April

A New Beginning, A New Ending

"And the king of the goblins flew away as an owl, white in the moonlight...black against the stars." The woman's voice lowered. "But what no one knew was that he, Jareth, was far from destroyed. Because the girl could always defeat him...but never destroy him..." her voice trailed off. Sarah Williams looked down at the children who were so intent listening to her story.

"Story...ha!  If only they knew," she thought as she pushed back a few stray strands of hair.

One little boy raised his pudgy hand timidly, "M-Ms. Williams, Ma'am, what did the king of the goblins do? I mean, after he left the girl's house?"

Sarah crossed her legs and looked out the window of the library.

"That's another story, one that hasn't unraveled yet."

The boy nodded, not quite satisfied with the answer but not brave enough to keep pestering the woman.

Suddenly a frantic woman ran into the tiny room, interrupting Sarah's volunteer work as a storyteller.

"Sarah!" The red-haired woman was breathless. "You have to come here now, it's an emergency!"

The twenty-six year brunette stood up quickly. "What is it? Is something wrong?"

"You could say that," Connie, Sarah's friend, quirked.

Sarah followed her friend outside, intrigued and frightened at what the 'emergency' was. Things had been boring in her life lately, and frankly, Sarah wanted some excitement.

"Oh, wait," Sarah halted. "Who will watch the children while I am gone?"

Connie sighed, "They can sit by themselves for two seconds!"

Sarah nodded, "I suppose...but I don't like leaving children alone like that."

Connie ignored her remark, grabbed her friend's arm roughly and dragged her through the library and out unto the street.

Once there, Sarah gasped and covered her mouth, "Oh my God," she mumbled.

The sky was an odd shade of violet, thought it was mid-day. Shadows were everywhere, dancing, moving, encompassing everything and everyone around them. Loud giggles filled the air, shrieks, and howls. Small hairy creatures darted from under parked cars and behind trees. They were goblins, and Sarah knew at once who was to blame for the unworldly chaos.

"Jareth, what have you done," Sarah cried to the sky. "What have you done to my world!?"

Connie looked to Sarah in confusion. "What? Who's Jareth?! I don't know what the hell is going on, but I-I'm getting out of here!"

A single barn owl sat perched on a nearby tree limb. The owl gave a low hooting sound then spread it's massive wings. It spiraled into the sky and then dived towards Sarah and Connie with its claws outstretched.

The two women screamed, and Connie ran away on weak legs while Sarah remained glued to the ground. Her only feeble protection were her small hands that were now covering her face.

After several moments of waiting for an impact and not getting any, Sarah looked up to see what was going on.

He stood there, mocking her with a half smile, his lips raised to reveal two sharp fangs in front. A black cape billowed behind him in the wind and he wore an all black ensemble of armor and velvet, giving him what he wanted: the look of a powerful villain.

Sarah Williams once again gasped in surprise. "What are you doing here? And what are you doing to my town?"

Jareth crossed his arms. "No hello...no nothing? Such a cold child...always was," he turned his back to Sarah and raised his arms up into the air. "You ask what I do, Sarah Williams, well I am going to change your world as much as you changed mine."

Suddenly a large bolt of lightening streaked through the air, shaking the earth with its force. The purplish sky literally seemed to rip apart and dozens of odd and mythic looking creatures with wings flooded through the new entrance made by the goblin king.

Jareth threw back his head and laughed, while Sarah ran behind him and grabbed his arm.

She shook it violently, "You can't do this! You have no power over me!"

The king stopped laughing and brought his ice cold gaze down to the pleading woman.

"I can do whatever I want to, Love," he smiled as he watched several of his minions gather around in a messy semicircle. He turned his attention away from Sarah and stood before the goblins.

"Minions!" he called out proudly. "Today is the beginning of a new day--the beginning of a new era." He watched as the goblins jumped up and down happily, shaking their gruesome heads and jabbing the air with their sharp nipper sticks.

Jareth turned around to face Sarah again, "And Today is the end of the human world as you know it." He laughed as he watched her crumple to the ground, tears streaking down her pale ivory face.

Meanwhile in the underground a woman with raven hair highlighted with only blue and green streaks sat on a dusty rock gazing into her blue orb nodded her head in disagreement. She sat there remembering when she had wished her little sister away and failed to solve the Labyrinth in time. She was too old to be turned into a goblin and would have faded away but the Goblin King saved her not out pity but revenge. Jareth was still angry with Sarah for rebuffing him so he took his anger out on her. Through the horrible mind games he played with her bringing out her fears and giving them life. For a strange reason he taught her magic *I guess he wanted me to put up a better fight than sitting feebly taking the magical blows and when he won he could just gloat and think who pathetic I was.*

She had escaped the cold castle by knocking the king unconscious and fled the Goblin City. From there she went to the Forbidden Forest and spotted a roving band of Fey. She stayed with them and was taught archery, gymnastics and learned to perfect her magical skills

"Ahh Jareth. You have no idea what you're doing if you combine our worlds then imagination will be lost and the Underground and Earth will perish together. I plan to stop you but I need to call up a few friends to help me and if you harm Sarah I swear you'll pay I will not let you do to her what you did to me."

She rose and stretched her lean body and brushed off her blue vest and cream poets blouse even though she looked twenty four she was really four hundred years old a curse Jareth put on her to out live her loved ones and force her to see them grow old and die. She thought she would go mad from never dying but she thought if she did then Jareth would have already won her sanity and she would be lost. Nova got on her horse she had ridden on to the outskirts of the Labyrinth and headed for the Fey region for help.

Sarah stiffened her spine and glared at the Goblin King. "You have your own set of rules to follow. No matter what, there has to be a way out of it. So what is it?"

Jareth chuckled. "My dear Sarah, you assume a lot about me, not the least of which is that I will keep any promises I make. You must decide my dear: I cannot be the honorable soul you say I am and still be the villain you fear."

"Are you being generous again? This is not what I want, Jareth. I want a safe place for all of these children to live and grow."

"They will have it... As goblins." Jareth idly twirled a crystal, then faster and faster until it became many crystals, and they rolled away in all directions.

Sarah watched Jareth in horror. She didn't dare to make a single movement or to pronounce a word. She never knew that he could be...so cruel... Somewhere inside of her soul she always thought that he's simply...not good, but she never ever even supposed that he could so real and so dangerous. As the time flew, she started to think that Jareth was just a trick of her childish imagination, that he was unreal and that she made him up to amuse herself... Of course she knew that this wasn't true, but it was much more easier for her, to convince herself that it was JUST A DREAM. And now this dream, came true and turned to the nightmare. To the terrible nightmare. She looked at Jareth in fear and whispered:
"You are really heartless, are you? What a fool I am...why I ask such stupid things?! Of course, you are!!! You may ruin this world, you may ruin your own world, this will never bring you any revelation or relief! Don't even think of it! You'll fill this world with goblins, will you? But you are already sick of them!!! They annoy you! How could you..."
He didn't let her finish.
"Stop...stop it Sarah!"
His voice was filled with dangerous notes, and Sarah thought that she was wrong about telling him all that was on the tip of her tongue.
"You are playing a very dangerous game, you little witch!!!" He laughed with cruel accent in his laugher.
"You think that If I didn't cause you any harm yet, because of some strange weakness that keeps me from it, I wouldn't do that now? I can turn you into anything I want to, or I can lock you up in the darkest and the most disgusting place, which you even can't imagine, forever! For the rest of your life, do you hear me?"
Sarah's whole body was shaking of fear, when she heard his words... Who knows, perhaps he's not joking? But something in her knew, that her life, her future and her fate depends on what she'll say to him and she knew that she couldn't, she must not make a single mistake.

Leaves crunched under the weight of the brown stallion. Nova was almost through the Harpies forest. Light shinned through the leaves of old oak trees, the small trip through the forest to reach the Fey kingdom would be pleasant enough if it weren't for the dammed harpies.

She had seen the foul creatures when Jareth dumped her in the forest to fend for herself for she had insulted the him on his lack of patience. All she could remember was the loud shrieking just before the animals attacked. The creature had the head of a woman and body of an enormous bird, long black wings and curved talons. Fortunately she looked up to see the thing began swoop down and hid in a small cave barely big enough for her to squeeze into. The harpy landed and headed straight for her hiding place. The animal lowered her head it's eyes gave off an intense red glow staring straight at her. She screamed then threw a handful dirt directly at the animals eyes. Enraged the harpy shrieked and tried to claw the thing which caused her pain. Nova shoved the bird out of her way and left the cave, she looked for a long blunt object to kill the creature. She saw a medium broken brach and picked it up then ran screaming at the bird woman and hit the creature again and again. All that remained was a bloody pulp of muscle blood and feathers. Breathing heavy Nova returned to her hiding place to sleep until dawn.

Nova shook her head trying to clear away the bad memories. She was out of the forest and just outside the gates to the Fey Kingdom. Hopefully Halar and his band would help her fight the Goblin King. The stallion and rider headed for the gates.

The gate was resplendent in crafted masonry and silver metal embedded into the stone gate. Nova dismounted and entered the city, the town was alive with Fey folk bartering for goods or doing a magical performance to earn money for an evening meal. Inhabitants of this kingdom were slender and a majority of the people had a fair complexion, their ears long and pointed. All the Fey possessed the natural ability to control magic this gave them an advantage to perfect and strengthen their power.

Nova wandered around the city until she spotted familiar tavern called Tales. The place was famous for all the stories told of adventures or humorous unbelievable yarns. *Halar and the rest should be here. If not then I'll be surprised.* She entered the building and roved through the crowd and found a middle aged Fey wearing a red shirt opened part way woven from cotton, brown breeches and tan colored shoes. She tapped him on the shoulder, he turned around. "Hello Halar."

"Finally decided to drop by."

"Yes I have ."

"For a friendly chat I suppose?"

"Not quite. I need you and the rest of the gang to help me."

"To help stop Jareth from merging our worlds."

"You already knew." Sounding surprised.

"Of course. Do you remember when you were with us and I explained to you about our worlds co-existing parallel to each other but at the time you could not comprehend what I was saying."

"Vaguely but yes I do."

"Well the Goblin King can merge our worlds but it can only be for four weeks. when that time has passed most children will have seen all their myths come to life they'll not have any creativeness left to keep us and himself from fading. Yes his knowledge is vast but to an extent, this is ancient Fey Lore that he is unaware of."

"The two worlds can't exist without the other? I figured that's what you meant but the idea sounded so surreal to me I didn't believe it. Until now I put the puzzle together and understand what you told me so long ago. Still how did you know?"

"In my family some of us have the Second Sight. It can skip a generation but In my case it didn't so I knew for years but remained quiet. The reason I said and did nothing was no one would have believed me or thought I was crazy. Sometimes other Fey can sense something wrong but most of them have shrugged off the feeling as nothing because no one would think anyone would try and perform this deed. How did you find out?"

"I looked into my orb to see what was going on in the earth realm. I saw and heard Jareth talking to Sarah I knew who she was because I remember him raving about a girl called Sarah. He spoke her name aloud and I put the two together and found out she was Sarah. He told her of what he was doing and slowly I remembered what you had told me"

"Lets find the rest of the group."

They rose and began to rove the large establishment for the rest of the group. Soon they would go to earth.

"What must I do for you to stop all this from continuing? What will it-"
"Ms. Williams? Who is this?" This came from one of her favorite children, Darius. "Ms. Williams?"
"My name is Jareth, young man."
His eyes grew as big as saucers. "You're the person in the story! But you can't be real!" And with that, he ran off, out of sight.
"What did you have to go and scare him like that for?"
"I will do anything I want to. Right now, I want to have you come with me back to my kingdom."
"No way, no how." said Sarah, backing away from him.
"You have no choice, Sarah."

With that, a blinding flash surrounded Sarah and Jareth. She shielded her eyes from the glare, and when she opened them again, she found herself in the throne room of the Goblin Castle.

Jareth smiled sarcastically looked at Sarah's face which was full of fear and despair. His strong finger held her wrist as a steal trap. Sarah tried to free herself from his grip, and shouted: "Let me go! You're hurting me!"
Jareth laughed and said looking straight into her eyes:
"No, my dear! I won't let you GO anymore! Neither now, nor ever! You'll be there where I want you to be. Here, in the oubliette, in the Bog of eternal stench, or in my bed if I would like to."
Sarah didn't draw back and pronounced quietly and calmly:
"I'd prefer the oubliette."
His smile faded, and his face became stone-like. His fingers gripped her arm even stronger, and she moaned silently of pain. "As you wish, darling!" he said, and after a flash of light they transported into the darkest place in the Labyrinth. Jareth let go her hand and pushed her away with such intensity that she almost fell. He laughed and said:
"Is this what you wanted? Are you pleased?"
Sarah straightened herself and pronounced, gathering all her strength:
"I'm satisfied, thank you."
This was definitely not the reaction Jareth wanted to see. He hoped to see her begging for mercy and he saw pride and contempt in exchange.
"My, look at the ol' girl now! Acting strong and proud, are we? Trying to be a heroine? Do you realize that I may leave you here forever, that I can lock you up here and forget about your existence, and you'll die without food and water?"
She forced herself to smile though anger and fear grew within her , and said:
"Is this really what you want to do with me? So much trouble, just to bury me alive in this prison for eternity? I don't believe you Jareth. You wouldn't be so generous, to let me die and not see you destroying my world and yours."
He didn't know what to answer. For the first time in his life he was confused. He didn't expect Sarah to be so strong. Suddenly the expression on his face changed:
"If only you would accept my gift and my love, all this would never happen... Why didn't you even try to understand me... You could have had anything you wanted!"
Sarah smirked.
"And to pay for this 'anything' I'd have to share your bed, and be you toy, until you'll be bored with me and get rid of me? No, thank you!"
He tried to change his tactic.
"Why do you hate me so much Sarah? What have I done so terrible? " - he said, with his voice filled with sorrow.
Sarah was surprised to see him, changing the rules of the game.
"Go on, start to cry and beg for a little understanding!! I don't see your reasons, Jareth, and I don't understand what do you want of me, because it's obvious that you don't want to kill me. There's one thing you should know for sure: I don't hate you! Hate is a very strong feeling, almost or even same strong as love is, so you don't worth it. I despise you Jareth and in some way I pity you!"
Jareth hardly kept himself from hitting her, but he overcame his desire to hurt her, and pronounced quietly and bitterly:
"I'll see how you'd talk after a little while!"
And went away, slamming the door behind his back and leaving Sarah alone in the darkness, thick as black ink, and badly lightened by the tiny candle-light.
When he left Sarah's strength faded, and she leaned to the wall, and slid on the floor crying. She cried and cried and cried, till she fell asleep or lost her conscience.
Meantime, Jareth watched her in his crystal, and he didn't know wherever he wanted to laugh or to cry of anger.

After some time looking for the rest of Halar's band the group seated themselves at a large booth. "Some of you may have noticed or felt something going wrong. If you haven't I'll briefly explain. Jareth is trying to merge our realm and the earth realm together."

Among the group Nova saw varying degrees of shock from the elven men. A fellow by the name of Ju exclaimed "Is he insane!"

"No, just angry."

The group broke into an uproar of conflicting ways to solve the dire problem.

"Look the last time I checked he was in the earth realm and I believe that is where we'll be heading."

Just be sure he was there or had left Nova formed a blue crystal and with her thoughts of Jareth brought a clear picture of where he was. There in his throne room pacing back and forth the expression on his face could only be described as frustrated.

"There may be a change in plans."

"Halar how do we stop him?"

"Find the source of his power."

"There not the crystals are they?"

"If it where that easy The orbs only focus the magic while the real source of his power lies somewhere else."

Nova took this in and thought *Where would I begin to look.*

She had the urge to check and see if Sarah was already in the Labyrinth.

Forming another crystal she focused her thoughts of Sarah into the orb and in seconds Nova saw a picture of her in a dark place. *An oubliette. Remembering her training to perfect her magic Nova lanced her power outwards to make a mental connection with Sarah.

In the oubliette Sarah's head jerked up she felt someone invading her mind and then she heard a voice. *Sarah don't say a word .*

*What."

*Listen don't draw attention to yourself or Jareth will know something 's up.*

*How do you know him?*

*I failed to solve the Labyrinth so he kept me here and used me. I'm on your side I want to stop him from merging our realms as much as you do.*

*What can you do?* said Sarah.

*Anything I can.*

*Help me get out of here.*

The connection broke as Nova's mental endurance gave out.

Dear Sarah,

I am the crystal that lets us see
The look in your eyes
Your grace, Your elegance
The hope I see, the Loose I know
I see Danger
I see Tragedies
I watch your every Move
I know your every Thought
I am your Soul
I am your Thought
I am the only one
The only True Love that you will ever have
Love

The only one that matters,

Jareth

* * *

Soulmates destined,
a meeting promised,
But sundered, torn
At the point of meeting,
Lost,
Ruined
Forever

Sarah contemplated her options. On one hand, she could refuse Jareth, and just watch as both worlds were torn apart by his magic. On the other, she could accept his offer, and hope that he wouldn't just cast her off when he was tired of her.

"So, I could either die here in the oubliette, or I could live, albeit with my worst enemy. I still don't know-"

"Have you made your decision yet, Sarah?"

"Jareth! Well, as a matter of fact I have. I have decided to accept your proposal."

"Wonderful!"

"But, only on a few conditions."

"Such as?"

"Such as, you won't just cast me off when your done with me, and you will keep me no matter what."

"That is a possibility, but, I can't guarantee it."

"That's good enough for me, I guess."

"Well, then, we must get you out of here, and out of these clothes, as well." With that, they were transported back to the castle. On the way there, Sarah realized that she hadn't made him promise not to abuse her, or just treat her as a mistress, before she collapsed into darkness.

    Sarah awoke from the darkness to find herself laying on bed of satin sheets in a dimly lit room.  She felt Jareth's eyes on her and looked up to see him standing in the doorway with an evil, but pleased smile on his face.  "No!" Sarah thought to herself, "I have given Jareth exactly what he wanted."
    "Don't look so sad, Love.  It doesn't become you.", Jareth spoke as he moved across his bed chamber.  "Now that you're finally willing to become my Goblin Queen...", he whispered, now only inches from Sarah's face.  Sarah winced, but was careful not to draw back, as Jareth leaned in and began kissing her throat.
    *Hold on Sarah!  I'm on my way!*
    Sarah heard the voice within her head again, and knowing she was not alone against Jareth, began to relax.  Jareth, now in bed next to her, was making clear was intentions were for tonight.  Sarah took a deep breath and braced herself  for the touch of Jareth's hands against her body.  Just as he began his advancement, a pounding was heard on the door.
    "Your Majesty, come quick!  There's an intruder with in the castle walls!", a goblin frantically screamed from the other side of the door.
    "I'm sorry, my Love, but duty calls.", Jareth insincerely apologized.  With that, he vanished into thin air, leaving Sarah alone to contemplate the repercussions of her decision to live with the Goblin King.

"Finally! I found you, Sarah!"

"Who are you? And what are you doing here?"

"My name is Alissa, and I am the one who's been communicating with you telepathically. Now, we need to find a way to get you out of here."

"First of all, how did you know my name, and how did you get here in the first place?"

"Well, I also solved the Labyrinth, only it was after you. Consequently, I heard a lot about you through Jareth's ramblings. You see, I am a direct descendant of Morgana LeFay, and that's where I got the magic from. But, I' also telepathic, although I don't know how I got THOSE powers. Now, how to get you out of here." During her ramblings, Alissa had been wandering around the room, as if looking for something.

"Ahh Ha! I KNEW it had to still be here."

"What?"

"Our means of-"

"What? What's the matter?"

"He's coming-"

"Ah, My Love. Still here, I see. Waiting for-"

During this little interlude, Ally had gradually worked her way around to the door and had slammed it shut, locking it with a spell.

"Hello, Jareth. How have you been?"

Jareth glared at Ally as he stood in the doorway. *What is she doing here? I thought I sent her to Mag Mor.* (Mag Mor means the Great Plain of the Fae). "Ally" Jareth scowled. He looked at the two girls before him. Sarah was still on the bed and Ally was standing about three meters away. "What are you doing here?"

"Nothing" Ally replied distantly. She lowered her gazed from Jareth's eyes.

"Nothing? Then why are you here?" Jareth asked. "Just heard you had a girl here with you" Ally replied. She fiddled with her fingers. Jareth's eyes were like fire, a blue fire. "I suggest you leave now, Ally" Jareth replied raising his voice a little.

She nodded and turned to Sarah. "It was nice to meet you Sarah. Perhaps, I'll see you later about the kingdom" Ally replied before disappearing. She had winked at Sarah before leaving as well.

"Now." Jareth smiled across the chamber at Sarah. "Where were we?" He walked toward her, looking like a sleek cat stalking a cornered mouse. With a deft motion, he pulled off his shirt and flung it to the floor.

Sarah closed her eyes, every muscle tense, every instinct she had screaming at her to run as fast and far as she could. She didn't want him; she didn't want this. Remembering Ally's wink as she left, a faint glimmer of hope flickered in her heart and she held fast to it.

She felt the bed sag under Jareth's weight. He wasted no time reaching for her, his hands heavy and filthy feeling as he pawed at her clothing, almost ripping it off of her in his eagerness. Sarah kept her eyes squeezed shut as the cold air of the chamber touched her skin, revulsion cramping her gut. With a flash of pure terror she felt him positioning her, and she braced herself, tears spilling out beneath her closed eyelids. Then, there came a crash.

"What was that?", Jareth screamed, startling Sarah and awakening her from her daze. Jareth angrily darted up from the bed. All of these interruptions were trying his patience, or lack thereof.

"It's Ally!" Sarah thought to herself, "She's come to take me away from this awful place!"

Jareth walked over to the far corner of the chamber and discovered the source of the clamorous disturbance. It was a fallen candelabra, nothing more, probably knocked over by a draft of cool air, but it gave Jareth an uneasy feeling.

"No, Ally, don't do this to me now.", Jareth whispered under his breath as he turned to face Sarah. There was something in her eyes that made him panic. The fear which had always been present there had suddenly vanished. Trying not to show his own newly acquired fear, Jareth approached her.

When Sarah was young, her father had taught her to play chess. His favorite move had been the gambit, where a small piece was sacrificed for a larger gain. A gambit could easily backfire, but sometimes it was the only way to win, he he had told her. Sarah knew that she had to try a gambit now. If she won, she had bought herself more time. However, if she was wrong about Jareth she was going to be spending the night in his bed with or without her input on the subject. There was no question; she had to try.

She boldly climbed out of the bed, letting the sheet fall to the floor, her hands on her slender hips. "Well? Are you going to keep me waiting all night?"

Jareth blinked. "Excuse me?"

She sighed. "I agreed to sleep with you, but you keep coming up with one excuse after the other to get out of it." She walked over the goblin king, her hips swaying, and ran a fingernail down his chest. "Not nice to keep a lady waiting, you know."

Jareth was stunned by her behavior, and her lack of fear. It had an affect on him, an unpleasant one. "I...have business to attend." he muttered quickly. "I shall return later to continue this." He all but ran out of the room. Sarah collapsed to the floor, breathing hard. It had worked, but for how long. Her bravery had deflated Jareth, literally it seemed, but how long until he decided that a willing partner was better than none at all?

As Jareth made his way to the throne room on the other side of the castle, he reminisced about Alissa. She had been the next one after Sarah to solve the Labyrinth. Sure, there had been others between the two, but Ally had been the first one to have solved it after Sarah, and only two years after Sarah had left, as well.

He remembered what had brought about the circumstances that brought her to his kingdom. She had been about the same age as Sarah, sixteen. He had known that she had powers, but not exactly what they were. She had asked to come and try to solve the Labyrinth, because she was unhappy with her life on Earth, and had thought that a change of pace would suit her.

After she won (but only because he let her), he had offered her the chance to become his Goblin Queen. She had asked for time to think. The first time she had said that she would try, but not as his bride. But, after a couple of years, when he had asked again, she had refused. Because of his anger at her actions, he had placed her in Mag Mor, not knowing that she had used the 12 years of seclusion to hone her skills to a fine art.

He was broken from his musing by two things. One, he was in the throne room, and two, someone was sitting on his throne, yet he couldn't see who, because they were in the shadows. The moment before he was going to ask who was there, they answered his unspoken question.

"I was wondering when you would get here, Jareth. We have a lot of catching up to do. I hope that we can start that introduction over, if you don't mind, *Imzadi*."

*Imzadi* (Imzadi means "beloved".) Only one person EVER called him that. "Alissa."

"Glad you recognized it, Jareth. That is, considering it's been 12 years since you sent me to Mag Mor in a rage. I hope you've reconsidered. Oh, and by the way, Your magic isn't what's causing all this. It's mine."

"Yours? But, you don't have the power to do that!"

"Yes I do. You see, I used those 12 years to hone both my telepathic skills, as well as my magical skills until they were as good or better than yours. You see, Jareth, we are now equals in power. Oh, and with Sarah, she still hates you. I, on the other hand, have more reason to hate you, but my love and admiration has instead grown over the past 12 years, since I have had that time to think."

During all of this, Alissa had gotten out of the throne as Jareth came closer. When she finished speaking, he had come close enough to the throne for her to spin around, and shove him into it. She then straddled him, and what she said next surprised Jareth.

"You see, love, I have always cared about you. However, I never cared for my home (Earth). I won't destroy it, but, I *did* want to have Sarah brought here. You see, I know the perfect person for Sarah, so that she won't be lonely."

Considering her proximity, Jareth spoke in a remarkably calm voice. "Who?"

"Why, your younger brother, Hunter, of course. But, you must make sure that she ends up in his bed, not yours."

"Why not?"

"Because *I'll* be in it, of course, since I want to marry you!"

Jareth looked at her with amazement and suddenly an ironical half-smile appeared on his face... He straightened himself and looked at her with a cold sarcasm.... "Oh, really? And did you think for just a single moment if I still want to marry you?"

Satisfied by a surprised look on her face, he turned his back to her and started to walk away with a graceful and light steps. He didn't look back because he didn't want to show his eyes to her...they were filled with inner fear, concern, confusion... "What a wimp I became?! What a weak helpless creature, who uses the magic to force a woman into his bed as if he's a monstrous freak who can't be loved for himself... Why did she scare me? I know the answer... She wasn't afraid of me on that moment, and it means that I can rule over and seem strong to only the ones who are weaker than I am...this is not a position of a king...this is not even a position of a strong man... There must be some changes to be done... And yet, another woman, who wants to marry me, while I think I'm completely lost in all those emotions...I don't like myself like this... It's not the me I was before all those women which arrived here and finally spoiled my life...though I'm not to blame them...it's completely my fault, to let them have such effect over me... But still...I feel myself depending on them...especially on Sarah... Why does that girl seem so important... Why do I want her so much? " Those questions bothered him and tortured his mind as he walked into the secret garden that was his private place, where he rested when he needed for solitude... It was definitely a moment like that. Confusion, unsatisfied desire, rage and sorrow all mixed up in his head and it seemed to him that it was going to explode. He had a terrible headache and he didn't know how to escape it...he didn't know what to do...he felt really weak and really miserable and hated himself for that...

Jareth then felt a set of hands envelop his waist. He turned around and looked at Alissa. Then, he realized that he *did* care about Alissa, and that Sarah he would take care of later. Right now, he had a *very* willing woman in his arms. Therefore, he grabbed her and kissed her, tenderly on the lips.

They both groaned and Jareth realized that he didn't care about Sarah or the Labyrinth right now. All he cared about was getting this wonderful gorgeous temptress back into his bed, for she had been vacant from it for too long. He sent Sarah into a different wing with clothing, etc., etc. At the same time, he transported himself and Alissa to his bedchambers.

Angela sat in her home wishing that she could think of something to do to help Sarah out of her predicament. Angela knew the Powers of Change which she and her husband Allen both had contained in their forms. She knew that usually meant keeping balance. What Jareth had done with merging Earth and "dream" world was making her angry enough to kill him. Allen had questioned her on what was wrong but this was in her sphere of influence not his so by the laws she could withhold information and lie to him. That little witch did have a point though. Sarah and Hunter were perfect for each other and if she could gently nudge them together those two could overcome this light-dark war. Hunter could fight but was a pacifist so Jareth's and his father considered him a weakling. Angela knew many dragons would love to dig their claws into Jareth given half a chance. They had as much stake in the fight as anyone else. She finally had a plan that she could implement from the outside, guiding all fighters to their positions to take the powers from that witch and Jareth both. Transferring the power when Hunter and Sarah fell for one another would take careful timing and planning but Angela knew she could pull it off.

A spell.

Jareth groaned. The girl had never been this powerful before, never this seductive. She was too strong, too willful. She clouded his mind far too easily. He stared down at Alissa, sleeping peacefully beside him. So unaware that at this moment her l fe was at stake, that he was holding her soul in the palm of his hand.

There had to be a reason. Perhaps she really desired him, or maybe she was protecting Sarah. Either way, she had gotten to him. It couldn't happen again. He should never have let his guard down, no matter how delightful the idea of such a creature was. Sarah had been delightful too, yet he had resisted her. Barely. Sarah. He groaned again. If she knew where he had been this night, if she believed she was safe, he was about to disillusion her. Smiling to himself, Jareth stroked Alissa's face. *You won't win love* he thought. *I will have Sarah, regardless of how you may tempt me.* Despite the hold Alissa's spell still had, Jareth
was not a fool. He would have both the young girls, and if they chose to come willingly, so be it.

"If only one of you would fight me a bit." He spoke to the empty room. "I'm not the monster you think me, really. I just want to be challenged. Test my strength. Force me to take your love." He glanced again at his sleeping temptress. Too willing, he decided. Too easily won. There had been no battle, no conquest. Sarah would not have given in so easily. She would have fought him every step of the way, he knew. For all her brave front the night before, he knew she couldn't possibly just give in. It simply wasn't *her*.

*Strange* Jareth mused, transporting himself to Sarah's chamber, *that despite the hell I've gone through for the girl, despite all she's changed, I still measure every mistress, every consort, every *woman* according to her.* Jareth stood over Sarah's bed. The sheet's were torn from their perfect order, indicating a restless night.

"Sleep well, my little princess." he whispered, loving the thought that he caused her such dreams that she tossed and turned the night through. "Tonight you rest. Tomorrow you become my queen. And that evening, you shall fight me Sarah. Fight with al of your strength, my love, but I will have you, mark me on that love."

(So Jareth believed he would have, both did he?) Angela mused. (Let's see how far both Alissa and Jareth would go if I strip some of the powers gradually but not their lives...not that far unless worse danger presents itself. Feeding the power into repairing the barrier changing the shredding into healing would be quite interesting to work. Hunter is a sweet fella but not my type at all and Allen knows I won't leave him but I need to lead the young couple together...oh, yes a garden oasis in the red desert that stretches what seems like forever. Make Hunter and Sarah King and Queen of this kingdom and it would bloom but their love must bloom first) Angela set the 2 spells up taking bits of the powers from Alissa and much more from Jareth so he would not destroy what could make Sarah very happy. (Young love I remember being like that now mine has matured but it is still as strong as the day I met him.) "Allen, my love, I have a plan but I think I'll need your help to pull it off."

"Angela, you know I will not help you kill," said a man who looked about 25 with currently crew-cut reddish-brown hair standing about 6'5 inches.

"Nothing of the sort, beloved, I'm just preventing the destruction of 2 worlds due to a merger and getting a young couple together so love can bloom. All I want you to do is lead Sarah (you know the one I'm talking about who's power is of story-telling) to he garden which I mapped here and I'll bring Hunter there, too and try to prevent Jareth from following and destroying what we create here from air and dreams."

"I guess"

Sarah woke with a start.  She took deep breaths and looked around the room. *Where am I?* She thought.

This wasn't Jareth's chambers; it was a simple but pleasant room. A bed,vanity and full length mirror were all that were in the room. *I don't care where I am anymore. As long as it's here and not back there with him.*

She shuddered. If it hadn't been for all those distractions she would of... *I've got to think of something else. Hey! Where're the doors?* She looked around and noticed a balcony door but no other doors.

She went to the vanity and peared into her reflection.  Her hair was messy, and she had light cicles under her eyes. She was wearing a pastel green nightgown, which dropped to an inch above her knees, lowcut with short sleaves.

She turned from her reflection.

She needed, well, wanted a bath badly. She felt dirty and confused. Where was the woman who was going to help her? She paced the room for a good fifteen minutes before sitting down on the bed.

She spoke aloud to no one and looked at the full length mirror, "I wish I could see where Jareth is so I can figure out how long I have before he visits me again. Most of all I wish I were out of this room!" She sighed, but then saw her full length mirror shift slightly. It showed Jareth lounging in his throne, then he looked up as if sensing something and turned facing her.  She gasped and the mirror returned to normal.

*He caught me. I'm in trouble.*

She then heard a familar male voice, "More than you think."

At this point, something inside her snapped and reality went dead. Ordinary words like 'numb' will never do adequate justice to the strange buzzing feeling, (the onset of a seizure?) that started to fog her brain. The real Sarah fled and her body was left a provisional consciousness to fend for itself.

That "Sarah" smirked, "You ... are... a... joke," she stated, the words oozing out of her mouth like tar out of a drum. "A humorless joke, but a joke nonetheless. You don't get it. Will you ever get it?" Not giving him time to go into a rage, or even to think of a response to the statement, she continued. "This...," she said, indicating the dress and their surroundings, "is ridiculous. Overblown. Evidence of serious psychological problems. Freud would have fun with you." She laughed. "Some sort of complex, I think. This domination thing ... an ineffective strategy, don't you agree?"

At this point, Jareth did a thing he hadn't done in years. He smiled. The green nightgown vanished, replaced by a white blouse and pair of jeans. Suddenly they stood in what looked like the field near Sarah's childhood home. "Better?" he asked (almost kindly). She looked straight at him, "Give me back my life. You don't really want it, do you?". He darkened with the force of his feeling "Yes. I want to absorb it, incorporate it into my being and then" he paused, dramatically "you will become me. You will
become more powerful than you have ever been. Nurtured, nourished, adored, you will have everything you want! All you have to do is say yes... and yet you don't. Why?"

Then "Sarah" cooed. "Darling! I didn't know you felt that way. Of course I'll say yes...yes! yes! yes!" She ran to him and threw her arms around him. There were about three days of perfect bliss. Then suddenly, Jareth recoiled. "How disgusting! I can't believe I ever wanted you. You don't even have nice hair, a particularly stunning body, or a sparkiling personality. In both looks, charm, and intellegence you remind me of a cow."

"Sarah" burst into tears. "But I thought you wanted to absorb me! Adore me!" Jareth cast a derisive glance upon her, "Frankly 'my dear', that was only when I knew I never could. Don't you know that goblin kings are perverse?" Then there was black.

"And the king of the goblins flew away as an owl- yes Michael?" The true Sarah looked at the class of preschoolers that she had been spinning entertaining fantasy stories for all afternoon.

"Can I use the bathroom?"

Suddenly something caught Sarah's eye. It was an owl, and something else...