4f #8 Sarah holding a small Jareth in her hands.

It started as a normal day in the Williams home. Sarah was in her room reading while her father took Karen and Toby to the park. She normally would have accompanied them, but she felt off for some reason. So she had stayed home to enjoy some quiet reading, or at least that had been the plan.

As she sat on her bed reading, she stopped when she heard noise from downstairs. Wondering if her family had come home early, she put her book down and headed downstairs. She was surprised to find Merlin running around the room, chasing something. Fearing it was a rat or worse a snake, she grabbed the broom and ran over.

"Watch out Merlin, I'll..."

She froze, blinking by what she saw. Merlin was rolling on his back with a tiny figure rubbing his belly. She set the broom down and watched for a moment. The figure had blonde hair and a tiny cape.

The tiny figure suddenly looked up and panicked. Before he could get far, Sarah grabbed him and held the now doll-sized Goblin King in her hands. "Well, this is certainly unexpected, your majesty."

Tiny Jareth held his arms out to her, a smile on his tiny face. "Sarah."

"I hope you have a good explanation for this, Goblin King."

Jareth hung his little head a nodded. "I can explain if you'll just put me down, love."

Sarah placed the tiny King on the couch and watched as he grew to his normal size. Seeing the King at full size caused poor Merlin to take off running and Jareth sighed sadly. "It seems your furry friend is afraid of me in my full glory."

Blinking, Sarah stared at Jareth in shock. "Is that why you were tiny?"

Hanging his head, Jareth nodded. "It bothered me that he was so scared of me."

"Why?" Sarah tried not to laugh. "Why do you care if a dog or anyone else afraid of you? I figured you'd be pleased to have creatures fear you."

"Really, Sarah? You wound me." Jareth put his hand against his chest, feigning pain. "I may wish to be respected and on occasion feared, but I take no pleasure in scaring animals.

Sarah crossed her arms over her chest and sat across from the King. "So why are you trying to make friends with my dog?"

"Is there something wrong with me befriending such an adorable dog?"

Glaring at him, Sarah sighed. "Jareth you've been coming by to visit for nearly a year now. I have no problem letting you in and talking with you, but sneaking into my home... sorry, can't let that one go."

Sighing, he stood and paced the room. "It started with a comment you made a few weeks ago, Precious. About how you trust an animal's instinct."

"Are you talking about the crazy guy at the park that Merlin wouldn't let near me or Toby?" Sarah blinked in confusion.

"Exactly. You said that you had your own fears about the man but the fact that your furry companion acted in such a manner meant he wasn't to be trusted. So I decided to see what your four-legged beast thought of me." Jareth explained.

Sarah tried not to laugh but was so doubled over. "Glad you find this so amusing, Sarah." He stated as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Jareth have you ever dealt with a dog before?"

"Just the one your little knight treats like a horse."

"And what does Ambrosius do when he sees you?"

"Runs away like a coward, but he runs from everything," Jareth argued.

Sarah nodded. He had a point, Ambrosius ran from everything. "You never had a pet before?"

"Do goblins count?"

"No, afraid not." Sarah stood and walked over to Jareth. He pulled away as she started to reach for him. "Relax your majesty." She slowly removed his cloak and placed it on the couch.

"If you wish to undress me..."

"Stop that train of thought right there, Jareth. I'm merely trying something." She took his hands and led him to the couch. "Now sit down, on the floor, and don't move."

"The floor?" He raised his already arched eyebrow. "Sarah just..." he stopped, blinking when she placed a finger over his lips.

"Just do as I say," Sarah commanded and he obeyed. Sitting on the floor, he sighed and crossed his legs, waiting to see what she was up to.

"Come on Merlin." He heard he coaxing the animal from the other room. Slowly, Merlin followed her inside and sat at her feet. "Merlin, this is Jareth." The large sheepdog whimpered and looked up at Sarah. "It's alright, buddy. He's a friend."

At her gentle urging, Merlin stepped forward and sniffed the Goblin King. Jareth held his hand out to the dog and smiled when Merlin rubbed his head against his gloved hand.

"Good boy. See the Goblin King isn't so scary, is he?" Sarah stated as she rubbed Merlin's back.

Merlin barked happily and practically tackled Jareth to the floor trying to give him kisses. "Wait a minute!"

Sarah laughed as the shaggy dog sat on Jareth and licked his face excitedly. "Alright, Merlin." Sarah grabbed his collar and pulled him off the King. "I'm sure Jareth would like to breathe."

Once the dog was off of him, Jareth sat up and groaned. His hair was a mess and his face was covered in slobber. Grabbing a tissue from the box on the table, Sarah wiped the King's face. "Feel better now?" She teased.

"Does he do that a lot?"

"Just to the people he likes." Sarah smiled as she sat beside him.

Jareth's face lit up. "He likes me?"

"Yes, oh scary and intimidating Goblin King. Merlin likes you." Sarah told him as she leaned closer. "And so do I." She added as she kissed his cheek causing Jareth to blush.