**I do not own Labyrinth or any affiliated characters**

**Welcome back my lovelies! So its been quite a While and I just wanted to say thank you again for sticking with me and also to remind that I will always finish a tale, though it may take a while**

Chapter Sixteen

To gather an army

Sarah woke warm and safe, curled into the warmth at her side, a side that was... hairy?

Sarah blinked, looking with sleepy eyes at red-ish fur. Ludo was before her snoring ever so lightly a small puddle of drool under his face. Shifting to bring the hairy beast into focus Sarah felt a small form squirm near her middle and something at her back. She looked down at the balding head of Hoggle who snuggled between them. Face breaking into an amused smile, Sara looked carefully over her shoulder at the face of Didymus who slept with his feet on her side and his head against a sleeping ambrosia.

Her smile fell away as she recalled that she had fallen asleep beside Jareth and now he was gone. Slowly she moved up to sitting, doing her best not to disturb the literal pile of friends that surrounded her. The Space was dim, the fire mere ashes now, yet light was filtering in from the left side of the cave.

Following the light, that she assumed led outside, Sarah went looking for the missing King. The cave narrowed toward a green light, the opening irregular and covered with plant life. Between the greenery Sarah could just make out Jareth sitting not far from the opening.

Sarah ducked below the hanging branches and loose vines and stepped out into early dawn. There was a forest all around her, a small clearing before the opening of the cave. In the center he sat atop a stone, his back to her his chin lifted ever so slightly toward the sky.

He did not move, and Sarah suddenly felt like an intruder. She opened her mouth to let him know she was there, only to close it again when a small sound reached her. The gentle chime of bells filled the air and Sarah looked up just as a single Fairy flew into the clearing.

Memories of being bitten had her backing up, until she was almost back inside the cave.

Raising a hand the small creature landed on his palm and curtsied to him before more chiming bells filled the air.

Sarah couldn't stop the smile the curled her lips as she realized that it must be speaking.

"I see," Jareth nodded, "Do not return, gather instead at the bog." The chiming returned, faster almost angry. Jareth shook his head and raised his other hand. "No, it is the wisest choice, as you say no one goes to the bog, it is avoided. This is what must be done, now go."

The Fairy actually huffed but did raise from his hand. But then it looked her way and Sarah could almost feel the anger that radiated off the small creature. It's bell like chimes turned fierce and angry.

Jareth, eyes wide in concern, turned to the cave but his face relaxed as their eyes met. "No, that is a friend and ally." But the small creature darted toward Sarah either not hearing Jareth or not believing him.

Sarah squeaked in fear and ducked just as the small beast reached her, though it still managed to grab some of her hair.

Jareth was on his feet and running toward her just as the small thing began yanking painfully on her hair. "Stop at once!" he demanded.

Sarah's instinct to swat at the creature couldn't be stopped and she tried to shoo it away, "Let go, I'm not an enemy!" she said hoping it would listen to her.

Jareth grabbed for the Fairy, its mad chiming let Sarah know that it was not listening. He had it but it still had her hair. "Listen," he said again as he tried to loose her hair. "It claims you are the Queen, though I cannot see the similarity!" he snorted.

At last free Sarah backed up. If she wasn't so frightened she would have laughed as Jareth attempted to restrain such a small creature without hurting it.

"I command you to stop!" He shouted at the Fairy.

Sarah shivered as the magic power of his word washed over her too. The small creature stilled and the bell like chiming stopped short as it obeyed his command.

Jareth sighed in relief, "Look, she is human, and not an enemy." A single chime left the creature and Jareth nodded. "Yes her hair is similar, but that is all!"

"I apologize Sarah, Fairies are not great with details. She saw your hair and jumped to the conclusion you were Corvina."

The chiming continued. Jareth loosed his grip and the small thing flew away in such a rush that Sarah wasn't sure what way it went. "They are so fierce!" she complained as she rubbed at her sore scalp.

He nodded, "They are among the fiercest of my subjects, though they tend to act rashly and without thinking first. It will be a struggle to rein them in." he sighed turning away from her.

"So now what?" Sarah wondered, "Why do you want them to gather at the bog?"

Jareth nodded, "The Fairies will seek any who might come to my aid."

Sarah wondered who in the Labyrinth would aid him, she had only met a handful of creatures in the past. Chewing on her thumbs cuticle she found herself worried about them all. "Will there be fighting?" she wondered.

Jareth sighed, "I would prefer it not come to that, but I must rally my kingdom."

"War?" she whispered.

"If it must be war then I shall need an army," he said voice full of conviction, jaw set in a firm line. "I will do what must be done." With those words Jareth looked again at her, face drawn with sorrow.

"What?" she wondered, her heart, previously warmed by his presence shrank in fear and worry at his words.

Was this the end?

Her mind offered up the idea without restraint, going over it all in a few moments. He was going to open a portal and send her home. She could almost see it happen, irrationally she was angry at him for it, though he had yet to do anything. A small part of her was reminded that that is what she wanted, right? When this all started she only offered to help him return to his kingdom and then she could go home. Now that they had come so far, now that she was back in the underground and Jareth was no longer a villain Sarah didn't want to go home. She wanted to see this through to the end. She wanted to restore Jareth to his throne. She wanted to stay with him.

Reaching out he took her hand in his, "Remain with Didymus and Hoggle," he said. Her heart calmed almost immediately though he was leaving her, he was not sending her home yet. "You must tell them that should I fail to return by dawn tomorrow they must send you home." he said pulling his hand away.

"But, you said," she began, swallowing against her suddenly dry throat.

"If I do not return," he interrupted "It means I have failed and the threat against you, because of me, will no longer matter."

Fear gripped her, he thinks he will be dead? she worried. "Why go alone? Wouldn't staying together be safer?"

Jareth smiled, "I have ways of travel that you and the others cannot join in." he admitted. "I will require stealth, this is a solo mission."

"Oh," Sarah said, deflated in her slight hope he would take her along still. "Where will you go?" Sarah wondered.

Jareth looked toward the rising sun, "To gather an army."

"Goblins?" she wondered, a little concerned to be honest. Her experience with "fighting" goblins was amusing but not what she felt would be needed to take back a kingdom.

She needn't have been concerned, Jareth shook his head, "They are all within the city and the castle. It's too great a risk."

"Then where?" she began.

"Stay with your friends." he said cutting off the question.

Reaching out Sarah grabbed his hand back. "I will, but," she began. Afraid he would be gone and might never return confessions hung on the tip of her tongue.

Jareth looked down at their clasped hands his expression somehow soft, "Sarah," He sighed as he reached out, tucking her hair behind her ear. A calm fell over her, settling somewhere deep inside her heart as a warm glow. "I shall see you returned home safe, you have my promise on that." He said a small smile on his lips.

It was Sarah's turn to sigh now, "Jareth that's not," She began, looking away from his eyes she focused on their clasped hands, what could she say? Would he mock her feelings?

Memories flew past her minds eye. All of their time and travel together. There was something there for him too, she was almost sure of it. Without really giving it much thought Sarah wanted to show him what her feeling's were, wanted to lay the truth bare before him. "Thank you for saving me, again." She began.

"As you have said," He shrugged "that's what friends do." he said, the words a bit too forced.

"I know, you were all so concerned for me." Closing her eyes against the tears that threatened Sarah tried to calm her shaking breath. "I know you saved me and I just wanted you to know..."

"Sarah," he began interrupting her.

Shaking her head she ignored him attempt to stop her. "You aren't a villain Jareth," Sarah acknowledged. "I'm glad you came to me when you needed help."

His face looked stricken at her words but Sarah plunged on, "I know it was just for my mirror." she laughed lightly, "But as I have gotten to know you these last few days, I just.." Sarah paused and looking back up into his eyes she stepped nearer, and when he didn't move away from her closeness she lifted a hand to his face, "Be safe," she whispered while standing on tip toe, "I don't want to see you hurt, don't want to loose you." She admitted, her heart begging her to kiss him but still unsure she didn't dare a kiss on his lips so instead she tried the next best thing, she leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek.

Drawing a sharp breath he stilled, for a moment Sarah feared he would push her away, but her lips pressed into his warm cheek unstopped. The scent of him almost overwhelming her she lingered in the warmth and closeness, willing it to last just a single moment longer.

His hand, still holding hers tightened, his other hand was suddenly against her neck. Warm leather, smooth against her skin as his fingers found their way into her hair. It was her turn to freeze now, but lingering like this in a simple kiss on the cheek felt awkward and she desperately wanted to look at his face, to gage what he was thinking.

With his hand at her neck she was unable to move away, turning her head up she looked into his eyes. This close they were such a stark blue around pools of midnight. "Jareth?" she managed to whisper. Magic surrounded them she could fill it pulsing like a heartbeat.

Sarah hung, suspended in the warmth of him and the rising emotions that would soon over come her when he leaned in and as his lips pressed into hers her world somehow shattered as if nothing besides the two of them existed.

His other hand was against her other cheek, their lips still pressed she wasn't aware he had let her hand go. The softness of the kiss suddenly seemed to be not enough, Sarah needed more. Her own arms encircled his lithe body as she curled into him and opened her lips to beg for more.

Desire flooded her as he gave into her silent plea. The kiss deepened, her breath stolen at the intensity of his passion. Too soon he stopped, startled she looked up at him. He held her face still his eyes closed she was stricken with worry as she felt his hands shake.

"Jareth?" she whispered waiting for him to speak.

Placing a gentle kiss on her brow he then pulled back. "Precious, I..." Jareth stopped, his arms let her go, falling to his side as he stepped back, "Wait for me." he said and before her eyes Jareth shimmered and shifted. A snowy owl flapped its wings and then took flight into the sky.

Alone she stood on shaking legs with the memory of their kiss still on her lips and a warm hope inside her heart.

*End*

**Up next, Corvina plans.**