. .epilogue. .

The realm had changed, not just through the increase in land, but its very core had shifted. It was as if the presence of a queen and the new potent magic that now flowed through the realm had birthed a new spirit in the goblins inhabiting it. Areas that they had only seen in other realm were being explored and settled, new cities sprouting in lush planes and deep forests. Mines dug that yielded not just the already known metals gold and feysteel, but new metals of previously unknown beauty and strength allowing new trade to flourish between the realms as new markets sprouted at the ancient gates. Only the human realm remained as it had always been isolated from the magic that it still produced even though the other realms no longer truly needed it to survive or even to thrive. And thrive the four realms did as the summer court of the seelie realm adjusted to the sudden freedom of a goblin king who served as steward to them rather than the tyrants who had kept their own people in an iron stranglehold of fear.

. .,. .

Leaning against the sun warmed balustrade of her balcony Sarah smiled as four small creatures that look suspiciously like tiny dragons landed on the smooth stone and began to chatter excitedly as they groomed each other's shimmering scales. Life had become a happy place in these last few years, being a queen was tough, there was no denying that but it was also the most fantastic thing she had ever done. The things she had seen as Jareth's queen were amazing the power they harnessed between them intoxicating and the joy of seeing her subjects thriving more satisfying than her wildest dreams, and speaking of dreams. Turning as the sound of tiny feet racing up the stairs to hers and Jareth's rooms reached her, Sarah felt her smile widened until it was almost possible to lift the top off of her head, as Lilly and Shiver's brood burst through the bedroom door.

"Sarah Sarah look...": They were like joy personified as the quartet comprised of the oldest twins and their two younger brothers surrounded her all clambering for her attention as they tried to show her their treasures of the day. Dropping gracefully to kneel between them Sarah laughed and smiled as she lavished them with her attention, sharing in their joy and admiring the shells and colourful stone they had collected by the beach.

"Oh sweet hell my feet are killing me! ": Waddling into the room, Lilly dropped into the large overly padded couch with all the grace of a 9 month pregnant land whale. Rubbing her straining belly through the thin veil of her summer dress Lilly smiled happily: "God I envy you right now!"

"Oh?": Looking up from the large bright emerald shell she had been admiring Sarah cast her friend a quizzical look: "How so?"

"You get beautiful babies without having to waddle around like some whale on shore leave every few years"

"True, but I would happily trade you": A quiet sadness darkened Sarah's smile, but only for a brief second, as Jareth and Shiver entered the room each carrying a sleeping babe in their arms: "Aww was the beach too hot for them?"

Handing the shell back to Lilly's daughter Peach, Sarah rose to relieve Shiver of his burden and follow Jareth to the beautifully carved cradle the twin girls shared, gently tucking the infant in beside her sister and watching as they naturally turned in their sleep until they found each other.

"You know what Lilly I take that back, I wouldn't have been the mother of these perfect babes if I had not been barren and I would trade them for nothing"

Pulling her into a heated kiss Jareth ignored the children's mock: "Eeews":. As he said happily: "I for one would change nothing, I have the family I never dared to hope for and I wish for nothing more than the continued peace of our realms. ..."

Nodding as he dropped into the couch beside his very pregnant wife Shiver grinned: "Well peace was never a strong suit but we shall do our best won't we my love... Lilly.?"

Lilly sat with an awkward look of startled pain on her face as she cradled her belly gingerly: "The peace will have to wait, cause your daughter's wanting to join us ... ugh.. and she is in a hurry."

Looking from Sarah to Jareth, Shiver leap to his feet with an ear-splitting grin on his face: "See I told you it would be an amazing day..."