Epilogue:

It had been nearly six moons since she had seen Cleo, the poor girl having been shut away while she was pregnant, but early in the morning Cleo's third baby had been born and they had all been invited to bare witness again. Sarah had been there for the birthing of Cleo and Loki's first two girls, Dalphane and then later Seita. Now they had just finished baring witness to the birth of her third daughter, whom Loki had named Luna. He had been ecstatic of course. Cleo had been happy too, but very tired, understandably. So they had had to keep the visit short, though Cleo and Sarah had made plans to visit with each other soon.

The corset Sarah had worn was terribly uncomfortable, as all the clothing of the birthing witnesses were expected to be in tribute to the birthing mother's pain, digging into her ribs and trying it's best to crush her. She tried hard to sit as still as she could in the carriage though, as moving about only resulted in further agitation. Jareth sat across from her, equally still as he looked out of the small carriage window next to him. There was the smallest smirk about Jareth's lips and she knew he was still glowing off the fact that he had gotten to hold Loki's newest daughter. Sarah glanced outside too but all she could see were clouds as the Pegasus ponies carried them all high up on their way from Loki's manor back to the Devine castle where they would pick up the children and return home to the castle beyond the Goblin City.

"I wonder if Cleo had been hoping for a boy this time," Sarah mused out loud. Perhaps she would ask Cleo about it next time they spoke.

Jareth simply shrugged, continuing to look out the window. "Remember to use your best manners when we arrive, which will be very soon; you were rather slack with them when we dropped the children off."

Sarah didn't know what he could possibly be talking about. She hadn't done anything wrong. She had thought she had been on her best behavior. Ever since she had come back to the Underground all that time ago tensions had been so high with his mother towards her that Sarah was always nervous to so much as hesitate in a curtsy to the higher-ranking queen. She didn't dare to act up around Jareth's mother.

Jareth turned his attention to her now since she had yet to respond to his warning and the briefest hardness flashed through his miss-matched eyes as he addressed her. "Sarah."

She nodded her head in understanding, "Yes, Jareth," she said, giving him the answer she knew he was waiting for. He gave her a nod of approval and acknowledgement, turning his attention back to the window as the carriage began it's decent. That could only mean that they had arrived.

X

The first person to greet them was Jareth's mother, as it was right for the queen to do so with any visitors, and Jareth graced both of his mother's cheeks with kisses, receiving the same from her. She retook her seat after having welcomed him, though eagerly accepted the same greeting from Mavid as he bent to kiss her cheeks as well. "Your Highness," Mavid teased her, being rewarded with a smirk and a soft swat to the cheek from Kaleen. He had been teasing her with that formal title even though he was the only servant she insisted not call her so since two winter seasons ago when Hamold had passed away and she had become Queen Supreme, the acting ruler and matriarch till Toby was at a proper ruling maturity to take over the Labyrinth so Jareth could ascend to the Fae throne in replacement of her.

Sarah was graceful enough as she approached and bent to sweep a quick kiss over one of Kaleen's cheeks, but Kaleen didn't return it, both women seeming relieved despite themselves as Sarah straightened once more. Jareth's mother had proved far less forgiving then he himself had been. She may never say it out loud, but Jareth highly suspected she had greatly favored the idea of saying Sarah had died to save him the utter embarrassment she had almost caused him by running away, accident though it had been. Hamold had never been told and, thankfully, had never found out. They were the only four in the Underground that knew of it; or ever would know.

Kaleen was happy to turn her attention from Sarah back to him. "So tell me about the birthing," Kaleen beamed up at him, the first signs of deeper lines appearing at the corners of her eyes and mouth, "Every detail."

"I was hoping to see my children, Mother," Jareth smirked back, "Mavid can fill you in on the details."

"Dad!"

Jareth looked over to see his son sprinting up to him, his little arms out for a hug even from across the room and his blonde hair bouncing with each step. The child was pretty fast for a six year old and Jareth immediately stooped down to level with him and swooped him up in his arms in an embrace. "I missed you too, tell me all about your day Little Hamold."

There wasn't a chance for it though, as Little Hamold's personal attendant, Marxus, wasn't far behind, wrapping his little elfin body around Jareth's leg in a hug despite the look of reproach that he received from Mavid for being so informal at the Devine Castle where they were supposed to be actively practicing their manners and skills taught by their now full time tutors Dr. Dee and Yaxly. Jareth stooped again, shifting Hamold in his arms so he could stroke Marxus's pointed ear affectionately; the white-haired elf child having been purchased shortly after birth for Hamold from a poor elfin couple.

Sarah was right behind him, ready for the handoff when Little Hamold reached out for her. "Mommy!"

She beamed at him and kissed his cheeks like she hadn't seen him for years. "Hey there little man, did you miss me?"

"Yes!"

Jareth moved Marxus gently from his leg over to Sarah, where the little elf latched onto her skirts instead, causing her to chuckle and stoop down, setting Hamold down to give Marxus his hug.

While she greeted them affectionately Jareth anxiously moved further on through an alcove into the back part of the room where he knew his other child would be. His eyes first fell to the crib against the wall, then over to Tallia, whom was quickly packing up the baby things now that they had returned to pick up the children. "Oh, your majesty, I just have to get a few more things together and then we can leave at your leisure." the nurse maid assured him, careful not to turn the scarred side of her face toward him.

"Is she asleep?"

"She is, but you may wake her if you wish. She should be about rested by now."

At Sarah's request, Jareth had brought Tallia back into service as a nanny during Little Hamold's and Marxus's toddler years. It had seemed to please both Sarah and Mavid very much, but for very different reasons. It had only made sense to keep her on when Sarah became pregnant with Jareth's daughter.

He went to the spare crib and looked down at the babe inside, all smooth pale skin and dark curls on her little head. She was fast asleep, but behind those eyelids he knew there to be a beautiful pair of mis-matched eyes, one green and one brown. He reached down into the crib and ran his hand over her warm little cheek, marveling at her smooth baby skin before carefully lifting her up out of the crib. "Come to your pa-pa, Precious." She scrunched her face and fussed a little, but settled down once more once he had her against his chest, held carefully in the crook of his arm. Her eyes cracked open a little and he couldn't help but smile down at her. "Hello, precious thing."

"How is she doing?" Sarah's voice asked softly from over his shoulder.

"She was great while you two were out, went down for her nap with no fuss and drank all her wolf's milk. Didn't you, sweet girl?" Tallia beamed, packing up the last of her things.

Jareth turned so Sarah could see her too. She was now free of little boys, Mavid currently bundled down with them as little Hamold sat upon his shoulders, trying to touch the ceiling that was still too high up for him as Marxus followed along behind, one of his little fists clutching at the back of Mavid's vest hem, his free thumb planted in his mouth. "Are we ready?" Mavid inquired.

"Leaving already? Really Jareth you just got here." Kaleen sighed, entering the back room last to stand by Mavid and the boys. She ran a hand down the back of Marxus's shoulder length hair idly.

"It can not be helped," he sighed. Toby and Mavias had opted to remain in the goblin castle this time rather than staying with Kaleen while Jareth, Sarah, and Mavid were away. Their first time being left with the kingdom under their rule. While Dee, Yaxly, and Aboris were still there as well, none of them had true say over either boy. Jareth prayed the castle did not burn down before he returned. It would be a nearly impossible task considering it was made of stone. When Toby put his mind to something though…

"Come on then," Jareth coaxed, carrying his daughter Precious with him as he fought to hide his anxiety at getting back home.

X

The castle still stood, as did the goblin city. That was a decent sign. Sarah could see out of the corner of her eye that Jareth was turning his head every which way in the halls as they made their way through, inspecting everything as they went for anything out of place or disturbed. She wanted him to just relax, but at the same time she felt just as anxious. She knew Toby and Mavias as well as Jareth did, possibly more so, and knew that when left to their own devices they could get pretty rambunctious. Lately friction had started to build up between Toby and Jareth at times, which was probably because Toby was starting to come into his own as a future ruler and this was a castle and a kingdom that already had a king. Sarah had learned the hard way a long time ago with Jareth that a castle couldn't function properly with two kings residing in it.

Toby was far from being mature enough to rule on his own though.

"Tallia, put the children down for the night please. Make sure that Precious drinks her bottle and if the boys want some juice they may have it, but just a bit," Jareth instructed.

"Yes, your highness."

Jareth kissed his daughter good night, passing her over to Sarah so she could do the same. She happily took her and kissed her forehead and cheeks. She was a gorgeous babe, that was for sure. Little Hamold had been a gorgeous babe too of course, and she couldn't help but feel immensely proud of both of them. They were hers, and that thought alone made her feel warm all over. "Sweet dreams Precious," Sarah whispered against her cheek lovingly before handing her off to Tallia. Mavid stooped down onto one knee before her so she could pull Hamold off of his shoulders.

"I'm not even tired yet!" Hamold insisted, his lip jutting out in a pout as she balanced him on her hip.

Sarah couldn't help but laugh at how cute he was, placing a kiss against his cheek. "I know honey, but the more you sleep the faster you'll grow big and strong. You were just saying the other day that you couldn't wait to be grown up like your daddy and Mavid are."

Hamold thought about it for a minute. "I'd rather stay up."

Sarah laughed again because she couldn't help herself, kissing his cheek once more. "Say goodnight to your father and I'll be up to check on you later."

She gave his hand a final squeeze as he ran around her to intercept Jareth and try to convince him to let them stay up before she turned her attention to Marxus. The little elf was very shy in personality, but so loving. He wrapped his arms around the back of her neck tightly and she returned it, pressing her lips against the side of his head and running her fingertips over the long since healed brand at the back of his neck. He was just like another one of her own. She enjoyed his shyness and quiet nature very much, probably because she knew he would have to get past it to be an effective attendant so the knowledge that it was fleeting made it even more dear; and he would certainly get past it, if not on his own then with Mavid dragging him kicking and screaming through it as he had done with his own son Mavias once upon a time.

Dee and Yaxly did their jobs very well, but in the end Mavias and Marxus becoming extraordinary attendants rested mainly on Mavid's shoulders just as Toby becoming a great king rested on Jareth's and to a lesser extent hers. Unless they found kingdoms of their own or married into one Hamold and Precious would stay a prince and princess throughout their lives.

After Jareth wished Marxus good night as well the boys wish Mavid a good night, and rushed back to Tallia. Tallia led all three kids with her away to the nursery, where the boys would stay for a few more winters yet, and Precious for many more. Toby and Mavias had moved into their own wing of the castle long ago.

With the youngest headed off to bed the three of them continued on to search out Toby and Mavias, or possibly even Dee or Yaxly to find out how things had gone while they were away.

It was actually Aboris that happened upon them in the hallway first though, welcoming them back briefly, obviously troubled by something.

"Where is my son?" Jareth demanded of him bluntly, his voice full of impatience.

"That's just it your majesty, Yaxly told them they shouldn't, but I believe they currently are… entertaining guests in your throne room, though I can not be sure they are still there as Master Toby ordered everyone to leave them be."

"And what of my orders to report to me if either of them stepped one toe out of line?" Jareth hissed, his anger building up.

"But your majesty we tried," Aboris insisted, looking even more concerned now. "Yaxly sent you a crystal yesterday. You never received it?"

Sarah got a shiver down her spine at the look she saw on Jareth's face at this news. Somehow the boys must have intercepted the message. "Jareth-"

"Silence. What else has he been up to in my absence?" Jareth demanded of Aboris, ignoring Sarah for the moment.

"Young Master Toby has neglected his lessons and has taken up loafing about." Aboris confessed, though he didn't seem at all happy to be the one having to do it. "Dee and Yaxly could probably tell you more than I your majesty."

"You may go." Jareth bit out; darkly muttering something under his breath along the lines of "The second my back is turned…".

Aboris took his chance and hurried out of the way and down the hall past the three of them. Jareth also wasted no time and started his march toward the throne room, Mavid right on his heels and Sarah rushing to keep up, hating her high heeled shoes and wondering why Toby seemed to insist on pushing Jareth's buttons like this more and more. "Jareth please calm down first." she implored, trotting along to keep up with his long strides. Darn his long legs!

They reached the throne room in no time, all three halting in the doorway and Sarah stumbled back in shock, slamming her eyes closed. It was too late, however, as what she had seen was burned into her brain as though it were playing on the backs of her eyelids. Toby and Mavias were entertaining guests all right, two females that Sarah vaguely recalled as being daughters of fae lords. Her eyes burned with the vision of seeing Mavias nuzzling at one female's breasts that had been freed from her bodice against the wall while Toby sat upon Jareth's throne, receiving pleasure from the other female. He had been facing towards them when they had entered and his face had snapped from ecstasy to shock and fear. "Fuck!" she heard him shout while her mind reeled.

"Oh My Gods!" a female screamed, the sounds of shuffling around and scrambling for clothing ensuing.

Sarah moved herself back against the wall in the hallway so she wouldn't have to see anything else until things were in a more decent state.

"Leave now, the both of you!" Jareth bellowed, he and Mavid marching further into the room.

There was even more shuffling about and Sarah could only let out a sigh of bitter disappointment in the both of her boys as two half dressed young females tore past her out of the throne room and down the hall as though their skirts were on fire behind them. They didn't bother stopping to curtsey to her as protocol would have demanded, but it was just as well. Sarah knew what would no doubt happen next and there was nothing she could do to stop it or to help the two young fae males. After all, there were consequences for every action. A hard lesson to learn, but a valuable one to remember; as she herself had had no choice but to come to understand.

She let out a long sigh and waited for the sounds of fabric rustling and cursing to die down in the throne room. Once it had she allowed her eyes to open and turned back to the room, thankful that now both boys were more dressed than not again, though Toby and Jareth looked equally outraged with each other.

This wasn't the first time Toby had been caught having girls over when he wasn't allowed unfortunately, he was practically a grown man after all, though he had certainly upped the ante by doing so in Jareth's throne room, especially on his throne. Toby had grown handsomely, looking much like his father with his blonde hair wildly growing out of his head, having lost the curls in childhood his strands were now stick straight, though shorter than Jareth's. The baby-fat had long since left him and he was nothing but lean muscle wrapped over a tall frame. A pendent just like Jareth's hung from a heavy chain around his neck always and his white vest and leggings only emphasized how pale his alabaster skin was. His lip was curled in anger and he matched Jareth's and Mavid's intense glares without a single flinch.

Behind him a ways, Mavias was rushing to finish lacing up his own vest. The dark green color complimenting the olive skin he had inherited from his long-deceased mother and the jet black hair that was cut short all over so his branded neck was always in easy view to those around him. The muscles that were starting to really build up in his arms flexed on their own as he worked at the fastenings in haste.

"You needn't bother, Mavias," Jareth informed him coolly. "You may as well remove your vest once more."

Mavias's blue eyes took on a new look of concern as they fixed on the floor in front of him and a shudder ran through his spine. Toby's glare only intensified at Jareth.

Sarah looked to Jareth and Mavid, but both were absolutely stern in their stance.

"Mavid."

Jareth's use of his name was command enough for Mavid to produce Jareth's riding crop for him, handing the object of discipline over without a word.

"Mavias," Jareth further commanded, pointing to the spot on the ground before him. Set on the task at hand.

Sarah's heart clenched, as it always did when this happened. Not only for Toby and Mavias, but for Jareth and Mavid too. She knew from experience that this wasn't something that was easy for any of them, but just the same it was necessary. She often was the one that ended up nursing all their wounds afterward. There were some pains that Aboris couldn't help with in his vast wisdom of magical medicines and cures.

Mavias moved forward to heed Jareth's command, but Toby stepped between them. "Don't."

Jareth's eyes flashed and he struck the crop hard against the wall next to him, the sharp crack that echoed off the walls causing Sarah to jump and both young males flinched. "Challenge my authority again and I will turn this crop on your own hide regardless of the scars." Jareth warned his eldest son. "All marks he bares are the results of your ill behavior and misguided decisions. Stand down now before this becomes another one."

Toby opened his mouth to no doubt talk back but this time Sarah was the one to cut him off. "Toby," she hissed in warning, hoping to save them all a lot of trouble and Mavias a lot of pain.

At her beckoning Toby turned away from Jareth to look to her instead, the glare replaced with simply a look of pleading for help or a little slack. She only wished she could do something to help, but she knew as well as he did that there was nothing she could do for either him nor Mavias. Realizing defeat, Toby lowered his head and said no more, refusing to look anyone in the eye and opting for a staring contest with the floor instead. Mavias did much the same as he shrugged off his top, baring his skin as he padded his way across the room to the spot that Jareth had first indicated. He turned his back to Jareth and Mavid, baring the scars striking across his skin there from past whippings that stretched from his lower back up to the brand on the back of his neck.

Sarah's heart ached a little each time she saw them. Mavias still didn't have near as many as his father bared yet, but the majority of them he had received within the last few seasons due to Toby's unwillingness to still adhere to Jareth's rules and boundaries, and he would no doubt receive more to come if Toby didn't change his act. The first time Mavias had ever received a whipping from Jareth had been when he was about twelve winters old and Toby had used his magic to aid him in throwing a mega fit when he had been told to go to bed early for throwing food at his baby brother. He had managed to put a few cracks in the walls with his magic flying everywhere and it had been very dangerous. Jareth had easily been able to restrain his child's magic, but it had been one of the hardest nights Sarah had ever had to endure. It had been close to two winters before Toby had acted out in such a way to warrant such a punishment again.

Sarah steeled herself as best she could as Jareth brought the crop up, but still flinched when he cracked it down over Mavias's back. The young male let out a little gasp, but held his stance firm. Toby watched closely as Jareth continued with the punishment, knowing if he looked away it would be worse for Mavias. The pain was even more apparent on his face than it was on Mavias's.

Jareth brought the crop down in a particularly sharp blow one last time and the skin gave, cracking open so that little beads of blood welled up all across the welt. Sarah felt like she could feel her heart tear right along with Mavias's skin.

Jareth took a moment, his stern expression unwavering as he turned his attention to Toby, holding the crop out to him. "Now you."

All the blood drained from Toby's face but he stepped forward regardless, taking the whip from Jareth. Jareth did this most times, having Toby himself give the final blow to further sink in the point to his son of consequences and responsibility. Sarah could still only watch as Toby's hand shook and he refused to make eye contact with his father. He brought the whip up and struck it down hard, making a mark parallel to Jareth's that also cracked open just a little. He had to be sure to strike hard, otherwise Jareth would take it back and strike harder.

Mavias let out a hiss and his breathing was heavy at this point, as was Toby's and the skin on Mavias's back glowed red all over from the pain and sweat collected on his brow.

"Go to Aboris now," Jareth ordered.

There was no argument from either of the younger males now, both turning and exiting the room as quickly as they could to seek healing from the elf.

As soon as they were gone all three adults let out a heavy sigh at the same time.

"Damn it," Jareth cussed, though he only sounded exhausted at this point.

Jareth and Sarah's attentions snapped to Mavid when he suddenly let out the smallest of chuckles despite the strenuous situation.

At the glares he received Mavid composed himself a bit but held his smirk. "I apologize, but it just reminded me of a few of the times you and I got caught with females at the Devine Castle. I can't speak for my son, but I know I came to have a particular fondness for those scars over all others I received."

He managed to ease a little of the tension in the room and Jareth even smirked a little at that. Sarah fought not to roll her eyes. She lost the battle and did it anyway, but she closed her eyes first so they couldn't see.

"I'm going to go check on the children," Sarah informed them, but didn't make it even a step out of the room.

"No, I want you to join me in a ride," Jareth informed her, leaving no room for argument. "You may see to the babes later."

Sarah didn't try to argue, merely nodding her head.

X

It was cool outside and the Labyrinth was starting to turn dim as the sun sank behind the mountains. It was quiet, peaceful. A moment that Jareth had grown to treasure more and more as time went by. The Pegasus ponies grazed a short distance away from the willow tree in the garden, just adding to the calm of the night as little fairies flew around the horse's heads, braiding their manes and stringing flowers into their tails. Jareth laid on his back on the grassy hill, his eyes closed as he rested and tried to forget about the lashing he had just had to give to one of his boys, but thought instead about when his father used to deal out the same punishments to Mavid. He wondered if maybe it had hurt his father as much as it did him; Hamold had never let it show, but then neither did he. Toby's pain showed though, each time. Jareth knew exactly how his eldest son felt, but he also knew how valuable the lessons that came from such punishments were.

In order to one day be a good and competent ruler of a kingdom there had to be a deep and thorough understanding that all actions have consequences. Instead of the attendant suffering, however, at that point it would be the kingdom that would suffer for it and the king would suffer all the worse for it than if it was only him that paid the consequences. There was also the incredible hardship of staying as calm and poised as possible when things were going horribly wrong. Most important was the point of taking responsibility for the consequences and setting things to right by paying the price, demonstrated by the offender carrying out the whipping themselves. Perhaps one could argue it was a cruel practice, but it had been firmly in place throughout the generations because it worked.

The sound of a soft sigh next to him peaked his curiosity enough to encourage him to crack one of his eyes open, looking to Sarah who sat watching the horses from at his side on the hill. She looked very tired, much like he felt. Jareth could hardly remember the last time he had had to administer a serious punishment on her, something he was very pleased with as he took no joy in it. It was very rare these days that she required more than a warning or two for something she said or did.

She shifted her weight from one side to the other and gripped through her dress to the corset, giving it a sharp jerk to the side like it was annoying her.

"Come here," Jareth beckoned, sitting up and motioning to the spot right in front of him.

She moved her corset around once more, pulling herself up to her feet and going over to Jareth, allowing him to take her hand and move her around in front of him where he directed her to face away from him and sit down between his legs. Once seated Jareth started unlacing the back of her dress, his fingers nimbly going down the bindings in record time and then he reached past the dress to the corset underneath, loosening those laces too so that she had some room to breath. Before he had even finished she was letting out sighs of relief.

"Thanks," she murmured, relaxing back against his chest.

Jareth wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Sometimes I forget how old the boys are," she sighed wistfully. "I guess it never really occurred to me they would ever become old enough to be sneaking around with females like that. Doing things like that."

"They are practically adults," Jareth reminded her, "Physically anyway. Mentally however…"

Sarah simply nodded her head. "I know that. Yet… I still forget that, all the time. They're still my baby boys. I still remember carrying them both around in my arms so clearly I could swear it was only yesterday."

Jareth placed a kiss against the side of her head, pleased when she turned her neck so that she could kiss him back. He had waited so long for moments like these, but they seemed worth it now.

Jareth wrapped his arms around her and pulled her over him as he laid back on the ground, Sarah twisting so that she could straddle his waist to be more comfortable, a position that Jareth found very comfortable indeed as his body started to respond from her groin being lined up with his despite their clothing.

Sarah must have noticed because she glanced down and her face went red. Jareth couldn't help but laugh. "All this time and all our children and you still blush for me?"

At his laughter her blush only intensified and even in the dim light he could see the redness of her skin. The thing he knew about her was that when she got like this it was always a full body blush, and he wanted to see more of it. Jareth reached up and hooked his fingers into the front of her dress and corset, pulling her down closer to him for a kiss. She let him, but then she had learned long ago that she couldn't stop him. With her on all fours over top of him he scooped her breasts out from the corset so that they hovered over top of him, free for his viewing. Sarah held herself up, relaxed enough in her stature as he leaned up and kissed her deeply, his libido causing his breathing to deepen. Sarah returned his kiss and when he broke it off she gasped as though he had left her breathless, panting a bit herself as he moved down further so give her breasts the same treatment he had given her lips.

"Jareth," she sighed as his lips touched the bud of her nipple, his strong arms pulled down on her lower back, bringing her hips closer to his so that he could grind against her, more than ready to be inside of her.

Jareth flipped them over so that she ended up on her back beneath him. His hands had just started fishing for the hems of her skirts so that he could push them out of the way when Sarah suddenly started to sit up, putting her hands against his shoulders to still his movements. "Jareth, you know I don't care to do this out here. Can't we go inside?"

"I want you now," Jareth insisted, still focused on her skirts.

"We're not exactly alone here," she huffed, looking off to something to her right.

Jareth followed her glare and saw that a handful of the tiny fairies that had been grooming the horses for fun had stopped and seemed to have found them far more amusing, pointing at Jareth and Sarah and laughing amongst themselves as they started mocking sexual positions with each other in jest, hovering in the air on their little silken wings. Jareth produced a crystal and tossed it in the fairies' direction, watching as it turned itself into a hurricane-like gust of wind and blew the screaming fairies far from their view.

"Easily taken care of," he smirked, turning back to Sarah to finish what he had started.

"I would still rather do this inside," she told him, her eyes big and pleading that he'd give in to her wishes.

Jareth ignored her, sure he could bring her around if he continued. Sarah reach for his wrists again to slow him down but Jareth shoved her hands away and pushed on her shoulder so that she would lay back down on the hillside. This time Sarah stayed down, letting out a final huff of frustration as she frowned up at the sky.

Jareth didn't have any further patience tonight. It had been a long day and dealing with his eldest son had been very frustrating. He needed to just relieve those frustrations right now. Without Sarah hindering him any longer Jareth was able to easily flip her skirts up to her waist, getting a grand view of her long legs and uncovered flesh. He freed himself just as quickly and gripped the backs of her knees, pushing them towards her chest so that she would be better angled to accept him. He entered her without resistance, her flesh slick for him and he slid into her with ease, his breath catching in his throat and his eyes rolling back at how hot she was around him. It sent pleasure shooting from the base of his sac to the very tips of his fingers and toes. Sarah let out a moan at the invasion and another pang of ecstasy rocked him.

He moved her legs to his shoulders and clamped down on her hips, moving in and out of her slowly a few times to evenly coat himself with her slickness, his knees digging grooves into the earth beneath him. Jareth leaned forward over her, bending her body almost in half as far as she could stand it and sped up his pace till he was slamming against her, watching her face contort with pleasure beneath him till her breasts caught his attention once more. They moved along with the force of his thrusting and compelled him to balance his weight against her legs so that he could grope her without crushing her, kneading her breasts as gently as he could since she was still a bit tender from the pregnancy. She wasn't breast feeding as Precious had rejected her milk in favor of wolf's milk bottles. All the same he had to still be gentle though.

Sarah started to pant harder and her hands wrapped around his wrists. She wasn't pushing him away, but rather just held onto him, her nails digging into his flesh.

Jareth released one of her breasts in favor to reach down between her legs, keeping up his pace as his fingers brushed against her sensitive bead. It cause her hips to buck as she gasped in pleasure and encouraged Jareth to keep it up, his fingers matching his thrusts. The sound of her moans intensifying was like music in his ears and all of it went straight to his groin, the pleasure shifting to a tight coil of pressure deep down and when she gasped his name he came undone and let out a harsh shout as the pressure snapped and exploded out of him, shooting his seed out against her cervix.

After the release all the energy of his body deserted him and it was all he could do to catch himself from collapsing onto his wife beneath him as she gasped for breath from their excursion, equally exhausted. Jareth managed to roll off of her, settling on his stomach on the ground next to her, one of his arms still draped possessively over her shoulders. Sarah shoved her skirts back down before settling back against the grass.

Jareth couldn't help but smirk at the somewhat sour look on her face. She might of enjoyed herself enough in the moment, but was likely back to being a bit cross with him for ignoring her request to wait.

She will get over it, he mused.

X

"How are they?" Sarah asked.

Aboris closed the door to the room behind him as he joined her in the hall. "As fine as they usually are. Mavias's skin usually heals quickly enough and I have him slathered down with healing salves. The bleeding was very minimal and stopped shortly after the whipping. He's calm enough, but you know how Toby gets, fire in his stomach and little sense in his head. He's been cursing out the king left and right."

Sarah let out a long sigh, tilting her head up just a little higher. "Thank you Aboris, that will be all."

Aboris bowed his head to her and headed down the hallway back to his rooms.

Sarah took another breath to steady herself and opened the door to Toby's room, knocking on the frame as she did so. Mavias's room was across the way but it was common after a whipping that Toby had Mavias stay in his own room for the night while he healed. Sarah knew it was because Toby cared for Mavias, but it was likely also because Toby felt some guilt when it happened.

Toby's room was small, a little smaller than hers and decorated with tattered grey curtains and bed sheets and carved-bone furniture, most of the space was occupied by the wide-set bed, upon which Mavias was laying on his stomach, his back covered with gauze from Aboris. Toby was standing next to the bed, his hands on his hips and a sour sneer on his face. They both turned their heads to the door as Sarah made her way inside. Mavias settled back down on the bed once he saw it was her. Toby had initially been given a very large stately room from Jareth, but he had sought this one out himself further into the castle from where everyone else slept and Mavias had followed, taking up the equally small room across the way.

"May I come in?" Sarah asked out of politeness.

Toby nodded his head, crossing his arms over his stomach. She had never been turned away, coming to see them most nights regardless if there had been a whipping or not. No matter how old she still liked to say good night to them before bed and sometimes tell them stories.

She went over to the bed and sat down on the edge next to Mavias, carefully lifting the corner of the gauze on his back to inspect the marks for herself. Aboris had been right of course, they were minor at best and would heal quickly. She went to tape the gauze back down, but the solid matter of Mavias's back suddenly shifted to little more than air and her hand dropped down almost to the bed beneath him, startling her momentarily. "Mavias!" she scolded as he laughed into his pillow at her, a small smile even pulling at the corners of Toby's lips when Sarah brought her hand down on Mavias's backside in a swat for using his magic to startle her like that. He knew better of course, but he was something of a trickster by nature, nothing on Loki's level of course, but he had a humor about him.

Mavias wasn't able to replace his form with a void of darkness like his father could, which Jareth had been disappointed about at first, but he wasn't without his own special magical skill. He could selectively convert sections of his body from solid matter to something that objects could pass through without hurting him. Sometimes during sparing practice he would employ this talent so that punches or weapons couldn't touch him, though he never dared do it during a punishment.

"Sorry," he laughed, clearly not all that sorry as he shifted around a little bit on the bed.

Sarah put the gauze back down and this time his back held up under her touch. "They're looking good," she informed him, though Toby let out a snort.

"Father is a fucking barbarian," Toby snarled, arms firmly crossed across his chest.

"Toby you know you shouldn't have had girls over here, and it was vulgar to have them in the throne room like that. What choice did you leave him?" Sarah scolded him. "And how did you stop Yaxly's crystals to us from going out? What if there had been a real emergency he had to inform us about?"

Toby rolled his eyes. "Everything is an emergency to him. I knew he sent a crystal out because the fool told me he would, so I just flew out and grabbed it." Like his father and grandfather before him he had also inherited the ability to take on the form of a carnivorous bird, his form being that of a hawk.

Sarah scowled at him. "Toby-"

"He's such a dictator mother, even to you. How can you defend him?" Toby demanded, raising his voice to her. Mavias laid very still on the bed between them, becoming just another piece of furniture; something he had learned long ago from Mavid.

Sarah wasn't having it, standing up from the bed and facing Toby with her back straight and firm, "You will lower your voice," she commanded him, "Now, you have seen Mavid's back, you know that this is the way of things. If you would straighten up your act Mavias's back would be as smooth as yours. You cannot stand there and blame your father for holding you accountable to rules that you already knew were in place."

Toby's lip curled again. "Rules I never agreed to."

"You don't have to agree to them, but you still have to follow them and you know that. You are under Jareth's rule."

"I dream of the day that I'm not. When I'm king everyone will have to do what I say for a change."

Sarah didn't bother pointing out that everyone in the kingdom besides herself and Jareth already did have to do whatever Toby ordered, unless of course it contradicted one of Jareth's orders. "What will you do if they don't?"

Toby glanced up at her then, clearly confused as to what she was asking.

She rephrased it. "When you are king and have set your laws, what will you do if someone disobeys you?"

Toby caught on to where she was going with this, letting out a sigh and leaning against the wall behind him. "I will punish them."

"What will happen if you don't punish them?" Sarah prompted, wanting to make sure he truly got her point on why Jareth did as he did.

"They wont listen to any of my rules. Then no one will and I will loose any respect as a king."

"So how is what Jareth did any different from what you would have done?"

Toby was backed into a corner and the displeasure on his face from it was very apparent. Eventually he let out a long sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers, slumping and moving over to sit on the bed on Mavias's other side.

Sarah made her way around the bed to his side, placing her hands on his slender shoulders and leaning over to kiss his forehead. "My sweet boy, it's not easy and believe me when I say I know it's not always fair, but that's the way it is. We have to accept that and move on as best we can."

Toby let out another long sigh, but eventually nodded his head in understanding and acceptance, his anger from before gone now. "Mother, can I ask you something?"

Sarah nodded her head. "Of course."

"Do you love father?"

The silence in the room following that was so complete that even breathing seemed loud and both of the young males looked up at her in inquisitive curiosity.

"Why do you ask that darling?" Sarah asked, taken completely by surprise at the question that had never been asked her before.

Toby shrugged, "I'm just asking."

Sarah straightened up, clasping her hands in front of her properly as she tried to formulate the best way to answer that question. "A very very long time ago, your father brought me to this world and told me he loved me because I had given him the most perfect gift in the world, you. I suppose I do love him, because he gave me back the more perfect gifts in the world, he gave me you, and Mavias, Marxus, and your siblings whom are all so dear to me and whom I love so very much." she reached past Toby to run her hand through Mavias's dark hair, so much like his own father's.

"So you love him just because you love us?" Toby asked, tapping into the root of what she was saying.

Sarah wished she had something better to tell him, that she had a story of love at first sight with the moon and stars aligning and birds singing in perfect harmony, but she certainly didn't and never would. As it turned out fairy tales were a myth even if your life became one.

That wasn't to say her life was awful, far from it really. She was looked down upon by no one, save for Kaleen and sometimes Jareth when she slipped up in her behavior. She had gradually acquired more freedoms over the time she had spent at Jareth's side; now she could come and go in and out of the castle as she pleased, although if she went further than the castle grounds Jareth insisted that she have Mavid or even Mavias escort her for protection, but she was able to visit with Cleo or Ishapelle whenever she pleased. She had even taken to Pegasus riding like a fish to water, finding great joy and beauty in the Labyrinth when soaring overtop of it. When she had become pregnant with Little Hamold, though it had been a long time coming she had been terrified, but he had been the sweetest little babe and although she hadn't been trying, when her daughter Precious had come along she had been thrilled. Overall Jareth was good to her, spoiling her at times when she was good to him. But he was still Jareth, and nothing changed what he had done to her, or put her through. He had turned her world and moved the stars, despite if she had wanted him to or not.

Sarah let out a sigh and crossed her arms over her stomach. "I wish I had a better answer for you darling. I have love for him, but I cannot say I am in love with him."

"If he died tomorrow would you cry for him?" Toby countered, his infamous bluntness once more shocking Sarah. She wondered if maybe he had picked it up from Mavid. It was possible.

"Yes." she answered honestly, the simple answer anything but simple.

Toby nodded his head in acceptance of that.

Mavias shifted behind him and poked Toby's back to get his attention. Asking him something in the Prestine language. Toby turned and frowned at him, replying back so that Sarah couldn't understand.

"Boys," she hissed, scolding them. They knew she hated it when they did that around her since she wasn't even allowed to try to learn it. Once she had let Jareth know that she had started to pick up on small words, such as 'no', 'father', and 'kingdom'. He had ordered her to do her best to forget them and had struck a sprig across her hand three times as punishment. She could have gotten into far worse trouble than that if others suspected she was learning.

The boys both had the decency to look sheepish about it, turning back to her.

"What is it?" she demanded once it was obvious that Toby didn't have any intention to say on his own, looking back and forth between him and Mavias, who had wisely turned his head to face the opposite wall, feigning rest for his back.

Toby let out another sigh and ran his hand through his messy blonde hair, so ashen it was almost white. "I wanted to have it a bit more planned out, but I was thinking that while the warm season is upon us I might spend some time in the mountains, perhaps a few moons. Mavias would be with me of course."

Sarah was confused, "A trip? Where would you even stay in the mountains?"

Toby shrugged. "Where ever we can make shelter I suppose. The castle is a little crowded these days, with father being here and all," he tacked on a little bitterly. "I want the chance to do things my way for a change, not his way."

Sarah was surprised by all of this. "Well then why not visit your grandmother? She would like that very much and you enjoy the Devine Castle-"

"It's even stricter there. I just go from following father's laws to following Grandmother's. I'm not talking about leaving for good, just getting away for a bit."

"But Toby the mountains are dangerous! There's landslides and trolls and Spinx's and… the mountains!" Sarah pointed out.

"Father wasn't much older than I when he left the Devine City to shape the Goblin Cities into his own kingdom and began construction on the Labyrinth. If he could do all that than surely Mavias and I can survive a season in the mountains."

"We've taken outings in the mountains before," Mavias pointed out, dipping into the conversation.

"For a day or two," Sarah countered, convinced their 'plan' was silly and absurd.

"Mother I'm not saying tonight or even tomorrow, I'm still thinking on it. It's still just an idea."

Sarah tried to accept those words, making herself calm back down rather than fly off the handle, something she likely would have done in her younger years without hesitation. "You're right," she sighed, "This warrants more discussion though; with your father as well."

Toby rolled his eyes but grudgingly nodded his head in agreement. "Fine, are we allowed to go to sleep now?"

Sarah fought not to roll her eyes in response, "Yes fine, Love. We'll discuss it more tomorrow though." She warned him.

"Fine," Toby sighed, turning towards the bed for sleep.

"Hey!" Sarah huffed, astounded that he wasn't going to bid her goodnight.

Toby smirked back at her and stood up from the bed, wrapping his arms around her and placing a kiss against her cheek, which she returned. Before he could pull away she brought her hand up to caress his cheek. "Go easy on your father Toby, one day you'll have a son of your own, and then you will understand that you are not the only one who suffers through these punishments." Toby gave her a somewhat doubtful look, giving her another kiss to her cheek. Sarah didn't push it. He would learn on his own one day. "No more sneaking courtiers into the castle," she chastised him in closing, giving his backside a swat as he laughed and moved away from her.

She went over to Mavias, who had a smile of his own at this point. "Good night Sweet Boy," she said, kissing his forehead.

He pushed himself up a little and kissed her cheek in return. "Good night, can the brownies serve grapes tomorrow with breakfast?"

Sarah couldn't help but smile. "I'll see that they do," she assured him, knowing the fondness for grapes that he shared with his father. It was hard for her to deny him things like his favorite foods after a punishment had been administered. Mavias smiled a little wider and settled back down on the mattress.

Sarah gave them a final "Good night boys," before exiting the room, shutting the door softly behind her.

X

"Mistress, I wasn't expecting you to come up this late, the children are already down for the night." Tallia informed her, whispering as they stood in the nursery.

"I know," Sarah sighed, "I had hoped to come sooner, but all the eldest children in this castle needed seeing to first," she joked, sending Tallia a wink as the female returned a knowing smile, catching onto the fact that Sarah was referring to Jareth and Toby.

"Those are usually the ones requiring the most care," she agreed.

"I promised to see them before I went to bed though and I intend to."

"As you wish, the king has already been through to bid them sweet dreams," Tallia nodded, retaking her favorite seat in the rocking chair in the corner of the room.

Sarah went to the crib first, where her daughter Precious resided, fast asleep and cuter than believably possible swaddled in her little pink blanket. Sarah kissed her fingers and placed them against the babe's soft and warm little cheek. She couldn't help but beam as Precious stretched one tiny little hand up. Sarah put her index finger against the spread open little palm and the babe's tiny fingers wrapped around it as she relaxed again, her grip surprisingly firm for such a small thing. Sarah chuckled softly and pulled her hand back, watching as Precious's hand closed up into a little fist. She was very fitting to her namesake. Honestly Sarah had wanted to give her a more normal Aboveground name like Susan, or Andrea, but since she was born all Jareth and Mavid ever called her was 'precious'. No one seemed interested in referring to her as anything else and Sarah was willing enough to relent on how it absolutely fitted the sweet babe. Jareth had told her if she had another child she could name that one whatever she wanted. She was in no rush though.

Hamold had absolutely not been named by her, but rather by Jareth in honor of his father of course. She moved on from the crib over to the other side of the room to where the boys were sleeping in two small beds. She went in-between them, Hamold almost making her laugh out loud because the child was sleeping on his back with his head off the side of the frame, his little mouth open wide like he was waiting to catch rain or something. His blankets were in chaotic tangles around his body and Sarah noticed that one of his legs had managed to wrap itself up rather tightly. Even when he had been a babe he had been one to toss and turn all night. He would sleep soundly enough, but he was just constantly on the move. As if he wasn't everywhere at once when he was awake. It was impossible to convince him to sit still for more than a few minutes. It was a rare meal that Jareth didn't have to instruct Little Hamold to return to his seat because he had gotten up for something or other.

Sarah bent down and carefully lifted Hamold's head up and back onto the bed, his mouth closing, but then he immediately began snoring. Sarah clasped her hand firmly over her own mouth to keep from losing it but she just found it so funny. He could snore like a beast.

In the bed next to him Marxus stirred at the sudden sound, his little face scrunching up in a frown as he looked over at Hamold, then up to her. "It's alright sweet, go back to sleep," she encouraged him.

He cast another glare back over to Hamold for his snoring, "Can you turn him on his side? His right side?" the little elf requested.

Sarah did as the child attendant asked, gently turning Hamold's shoulders till he rested on his right side. The snoring immediately stopped and he was back to sleeping quietly.

"Thanks," Marxus mumbled before settling back in and falling right back to sleep.

He was already coming along as a great attendant, Sarah observed, reaching out to stroke his white hair affectionately as he slept.

He had come into their family only a week after she had given birth to Hamold, only born about a season before. Sarah had been prepared to take care of them just as she had done for Toby and Mavias, but they had still required attention and care too of course and Toby had just started to really get bouts of rebelliousness. Jareth had convinced Tallia to come back into their service at Sarah's request.

She leaned down and kissed both boys' foreheads, bidding them good night before standing up to make her way out of the nursery.

Tallia bowed to her on her way out. "Good night, Sarah."

"Sleep well, Tallia," Sarah smiled back, slipping out into the hallway. It was no longer referred to as the mirrored hallway, as the viewing mirror had been moved to locations she was not aware of; the wall left blank in it's absence. She wasn't about to ever touch it again anyway, but Jareth hadn't taken the chance and she had never inquired as to it's location.

She went back across the hall to her room, but the door was locked against her, indicating that Jareth expected her with him tonight, as was often the case. She didn't fight it, turning to his door instead.

X

Jareth looked up from the crystal he was holding as Sarah made her way into his room. He had been looking over the kingdom once more for the day before sleep, making sure that Toby hadn't made any changes while they had been away. So far nothing, but he wasn't convinced yet. He was in bed already, unclothed and covered only by the blankets that rested across his lap. Sarah gave him a small but tired smile when he looked up to her, crossing the room to stand by the bed. She was usually put in a better mood after making the nightly rounds with the children. "Are the boys asleep then?" Jareth inquired, knowing that the rest of his children were.

"They are by now I'm sure."

"Mavias?"

"His back will heal quickly. There wasn't any serious damage done." Sarah sighed, sitting down on the edge of the bed next to him. She turned her back to him and lifted up her hair, wanting him to finish his earlier work on the laces of her dress and corset.

Jareth was relieved to hear that, dissipating the crystal and turning to her so he could start unlacing all her bindings.

"Toby and Mavias said that they were thinking of going to the mountains," she sighed.

Jareth frowned in confusion. "For what?"

She shrugged. "A trip I guess, Toby said for a few months. He just wants some independence I suppose. I said we would all discuss it later. It should be easy enough for us to talk them out of it. If he wants to have independence maybe we can set up your hunting lodge for them, that way we can monitor them at all times."

Jareth couldn't help but laugh at her idea of 'independence'. He finished the laces to her dress and reached past it to start on the corset underneath. "Actually I think the mountains may be a good idea."

Sarah laughed then, but Jareth did not see why. At his silence she turned around, her corset laces pulled from his hands as she twisted to face him; trying to determine if he had been joking, which he hadn't. "You cant be serious."

Jareth simply shrugged, "I took trips when I was around his age, a day there a week here. Mavid and I once spent almost two full winters on a ship traveling down the coasts. Being a Captain was a grand lesson towards becoming a king."

"You never told me that. I didn't think you had ever stepped foot on a ship."

Jareth simply smirked at her, pleased that he could still surprise her. Though truth be told there had been a lot he had done in his life that he had not mentioned to her, some were things she never needed to know.

She didn't seem as amused by it as he was. "Jareth, you cannot seriously think that the boys going off to the mountains is a good idea. It's much too dangerous for them."

"They are not boys anymore though Sarah, they have grown into men. At least, their bodies have, it is time for the rest of them to start doing the same. Perhaps if it will ease you in your worries we can find someone to guide them through. Someone that knows the mountains well that can be trusted."

As though she had been struck by lightening Sarah suddenly stiffened and her eyes got wide. A look of excitement spread across her face and she leaned towards him so suddenly that he actually flinched back despite her grin. "Oh! Oh Jareth that's brilliant! Long ago you sent Hoggle, Ludo, Sir Didymus, and Ambrosius to the mountains. You know that I have visited them a few times since then. I can't believe I momentarily forgot they lived in the mountains too. I'm sure if I asked them they'd be happy to help us out and Toby and Mavias would probably think they're great. I'm sure they would love it."

Jareth couldn't help but smirk at her sudden enthusiasm for the idea she had just been so firmly against. "Would that give you peace of mind?"

She nodded her head. "Very much."

Jareth nodded in agreement. "We can perhaps discuss it with them then. I think Toby would enjoy that too. Turn back around," he instructed.

Sarah turned back so that he could finish up with her corset laces, the creamy skin of her back showing more and more with each lace pulled.

The door to the bathroom opened and Mavid came out from the bath he had been taking inside, a towel wrapped loosely around his hips and another one in his hands which he used to blot at the water clinging to his face. Sarah paid him no mind, letting out a long and contented sigh as Jareth undid the last lace. Mavid's presence went unacknowledged by Sarah for the moment, unsurprised that he was there as he was a common visitor in their room these days.

"How are the boys doing?" Mavid asked, running the towel through his hair.

"They'll be just fine," Sarah shrugged again, getting up from the bed, holding her dress against herself modestly.

She stepped away from the bedside but Jareth reached out quickly and took hold of the flowing material of her skirt. "Where are you going?" he asked, his tone playfully leaving no room for her to think she was actually going anywhere.

She seemed unable to help herself as she smirked and rolled her eyes. "I'm going to go to the bathroom," she relied innocently, managing to slip his grip.

"Stop her Mavid, that is an order," Jareth commanded in jest, throwing back his covers to go after her himself, excited for the challenge she offered.

Sarah reflexively gave an excitable shriek and sprinted from Jareth towards the bathroom, but Mavid blocked her path, a grin cracking across his own face as he easily intercepted her, holding her about the waist so she couldn't escape as Jareth came up behind her, the two males using their bodies to cage her and she relaxed in their all too familiar embrace.

Sarah turned from Mavid to look over her shoulder at Jareth, looking amused with their antics. "I don't suppose I can convince you that I'm actually tired tonight?" she inquired as Mavid's lips and teeth sought out her neck from in front of her.

"Silence," Jareth hushed her. She opened her mouth to respond but he didn't let her. "Don't defy me."

She didn't, keeping silent any reservations she might have had as he claimed her lips for himself in a kiss.

X

The end.

X

It's up to you as the reader to decide if this is a happy ending or a sad ending, which is entirely up to how you read through and interpreted the story. Some may think it horrible, and some may think it grand.

My goal in this ending was the same as it was throughout writing my story; to not impose upon anyone how to think and react to this tale and it's themes, as most any fiction inevitably does, but for the reader to reflect and really decide for themselves how they feel about this story.

Love it or hate it, if it ever made any of my readers take a second thought about something they felt sure of, even if they only arrived more firmly at the same conclusion as they had before hand, the fact that I made people think and feel and doubt and hope with this simple and humble little tale of Labyrinth fan fiction is more than enough for me to consider my abilities as a writer successful.

Xxx

New Note: My skills have increased a LOT since writing this. Like most authors I find it difficult to read back through now because of how much higher my standards of my works are, but there will always be the fondness of the fun I had with this story at the time and the knowledge of what it gave to over 20,000 regular readers who left well over a thousand reviews during the time of its initial posting from 2010 to 2012. I thank you all, and those that have given it a chance now too. Thank you!

I hope to repost more old works in the days to come, but urge anyone that found enjoyment here to check out my new passion project The Book of Lo; a Fayrie Tale, by R. N. Floyd. It is 700 pages of original fantasy about the world/culture of the fae and a human slave girl who doesn't quite belong there. Now it is on sale at Amazon. Just look for the dragon skull on the cover.

Starting TODAY till the 9th the digital copy is on sale for .99 cents, or you can get both that and the print through Amazon matchbook for less than twenty bucks. Again, thank you for your support.