Sarah gathered her skirts and quickened her pace to keep up with her three companions. Her legs were by no means short and she was far from out of shape, but the fair folk seemed to walk without effort. They practically floated up the steep landscape and by the time she reached the top she had to pause to catch her breath.

Tilly bounced back to where Sarah had stopped and grabbed hold of her hands. Throwing her head back and laughing, she spun them around and around. The pure joy radiating from her had Sarah smiling and laughing along with her dear friend. Soon enough they were too dizzy to continue and collapsed in a breathless heap together on the rich green grass.

"Come away oh human child, with a fairy hand in hand!" Shouted Tilly, pumping a tiny arm in the air, a wide happy smile etched on her beautifully delicate features.

Tilly's mother had been a brownie and as a result she was quite small. Not so small though that she couldn't pass for human without the aid of glamour. Sarah sat up and smacked her lightly on the shoulder.

"That's not funny Tilly." She admonished, but laughed despite herself.

Looking down the hill she caught the first glimpse of their destination. Nestled among the vibrant green rolling Irish hillsides in a small flat valley of sorts, sat a fairy mound. It stood out so starkly from the surrounding landscape it drew the eye, yet seemed so perfectly natural and belonging all the same. That small clump of earth beckoned her come take a closer look, and the feeling sobered her somewhat.

"I will be able to get out again wont I?"

Tilly scoffed and rolled her eyes before standing and dusting off her dark blue dress that floated unnaturally in the warm breeze. She came to stand next to Sarah and linked arms with her. Standing on tiptoes, she gave her a quick affectionate peck on the cheek.

"Please Sarah," She said squeezing her arm in reassurance. "You know the rules better than I do, not to mention all the loopholes, and I grew up in there!"

Tilly threw her right hand wide to encompass the sithen. "Home!" She sighed. "I'm finally going home and it's all because of you my darling girl."

Sarah couldn't help but smile at the sincerity on the half-brownie's face. They had been through a lot together, and she trusted her implicitly. Even if she never did see the light of day again, she wasn't so sure she would mind terribly much. She had spent too much time among the fantastic and magical things that lived along the edges of her world, she had traveled far from home to other lands one too many times and as a result, her own world had started losing its flavor.

Whatever the outcome of attending a fairy ball in a fairyland may be, Sarah's sense of adventure and curiosity would never let her stay at home and play it safe. That had never been her style.

"Well then," Sarah laughed, and grabbing hold of Tilly's hand she began to run down the hill where Faelan and Genevieve stood. "What are we waiting for?"

Running down the hill turned into a bit of a tumble and they ended up in a tangle of limbs at the bottom with wide smiles on their faces. Several bright grass stains marred the hem of her flowing eggshell colored dress and noticed a few pearls had gone missing, but she couldn't care less; her plan hadn't been to turn heads tonight. The plan was the same as always, fun.

The four of them made their way across the flat earth stretched ahead to the unmarked, rather large mound. The grass beneath Sarah's feet thick and soft; she never wore shoes if it could be avoided. As they drew near, the sithen, recognizing it's own kind, opened silently in welcome to the small group. As each passed through the entrance they briefly touched the overhead mantle, which glowed softly in return, as if welcoming them home.

Sarah hesitated and absently touched the cold-wrought iron dagger hidden between her breasts. This was her first time ever entering fairy through an actual sithen and she wasn't sure how it would respond to her choice of weaponry. While Tilly had assured her that iron was of the earth, just as the sithen was of the earth and that she would be fine to bring it with her, she couldn't help but worry a bit. Many mortals had been killed for less in the past for her to take such a thing lightly.

"Come on, it's not going to eat you!" Called Faelan. He was the most impatient to get to the Summer Solstice Ball and had talked non-stop about the women he would conquer at tonight's festivities. He was also the son of a banshee and half Pooka; as such she was hardly inclined to trust anything that came out of his mouth.

Ignoring them, she stepped up slowly to the sithen and gave a small bow, all too aware of her mortality. Faelan rolled his eyes melodramatically. Slowly, as if reaching out to a frightened animal, she raised her arm and gently touched the mantle. She waited with baited breath but nothing happened. Faelan, irritated with waiting, turned and began to walk down the corridor, mumbling under his breath about stupid human women.

She was dying to see what lay within, bursting with curiosity and the call of adventure, but she was not stupid, a fact that had gotten her out of a lot of dire situations. Disappointed, she was about to pick up her skirts and head back the way she had a come when a soft glow lit the frame, and in response she beamed. Sarah whispered a quiet thank you as she skipped merrily across the threshold into fairy.

Walking the twisting corridor that was continually going deeper into the earth seemed to be taking forever, but she was so impatient to see the end, it could simply have been her imagination. It was cold and damp, but not unpleasantly so. Keeping close to the edges she ran her hand along the packed earthen wall, ducking under a small flickering torch every ten feet or so. The path ahead seemed to be continually curved, so that even with the light of the torches, one couldn't see very far.

Suddenly her stomach erupted with butterflies as she noticed a different type of light up ahead. A light very much like sunlight. Breaking into a run Sarah rushed past her companions and around the last bend before breaking free of the tunnel and out into the open air. She stopped in her tracks and gasped.

A strong wind whipped her thick waist length dark hair up and away from her body. The clip that had been holding it together broke and flew over the edge of a small cliff overlooking a lush valley. A glittering winding river cut through it, reflecting an orange sun that hung low in the sky over jagged blue and purple mountains. This adventure into fairy was completely different from the last and it was like nothing she had ever seen before. The colors were so vivid it almost hurt her eyes to look upon it.

The world was unspoiled, and while as old as her own, new in every sense of the word. A thrill ran through her to see it. The last time she had been here she had been trapped between living walls and so determined with her challenge she hardly noticed its beauty.

The setting sun painted everything in pinks, oranges, and purples including the cotton candy clouds that hung lazily in the sky. Tearing her eyes from that glorious sunset was almost painful. She scanned the valley nestled between the mountains below and caught sight of a castle built on the peak of the largest hill that dotted the landscape. It was all of her childhood fantasies come to life. The white castle walls seemed to glow and looked almost the same color as the quickly setting sun. A long winding road lead up to the massive steps at its base and she noticed carriages of every shape size and color coming and going before the large open doors.

Tilly stepped up next to her with a soft sigh and brought a hand up to cover her eyes from the fading light. "Beautiful isn't it?" She said quietly, as if to speak too loudly would spoil the mood.

"I knew it would be, but I could never have imagined anything so perfect." Sarah replied just as quietly. "Even the air tastes sweet."

Tilly laughed, the sound floated like tinkling bells and the spell was broken. Turning to Sarah she wiggled her eyebrows. "Wait until you see inside the castle."

Taking hold of her hand, she started to pull Sarah down a path to the left of the cave mouth they had come out.

Sarah thought she must look a fool with her mouth gaping open at every new object they passed, like an animal who has lived in cage its whole life and is seeing the sky for the first time, but couldn't bring herself to care much. She was determined to savor every moment. They walked alongside the river for a ways and skirted the edges of an ancient forest. As they came back out from under the canopy and into an open field of daisies, she stooped and plucked a handful, braiding them into a chain as they walked.

Braided daisy chains were more for the protection of small children. It deterred those magical creatures that might fancy themselves in the mood to whisk away a child. Having been called childish numerous times she figured she fit the term loosely enough. When it came to dealing with their kind, it wasn't so much what you literally were that mattered but what you embodied. Besides, a little extra protection never hurt. Just as she finished braiding the last daisy and slipped it round her neck, she looked up to find herself at the foot of the massive staircase she had spied from her spot on the cliff.

The staircase and castle seemed to be made up of some kind of polished stone that glittered a bit like granite, but was semi transparent and clear, like smoky quartz. Under her bare feet it felt as though she were walking on glass, smooth, cool, and flawless. Ascending the stairs and making their way into the outer courtyard, the crowd around them thickened, as all manner of fairy tail creatures, some absurdly beautiful, other nightmarish and frightening made their way through the castle doors.

Sarah quickly lost sight of Faelan and Genevieve among the throng but Tilly came up and grabbed hold of her hand. They went through the inner courtyard, down another long hallway gleaming with gold and living vines wrapping around each pillar and up into the highest reaches of the vaulted ceilings. Softly glowing orbs, floating of their accord lit the way to the ballroom. Entering the massive space threw her mind for a loop.

The area was impossibly large, possibly bigger than the actual castle itself. A floor made from the same polished stone as the rest of the castle stretched out in a wide circle from the center. A few partygoers danced to music from a source unseen. Others milled around the edges where grass, trees and flowers grew in wild disarray. Above it all stretched a wide domed glass ceiling where the first stars of the evening were making their appearance.

Nearly stumbling down one of the twin set of stairs on either end of the ballroom, Tilly tightened her grip on Sarah's arm to keep her from falling. Sarah gave her a smile as thanks. As soon as they reached the bottom she hastily pulled Sarah aside into a small alcove made from an oak tree growing next to the wall. It's highest branches reached up and kissed the top banister where it just began to slope.

"Sarah," Tilly snapped. "You have to stop gawking at everything or you'll end up drawing attention to yourself. Unwanted attention." She stressed.

Her small brown face was pinched with concern and Sarah couldn't help but love her all the more for it. Not many humans could claim to be on the receiving end of such true affection for ones well being from a fairy. Bringing her hand up she touched her cheek in an affectionate manner.

"Of course Tilly." She grinned. "It's just all so beautiful and different." When her stern look didn't let up, Sarah put her hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay, I'll behave." She promised.

Tilly nodded in approval, then noticing the daisy chain around her neck reached out and looped a finger around the bottom of it.

"May I leave a mark upon your daisy chain?"

At Sarah's silent nod of approval, Tilly raised the chain over her head and cupped it between her hands. There was a gentle white glow peaking from between her fingers for the briefest of moments. She handed the now enchanted necklace back to Sarah, which she quickly replaced around her neck.

It was impolite to say thank you. In fact it was considered highly offensive. So instead Sarah pulled her friend into a tender hug and told her that she would never have allowed anyone but Tilly to do such a thing for her. Tilly blushed and pushed her away smiling.

"Come on Sarah darling, let's dance!"

Over the next hour they danced and twirled together under the brightly shining stars. The music was enchanting and strange, beautiful and frightening things danced beside them. As the crowd grew thicker, Tilly begged to take a break and find refreshment. Together they made their way towards one of the many tables scattered throughout the room, heavy with a variety of exotic food and drink.

She didn't miss the many admiring and curious looks thrown at her as they crossed the floor, gracefully weaving between dancing fanciful creatures. It made her feel beautiful, accepted, and she couldn't remember the last time she had felt so at home. This was where she belonged. The thought that the night would end and she would have to return home floated briefly in the front of her mind, but she quickly pushed it away. Nothing would spoil this evening.

Snatching a glass of pink sparkling liquid off a passing tray held by what looked like an ostrich with human legs and arms, Sarah turned and offered it to Tilly.

"Oh thanks love." She accepted the glass, grabbed a few handfuls of fruit and led the way to an unoccupied corner where there stood a large eucalyptus tree. It was greener, fuller than it should have been and the top branches swept the domed ceiling. To the side there was a partially hidden wooden bench, noticeable only once you were nearly upon it. They sat down and As Sarah looked at her friend who was practically radiating light, the thought of how she had almost lost her crossed her mind.

Her next thought was that she must have some psychic abilities for she turned to her and said, "If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't be here. I can't express what that means to me. "

"Don't. If the roles had been reversed..." She let the sentence hang.

"That's just it Sarah love, I wouldn't have. I'm more of a coward than I would care to admit, but there it is all the same." Tilley looked down at her feet, face full of sadness.

Sarah supposed she should have been hurt, but had been in the company of magical creatures too long. She had always hated that part of her own race. Lying to make people feel better. Fae may bend and stretch reality so far it was barely this side of not lying, but the kernel of truth was there if you knew how to listen properly. Humans just didn't think along the same lines.

"It doesn't matter either way." She said kindly. "Even if I had known you wouldn't, I still would have. It's how I roll."

Using human slang served its purpose and she scrunched up her nose at the unfamiliar terminology. Seizing the distraction she decided to move onto more pleasant conversation. That night wasn't one either wanted to dwell on.

"So this is a nice little tucked away spot." Sarah remarked, her eyes hungrily taking in the general splendor. "You can see practically everything from here.

Tilly looked up and around and smiled softly, nostalgically. "Yes we used to sneak into these celebrations as children, this was my favorite hiding spot. You're not completely invisible, but your out-of-the-way enough that everyone just ignores you."

Just then a loud chorus of blaring trumpets rent the air. Sarah nearly jumped out of her skin while Tilly leaned forward in anticipation. The gathered crowd let loose loud cheers, whistles and applause.

"What on earth is going on?" She asked getting caught up in the excitement.

"The nobles have arrived. They come from that entrance there." Tilly pointed at the staircase opposite the one they had come down. As she looked, the giant opulent golden doors swung open silently to another blast from the trumpets and a renewed cheer from the crowd.

"The nobles will take the floor for the first official dance of the evening, which signifies the beginning of the festivities."

"I thought the party was in full swing." Said Sarah awed. "These things must get pretty crazy."

Pointing to herself, "Fairies Sarah, remember?" She said looking more mischievous than usual.

Laughing, she turned her head back to the staircase just in time to see the first of the monarchs appear through the door. A large imposing man appeared, practically radiating power with a tall poised woman on his arm. Both were luminous as the glowing moon, their skin shining in an opalescent way and beautiful beyond belief. They paused for a moment, smiling and waving in a controlled demur manner; like regular human royalty, Sarah thought deprecatingly.

"That is King Oberon and Queen Titania. They rule the Seelie court and shine brightest of them all." Tilly whispered in her ear."

"I think I may have heard of them." Sarah said cheekily, but like the rest of the crowd, she couldn't take her eyes off the powerful, otherworldly pair.

Once they had reached the bottom of the stairs a new couple appeared at the top. Many more hisses, screeches, and guttural sounds were mixed in with the applause this time.

"King Mellseolr and Queen Maeve. They rule the Unseelie Court. I've never been there myself, but I have heard terrible tales." She worried her bottom lip, looking as if she wanted to say more. "They are always on their best behavior at mixed functions. After the last war no one is as hasty to offend they way they used to." It was said a bit too fast to sound completely innocent. Sarah caught the warning. The point had been made but she didn't want to imply that Sarah wouldn't already be on her guard around any unseelie she came across. Tilly knew her better than that.

As before, when they joined the other two monarchs on the dais, another figure emerged through the doors, and suddenly the world melted away, her vision narrowed until saw only him.

He was resplendent in grey and cream and was almost exactly as she remembered. Haughty composure, hard lines and sharp angles clashed with a sort of wild softness to his features. His gait was careless and fluid as he practically sauntered down the steps, more graceful even than the other royals before him. Cruel lips were turned down in a glower of supreme disapproval at the gathered throng, and his mismatched eyes seemed to hold only boredom. Suddenly her heart was beating a mile a minute and she licked suddenly parched lips.

How many times had she longed to see that particular face? Fantasized a different look altogether in those eyes. Played out a thousand scenarios where their paths might cross one day.

Jareth.

She had not even thought that he might be here, though seeing him now she wondered how she hadn't expected it. Of Course he would be here, it was the time of year all the courts met together in celebration.

It was then that Sarah realized Tilly was speaking, and found it more difficult than it should have been to tune into her words.

"What was that?" She asked without taking her eyes off his lazy procession.

"I said that's the Goblin King. He rules the Labyrinth where the wild magic abounds."

"You didn't say his name."

Tilly's brow furrowed and she seemed confused by Sarah's statement.

"You told me the names of the other kings and queens but not his. Why?" It was besides the point that she already knew his name; she was curious why she had left it out.

"Oh Sarah, we do not say his name, not even the other nobles would dare speak it. The Kings and Queens will of course, because it would be unforgivably rude not to. I however am not royalty, just a demi-fae, and one who is rather fond of all my appendages."

At Sarah's raised eyebrow she continued. "He was, a long time ago, once worshiped as the god of chaos by your people. Wherever he is, trouble is sure to follow, in your land or mine."

As if to punctuate her words, a very loud crash was heard from somewhere on the other end of the hall, followed by what she assumed was a stream of profanities in a language she didn't know, but understood their meaning nonetheless. The sound was deafening and she realized that there had been no applause for him, only excited chittering and hissing from the shadows. When she looked back to him, he had joined the other royal members and now wore a self satisfied smile, sharp teeth gleaming on his, slightly less-bored-looking, aristocratic face.

Sarah no longer felt the need to be on guard against anyone other than him, and a slow smile spread across her face at the sudden rush of freedom coursing through her veins. Tonight was going to be much more fun than she had anticipated.

From that moment on Sarah found it hard to look away but she didn't want to draw attention to herself just yet. So she forced herself to watch the continued procession of the higher-ranking noble fairies, but kept him in sight at the corner of her eye. Eventually a pale blue woman with skin the color of cornflowers came to stand beside him. Neck like a swan, her fire orange hair was twisted elaborately and piled high to draw attention to the elegance of that neck and beautiful posture. Sarah thought they made an awful looking pair but once they started dancing she couldn't deny their grace together. They moved in sync and so sinuously mirrored each other's movements that they were very obviously the best dancers on the floor.

His flowing tunic looked to made out of gossamer and dew drops that caught the light, sparkling as he twirled his partner around the floor. A high collared dove grey waistcoat hugged his torso and she noticed a few small spikes made from the same material jutting from one shoulder. She found herself unaccountably pleased to see he hadn't lost his sense of style, or those sinfully tight breeches since their last encounter. If anything he looked wilder then she remembered. Two pristine white feathers had been braided into the longest pieces of his hair and they fluttered attractively as he danced. Like wise, the woman's sweeping red dress, consisting of thousands of small red flower petals swayed in time with those feathers. It was intriguingly mesmerizing.

Unfortunately the looks on the their faces somewhat ruined the beauty of it. Jareth looked as if he would rather be eating a live chicken while his partner looked as if something might jump out from behind a bush and scare her at any moment. She was continually looking over her shoulder and her nervous golden eyes never stopped darting around the room. Sarah supposed it was probably not uncalled for knowing the subjects he ruled over. Just because she hadn't seen any goblins yet, most certainly didn't mean they weren't around.

The song ended to loud applause. Glasses could be heard clinking and every sort of noise one could make was being made loudly. Reaching beneath the hem of her dress, Sarah pulled a silver flask from it's hiding place on her hip, brought it to her lips and took a deep pull, enjoying the burn that snaked down to settle pleasantly in her chest. Tilly scrunched her nose up in distaste when she offered.

"I don't know what you humans find so attractive about that disgusting liquid. I tried it once, never again." She brought her own pink bubbling drink to her lips and took a delicate sip. Eyelids fluttered closed over her large black almond eyes and she sighed loudly. Sarah thought she was laying it on a bit thick and said as much.

Tilly just laughed and looked at her with sympathy. "If you could taste it Sarah you would understand, and it's been so long since I have had my own kind's food pass my lips. I simply can't help myself. I wish I could share it with you."

Sarah did understand, but didn't say so. She had tasted fairy food before, a peach to be exact. Upon returning home she found herself constantly craving the delectable fruit and in the beginning allowed self-indulgence. Each time she bit into the ripe fuzzy skin, mouth watering in anticipation, she ended up disappointed and unsatisfied. In comparison to that single bite she had in the labyrinth, the store bought fruit tasted like dried out cardboard. In the end she had to give them up entirely. She was like a smoker who had quit cigarettes, she was able to refrain but the cravings never left you completely; the desire was always there in the back of her mind.

Lost in thought, Sarah didn't notice the tall man approaching until a shadow fell over her. She looked up in surprise to see one of the noble fae men smiling down at her. His skin was like moonlit alabaster and hair the color of moss was partially plaited, the rest flowing freely to his waist. He was shining, skin glowing as if he had swallowed a candle that lit him from within. She heard Tilly gasp quietly beside her; his presence had caught her off guard as well. Throwing on her most dazzling smile, she raised her eyebrows curiously and met his eyes steadily. He looked completely intrigued and did not attempt to hide his obvious desire for her. Unlike humans, fairies were very open about things like that.

When he spoke his voice was deep and honeyed with a soft Celtic accent. "Might I persuade you to take a turn about the dance floor with me?"

Sarah could feel his glamour rolling over her skin, trying to persuade her through magic to take his proffered hand. Tilly harrumphed under her breath but said nothing. She knew Sarah had enough protection hidden on her body that she would be safe from all but the strongest of magic.

"I would be delighted to." Sarah ignored the sound of shock from her right and placed her hand in his, which she noticed had a tattoo of sorts running from his middle finger up his forearm to disappear under the green satin vest he wore. It was a vine with leaves and flowers in all stages of growth, from buds to opened blooms. As she candidly admired the design it began to move and twist, buds opening slightly.

She brought her eyes back up to meet his, looking at him from under her lashes in a way she knew looked seductive and said with a flirtatious smile, "In exchange for a name Good Sir."

His look of intrigue and desire increased ten fold and pulling gently on her arm, brought her up to stand close to his chest. "Logan, of the Meadow, My Lady. Might I know yours?" She felt his magic pushing a bit harder at her, but it slid off just as easily. She loved being underestimated.

"Not just yet I think." She replied.

At her statement he smiled widely, possibly impressed if the look on his face was anything to go by. A new song was just starting and as he began to lead her out onto the dance floor, Sarah looked back over her shoulder to see Tilly standing and looking mildly panicked. Catching her eye she gave her a slow wink and devious smile, which left her poor friend looking less panicked but utterly confused. Logan pulled her close into his arms and she allowed it, effectively blocking her view of Tilly and Sarah laughed. She loved her dearly for wanting to protect her so ardently, but she didn't want it at the moment. She had bigger fish to fry.