"Give me the child," the young girl ordered.

"Sarah, beware," the powerful king of the goblins warned. "I have been generous up until now, but I can be cruel."

"Generous? What have you done that's generous?"

Jareth hissed. "Everything! Everything that you wanted I have done. You asked that the child be taken, I took him. You cowered before me, I was frightening. I have reordered time. I have turned the world upside down and I have done it all for you! I'm exhausted from living up to your expectations of me. Isn't that generous?" Sarah stared him, a sudden idea coming to mind.

"Through dangers untold," she began her recitation with as much bravado as she could manage, "and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City. For my will is as strong as yours, and my…"

"Stop!" Jareth took a step forward as his hand flew out to interrupt her powerful words, knowing that if she were to finish, it would surely be the end of him. "Wait! Look, Sarah." Magically, he materialized a smooth, crystal ball into the palm of his hand. "Look at what I'm offering you: Your dreams." Sarah shook her head, trying to resist the temptation.

"And my kingdom as great…"

Jareth continued. "I ask for so little. Just let me rule you, and you can have everything that you want."

Sarah continued her words, turning her gaze away from Jareth,"…kingdom as great…damn! I can never remember that line."

Jareth smiled slyly, seeing that he was winning. "Just fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave." Jareth continued to flash a smile at the young girl, a look that ensured that the goblin king always got his way.

Sarah could feel her heart beating uncontrollably. Why couldn't she remember the next line?! She winced in frustration. He was offering her everything, everything she had ever desired. She would finally be free from the demands of her father and stepmother, and she wouldn't have to watch over her whiny step brother anymore. It seemed too good to be true, and yet it was all being offered right in front of her, sitting in the palm of the most attractive creature she had ever set her eyes on. Her heart continued to beat out of her chest as she took a few deep breaths and looked Jareth directly in the eyes.

"I accept." The world seemed to stop all around her. The pieces of stone and mortar that were floating around her stopped cold and fell to the ground. It was as if the magic was suddenly gone. The spell that Jareth had her under had stopped. He had no need to try and convince her to stay any longer. He had won. She knew that her life would never be the same.