Author: Chrissy
Contact: [email protected]
Rated: R - adult language and situations.
Summery: 8 years have passed. Many things have changed for Sarah and the King, while others never change. Journey back to the Labyrinth. J/S Romance.
Dedication: To Adriane who helped save my sanity and get this posted once and for all. And to Mairzy whose wonderful poem titled 'The Dance' inspired me to write this in the first place. If you would like to read her poem you can find it here. http://fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=444110
Disclaimer: I don't own the Labyrinth. I do own a cat. Hope that clears up any confusion.
J/S Wallpaper: http://sphosting.com/crisssy101/welcome.html

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MASQUERADE
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After thirteen hours, they parted.

As soon as she uttered the words, there was no other way for their story to end. The King could not break the rules of the Labyrinth, and she could not stay without sacrificing her brother.

If we could ignore love's existence, perhaps our lives would make more sense, be less painful. Maybe then we would know some sort of peace, and compromise happily whom we find happiness with.

But we can't.

It's a heavy heart that meets it's other half and is forced to walk away. Afterwards, no kiss is sweet enough, no eyes green enough. And no one could return twice. Those were the rules of the Labyrinth.

Thirteen hours was all he might have ever known of love. And this, I suppose, could have ended rather poorly.

But that's not what happened.

This is the story of what did...

~ * ~ * ~* ~~ * ~ * ~* ~~ * ~ * ~* ~~ * ~ * ~* ~

Chapter1:
Here We Go Again

"GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME!"

"Tonight, Entertainment World is going behind the scenes of Masquerade, the magic extravaganza taking New York by storm. It's hard to believe it was only one year ago today that Templeton Theater opened its doors for the first time. But from that moment on, fans have flocked around the world to see the fantasy, music, and magic only the Mistress of Masquerade, Sarah Williams, can deliver."

~ * ~

"Roll clip two. Ron, tell graphics to get their butts moving with the transition. They have five more minutes, then I'm pulling it. Got me?"

"I'm on it."

"Thirty seconds of crowd footage remaining Jay."

"Ok Good. Get ready to cut on my mark. Tom, let's have audio. "

"Copy, turning up the juice."

~ * ~

"Really? You have the whole line of Masquerade dolls? Even the Goblin King?"

"Oh yeah, I adore Masquerade. Sarah has a beautiful voice and she's so pretty. When I get older I want to be one of her ballroom dancers."

"If you saw Sarah Williams right now what would you say to her?"

"I ... I guess I'd ask her how she turns into an owl and back. I have no idea how she does it, but it's amazing."

~ * ~

"AND THERE YOU HAVE IT..."

"One year since it's debut and fans are adamant as ever that Masquerade is the hottest ticket on Broadway. Future sales of Masquerade are predicted to be sold out clear into 2003. That's a steep order weighing on the shoulders of just one person. Coming up next, we will talk to Sarah and ask her what she thinks about her quick rise to fame. Also, we'll take you backstage with the master illusionist herself as she prepares for tonight's anniversary special. All this and more, so don't go away.

"ENTERTAINMENT WORLD'S EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF MASQUERADE WILL CONTINUE AFTER THESE MESSAGES."

~ * ~ * ~* ~~ * ~ * ~* ~

"Majesty? Are you in here?" A female voice called into the darkness.

Jereth bit back his anger as he studied the girl who dared enter his thrown room. She was pretty, granted. Light hair, small boned, short. As far as Princesses went, he'd rarely seen any that could match her in beauty. Problem was, she was also his fiancé.

Definitely a mark against her.

Growing impatient or nervous, the Princess made her way towards him, her cold, mismatched eyes aloof and weary. She halted at the entrance, the darkness giving her pause and second thoughts. It was then, that Jereth realized he had forgotten the chit's name.

Was it Flea? No, Bree.. maybe. God, he hoped it was the later although it wouldn't surprise him if she were named after a pest. It would be ironic, but not surprising.

He moved within the shadows, allowing her to see him. A hint of surprise catching in her voice. "Milord, I wanted to talk with you. But if you are busy, I can come back later."

"Speak."

The shadows breathed to life as he swung his leg over the arm of his chair and rose gracefully consuming the distance between them. He could tell she wanted to run, but something, maybe stupidity, forced her to stand her ground. He was well aware of his reputation as the 'Mad King' and knew it was only sheer will that kept the girl from fainting. Miss a few royal ceremonies, lock yourself away in your castle for eight years in complete darkness.. people assume your insane.

Jereth frowned, although now that he thought about it.. they may have a point.

The Princess pressed herself closer against the wall. The movement drawing his attention away from his thoughts. "Please, can we light some candles? It's hard to see."

"Afraid of the dark?" he asked. His voice was velvety and mocking at the same time.

"No." she answered in a strained voice.

"Liar" Jereth stepped into the light and laughed when she gasped in astonishment. "Welcome Princess. And what do I owe the honor of this late night visit?"

"You're not what I expected milord." she said.

Well, so much for foreplay, this was a girl would spoke her mind. "And what had you expected?"

"A monster. I thought that my father had married me away to a monster." She stated calmly.

Jereth tilted his head with a frowned reaching out a gloved hand to caress her cheek. "Do you like what you see then?"

"Milord?"

"Am I a monster?" he restated.

Bree's eyes widen. "No. Not even a little bit monstrous or mad." Her face flushed in a pretty pink as she tried to backpedal. "What I mean is, your not a monster at all. In fact I have never seen a fae quite like you before. But you seem sane enough."

"You do not know me that well." Jereth's eyes held heat inside their depths.

"Are you mad then?"

God she hoped not. It didn't matter what people said. Fae's were immortal, and forever was a hell of a long time to be wedded to a madman.

The King raised his hand from her cheek and brushed her bangs out of her eyes. The gesture was familiar. Her father often did the same when they talked. "I don't know." he answered. "Does that answer your question? I think yes, maybe at times, I am a bit mad."

"Because of love?"

Jereth sighed not knowing where to begin. Not really caring enough to start. "It's a boring story Princess. Was there something you needed?"

"Then it's true? The mortal stole your heart?" the girl seemed shocked.

"The mortal?" he questioned as if he didn't know of whom she spoke.

"I've heard the tale, milord." she said in an insulted tone. "The Mad King was in love with a mortal who solved his Labyrinth. Everything she asked of him, he did. Everything she wanted, he gave her."

Jereth's smile turned dangerous, not liking his life retold as if it were a book. "Hmm.. interesting." he said, raising an eyebrow. "He sounds like a fool if he would give a woman anything she wanted."

The Princess ignored his sarcasm pressing on. "They say he'd have moved the stars for her if she asked it."

Jereth froze, narrowing his eyes. His first thought was to deny it, he moved the stars for no one. But he knew that wasn't true, not anymore at least. He stared at the Princess as if he were considering killing her or telling her what she wanted to know. Thankfully, he wasn't in the mood for murder so after a long silence stretched between them, he slowly nodded.

"Yes. For Sarah I'd have moved them all. But it wasn't enough. It was never enough for her."

"The girl said the words and disappeared." The Princess finished sadly. "And that's why you are crazy."

Jereth laughed. "And that is why I stopped caring," he corrected.

Jereth continued stroking her neck intimately. The motion apparently offering him comfort from the memories he tried to forget. Bree realized two things in that moment. One, that she actually like him touching her. And two, it was getting harder and harder for her to catch her breath. She was wrong. There was nothing fatherly at all about the King.

"The mortal was a fool," she whispered leaning into his touch.

"Really?" He was amused, "and why is that?"

"Women would sell their souls to be loved like that." She said.

There was another long silence before he finally asked, "And you, Princess? Are you among those women?"

Yes, she was one of those women. She might have to marry for state rather than love in the interest of her people, but she was also a girl, who wanted what all girls wanted, to love and be loved, desperately.

The King's eyes shifted between hers with frantic tension. He must not have been pleased with something he saw for in the next instant he pushed away from the wall giving her his back.

"As the story goes, after his rejection and defeat, the Mad King mourned, vowing never love again. Never let anyone inside his heart." He was warning her off.

Bree swallowed, "And what do you say to such stories," she asked. "Are they true?"

Jereth held a finger to her lips. "I say, don't fall in love, Princess. You'll only end up getting hurt."

Bree raised her chin stubbornly. "What does the mortal have that I do not, milord?"

The King opened his mouth as if to speak, but closed it just as quickly shaking his head in silence. He was moving again. Each stride exuding masculine power and confidence as he walked down one of many twisting corridors leading away from the throne room. She didn't think he was going to answer when an echo of velvet called from beyond.

"My heart, Princess." he said. "It disappeared with the girl. Now you know the story."

~ * ~ * ~* ~~ * ~ * ~* ~

"That's the lamest story I've ever heard." Sarah decided in a huff. "Someone should shoot the author for ending it so horribly."

Bert laughed, "'Wuthering Heights' is a dark romance." Reaching down he helped her out of his car and shut the door. "Not everyone gets a happy ending."

How true.

"But, if she loved him, why did she leave him? It doesn't make sense."

"For the usual reasons I guess." Bert shrugged, clicking the security alarm on his key chain. The black Lexis honking back "Catherine was part of upper society, where Heathcliff was a servant of the house. Their worlds were completely different. Also, there was something brutal and dangerous about Heathcliff that I think both attracted Catherine and scared her."

Bert put his hand on the small of Sarah's back leading her through the throng of cars. "Of course, Catherine was just as cruel as Heathcliff was. Perhaps that's what scared her most of all. Watch your foot."

Bert had been Sarah's bodyguard for almost a year. When they'd first met he'd tried to explain, "With success comes fans and fanatics." She wasn't sure she agreed knowing she could take care of herself. But the insurance company and her money lenders had pressed the issue, insisting she be protected at all times. After a few heated conversations she finally caved and hired the ex navy seal. For what it was worth, he did make her feel safer.

Looking at him now, Bert reminded Sarah of a Greek statue. Just like the ones museums loved to display in their entrance ways. He wasn't handsome, more like beautiful. A great big blond Adonis. Women responded to him the way men responded to her. An comical mix of fascination and interest. Sarah liked that; it was incredibly handy when being audited by the IRS.

Or getting city planners to ok safety permits.

"So this Heathcliff guy goes insane because he can't get over her? Then he marries another woman and torments the poor girl. And that's your idea of a romance story." Sarah asked. "No wonder your single."

The air was charged with excitement. Sarah could already hear her fans in the front of the building as two spotlights crossed each other in the clouds. Looking up she inhaled the night drinking in the stars, the breeze, and the full moo..

Sarah frowned, "It's red!"

Bert plowed into Sarah's body not seeing her stop before it was too late. Sarah squeaked and started falling forward but he caught her quickly and pulled her back up.

"Sorry Bert, but look up there," she said pointing. "It's a blood red moon!"

Bert frowned in confusion and followed her finger. "You know what that means." Sarah smiled ominously. "Something is going to happen tonight. Something strange."

"I doubt it," Bert said, rubbing her arms before dropping his hands away. "Besides, with you Williams, strange is a way of life."

He had a point. Even so, Sarah curled her full red lips devilishly. She was like a kitten batting at a tiger. "Would you miss me Bert? If something happen what would you say."

"Whoops?" He offered sarcastically pushing her forward a bit roughly.

Sarah laughed, not noticing his edginess as Bert opened the door to the backstage of the theatre. The two were greeted with a chaotic swirling montage of costumes, performers, singers, and stage hands coming and going with various props.

Just another day at the office.

"I wouldn't mind something strange happening for a change." Sarah said under her breath. Every now and then, Sarah still said the words that should have summed the Goblin King. Just to test the waters, to see if maybe this time the King would hear her. Today Jereth would come.

He never did.

After eight years she was still hopeful, but it hurt, as if she'd lost him. But, no, she couldn't think like that. He would come for her. She just had to be patient.

"Dammit, Sarah, I would mind!" Bert bit out. "It's my job to make sure nothing happen to you."

M'kaaay.

Sarah raised her eyebrows, what was his deal? "Hey, back off Batman.. I was only joking around."

Bert frowned, "I don't get you sometimes Williams. Do you want something to go wrong? If anything happened ..." Bert closed his eyes before more emotion than he cared to reveal showed on his face.

After a moment he smiled, but it was strained at best. "You do realize if anything happens to you, Murry will have to fill in."

Sarah laugh a little uncertainly, "If you got Murry into one of my dresses, it might be well worth it. Would you promise to take pictures?" When Bert didn't answer Sarah added, "Smile Bert, I was joking again."

He rolled his eyes and sighed squeezing her arm lightly. "Cute. Don't forget that Entertainment World is doing an exclusive on your anniversary show tonight."

"Ahhh.. the possibilities of live television." she said, her green eyes gleaming. Bert groaned, whatever she was going to say, it wasn't going to be good.

"Pick me up, Bert." She lifted her hands up around his neck.

"What!" Bert took a step back as if she burned him. "Sarah!"

Sarah's lips curled. "Come on. She's here for a show, isn't she? What's more entertaining than having the star carried over the threshold by a mysterious hunk? They'll talk about us for months!"

Sarah took another step forward and this time Bert stood his ground. "A hunk?" he asked in confusion. Apparently that was the only word he caught.

"Like you don't know your a babe." she laughed.

Always appreciate the humor in any given situation. She'd lived with Betty way too long not to find comedy in life. She'd once told Sarah that it's when you are saddest and least motivated to smile, that you should. It doesn't mean you aren't still sad, only that somewhere along the line you missed the joke.

It was because of Betty that Sarah was now a successful entertainer and not the shy little ingénue she'd once been. Betty had taken her in after Sarah had run away. Feeding her, loving her, teaching her what she knew about dancing and magic. But most importantly Betty had taught her about life.

It had been a rough start. In the beginning Sarah didn't know what to make of the loud fearless woman. She laughed too hard, flirted too aggressively, and smiled too big in Sarah's opinion. Being with Betty was like staring directly into the sun after living in darkness.

"Always smile, Sarah. A smile can make a plain girl gorgeous and interesting, make men want her and wonder what she knows that they don't. Be confident, don't be afraid to make mistakes, don't be too proud to laugh at yourself when you do."

Betty, also known as Zelda, had been one of the great female illusionists of the forties. Men came in droves to see Zelda's show.

God, she missed her. Betty had died of cancer almost two years ago and had never seen Sarah fulfill her dreams. But in every interview, every program, book and movie, Sarah made sure that her name was always mentioned. She would not let the world forget her friend.

Arriving on stage via a blond Greek statue would have had Betty in stitches. But she would have taken it one step farther and asked the reporter where she parked hers?

Bert didn't get the joke. She could see it on his face.

There was, of course, another explanation. Maybe she and Betty's humor just wasn't funny?

Naw.

"Ms Williams! Thank the lord! Oh heavens, you're hard to find! I'm Paula Towns from Entertainment World. I hope you are ready for that interview because we go live in one minute." the girl babbled in a rush.

Sarah raised her eyebrows at the blonde and her crew. There should be laws against hyper reporters just like there should be laws against Chihuahuas. Annoying should be illegal.

Sarah shrugged, but annoying had possibilities too. "Why I'd be glad too Ms Towns. Bert? Go get Ludo for me. I can do a quick trick just for her show."

Paula's blue eyes widened. "Really! You don't mind?"

Bert knew where this was going, "Ludo? I don't think that's such a.."

His voice was cut off as Sarah quickly stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek while whispering in his ear. To her relief Paula completely missed Bert's hesitation. She was too busy relaying her good fortune to her producers.

"Just get him Bert. We haven't played with Ludo all day. And besides he needs to be handled a little bit before we use him on stage."

Bert turned blue eyes, to her green. They seemed unfocused but he nodded. "O...Ok I'll get him. Stay here. Don't leave without me."

Sarah nodded rapidly, her smile huge and bright. "I promise."

To the average person one would almost call her look innocent or angelic, all she was missing was the halo. Of course, the average person didn't call a 300-pound male Snow leopard Ludo.

They should, but the thought simply never occurs to the majority of people.

"Jay. Did you get that? She's going do a quick little trick for us! I know… I know. Yeah I'm ready."

Paula looked at Sarah, eyes still bright. "Ok, I am going to introduce the next segment, and then you can do your thing."

Sarah didn't say a word. She was afraid she'd give the joke away too soon. She almost pitied the girl. Perhaps, just this once, she should do the nice thing, and perform a quick slight of hand or something less frightening.

Just then, Bert materialized out of the corner of her eyes and everything else seemed to happen in slow motion.

Paula, closing her cellphone, still oblivious, still smiling.

Ludo, yawning licking his chops, the large cat's lazy stride one of arrogance and pride next to Bert.

Paula, still not catching on.

Somehow, it didn't seem right there was no edgy music score building in the background. If ever there was a time for it, this would be it. Bert, her Greek God escorting her Snow leopard, Ludo, around on a diamond leash, and a reporter seconds away from peeing her pants on live TV. It was like watching a car accident. Sure you felt guilty, but not enough to look away.

Hot Damn! She loved her job!

~ * ~ * ~* ~~ * ~ * ~* ~

"Paula, get ready. Back from commercial in five.. four .. three.. two.."

"Welcome back to Entertainment World's Anniversary Special of Masquerade. Earlier we promised you a behind the scenes exclusive interview with Sarah Williams. And here she is, the lady illusionist herself."

Paula turned her head to the side. Her hair bouncing, her teeth sparkling. "So Sarah, what are you going to do for our viewers tonight? I know you must be in a hurry, thank you for spending some time with us this evening."

Sarah was all smiles and charm. "No problem, I'm glad you could come. Hey Dad! Toby! I love you. Betty, if you can hear me.. your going to love this one."

Sarah toned down her smile and went to work. "Sorry Paula, just wanted to get that in there. Ok, now on to the fun. Tonight, we are going to play a game called spare change. It's just a simple trick we warm up with. Nothing too flashy, but pretty neat nevertheless."

"I'll bet. Ok, well I'll just step aside and let you...."

Sarah grabbed the blond by the arm. "Now, now... Paula. What good magician performs without a volunteer?"

Sarah lowered her voice as if asking her next question in private. "You're not skittish around large animals I hope? I only ask because they smell fear."

~ * ~ * ~* ~~ * ~ * ~* ~

There was an audible hush in the control room as everyone stared at the screen before them while holding their breath.

"That's the biggest damn cat I've ever seen." Jay said breaking out into a cold sweat. "What the hell do they feed it?" Jay Trevino was Entertainment World's tough-as-nails producer. His reputation was well known in the business as a man who worked well under pressure and got things done. Tonight, his resolve was being put to the test. Jay rifled through his que sheets. "Where are my Tums."

"Maybe we *are* seeing what the hell they feed it Jay. But I doubt it's spare change." Ron snickered.

Jay laughed, then stopped and gave Ron a sour looked adding, "Frank, be ready to go to commercial just in case."

~ * ~ * ~* ~~ * ~ * ~* ~

It had taken only a minute to blindfold and tie Paula to a pole. This was not the Emmy award winning reporter's finest moment as two dimes and two nickels bounced precariously between her shaky lips.

"Sarah, look," the animal trainer whined. "Ludo is slobbering all over Bert's shoes again."

"Doesn't matter Mike, they're old." Bert said.

"Oh Ludo, you've already eaten." Sarah scratched the cat's ears. "He's eaten, right?"

Mike nodded, pulling on the large cat's leash, "Yes, I fed him and Sylvie." Sylvie was a large black panther who was also part of the show.

Sarah smiled, "Showtime boys." Then turned to the crowd opening her arms dramatically as she played to the camera. "For this trick I'll need one of you to tell Ludo how much spare change he should grab out of Paula's mouth."

Someone shouted for fifteen cents, and Sarah nodded. "Done!"

Bending down on one knee, her eyes focused on the cat, she mentally projected what she wanted him to do into his mind. When she was satisfied, she stood once more and smiled as if she hadn't just talked to an animal.

"Ok, fifteen cents Ludo… go get it."

In a flash of white light and blurry fur, the leopard jumped instantly, obeying his mistress and landing with a lazy thud.

"Oh.. oh you're such a good boy," Sarah cooed. "Yes you are. Yes, dat's a good boy Ludo."

The leopard purred and handed his mistress the change. Fifteen cents as promised. Sarah showed the camera and winked. "Tada.. magic!"

The small crowd of advertisers and stagehands started to applaud. Everyone was amazed by the agility and quickness of such a large cat, as well as Sarah's control over the leopard.

Of course, they stopped clapping when Paula fainted. It was the only respectful thing to do.

"She's dead!"

Sarah turned away from the camera, her confident smile wavering just for a moment. "Don't be silly Mike. She's umm… in a mystical trance."

Sarah turned a glowing, if not somewhat desperate, smile back to the camera.

"I don't think so Sarah," the trainer pressed nervously. "Eww.. she's drooling on herself!"

"Yes, well, mystical trances will do that. Don't you have somewhere to be Mike? Go feed Ludo again."

"Maybe we should call 911."

The master illusionist finally gave up and let her mask slip into one of extreme irritation. Turning her back to the viewers at home she started to argue with her animal trainer on camera.

"Mike! Stop freaking everyone out," she growled.

Mike wasn't impressed. "I bet David Cooperfield never killed any of his volunteers." Mike wasn't too bright either.

"Uh-oh." Bert rolled his eyes and sighed.

This was obviously the wrong thing to say, for in the next moment Sarah threw a crystal at the man everyone now knew as 'Mike'. The audience watched in stunned silence as he disappeared before their very eyes.

"It's a mystical trance, you ignorant ass! What part of mystical trance did you not understand? Huh? What was that Mike? I'm sorry, I can't hear you. Can David Copperfield do that!" Sarah bit out angrily.

"Actually, Miss Williams, he can. He made the Statue of Liberty disappear once. I think a jumbo jet as well." A female voice stated politely off camera.

Somewhere deep down inside, Sarah knew her prop girl was only trying to help.

"A jumbo jet?" Sarah asked in amazement, "Really?"

She didn't care, but she knew.

When the girl disappeared too, the crowd took a visible step away from Sarah. Ludo roared, agitated from all the commotion.

The large cat stopped gnawing on Bert's Nikes, having the good grace to look surprised when a crystal flew through the air towards his fuzzy face.

Ludo vanished.

"Anyone else have something to add?" Sarah asked sweetly.

When no one spoke Sarah tilted her head, "good." In the next second the prop girl, Mike, and Ludo reappeared. Ludo was now wearing an oversized IM WITH STUPID t-shirt whose arrow appeared to be aimed at Mike. Sarah put on her happy face and looked back into the camera as if everything was normal.

"Tada, Magic!" Sarah restated.

Off towards the right Bert held out his hand, and the sound tech grudgingly put a five dollar bill inside his palm.

Sarah was mumbling under her breath as she walked off. It was simply bad luck that the camera picked up every word. "I bet David Copperfield never had to deal with this shit."

AND ENTERTAINMENT WORLD MASQUERADE BEHIND THE SCENES WILL CONTINUE AFTER THESE MESSAGES.

~ * ~ * ~* ~~ * ~ * ~* ~

Well, what do you think? First time I have ever posted .. anything. Argh! One minute I liked this story the next I wanted to delete the whole damn thing. My hat's off to all the authors out there. I did not appreciate you guys until now. Thanks. This is chapter one. The story is finished but it's in the process of being looked over. BUT IT IS DONE. I will post chapters as often as I get them back.

- Chrissy