Labyrinth Dancer

Chapter One: Book's Return

It was just the way Sarah had dreamed it would be, the spotlights, the music, the costumes and so on. She couldn't help but smile at each of her students as the curtain closed on their final performance. Each of them happy and excited to have finally put on a full fledged production with every bit of theater touch required.

Everything was put away quickly so they could go to the after-party at one of the restaurants they frequented. Sarah was doing one last check in the audience seating of the auditorium to make sure nothing had gotten left behind when her eyes fell on a seat with an unnatural amount of glitter even for a theater.

"I should have known you'd notice I'd been here; you always were keen on details, Sarah." She didn't move for a moment and then turned to face the familiar voice.

Jareth, the Goblin King stood there only a few feet behind her looking as normal as she'd ever seen him look. He had cut his hair to match the current style, his clothing was modern and tasteful. He looked like any other man who had been here to see the show. But, he wasn't any other man and she knew better than to think he'd only stopped by for a friendly chat.

"Why are you here Jareth?" He chuckled at her question.

"Straightforward as always I see. I'm afraid I have a slight, situation that needs your help."

She stared at him and quirked up an eyebrow. "A situation? I swear Jareth you start talking in riddles again and I'll hit you."

Jareth stared at her with an amused look for a moment and then smiled as he answered her.

"No riddles this time my dear Sarah, just a plain simple request for a wife."

For a moment there he thought she was actually going to hit him and then she let her fists loosen as she gritted her teeth, her voice coming out more like a growl than anything else.

"Again...Hell No Jareth..."

He had the audacity to roll his eyes at her reply and muttered.

"I'm quite aware that you have no desire Sarah, I mean to ask your advise on how to procure one."

***Coffee Shop about an hour later***

"So," Sarah began, carefully stirring her coffee even as Jareth stared down at his for a moment with a slight look of disgust and confusion at the strange smelling liquid. "You need to find a wife, and why the sudden push to get one? They aren't exactly a bargain seller at the mall."

Jareth sighed nodding with slight resigned irritation. "I'm aware of that, unfortunately I must find a wife by the next Solstices or I forfeit my throne to my younger brother."

She gave him a look and he continued. "Yes, I have a younger brother; he left to go adventuring long ago with no desire to rule and now suddenly he's shown up and decided to challenge my rule."

"But why a wife though, you've been doing a fine enough job without one?" Sarah interjected before he could continue.

Jareth sighed softly and muttered under his breath for a moment before repeating himself loud enough for her to hear.

"Heirs Sarah; if the King cannot find a wife then he cannot have heirs to take over for him in his absence and so on. Since I have not a child to take over should something occur then others who deem themselves far more worthy can attempt to step in. Gaining a wife though would give the Kingdom a Queen, thus another chance at an Heir since she would rule in my absence and such."

Sarah nodded in understanding and then asked. "Why do you need advice then, why not try to woo some girl who seems attracted to you?"

He shook his head. "That's not the way I have to go about it I'm afraid. Said hopeful future bride must go through the Labyrinth to prove that she has the ability to rule and as you and I both know that's not exactly a very nice way to start an engagement."

Sarah had to give him that point. If the only way to allow the girl to be chosen was for her to go through the labyrinth and prove herself worthy then he was pretty much doomed.

"I take it then that you've chosen at least one possible candidate to put through that torture then? Who is she this time, another Sarah?" She asked sarcastically.

Jareth stared at her for a moment then shook his head. "No, she's not another Sarah. She's nothing like Sarah actually; she's different, and I've had to come to the realization that my Sarah is gone, I can't get her back and so I need to let her be in peace."

Sarah stared at him, it was rare that he spoke of the first Sarah, the one who was supposed to marry him but died before he had a chance to marry her. He never talked about how it drove him to the point of insanity to hunt down other Sarah's and see if she could be his Sarah. He was finally letting the past rest, and hopefully it would bring him peace that he had let her go.

"So who is she?" Sarah asked, breaking the silence that had fallen between them.

Jareth didn't answer her for a while and then shook his head. "Your advice first."

She stared at him again, meeting his gaze for a moment before giving the only advice she could give him about this.

"Don't treat her like she's a game Jareth; the moment you do, she'll want nothing to do with you."

He nodded and stood up making as if to leave Sarah caught his arm.

"Who is she?"

He stared at her and after a moment pulled from her grasp.

"Her name is Inara..."

***Meanwhile Elsewhere***

A scarlet hardcover book had appeared on her nightstand without any understanding as to how it had gotten there. Only one word lay on the cover in silver....

Labyrinth....