, that any being who kills a Fae will be cursed and pay the ultimate price. There is no greater crime in the Underground than that of killing a Fae. So no matter the riches the Goblin King offered he found no one willing to kill him.

In his many attempts to take his own life, Jareth, stopped governing his kingdom and stopped caring for the Labyrinth. Over the years his citizens grew more and more unruly, the Labyrinth itself was in shambles.

Most of the other Fae watched Jareth's actions from afar. Gossiping about him with amusement at parties and public events. "A young man in love is a Fools, Fool," they'd say with knowing smiles as they rolled their eyes.

Sure, most of them were upset with the news Sarah's passing, but in the same way one might be upset about losing their favorite plaything or a beloved pet. Surely, they all agreed he'd soon find what he felt for the pitiful mortal was no more than infatuation and at most puppy love.

The High King and Queen quietly kept watch over their son, making sure he'd cause no real harm to himself. Neither knew what to do. They'd both grown rather fond of Sarah and her death had hit them rather hard; especially the High King. She'd brought so much joy into their lives and none could deny the effects she had on their youngest son. He'd grown softer and more responsible through her. He was happier too, something about the very air around him seemed to glow whenever she was around.

It'd been with great sadness they watched their son when Sarah came to the Underground for the last time. But even then, Jareth kept up on his duties. Putting on a brave face and acting as if he didn't care, as if he were the one to breaks to ties with her and was relieved she was gone. But it was rumored throughout the kingdom he still went Aboveground to watch her daily.

After her death, he could bare no longer to put on his facade. He became angry and depressed. Too bitter to follow his Kingly duties the Labyrinth was failing. The creatures whom resided in its walls fought wars amongst themselves daily. There were shortages of resources found only within the Labyrinth. Other kingdoms were being affected. Their was talk of overthrowing the young king. Disaster would ensue. It was about time someone stepped in.

So the High King and Queen went to their young son with a proposition. The young princess of the Elven kingdom was of marriageable age. Maybe the two could be wed and he could finally put the past behind him and find a new love. Jareth, half mad with grief only laughed at the idea. He refused to go back to ruling over his kingdom. Stating, he didn't care if he was overthrown or even exiled for that matter. The High King and Queen feared for their son, it was obvious things were going to get far worse.

But one day Jareth simply went back to work as if nothing had happened. He carefully and meticulously cared for the Labyrinth and its inhabitants. His kingdom soon flourished under his hand. His parents were shocked at his sudden change of heart, but said nothing for fear of upsetting him. Most other Fae chalked it up to him being over his dramatic "love" for the mortal who "stole" his heart.

It could've been that, or maybe, the young Goblin King knew something they did not.