Hello everyone,

Like so many of you, I was left reeling by the tragic loss of David Bowie. The news of his passing has made me reconsider what I was going to do with this story, initially I was just going to post it as a revised version of my fic "Bitter Sweet and Strange," but now it only seems appropriate to publish it as a new story. A new start. "Bitter Sweet and Strange," will remain online, at least for a while but I haven't ruled out taking it down as this story gets going.
Thank you to everyone who followed, favourited and reviewed the original version of this story, and I hope that you will enjoy this version.
This story will be long, novel length and contains some crossover. I will aim for weekly updates, but life being what it is I can't promise anything.
I do not own Labyrinth, only a copy of the DVD and an e-copy of the book stored on a memory stick. I only own the plot and all but one of the OCs herein, the other belongs to my very dear friend tichtich2.

Prologue: Aftermath

(27th June 1986)

The Labyrinth was oddly still as the white barn owl flew over it towards the castle at its heart. Perhaps it was responding to its current Lord's mood. The owl, who was truly the Goblin King, transformed into his more typical, humanoid shape, as he flew in through the window of the throne room. The glamour cast upon him by Sarah's wish- a bizarrely glittery image for a heterosexual male, and that was before one factored in the makeup- had dissipated the second he returned to his normal shape. The King, once again fully himself, proceeded to flop in a boneless slouch in his round and comfortable throne.

Following Sarah's victory, Jareth had escorted her home, in keeping with his duty to see every runner safely out of the Underground. He had lingered outside her bedchamber- in his owl form- only long enough to watch her call upon the friends that she had made during her time in the Labyrinth. The way she had of turning his subjects to her side was proof that she would make them a fine Queen when her time came.

Beautiful, brave, innocent, cruel eyed, little Sarah had- at fifteen summers, so young that she was considered a child within the society she came from- solved the labyrinth faster than any of the countless Champions before her. Jareth drew off his gloves and ran his fingers through his blonde hair, trying in vain to dispel her image from his mind's eye. Sarah was always going to win; he had known that she would from the moment the damn book had come into her possession- the first moment he became aware of her existence. He had hoped though, given the girl's youth, that she would be the one to break the curse which had plagued his paternal line for too many generations- Sarah had, after all, exceeded each and every expectation he had had of her, so why not this one too?

But no. It seemed that the cruel dance of the curse would continue, at least one more time. King Jareth, nineteenth of his line to be born under the curse, would not see his precious Sarah again; well not until six years from now when the curse would bring them together, one last time.

"Are you giving up so easily, brother?"

Jareth glanced up at the woman who had just entered the room, scowling. "What else can I do, sister? You know the terms of the curse as well as I do, you know that I may not go to her."

"Then why not try to avert the curse?" his sister demanded. "Adopt an heir- the girl's brother perhaps? I know you are fond of the boy."

"Enough Caelenore," Jareth snapped. "The terms are absolute- you know that, I am powerless to do anything else."

"I know," Caelenore returned, and Jareth could hear just how close his little sister was to weeping. "I just wish I could save you from this fate- it's not fair."

Jareth sighed. He rose and approached her as she lost the battle with her tears. He drew her into a hug and stroked her blonde hair- despite being a woman, and many years his junior Caelenore was almost as tall as him, a perk of having a tall father. "I know, Caelie, but that is the way life is. I would have you do something for me, though."

Caelenore nodded into his shoulder. "Name it."

"Take care of my precious Sarah for me- guide her, help her as your father helped mother in her time of need- if you must, help her find a husband."

"I would rather end the curse," Caelenore remarked. "But if it comes to it, I shall do as you ask."

"You are a good girl, Caelie," Jareth told her, ruffling her blonde hair. "The Fireys chose their Queen well."

Caelenore stiffened. "Y-you know about that?"

"I have a group of the beggars living in the labyrinth, remember." Jareth said with a smirk. "What kind of monarch would I be if I did not pay attention to the denizens of my kingdom, and to whom they offer allegiance? I will not tell a soul, I swear it."

"As I swear to look after Sarah when the time comes."

"Thank you, Caelie." The Goblin King pressed a kiss to his younger sister's brow. "Now, I fully intend to drown my sorrows before I prepare for what is to come- won't you join me?"

A troubled look passed over Caelenore's face at this reminder of her brother's fate, but the moment passed and the younger monarch soon schooled her features into a crooked grin. "A chance to diminish your private cellar? I knew there was a reason why you were my favourite brother, lead the way."

~v~

This story is dedicated to the memory of our very own Goblin King. Rest in Peace David, a real Star Man you truly blew our minds.

Next Time:/span Sarah Williams gets a rude awakening.

Until next time, blast your favourite Bowie songs and if you feel so inclined, please leave a contribution in the little box.