Stopping to catch her breath, Sarah looked around her in dismay. She shouldn't have let her emotions get the best of her like that. Sighing, she tried to see if she could recognize anything from around her. She was dismayed to find that everything looked new to her. She slowly started to walk down the hallway hoping that she might stumble on something she recognized. That hope was quickly dashed as she continued to look around her.

She lost the last of her hope when she tripped. Throwing her arms out to catch herself she scuffed her palms up. Looking down at the blood that was seeping out of the scratches, she broke. She had first had to defend herself from her step mother, been told off by a servant, lost her family, been told that she was now in charge of what she had thought was a dream, and then put up with that pompous jerk who didn't care a lick about her. And I had the fool of an idea that he might actually care about me! A nearly mad sounding giggle bubbled up from inside her, fueled by her lack of sleep. Once her laughter was spent, she found that she had tears streaking down her face. Unable to do anything else, she put her arms around her waist as though to protect herself and sobbed, not caring who heard her.

She became minutely aware of a feeling like she was being watched. Glancing around her, she didn't see anyone. Wiping at her eyes, she got back up off the ground. She was now near collapsing from exhaustion, and the only thing she could think of was to find someplace to sleep. Stumbling to the nearest door she was glad to find that it opened to a room with a small bed. Collapsing onto the bed she was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

The next morning the sun hitting her eyes woke her up. She sat up, and then promptly fell back onto the pillow, groaning. I haven't felt this bad since my first week of collage. But then it was a hangover. Now it's just from crying too much. Sighing, sat up and slipped out of the bed. Glancing down nightgown, she growled quietly. It's thin material was doing nothing to help keep her warm, and the low cut of the front showed off more cleavage than she liked. Figures. Just my luck! I have to find my way back to my room in this completely skimpy thing. Stepping out in the hallway, she looked both directions. Relieved to not see anyone, and not knowing which way lead to her room, she decided just to go left.

When the hallway ended, she decided that since she was even more lost then she had been before she was going to go right, then at the next chance she got left until either she found her room, the main hallway, or someone found her.

After about an hour of just walking down hallways, she decided to make the most of the situation, and use this time to get to see some of her manor. Stepping up to the door on her left she opened it. Glancing inside she was overwhelmed by the most shocking shade of pink she had ever seen. Stepping inside to examine further she found that everything was pink, from the blush carpet to the fuisha dresser. "Well, this wasn't a boy's room." Opening up one of the drawers in the desk she found a small pink book.

Picking it up, she blew off the dust that seemed to cover everything in the castle. Walking over to the bed, she opened it, and started to read.

Dear Journal,

Today is my first day at the new castle. Daddy says it will be safer here than at our last place.

I was so scared for Daddy. He was so hurt the last time he went away. And Lestia says that if he were to die I would have to take Daddy's place. But I don't know how to do everything that he does. Mommy says that if that happened she wouldn't be able to protect me, and that all the advisers would start doing things for me.

I've asked why Mommy couldn't take over for Daddy, but all anyone will tell me is "that isn't how things work." When I take over, I'm going to make it so that's how things work, so that my kids don't have to worry.

Uh-oh! Lestia is coming. I can hear her down at the end of the hall. I'll write more tonight.

Poor, poor Mommy! She was crying all through dinner tonight. I wonder what made her so sad… Everyone was either really sad, or else they were acting sad, but was really happy. I wonder why.

My candle is starting to get really low, so I am going To go to bed. 'Night Journal!

-Salie

Sarah eagerly turned the page. Her brow furrowed as she struggled to read the faded ink. In places it looked as though some sort of liquid had gotten dropped onto it. Reading, she realized what it was.

Deal Journal,

I found out why everyone was crying last night. Aunt Vashnae and Uncle Monare were killed. I loved them so much! Uncle Monare always had a present for me every time he saw me! And Aunt Vashnae listened to what I had to say, even if everyone else said it was really stupid or childish.

Daddy says that it was the stupid Levians, and Mommy said that that's how war goes, and that they were Supposed to be being protected. All of the adult started Yelling at each other, and they completely forgot about me, So I was able to get out of classes. I went to the pond, and went swimming, and no one even came to look for me. So I was able to swim all day long! And I went where ever I wanted, and no one yelled at me. I even got a piece of Dessert before dinner!

My candle keeps on sputtering, and is going to go out Soon, so I had better go. 'Night Journal!

-Salie

The next page didn't have any writing on it, only some simple child drawings. It depicted a family. It was obviously done by Salie because it depicted a man and a woman standing behind a young girl, and another set of adults. Sarah assumed that the first man and woman were her aunt and uncle who had died because there was a big "X" over both of their faces. Turning the page, she found the writing had become a lot neater, and the language was a lot more formal. Intrigued, she read on.

Dearest Journal,

I cannot believe I found this old book! I thought I had lost it forever when we fled from this castle that night. I had only been able to grab my doll, before Lestia put my cloak on me, and we left.

It still pains me to remember that night. My life as I had known it changed that day. I left my childhood innocence behind forever.

That night, after I drew that ridiculous drawing the Levians attacked us at the castle. Very few made it out alive. From what I can gather, the messenger who brought us the news of my Aunt and Uncle's death was in fact a spy.

That night after we had gone to sleep he let the Levian army into the castle. The only reason me and my family were able to excape with our lives was because one of mother's ladies-in-waiting had gone flirting with one of the Counts, and gave up her life to alert my Mother.

It was a sad night for all of us However, I am not here to remember. I am here to change the future, so that as I said So long ago, my children do not have to worry about the things I did.

Yours,

Saliea Naserea

Sitting alone on the small pink bed, Sarah's heart went out to the once young girl who had to go through so much pain. She was about to change the page, and continue to read on, when her stomach made a loud protest to her skipping breakfast. Sighing, she set the journal down and walked over to the closet. She was un-surprised to find when she opened it that it was full of clothes for a six or seven year old little girl. None of that will fit me. Closing the doors, she went back to the bed, picked up Salie's journal and stepped back into the hallway, continuing to look for either her bedroom or else the kitchen.

Every once in a while she would peek into this room or see what was behind that door, but for the most part she just walked down the halls. When she found a set of stairs that lead downward, she took them. Upon reaching the bottom, she was pleased to find that she had a vague recollection of her surroundings. Walking down the hallway purposefully, she didn't see the slightly dislodged stone, and stubbed her toe on it. Trying not to curse as she continued to walk, she was very glad when her suspicions turned into fact. Taking the second flight of stairs down, she watched her feet to make sure she didn't fall over another stone.

Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs she continued to watch the floor, and was satisfied when she avoided two or three hazards. I really need to have this place fixed up. I mean, it's a klutz's worst nightmare! She started planning how she was going to fix the castle, and became so involved in her thoughts that she ran right into someone, causing her to fall flat on her butt.

"Hey! You may want to watch who you are walking into. It isn't every day I am this nice," Drawled a cool voice from above. Standing up, she glared defiantly at Jareth.

"If you hadn't assumed I was one of your play things, I would not have had to run into you, and thus would not have just bumped into you!" She spat back at him.

"I see. So this is all my fault? That is just like a woman for you. I should have expected nothing less from you," Came the prompt reply, dripping in ice.

"And what, pray tell, is that supposed to mean!"

"Simply that it is just like you to try and blame anyone else, and not take credit for yourself, when you know full well that it is your fault."

"I… You… Last…" Sarah sputtered, shooting daggers at her monarch.

"Yes? What is it?"

"HOW DARE YOU!" She roared, fist clenched at her side. "How dare you presume that you can treat me as you did last night, and then say that it is my fault!"

"Well, I must say that it would seem as though you were dressed for someone. That is a very nice nightie." Jareth said calmly.

"For your information, I had gotten dressed in the dark, and this was the first thing I could find. If I had known that this is what I was putting on, I would never had done so. Not that it's any of your business, but it was bought for me by one of my friends as a gag, for me to wear for my husband on our honeymoon. Now if you don't mind moving, I would like to change out of it and get some food." She said in a tone full of suppressed rage.

"By all means, Duchess. Don't let me stand in your way." He said, stepping to the side of the door. Glaring, she stepped through the doorway, trying hurry and still keep her dignity.

After she had changed her clothes, and had a chance to eat some breakfast, she found the library she had visited the day before. Sitting down in one of the window seat she pulled out the small journal and continued to read.

Dear Journal,

Once again, I must come to you to reveal all of my deep dreams and hopes. I wish there was someone around that I could trust, but I'm afraid that those who I know I can trust have died or are away, and I don't know if I can trust anyone else.

Growling quietly to herself, she looked up to see who had decided to interrupt her. When she saw it was the maid from the night before she blushed slightly at her abrupt reaction. Setting the book down next to her she asked "May I help you?"

"Oh! My lady, I found you! His Majesty has requested that you eat lunch with him out in the main garden." She said, dipping into a small curtsy.

"Right, me go eat with him just so he can make me leave again!" She snorted in discus. "And all he could do when I showed up was give me problems."

"Oh no my lady!" she said, "When he woke the first thing he did was ask about you. And when none of us had see you then he went into a fit, making everyone look for you."

"You're kidding!" Sarah gasped in surprise.

"No my lady. He was quite worried about you."

"Hmmm. Thank you for letting me know about lunch. Are you willing to let his Majesty know that I accept his offer?" Sarah said in a preoccupied voice.

"Of course my lady." She said, dipping again before slipping back out the door. Grabbing the small book, she went to her room to change. Setting the journal down on the desk, she walked over to the door leading to her closet. Stepping inside, she looked at the few clothes she hand hanging on the rods.

When she had first stepped into the closet she had been amazed with how many things had been fit into such a small space. The previous owner had been a creature of fashion, and had filled the closet with as many outfits that Sarah felt for sure had never seen the light of day since it had first been worn. Going through the many different colored fabrics she had sorted them into things that she would be willing to wear, and things she would never dream of. Of the things she had deemed un-wearable she had looked at the fabrics and pulled out a few of the dresses so she could use the fabrics to make new clothes from when she got the chance.

Ha ha! I'm alive... as some of you have seen with posts to other stories... blushes The truth is I kind of lost the drive to finish this story. However, I am going to post this chapter, and then one other chapter, and then I'll be done with it! Aren't you all happy and proud? And then I've got two more scenes to write in What's Real and then I'll be done with it.

Anyone heard of, or read Return to the Labyrinth? I want to get it, but haven't been able to... apparently it's a manga series that someone's writing... it follows Toby because he WILL be the heir to the thrown. I'll let you all know about it as soon as I get a copy of it.