Own nothing. Life is so unfair (still) but I shall be eternally grateful for being able to borrow the character.

Chapter 26 – Future

Sarah lay in her huge, comfortable bed staring at the decorative ceiling above her head as she tried to process everything that had happened.

Jareth loved her. The King of the Goblins was in love with her. Jareth. Loved. Her. As soon as he had left her after kissing her she had squealed in excitement and kicked the bed with her heals and punched it with her fists. He loved her like she loved him and not just as a friend as she had dreaded. She had had her first kiss. Even now just thinking about it she was smiling like a fool. It had been perfect - completely and utterly perfect.

Sarah had been back in the fae world for almost a week now though neither the queen nor Jareth had allowed her to leave her bed under her own steam thanks to the doctor's orders – she was sure that if he hadn't said one weeks bed rest no matter what she would have been able to talk them out of it and allow her to at least walk about a little bit. As it was she had just managed to get Jareth to carry her to the library – not that being in the arms of the man she loved was much of a hardship – but he did not need to know that.

It was one of their times in the library before a roaring fire that Jareth had propped himself on one knee beside her chair and proposed. Her heart had nearly beaten its way right out of her chest when she had recognised his position as the very same that she had read about and seen in films many, many times.

"Yes," she shrieked falling out of her seat and wrapping her arms around him hardly even needing to think about the answer. She loved him and wanted to be with him forever.

"Yes Yes. Yes. Yes Jareth," she sang in his ear over and over hardly noticing when he had slipped a ring in her finger. She had looked at the ring later in the privacy of her own room after being congratulated by the king and queen. Where usually a precious stone would have rested there was the small likeness of a daisy. It was so intricately crafted it looked like the real thing. She loved it far more than if it had been the biggest jewel on the planet.

Merlin had been fetched the day after that and had greeted her by leaping all over her and slobbering excitedly over her face.

Sir Didymouse, Hoggle and Ludo had also come to visit her the same day that Jareth had fetched Merlin.

And oh yeah...she was immortal now to.

Now that one had came as a shock to the system.

Sarah could not forget the look of apprehension on Jareth's face when he had told her what had happened to her and what she had become. He had looked almost ashamed by the changes that had happened - ashamed that none of them had seen...that they had been blind to the changes happening. She was not fae, as to be she would have had to have been born as such. She was just an immortal human.

Jareth had explained the basics of what had happened and then when he had left his mother had explained in more detail.

She had explained that they could not tell at this point whether she would age or not. Her mind would continue to mature and grow no matter what but her body would find its peak and she would stay at that level physically.

She would be with Jareth forever. She would never grow old and die and neither would he.

Jareth had told her that before she could go back into the human world she would have to be protected, since she had no magic of her own apart from the connection with Jareth and so someone else would need to be with her at all times if she wished to go. She personally saw no difficulty were this was concerned as she had no wish to go back home ever. Her family did not need her or want her. They were all content without her. Besides she had a while new family. Complete with a mother and a father who loved her and a future husband.

She had loved seeing all of her old friends again the only difference being that they had greeted her as their future queen. That had thrown her. She had never thought of it that way before. Sure she was more than aware of the fact that Jareth was a king but she had never thought of that in direct relation to herself. She was going to be a queen - Queen of the Labyrinth and Goblin City - Queen of the Goblins.

Hoggle had been his usual straight forward self throughout the visit while Sir Didymouse had laid his most flowery language upon her in wishing her a speedy recovery; she smiled remembering how Ludo had nearly broken the bed when he had tried to sit next to her and envelope her in his huge hairy arms.

Her thoughts came to an end as a familiar knock sounded on her door and someone walked in.

"Jareth," she smiled as the man she loved walked into her room an answering smile on his own face.

She slid up the bed and propped herself up on the pillows behind her so she was sitting up by the time he reached her side.

He gave her a disapproving look though she could see the laughter playing deep within his eyes so she didn't worry too much about it.

"You should be lying down Sarah," he told her firmly ruining the whole effect though by smiling lovingly down at her.

Sarah was thankful that she was not standing. She was sure that if she was that smile would have turned her legs to jelly judging by the fluttering that was going on in her stomach.

"Same difference Jareth," she told him smiling back at him just as lovingly.

Her view turned dreamy as he leaned in to peck her lips with his own.

"It is a good thing you are so adorable my love. I cannot stay vexed with you for long," he mumbled to her before capturing her lips again in a slow, long, drugging kiss.

Sarah purred deep in her throat and leaned out to put her arms around his neck and thread her fingers through his hair. She felt Jareth's own hand rise to cup her face in a gentle grip. Elephants did back flips within her stomach.

After his declaration of love to her they had made quick work of making up for the time that they had wasted over the past weeks and took every opportunity that they could to be near each other that is until -

They pulled away quickly from each other when the door burst open unceremoniously.

"Jareth you should not be here without a chaperon. You should know that," the queen exclaimed for the umpteenth time since the proposal her voice stern.

"We never needed one before mother, why should there be a need for one now?" Jareth had asked the very first time she had brought up the word "chaperon" causing them both to cringe.

His mother had given him a tired and exasperated shake of the head but her eyes had held all the motherly love in the world.

"You were not engaged to be married before Jareth and you know that fine well," the queen had smiled in response to her son but her tone had been filled with steel just daring him to contradict her.

Jareth groaned in annoyance, rolling his eyes and pulled away from her, though he perched on the edge of her bed and gripped her hand in his. She squeezed his hand and smiled at him.

"Now my dear," continued the queen looking at Sarah, "if Jareth can bear to leave your side for a couple of hours we have some things to take care of,"

With the last word the queen had reached for her son's arm, dragged him from the bed and propelled him from the room.

"Mother," he cried in annoyance just as she slammed the door in his face.

Sarah couldn't help but laugh at this and gripped at her stomach as she giggled helplessly. The look of pure shock and indignation that had been on Jareth's face as the door had closed behind him had been classical.

The queen turned back to face her and leaned against the door smiling mischievously and Sarah froze not knowing what to expect.

"Now we can talk about the wedding dress," she bubbled in excitement.

Jareth stood beside his father getting the talk.

The "how to be a good husband and keep your wife happy" talk.

Some time to pick to do this, he thought dryly to himself, just while I am standing waiting for my bride.

Jareth's mind, heart and soul lit up at the word.

My bride.

Sarah my bride.

My bride Sarah.

My queen.

He had waited so long for her and he had not even realized that it was she that he was waiting for. It had always been her. While is father continued to whisper hoarsely in his ear Jareth praised whatever higher power had led him to Sarah's mother that night. That one bargain made by that selfish woman had given him his life, given him the love of his very existence, the one woman that he could live forever with by his side.

He had wasted no time when Sarah had woken from her fever. Never again was anything going to happen to her. Never again would he allow anything to happen to her.

When she had woken he had told her of his love for her and the look of pure relief and happiness that had been on her face would remain within his memory his whole life. Finally he had been able to kiss her as he had wished to do so for weeks, secure in the knowledge that she loved him as he loved her.

They had eagerly made up for lost time by spending as much time together as they could.

Of course their time alone had been interrupted on a permanent bases when he had given into the urge and proposed to her. Even as the words had left his mouth he had feared that he was rushing her - after all a lot had happened to her. She had found out that she was immortal (he still could not forgive himself for not noticing) and that the love that she had for him was reciprocated in kind. And then on top of that she had been ill.

She had made him the happiest man in any of the kingdoms when she had smiled radiantly at him, throwing her arms about his neck and accepting his proposal.

As soon as his mother had discovered the news she had became a dragon as far as chaperoning and propriety had been concerned. Indeed he had been lucky if he got two full minutes alone with Sarah. And then due to the custom of the fae he had been unable to see her for a week before the wedding - a whole week in which his father could have divulged all of his years of wisdom.

Now would be the first time that he had seen her in that whole week and waiting the seven days had nearly killed him he was sure of it. But now the wait was over and she was to be his wife before the end of this day. His father as ruler over all the kingdoms was to marry them before all the rulers of the kingdoms.

His week of separation from Sarah had not been spent in idleness. He had already set the wheels in motion in his castle months ago in preparation for Sarah but now the castle was fairly buzzing with activity. Rooms were aired, floors were scrubbed, any stray chickens were thrown out the castle, the kitchen was stocked, new drapes were hung and he had a throne made for Sarah – one a lot more comfortable than his own and that had her personality carved into every inch of it. The back sloped backwards in an almost feathery effect parting into two sections like wings, while the sides and arm rests had her journey through his realm (soon their realm) carved deep in the wood. Ludo, Sir Didmouse and Hoggle were even within the tapestry of characters that had been painstakingly engraved.

He heard a bustling outside the door of the throne room and his father shifted from his whispering position beside him and took his place before him.

Jareth stopped just breathing as he listened to the doors open behind him and a hush fell upon the room.

He listened to the silence for some seconds until he could stand it no more. He turned to face the door. His heart stuttered within his chest at the vision that was gliding towards him.

Sarah was dressed all in white. The gown was not bell like at all as he had expected from seeing his fair share of wedding gowns from the mortal realm. This was elegant and simple, every line of the material looked as though it was coming from her. It flowed softly from her shoulders, flaring slightly at the waist and swaying with each step she took, the long sleeves only just touching the shining marble floor. She wore a veil over her face – that though it was not a fae practice he knew it was a mortal one. The fine lace material was held to her head by a fine tiara and flowed behind her as she walked, hiding her face from him.

He was speechless.

Everything he was focused entirely on his bride as she came towards him.

He would love her and care for her for the rest of his days.

Sarah walked down the centre of the throne room. She had been so nervous until the door had opened and she had seen Jareth standing at the end of the room waiting for her.

He was so handsome.

He was her husband.

Well...nearly.

She moved towards him her heart beating steadily within her chest the look on his face filling her with confidence.

He was dressed in high boots and dark pants with a classical ruffled shirt like he always wore. Over that he wore a jacket that reached the top of his boots. The jacket was a light brown colour with toggled buttons running down the length of it though it was only buttoned to just below his waist.

She continued to move towards him and smiled at him through her veil. She did not know if he could see her or not but she did not care she could not hold her happiness in for much longer.

She walked to his side and everyone surrounding them melted away as he reached out a hand and held hers in a gentle grip.

She stood before the high king of the fae with the man she loved - the man who would soon be her husband.

Here she was home. Here she was loved for who she was.

She looked from the king of the realm to the man who was standing next to her.

The king of her heart.

She smiled brighter as he raised her hand to his lips and pressed a soft and fleeting kiss to her palm.

He was her future.

~~~The End~~~

Now we have unfortunately reached the end of our story.

For those of you who were worried about the last chapter being the final one I hope this one is better for you (links to pics of what I had in mind for Sarah's dress and veil are in my profile).

I would like to thank everyone who reviewed my story, your reviews encouraged me throughout the whole story.

If you could please let me know what you think of my final chapter and my story as a whole I would greatly appreciate it but if not thank you for reading.

Alexa

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