8

Layna received word that she was invited to Sarah's ball. She didn't realize that Sarah had enjoyed the balls but she wasn't one to argue. She was about to get ready when there was another knock at the door.

"Enter."

She was both glad and surprised to see the Goblin King enter the room. He came into the room and smiled at her. It was an odd expression for him to be wearing.

"Thank you, Layna. I know that it wasn't easy on you, watching us. I wanted to give you and Sarah something. I swear to you that I didn't tamper…"

"Jareth, what are you babbling about?"

He took a deep breath, "Sarah's father was in a car accident. With his last breath he muttered a wish. He wished to be returned to you. Just about an hour ago, aboveground. I granted his, wish Layna…" Jareth looked to the door, "Robert, come in."

Robert walked in the door, and Layna's heart stopped beating. She looked at him, scared to move. Scared to believe that after all that she'd done, he'd come to her. She was scared that it was all a dream. Of course the Goblin King knew that it wasn't. This was a present for Layna as much as it was for Sarah. Robert was a good man, and though he may not live as long as other people brought to the underground, he would be with Layna for the rest of his life if he wished it. He could be a part of Sarah's life and the smile that he earned from Sarah when she found out was all the thanks that he'd ever need. So he left, Layna and Robert to themselves.

"Layna.."

It wasn't much, but in that one word, he'd said everything. Everything except one thing.

"What about your son, your wife?"

"If Jareth didn't save me I would have been lost to them anyway. Cars aren't kind to their passengers when we crash."

She didn't need anything else. He'd made a life without her, done what he needed to, been happy. But this was their heaven. Being together.

"I love you, Robert."

He smiled and reached for her, she went willingly into his arms.

"So tell me, are we going to see what an amazing Queen we made?"

Layna smiled against his chest. She pulled back slightly, to look at him through the tears in her eyes. Then she kissed him lightly on the lips, finally feeling whole again. Finally feeling like she was home.

/\\\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/

Sarah sat on her throne as people entered the ballroom. She was dressed in white silk with blue lace lining the hems. The white and dark blue were a tradition for the Queen in the underground, and Sarah had just decided that it was time to be who she was. She wasn't just the Queen, she wasn't just Sarah. She was the champion of the labyrinth, She was Sarah, she was Queen, and she was in love with Jareth.

She sat there, waiting for the moment to come when everyone had assembled. She knew Jareth, he made entrances, and it made her smile that he didn't just walk in the door. She could feel him, standing behind the curtains, just five feet from her. She could tell that he was waiting. So she decided to start the ball.

"Good eve," She waited a moment before continuing, "I called this ball so that I could dance. You see, I may be your Queen, but I am also a woman. I am also, the Queen mother Layna's daughter. I am a daughter to a human man. I am Sarah, though I am your Queen. You are my friends, though I am your Queen. So, I wish to dance, with one of you, with… The Goblin King."

Jareth appeared before her, kneeling. Choosing to follow her.

When she smiled, he held out his hand and she placed hers within reach of his long fingers. He raised an eyebrow at her, and she couldn't help but smile. He wasn't wearing blue, Jareth was wearing black. And he'd put silver thread in small but somehow masculine designs around the sleeves of the jacket he wore.

"Your Majesty."

"King Jareth."

Neither of them bowed. Instead he pulled her to the dance floor and the music began. The music echoed through the hall in the silence that Sarah had created. The whispers travelled, but she didn't hear. She was their Queen. She was happy for this moment.

Jareth led her, she chose to follow.

Hey guys, this seems like a good place to end. Don't you think? Or should I write more?

Let me know what you think. I might write an epilogue either way... but let me know.

-blu