Jareth sat on his throne, many less goblin subjects than he would one day have. Sarah had not yet even been born, much less destroyed the monarch of the Goblin Kingdom. However, at this time, the king of nearly a few centuries or so had another problem on his hand.

"A child. Cursed," He frowned at the news his goblin messenger brought him. "But not sent to me. How... curious," The king chose his wording carefully.

While Jareth found that "offensive" was a much better term, he would play his cards correctly.

"And where does the being that has done the act live?"

He knew of the Moors, of course. Most of the faeries that dwelt in the Aboveground lived there. However, this was quite a new feature. Perhaps he had been in the Underground too long, but to his knowledge the Moors having a queen, or any monarch, really.

Also, the wall of thorns was a new touch. Jareth considered adding one to his labyrinth.

However, there was no getting past it to meet this mysterious queen. He was not in his kingdom. He could enter dreams, but a wave of his hand could not subdue the magic reinforcing the thorns.

Who ever it was was more powerful than him.

That was enough to worry Jareth.

He first glanced her outside a cottage- he presumed the baby cursed was within. Calmly, quietly, he approached her.

"Lovely raven," He remarked. The faerie whirled around so fast the raven was startled, and flew off her shoulder and onto her staff. Raising from her crouched position by the tree, she turned to the Goblin King.

"Who are you?"

Jareth gave a small nod. "I am Jareth, king of the Goblins. And who might you be?"

"Maleficent," She answered, calmly, smoothly, as though her name was all needed without a title.

He surveyed her a moment longer. Her horns upon her head looked like a crown, and her sceptor practically radiated magic, as did she. But new monarchs tended to slip up, to falter and fail, and when she did, Jareth would seize the opportunity. The insult of cursing a baby and not sending it to him was still fresh on his mind.

Nodding, the Goblin King left.

However, vengeance often does not go without complications.

Of course, babies take awhile to age, and Jareth became acquainted with Maleficent, nearly forgiving her for her offence. New monarchs make mistakes, merely a slip up. It seemed so minor now.

"What is her name, Maleficent?"

"Aurora," So softly said.

"Don't tell me," Jareth started, within the Moors pacing in front of her throne, "That you're beginning to care for the girl."

Maleficent, still always carrying that air of being regal and cold yet playful, straightened up in her throne. "Whatever gives you that idea, Jareth?"

He gave her a look, concerned but full of malice.

This human child would be her downfall.

Jareth saw her heart softening as the girl was fifteen. She let Aurora into the Moors- so foolish- and he hid when she did so.

He would not become attached to the child and weaken like Maleficent did.

And Maleficent chased after the girl, to undo a curse unchangeable, to reorder time.

Maleficent would reorder time, turn the world upside down, and all for someone else. The truest act of love Jareth could think of.

That was when Jareth slipped out of the Moors for good, and into his labyrinth for eternities. Not joining her once peace was restored and Stefan dead.

No, that was for young, new monarchs with soft hearts and room to give up everything for love. How little did he realize that was still what he was.

Jareth said he would not love again. He would not reorder time, or turn the world upside down for anyone. His kingdom was too great.

"I have reordered time, I have turned the world upside down, and I have done it all for you! I am exhausted from living up to your expectations of me. Isn't that generous?"

No, never would he open his heart again.