1

The Labyrinth drank deeply of the rain. For two days the storm lingered, watering every inch of the land, soaking acre after acre. For two days Fieries made their temporary home along the ballroom's balcony. Their whoops and laughs frequently echoed out, especially when the Little Lady came to visit which she did and often.

Their red eyes still unnerved her. Considering what they had done to the count, she enjoyed their company usually from the door way. "You still sure, you don't wanna look like us?" asked one that hung upside down from the rafters.

"Little Lady give big man king strange fun," said another swinging like some chimp. "Hands in new places might prove entertaining!"

Their crazy laughter caused Sarah to blush deeply. She shook her head. "No," she managed to say.

A random hand went flying through the air and the Fieries were distracted.

Sarah went back into the ballroom. It was an empty room now. Neither wax laden candelabrum nor plush recliners could be found. There were no dancers, no lingering courtiers, or even goblin servants about for that matter. A plain, white room, with an empty dais. Gone were her elaborate costumes as well: today was a subdued gown of pale pink. No frills, no lace. She was just Sarah in an empty room.

She went to the dais and stood, her eyes searching the air around her.

A month had changed so much. She had gone from a confused human, to a violated woman, a warrior in training, a vengeful assassin, and now to a bride, wife of the Goblin King. She took a deep breath. The next time she stood on this dais she would be crowned queen.

Quite suddenly she was filled with the desire to run around the room, throwing open every window as she went. To let the rain into the white room, to wash it clean. Surely there was dirt that needed to be scrubbed; something minute that had been missed. A fiery knocked a pane of glass and startled her.

There was a rumbling under her feet.

She smiled, briefly. If it were feasible she would have reached out and stroked the Labyrinth as one would a giant beast, telling it, "Good girl."

Sarah fought the urge to wash the room again.

The rumbling immediately followed, with a roll that knocked her forward. It repeated. Sarah knew better than to ignore the Labyrinth. "Okay, okay," she said taking the hint and walking once more to the balcony doors.

Through the doors, under the Fieries, and out into the rain. The Labyrinth led her down an invisible path, that stretched, twisted, and altered direction. Sarah walked along. There were all ready signs of new life: small and green, delicate and lovely. She gently touched a few along the path.

The rain soaked her within moments. It was cold. It was damp. It was slick. But she had never felt more alive. Something in her soul, long buried, was pushing from her inward depths. The windows of her deep subconscious were being thrown open. Her own sapling was reaching for the air to breathe in the moisture, to stand tall and whole in this new home.

Sarah picked up her pace as the Labyrinth's rumblings grew more incessant. Together they ran, revelling in all the newness. Had she not brought the rain? Was she not what this world had longed for? She was what made the Underground whole.

Stopping to catch her breath, Sarah looked around. She was deep within the Forbidden Forest. The deep clef that had marred the ground was still there. Small streams trickled over its edge. Sarah stood near to it. She knelt in the mud and put a hand to the ground. "Together," she said. "We will heal together."

"Sarah!"

She turned. Jareth had appeared. He looked concerned, as if she might throw herself into the chasm. The concern of a lover, a husband. These past two days she had given herself over to caring for Leslie. The girl's grief had turned to shock, and was currently approaching anger. Sarah had stayed by her side. She had seen little of Jareth. Their nights even spent apart as they both worked tirelessly to restore order to the kingdom. Seeing him out here, rain catching in his blonde hair, his emotions so naked on his face, made her think on how much she loved him.

"What are you doing out here?" He reached for her and lifted her off of the ground. "You're shivering." From some where he had pulled a cloak and he began to wrap her in it.

She smiled. "I'm fine," she assured him. "Just fine. We just needed to talk." Her eyes indicated the air.

He scowled. "If the Labyrinth thinks it can toy with your health then it has another thing coming. Wild, unruly thing," he muttered fussing with the cloak.

Sarah's smile widened. "I know. Thanks for the compliment."

He chuckled. Pulling her close he moved her from the outside to his study.

There he stirred the fire and pulled a chair close so she could warm herself. He thought out the words to dry her instantly, his magic taking away the cold, but there was something important to her being out in the rain. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on. For someone soaked to the bone, who had been through so much in a little time, Sarah looked absolutely content.

He brought another chair to sit next to her.

"Tell me," she began. "How are things going with the High King?"

"Well enough. He begins the countess' aura cleansing at the end of the week. He will penetrate her mind, deeply. Depending on how that goes we could be called to the royal court for a trial. And how does Leslie far?"

"Angry. Very angry. I fear for her. I know it has only been two days, but… It is almost as if her innocence was all a front, hiding her hurt, her shame. All of that is being given a voice now, and I'm not sure she's strong enough to heal."

A thought occurred to him. "What of this other love interest? I swear there was something about another man. Perhaps he could be found..?"

Sarah shook her head. "Whoever he is, she has not mentioned him. Nor do I feel it the right time to press her about it."

He then insisted she go and change. He wouldn't have his precious one catching a cold. Not when the kingdom needed her strength. Not when there were those who depended on her counsel. Not when he needed her so very much. The bog take everyone else's needs, his wife would be with him tonight.

2

Jewels, Meep, and Dink stood at the ready. Their king was publicly declaring the Lady Sarah Williams as his queen. A coronation! Dink gave a loud hawk and spat on his helmet which he then vigorously rubbed. Next to him Meep was licking her hand and applying it to her hair. Jewels smiled at their effort to look their best.

Fitted in a suit of blue with a purple cape Jareth assessed his loyal servants and nodded with approval. "Each of you has earned the privilege of sharing in this day," he said. Solemnly he handed each one of them a long ribbon: white, blue, and red. "The makings of our unity knot."

From some where there came a squawk. Meep smiled uneasily.

Jareth glowered. "No chickens," he hissed. "Not today."

Bartholomew entered the chamber. "My king," he bowed. "They are ready."

Sarah had insisted on a few peculiarities that meant a good deal to her. She would approach the ballroom from outside. Ludo would lead the procession, followed by Sir Didymus, and Hoggle would be her escort. Each of her old friends would also bring a long ribbon representing the colors of their unity knot. They would be flanked by the Fieries. The latter she was most insistent on: any other courtiers with sympathies for Count Wimberly would be poignantly reminded of the new queen's power. Lastly she had begged him to give her peach blossoms.

Then there was Sarah herself. She had not let him see or know anything about her coronation attire. He would give her a circlet with the same cycle shape as his pendant. But what colors she choose to wear were unknown to him.

Goblins crowded the ballroom. The other guests had literally been pushed back to the outer circles. Whoever wished to see this Lady Sarah and bear witness to this day were going to have to give way to a kingdom that was eager and glad to welcome this lady home. Officially.

Jareth smiled as he stood ready with Oberon beside him.

With a loud crash both of the balcony doors were pulled back. The room fell silent at the sight of the giant red beast who's form occupied the entire door frame. "Ludo bring lady!" he declared, as Fieries found hand holds and took to the rafters or darted in among the guests. Shouts and whoops erupted, howls and laughter spread through the crowd as a wild fire bright with energy. The crowd gave way, allowing the procession to fill the center of the room.

One Fiery broke from the throng and made his way toward the dais. He bowed to both Oberon and Jareth and stood off to the side. Jareth recognized him from the night the rain came. Yes, this was very right. Now, here came Didymus with his simple steed. More Fieries. A few goblins dashing about. Hoggel. The dwarf was in fine spirits, near fawning over Sarah.

Sarah.

Jareth felt his throat tighten. The Seven Graces grant him all the self control in the world. She was clothed in an emerald gown, as green as the new life springing forth all over his land. She carried the peach blossoms in her hands as a bouquet. The goddess Aine all his own. She was before him and kneeling at the base of the dais all too soon. He could have stared at her beauty for hours.

Oberon raised his arms signaling for silence. "Who is this that comes before the ancients?"

"I am Sarah Williams, a Daughter of Eve."

"For what purpose?"

"To bind myself to the Goblin King."

With great theatrics, Oberon addressed the crowd. "Where is my ancient son?"

"Here. I am Jareth Choblyn, King of the Goblins. I seek a queen."

The goblins hollered and the fieries cheered. There were stamping of feet. Jareth saw Sarah struggling not to burst out laughing.

Oberon motioned for quiet again. "And is this Daughter of Eve what you seek?"

"Yes."

More shouts. As Oberon once more brought order to the room, Jareth retrieved the circlet and laid it on her brow. He then took her hand, raised her up, and brought her to stand with him on the dais.

One at a time her friends, his subjects brought up their length of ribbon. One at a time Oberon wrapped their hands with each piece, braiding and knotting as he went. Their hands thus tied together they were officially recognized by the High King and the entire Underground as married and joint rulers of the Goblin City. Oberon called out, "King Jareth and Queen Sarah!"

The room once more was over come with shouts of approval and happiness. From some where music began. The room was movement and sound. Formalities were forgotten as the fae gathered celebrated. What first started out as tokens of affection for her friends, new and old, Sarah soon found all of her bouquet distributed among the company. The smell of peach blossoms became heavy in the air. Its fragrance was intoxicating. Jareth moved near to her and kissed her deeply. Lingering near he began to sway and dance with her amid the happy chaos. She would be his to dance with for the rest of his life.

End.

Thank you so much for returning with me to this version of the Labyrinth. This story always meant something very personal to me, in my mind one of my best, and felt it was the best place to re acquaint myself with my beloved characters (or versions there of). Jareth and Sarah needed their coronation. I needed to say goodbye to David Bowie. I have a desire to return to the world of fanfiction, to roam the Labyrinth once more. This is little ol'me trying to tell my precious ones that I have new material that I am dying to share, but I do ask for patience. And if you are willing we will once more travel down the rabbit hole together.