Disclaimer:

Jareth and Labyrinth are owned by Labyrinth Enterprises, and are borrowed with gratitude. The lyrics within this story belong to David Bowie. No infringement is intended and no profit will be made from this story.

Author's Note:

This is the sequel to "Queen of the Goblins". It was originally posted as one long file in 2002, and I have now tidied it up and broken it into chapters. If you have already read this story, please note that the changes are only cosmetic.

Enjoy! -Ya Nefer Ma'at

Trial by Fire

by

Ya Nefer Ma'at

Prologue

Sarah...?

The voice was distant, whispering in Sarah's sleeping ears, slipping below her slumber and tickling her drowsing mind. She stirred, made restless when the voice evoked memories of his face.

Sarah...? Sarah...!

Tossing now, Sarah rose toward waking. As she roused from the depth of dreamless slumber, the soft whisper of his voice fired her dreams...

...Sarah found herself running the labyrinth again, chasing his deep, melodic voice as it ebbed and flowed like some aural tide. At length, she found herself in Jareth's throne room. The silent room was cloaked in deep shadows, and the man hunched over on the throne half-hidden in the darkness. Sarah's heart was sprinting as she forced herself closer to the still figure. His head hung limp, his wild hair dark in the shadows and shrouding his face. He didn't seem to be breathing. When Sarah gathered the courage to reach hesitantly toward him, he froze her by slowing raising his head. Sarah found herself falling into the ebony abyss of Raven's eyes. His handsome countenance was tortured.

Sarah, I beg of you, save me...

...Sarah awoke in an icy burst of panic. She was momentarily disoriented, staring blankly away from the bed, the image of Raven's face and his plea hanging in the darkness. She jumped when Jareth's arm slid around her. Still asleep, the King of the Goblins nestled closer, pulling Sarah more tightly against his heat. Sarah pressed back into his embrace, smiling as he nuzzled her dark hair. Even in sleep, her Jareth was protecting her. Sarah felt the icy fear melt and a profound warmth replace it. Jareth's breathing smoothed out as she relaxed, his hand resting against the smooth rise of her belly, above their son. Sarah covered his hand with her own, and let sleep reclaim her.

And in the depth of her slumber, the voice continued calling.