Chapter 3

"Don't yell at me, Mother. I am doing my best. I've never exactly been the best artist.", Leanna complained to Sarah.

"Leanna, it would be so much easier if you were to just put the image in a crystal.", Jareth pointed out for the tenth time.

"I know that, Dad. But I don't feel like it."

"Well, then I could do it."

"No, you're going to need your strength to actually make the bloody thing." She stopped, then glared at him. "You've seen it. Why don't you just make it now?"

Jareth opened his mouth then shut it. Why hadn't he thought of that?

Sarah rolled her eyes. "All of this could've been prevented. You've been working on this for five years, and you didn't think to make the dress. I just don't believe it."

"Hey, Jareth, the lads need your decision on the-", JJ started as he walked into Jareth's study then caught the annoyed look on their faces. "Ah. It's one of those days, is it? Family matters? I'm going to go now." He started to back out of the study.

"No, you're not!", Leanna snapped, throwing down her pencil.

JJ rubbed his neck. "Of course, love. I'll stay if you want me to."

Leanna looked at him for a few moments before groaning. "I'm sorry, JJ. You've done so much for me already... Go on, go on. Tend to your spells, or whatever you do in that bloody tower of yours."

"If you want me to."

"JJ, do whatever it is you want to do, okay? Right now. Do whatever it is you want to do."

JJ nodded, walked over to her, and kissed her.

Leanna gasped as she pulled away. "I was not expecting that."

"Yes, now get out.", Jareth snapped. JJ bowed, smirked, and left. Jareth grumbled something about "bloody archmages" and set to work on his spell. While he was busy with that, Sarah turned to Leanna.

"Do you really think it's appropriate? You know, instead of white?", she asked her daughter.

"Usually, white symbolizes purity. Since I'm around, I don't think white would be appropriate.", Leanna answered.

"Besides, this really matches her eyes.", Jareth put in, holding out a familiar dress. It was a long, green gown with gold leaves and vines embroidered on it.

"Well, then I suppose you'll be wearing a blue and brown tux.", Leanna said. (A/N Or is it blue and hazel? I really can't tell.)

"No. I don't wear tuxedos. Bloody monkey suits. Besides, guys don't wear stuff to match their eyes."

Leanna snorted. "You do. Quite frequently. I don't suppose I have to remind you when Grandfather sent Grandmother over and she thought you were her daughter."

Sarah giggled.

Jareth glared. "She was sick and half-delusional. She also said your head was too big for the rest of you."

"She never said that!"

"Maybe not in front of you."

Leanna picked up the pencil and threw it at him. It missed Jareth by a hair, and Leanna cursed.

"Stop fighting, the both of you.", Sarah chided.

"Yes, ma'am.", Jareth said, looking down and smirking.

"Don't smirk at me, Jareth."

Jareth looked up, grinning. He suddenly noticed her eyes were twinkling with barely withheld mirth. "Go on. Have a laugh. No one's stopping you.", he told her. And she did just that, laughing until she could barely breath.

Leanna rolled her eyes, then looked at her mother. "I really don't know how you're going to stand him for the next few hundred years.", she said, shaking her head and smiling.

Sarah looked at her daughter. "You don't seemed concerned with being immortal."

Leanna shrugged. "I'll never be bored, at least. If I was someone living out in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do, I wouldn't be happy with immortality." She grinned. "I think I fit the role very well."

Jareth grunted. "Unfortunately for us, yes, immortality suits her quite well."

Leanna grinned. "Unfortunately for you, you mean." She thought for a moment. "How do you turn a human into a Fae?"

"A Fae has to marry the human, go through the entire ceremony, and then consummate the marriage."

"Ah." Leanna looked a bit uncomfortable at the moment.

"What is a Fae's marriage ceremony?", Sarah asked.

"Well... You see, if both parties were Fae, it wouldn't matter. They could choose to go through with the Blood Ceremony or not. But if you're a human wanting to be turned into a Fae, you have to go through with the ceremony."

"What's the Blood Ceremony?", Sarah asked. Jareth explained, and Sarah paled slightly. "Oh.", she said simply.

"Mm. You can see why I was reluctant to tell you at first."

"Why? Did you think I wouldn't marry you because of it?" Jareth hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Oh, damn you, Jareth. When are you going to get it through your thick head that I love you?" She shook her head and walked out.

Jareth looked at Leanna, but she held her hands up. "Don't look at me. She's got a point.", she told him, and she disappeared. Jareth cursed women in general, wondering why they had to be so damned complicated.

"Leanna, come back here! I need to talk to you!", Jareth shouted.

There was a heavy sigh and Leanna appeared back in her chair. "I only just left. I couldn't have done anything in that short of time." At that moment, a goblin walked by the open door with a crystal ball imbedded quite deeply in his forehead. Jareth raised an eyebrow at his daughter, and she smiled innocently. "He probably just... fell on it.", she said. Jareth knew she was lying badly on purpose.

"Dogsthorpe, come here.", Jareth told the goblin, and the goblin obeyed, bumping into several things along the way. Jareth realized the crystal wasn't imbedded into the goblin's forehead, but in his one large eye. Jareth glared at his daughter. "I do not want my goblins going blind."

Leanna sighed. "This one was getting on my nerves."

"As you said, you were only out a few moments. He got on your nerves quickly, didn't he?" Jareth raised an eyebrow. Leanna simply glared and snapped her fingers. The crystal disappeared, and the goblin looked around in surprise. When he saw Leanna, he barked in a mixture of surprise and fear and ran off. Jareth sighed. "Leanna, you are scaring my subjects with your behavior. I really need you to keep it down to a minimum."

Leanna took out something from her pocket. It was the vial of clear liquid JJ had shown Jareth a week ago. "Fine.", she said, and she downed the vial in one gulp. "If this does what JJ said it does, it should help."

"And if it turns out it does... Well, I don't suppose I could stop you if you really wanted to go. Do you actually want to go to Lismor Academy?"

Leanna bit her lip. "I have to talk to JJ about it... But yes, I suppose I'd like to go. But, after the wedding."

Jareth grinned. "You've got to talk to JJ about it..."

"Oh, shut up."

Jareth stood up and hugged his daughter. "That's all right, love. You're growing up, and I'm proud of you."

Leanna looked up at him in surprise. "You are?" She gasped. "Well, strike me where I stand, you are! Everyone, drop what your doing, have a drink, celebrate. The Goblin King is proud of someone other than himself! It's a momentous occasion! A true miracle! The most-"

"All right, all right. Cut that out before I take it back.", Jareth growled.

"-the most I've gotten from you by way as a compliment in five years." She hugged him. "I'm glad you're back." And she disappeared.

"I suppose it's too much to ask for you to use the door every once in a while?", Jareth asked his empty study.

"You suppose right.", Leanna said as she passed the doorway.

Jareth shook his head. Sometimes it was annoying to think about how much she was like him.

Sarah had checked everywhere, but she couldn't find Hoggle anywhere. Sir Didymus was with her, riding through the hallways on Ambrosious.

"Ms. Williams, what are you looking for?", JJ asked as he poked his head out of a door.

"Hoggle.", Sarah answered him.

"Oh. He's probably busy taking care of the fairies down by the entrance of the labyrinth. He's a gardener, so..."

"Oh. Okay, thanks." She turned to walk away.

"Ms. Williams?", JJ said suddenly.

"Just call me Sarah, JJ.", Sarah corrected him.

"Sure, Ms. Williams-I mean, Sarah. Listen, uh... can I show you something? Without you telling Jareth? Because he'll freak if he thinks I'm going to do this without his permission. You know, going to you first and everything." Sarah bit her lip a moment before nodding reluctantly. After all, he planned on telling Jareth anyway. Whatever it was.

"What is it?"

JJ took something small and shiny out of his pocket. "Do you think it's all right?"

"You should know the answer to that just by the unnatural size of my wide eyes.", Sarah replied a little breathlessly.

JJ grinned. "You think it's enough then?"

Sarah laughed a little. "JJ, I think that's more than enough."

JJ nodded. "Then it's perfect."

Sarah grinned. "Well, I'm off to find my friend."

As she walked away, Didymus asked, "Was that for Princess Leanna?"

"Well, if it was for some other lady, Leanna, and Jareth, would kill him.", Sarah reasoned. Didymus nodded wisely, and the two set off once again to look for their friend.

It had been about a month since Sarah had arrived, and Sarah, JJ, Didymus, and Leanna sat around a Scrabble board. Leanna was winning at the moment, seeing as the three of them were afraid of who, or what, she'd get angry at if she lost.

"What are you three doing?", asked a voice from the door to the library. They all looked up, and Sarah grinned.

"Playing Scrabble.", she replied, knowing exactly why he was asking.

"And why wasn't I invited?", Toby asked as he walked towards them.

"Uncle Toby!", Leanna shouted happily and jumped up and hugged him.

"Hullo, niece.", Toby greeted, hugging her back.

Leanna finally stepped back and looked him up and down. "You look thinner. Have you been eating enough?"

Toby opened his mouth, then shut it and looked at Sarah.

"Leanna, I'm sure he's been fine.", Sarah answered for her brother.

Leanna pursed her lips, but sat back down at the table. Sarah stood up and hugged her little bother. "How've you been, baby brother?", she asked.

"I'm not a baby, Sarah.", he muttered in reply.

Sarah chuckled. "You are to me."

Toby backed away before she could kiss his head. "Why'd it take you so long? I knew women have this thing about weddings, but five years is ridiculous."

"We'll talk about that later, Toby.", Sarah whispered. "Right now, let me introduce you to the archmage, JJ."

Toby shook JJ's hand.

"So, you're Leanna's uncle, huh? Not to mention, Ms. Williams' kid brother that Jareth kidnapped more than 20 years ago?", JJ asked.

"That's me.", Toby answered, nodding.

"Uncle Toby, I've actually, got, uh, something to tell you.", Leanna said suddenly.

"You're uncomfortable.", Toby observed. "That means it must be bad."

"Oh, it's not bad. I'm just not sure how you're going to take it."

"Oh. Okay. Well, continue."

"You're, uh, you're going to be a great-uncle."

Toby went slack-jawed and his eyes widened. Then he grinned. "The archmage is the father, isn't he?"

Leanna raised an eyebrow. "How'd you know?"

Toby rolled his eyes. "In case you haven't noticed there aren't many other humans, or Fae or elves or whatever they've got here. And since I really don't think it's Jareth-"

"I hear my name. What's going on?", Jareth asked as he walked into the library, reading something on a piece of paper. "Oh, Sarah. Ah, Sir Didymus. Just the knight I wanted to see. Didymus, the headmistress of Lismor Academy is arriving tomorrow. I'd like you to escort her through the labyrinth." He looked up at Sarah. "Most of my guests are familiar with the labyrinth and don't need an escort. But for tomorrow, we are going to have a few people who are unfamiliar with my kingdom- Who is this?"

He suddenly noticed Toby, and Toby grinned. "Toby Williams, your future brother-in-law. You know, the one you kidnapped?"

Jareth's eyes widened. "No... It can't be. Really? Good gods, I really am getting old."

Leanna shook her head. "Dad, we've been trying to tell you that for years."

Jareth glared at her for a moment before turning back to Didymus. "Can I count on you, Didymus?"

Sir Didymus bowed. "No harm shall befall the Lady Celeste whilst I accompany her, Your Majesty." The knight bowed once more before leaving.

Toby rubbed his hands together. "So, these days, I like to keep busy. What can I do?"

"For now? I think we've got everything covered.", Jareth replied. "JJ, why don't you show him around the castle?"

"Hang on a sec.", JJ said, then whispered something in Jareth's ear. Jareth nodded in an 'If you must ' gesture.

Jareth leaned over to whisper in Sarah's ear, "He wants to propose to Leanna."

"Ah.", was all Sarah said.

"Is there a proper way to do that?", JJ asked.

Sarah nodded, then stepped on Jareth's foot.

"Ow! What was that for?", Jareth asked, sitting down in Didymus' vacated seat.

Sarah rolled her eyes, then turned back to JJ. "Okay, JJ, you have to-"

"Yes.", Leanna said suddenly.

"Wh-what?", JJ asked.

Leanna rolled her eyes. "You were afraid. I saw what you were afraid of, so I saved you the trouble." She looked up at him. "And I'm saying yes."

JJ gaped at her for a few moments.

"Close your mouth, boy, before I brand you an idiot and forbid you to marry my daughter.", Jareth said in a bored voice. Sarah elbowed him. "Go on, then, the both of you. I believe Toby there is anxious to see the rest of the castle."

Leanna nodded, took JJ and Toby by the hands, and dragged them out of the room.

Jareth sighed. "Perfect. Another bloody wedding to plan."

"Not necessarily...", Sarah said thoughtfully.

Jareth sat up straight. "What? You mean..." A grin slowly spread across his face. "That could work."

"It could..."

"So what've you been up to, Uncle Toby?", Leanna asked as she, JJ, and Toby walked through the gardens. The gardens, as Leanna had always thought, were both like and unlike the labyrinth itself. The gardens weren't bleak and barren like most of the labyrinth, but it wild and untamed and couldn't be contained. It seemed to go on forever, though that was just an illusion it created. Besides, Jareth would get into trouble if one of his trees got into a neighboring country. Bloody politicians... they'd start a war about it all, knowing them.

"Oh, nothing much. Just graduated from college, got work at a local newspaper.", Toby answered, eyeing the strange, multicolored flowers to the side of the seemingly random twisting of the cobbled pathway.

"Hm. That's good.", Leanna replied.

"Yes, well... It's a shame I can't be of much help around here."

"Well, you could always go to the tailor and get some sort of suit made.", JJ suggested.

"I may just do that. But after you've told me about these strange plants. What are they?"

Leanna shrugged. "Who knows? This garden is... unpredictable."

"What about this one?"

JJ and Leanna looked at each other. "Er, that's a daisy.", JJ answered.

"Oh. You mean there are simple things here as well?"

Leanna drew her sword. "Oh yes. Swords are simple."

JJ looked slightly offended. "So is magic." Leanna raised an eyebrow. "Well, no, maybe it isn't, but-"

"I prefer swords. I only use magic when I have to.", Leanna interrupted firmly.

JJ nodded. "I know, love." He took her hand and smiled.

Leanna swore. "I wish you wouldn't do that."

"Do what?", JJ asked innocently.

"That... thing you do that makes me forget what I was going to say."

"Well, unfortunately, I don't have Jareth's power to grant wishes, so-"

Toby cleared his throat. "As interesting as this conversation is, I think we should work on getting back to the castle. It'll be dark soon, and I'm hungry."

Leanna rolled her eyes. "Uncle Toby, for as long as I remember, you've always been hungry."

"And yet, it doesn't matter how much I eat, I stay 'thinsk'."

All three of them looked at each other for a moment before bursting out with laughter, and Leanna and JJ led the way back to the castle.

Jareth rubbed the back of his neck as he walked into his bedroom. He was getting married tomorrow, and he had to get his sleep. Then he looked up. Then again... sleep could wait...

He closed the door behind him with a snap, making Sarah, who was sitting at the window, jump. She focused on him for a few moments, then smiled.

"What are you doing in here, Jareth?", she asked sweetly.

"It is my bedroom.", Jareth answered, walked over to her slowly.

She looked around. "Is it really? Huh."

"Yes, it is. What are you doing in it?" He lowered his lips to her ear and whispered, "Room drafty again?"

Despite her obvious efforts, she shivered. "Might be."

"Ah. So is that why you're trembling? Is it drafty in here as well?"

"Yes, it is."

"Funny. I haven't noticed it. Or is there another reason you're shaking? Wouldn't have to do with how crowded it is in here, would it?"

She glared up at him. "There is no one in her but the two of us."

He looked around. "Is that right? Well, so it is." He looked back around at her, smirking. "Isn't this bad luck Aboveground?"

"What?"

"Seeing the groom the night before the wedding?"

Sarah shrugged. "How in the bloody hell can we possibly have more bad luck?"

"Anything is possible, my dear.", he whispered.

She quickly stood up. "Like what?"

"You're in my bedroom. I consider that a miracle."

There was a sudden knocking on the door. "Dad, what room do you want me to put Uncle Toby in?", Leanna's voice asked.

"Whichever is farthest from mine.", Jareth answered.

Silence for a few moments, then... "Mom, I really don't think this is healthy."

Jareth growled, and muttered something about "bloody kids".

"Don't growl at me, Father." Footsteps were heard then, and they soon faded from Jareth's ears.

Jareth sighed and looked back at Sarah. "Where was I?"

"Something about a miracle...?", Sarah said.

"Oh. Right, right." He pulled her close and kissed her. "Thirty years ago, I would've considered you being in my bedroom a miracle."

"Hm.", was all Sarah said.

"What? Speechless?"

She shook her head. "Trying to concentrate on keeping myself upright. Damn you."

Jareth took a deep breath. "Sarah, do you trust me?"

She looked up at him in surprise, then nodded. "Of course I do."

He sighed. "Then I shall wait one more night. I will not betray your trust to satisfy my own... desires."

"Jareth?"

"Aye, love?"

"When are you going to learn... to shut up?" She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Jareth gave in and pushed her onto the bed.

"Dad's going to kill you if he catches you in here.", Leanna told JJ, who was currently lying down next to her with a hand propping up his head.

"Your father is otherwise... preoccupied.", JJ answered, grinning. "With you mother, by the way, so I think that gives us extra protection."

Leanna giggled. "You're too modest. I'm sure you've put some spell or another around their room, haven't you?"

He gasped with mock-horror. "Leanna! Now why ever would I do such a thing?"

"Because my uncle would very well have something to say about it, and I don't think it would be particularly pleasant."

JJ grinned. "Well, you know me too well, obviously."

"Yeah, well, it comes with the job."

He was silent for a few moments. "Leanna?"

"Hm?"

"Do you think they know we know?"

Leanna shook her head. "No, I don't think so."

"Leanna?"

"Hm?"

"Have you, uh, thought of any, er..." He trailed off.

"Have I thought of any what?" Leanna sat up and looked at him.

He pulled her back and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Names?"

She smiled and buried her head in his chest. "If it's a boy, I want to name him Jareth... or Nicholas."

"I like that. And if it's a girl?"

She shook her head. "I don't know yet, JJ." She sighed and was silent for a long time. When JJ looked down, she was asleep.

So sorry this took this so long, but I had a bit of writer's block. I hope the length of this one makes up for the long wait. I've actually got Chapter 4 done, but it'll be a couple of days before it goes up.

So, as I've said before, not a big romance person, so very sorry if you wanted details. Otherwise.... How'd you like it? Did it totally suck? I hope not. But if it did, tell me, please. If there is one thing I do not like, it is being lied to. So please don't do that. Next chapter, the wedding, I become evil... *cackles*. Oh, and I have a question... What is a flamer? I've seen the word around a bit, and I don't get it.