There she was.

This was the Sarah that Jareth preferred. Practical, thoughtful, and admirably determined. Jareth didn't want to fight with her, especially now when it was a waste if time and energy to focus on the past.

All other modivations aside he also had a good idea of what Xayide was up to bringing a human into the fold. The fact that it was Sarah was a secondary point of interest.

The issue at hand was complicated as much as it was personal. Jareth was willing to include Sarah as a stand in representative of the human element that played an important part in the underground, but he wasn't sure how much of his life details he wanted to share with her.

Jareth sighed lightly. "Come and sit down. Since you're here and you possibly may remain for some time, you have a right to know some of the politics involved."

Sarah was taken a bit aback when Jareth didn't respond as she thought he would. He merely asked her to sit down as he was willing to explain. She had expected more of a fight than that to get him to open up. She was pleased that she didn't have to argue with him further. It felt awkward and she didn't like it. There was something whispering inside of her that she shouldn't fight with him. Since she didn't understand where that feeling was coming from and decided to examine it later. For now she was going to focus on the present.

She moved over to one of the unoccupied chairs and sat down. She looked at him patiently and waited. "So..." she trailed off. "What's going on?"

"First, some grounding details about the underground. I will attempt to keep it short. First, as you probably have already surmised the movement of time operates differently in the Underground than in the Above. While it can move forward it can also move backwards, sideways, or not at all depending on where you are. In the Labyrinth for example time can move very slowly or not at all and can under specific circumstances be moved forwards or backwards. Keep in mind this has no bearing on current events. I can for example turn back time or speed along time itself in the Labyrinth but I can't undo things that have already been said or done." Jareth explained.

"Secondly, memory also is not linear. Depending on the situation a thousand years can feel like moments and a single moment can feel like forever. As you've personally experienced there are also numerous examples of forgetfulness that can be either naturally or magically induced and to different degrees in different kinds of people in different places and for varying reasons." Jareth pressed his lips suspecting that was about the limit of what he dared say on the subject.

If Sarah wanted to learn more there were other sources she could employ beyond just him.

"There are also four plains of existence three of which are well known. There is the Underground, the Aboveground, and the Beyondspace. These represent the Magical, Material, and Ephemeral elements of existence." Jareth had said four plains but seemed to only name three. "Long ago the magical world and the material world shared the same space. Eventually though new ideas became popular and it became necessary for the world of Faerie to retreat from the Above into the Underground. When this happened various magical and intellectual cultures emerged. Throughout it all, Queen Mab used her strength and power to maintain authority over many of the magical people of the Underground. Over the centuries, in order to better distribute the perception of power and control. The new High Faerie Court was formed. Queen Mad seemed to relinquish much of her direct power in favor of cultivating peace and balance throughout the Underground."

"Though not evil she is well known to have strong opinions about the functions within our world and she never quite overcame her bitterness over being driven from the Aboveground to begin with. Chiefly of all, Queen Mab Over seas the Society of the Good and Bad Neighbors. Accomplished magical people usually of mixed heritage who utilize their abilities in both the underground and the Above to benefit or burden others, in exchange for their magical service they are given extended life but there abilities are limited at the same time." Jareth explained.

"The castle that sits in the center of the goblin city and the surrounding Enchanted Forrest have special ties to all the other plains as well as other secrets that are of specific interest to Mab in particular and to anyone else familiar with the old ways. The Labyrinth as you know it today came later when Zayide fled between the worlds to escape prosecution for evil and misguided deeds. At that time the castle was unoccupied save for a handful of knights that had taken up protection of the castle. Zayide bargained with them promising that if they provided she and her unborn child asylum, she would use her remaining power to further protect the castle and create a refuge for the various creatures who also sought asylum as time went on." Jareth settled on the edge of the table reciting all of this information from memory.

"The Ball is not an unusual event. A kingdom is picked every hundred years or so to mark the time of transition when Mab lead her people into the new world of the Underground. But as you've heard Mab has secondary motivations for coming to this particular time and place. As the Labyrinth Knights will attest I have earned my title as Goblin King and if my leadership were ever to falter the Labyrinth Knights have it within their ability to take possession of the custodianship of the Kingdom. Since my emergence as Goblin King the High Council has tried to entice me to join the Ranks of the Goodneighbors to which i have refused. Of her many qualities Mab's desire for power is real and her hunger for control powerful. This castle though it holds common elements of her history does not belong to Mab, though she likes to believe otherwise. I believe she will attempt to indirectly seize control of the kingdom. but to do that she must prove my illegitimacy." The look on Jareth's face said he meant more than just the legitimacy of his right to rule.

"I suspect Mab intends to try my legitimacy as a actual being." He finally said at length.

Sarah knew that time in the Underground moved slower than the Aboveground, and she had witnessed Jareth speed the clock up when she had been racing against time. She did not know or even think that it could stop or go backwards. What point was it to go backwards if you couldn't change the events? She couldn't wrap her mind around that idea. She wondered if time was always being manipulated there, or if it was its own entity like the labyrinth. Was time its own master in the Underground?

There was a part of Sarah that wanted to see and experiment with this idea of time being fluid and malleable instead of static and one way. She had to contain all of her questions that were bubbling up to the surface and dancing in her mouth. She remembered her forgetfulness all too well. She had nearly lost Toby because of it. She was uneasy to think that her memories were at the mercy of the magic that coursed through the land but it was something she couldn't help. This was how this world ran and she'd have to adjust to it.

The history lesson from Jareth was more than she had asked for. She was grateful that he was divulging so much information as it helped her better understand the intricately intertwined roles everyone had here. She was still struggling to see where her thread weaved into the mix and hoped that she'd have more clarity before she had to deal with the High Court.

Sarah quirked her brow when he omitted the fourth plain. She opened her mouth to ask him about it only to close it as he had continued on to speak about Queen Mab.

"Goodneighbors? Badneighbors?" She didn't understand the references.

Sarah fell quiet as he explained that Queen Mab was the forerunner in trying to give him the boot. Sarah could not explain the twisting and painful sensation inside as he said Mab was likely to try and disprove his legitimacy as a being.

"Wait-" she shook her head. "This Queen Mab, she's going to try and prove you don't exist? How can you even try and attempt something like that when you are as real and solid as I am?" the idea that someone could be classified as not real shook her insides. Sarah was disliking this Mab character the more she heard of her. It didn't matter if she was the reason all these magical beings had come to the Underground.

"Xayide is not original to this world. Though she concieved me I have no legitimate father and no real tie to this world beyond what I have been given and earned. My action thus must be measured and weighed. If the High Council deems me a negative influence in their world they could banish me from it." Jareth remarked grimly.

There was much more to it all but Jareth wasn't interested in revealing everything.

"They are within their rights to judge me." He muttered darkly. "But whatever happen I can not allow the Goblin Kingdom to be left at the mercy of Mab and her people. The goblin Kingdom is a neutral power. It would be disastrous for it to fall within the control of only one force. There's more of course. Too much perhaps. You must guard yourself, Sarah. In whatever way you can."

It made just a bit more sense that Jareth might not be considered a "person" as he explained his parentage, but that still shouldn't matter. "How could they possibly think you're a negative presence?" Sarah knew that she knew very little of Jareth--this conversation was evidence of that--but she knew without a doubt that he wasn't evil nor did he conspire towards devious ends. If he was that way, then Sarah experience in the Labyrinth would've been different.

He did give you a drugged peach. That awful little nagging voice came into her mind. He did try and cheat at your game.

"So what if he did?" she snapped back at her internal voice. "He's not bad, I know he's not." She was stubborn.

Why?

Sarah tuned the voice out as it was only muddying her thoughts. She had to stay focused right now. She couldn't explain it and she wasn't about to try to. She knew that Jareth wasn't bad enough to be kicked out of his own world.

"Then we won't let them." She sounded more confident than she felt. She slid the ring off of her finger and moved from her chair over to Jareth. "Xayide said that this ring has absorbed magic during its stay here. It's the reason why I'm standing in front of you." She turned it over before she offered it to him. "Can it do anything else? Is there anyway that this can help?"

Jareth didn't seem very interested in touching the ring but he did examine it between her fingers. "Its true that human items left overlong in the Underground have a tendency to absorb the magical influences of what's around it. It ability to bring you between the worlds came about because the ring was yours and you were somewhere else. Clearly it responded to your inner most desires. As for its exact properties, that I can't tell you." Jareth remarked.

"What I can tell you is that you being in the Labyrinth complicates things especially since you have come on your own accord. You're identity is not unknown to people here and the details of your quest have become legend. If you remain and the Faerie Court learns you have returned they will expect things of you and of me. Helping the Goblin Kingdom aside, Sarah. What do you really want for yourself?" It was a strange question to ask but being who he was Jareth was not the type to make assumptions anymore.

Sarah looked at her ring a bit more carefully as Jareth spoke. It still looked the same, just as she remembered when she dropped it in the tin cup. She looked up at him surprised as he said that it responded to her inner most desires. She hadn't known that coming back was something she had wanted so desperately. She was a little disappointed that he couldn't tell her anything more about the ring. While it look the same, it felt different. It was almost heavier somehow. She wondered just what it would do. Xayide told her it was magical and would do more than bring her back.

"Legend? Me?" she shook her head. She never imagined the impact she had left on the kingdom after defeating Jareth and the labyrinth and returning home with Toby. "What would they expect of us? I'm merely a guest here, and human. What would they think I could do?"

Sarah was silent at his next question. What did she want? Sarah had no idea. She had abandoned everything; her work, her home, her cat, and Toby. She had left everything behind without a moment of hesitation. She felt guilty but she knew if given the choice again she'd make the same one. She hadn't stopped to think what it was that she wanted, or what it was she had expected after this.

"I-" she frowned and looked down at the ring. "I don't know." She finally admitted quietly. "I spent so many years ignoring this place and what it did for me. I buried everything I had wanted out of life. I thought that waking up to a 9-5 job was exactly what I needed to do with my life." She really didn't like this question. It made her uncomfortable not having an answer. "I guess I'm just one of your lost things now." She gave him a grim smile.

"I don't want to worry about me right now. Time is different here, so when can we expect the Faerie Folk to start showing up? How long do we have to prepare?" she switched the subject quickly. She didn't want to talk about herself anymore. She had zero plans and no idea what she desired out of life anymore.

"Three weeks. Or in this case twenty-one sun rises and eighteen moons. There should be time to prepare in whatever way is needed. I intend to make sure of it." Jareth said.

"As for what the court will expect. They will expect us to represent the kingdom together. Xayide is in exIle and will refuse to participate. They will expect you to act the part of a monarch ." Jareth said carefully. "In many ways, that is what you are. And since you were capable enough to defeat my labyrinth they will want to see for themselves the kind of influence you really posess especially because you are a human being."

Three weeks. Sarah didn't feel like that was going to be adequate time to prepare. Jareth seemed confident it would be enough and so Sarah decided that it would have to be. At the news of the expectations Sarah wasn't sure that she heard him correct. "I'm sorry, did you say monarch?" she shook her head. "I don't understand how that can be so. How can I hold any influence over this place? Xayide said that I was coming here as a witness and to recount my experience here. She didn't say anything about acting as monarch."

There was a part of her that was starting to regret this. It was becoming quickly evident that Xayide hadn't been totally honest or upfront with her. This was far bigger than Sarah and she didn't believe in herself. She felt uncomfortable having to represent the labyrinth at Jareth's side. At the moment she was pretty sure he detested her, especially since she had come unannounced. She kept getting the vibe that, given the chance, he'd get rid of her.

Their conversation was growing long and Jareth was running out of time to devote to explaining things to her. Though now it seemed she was starting to get a glimpse of how overwhelming her situation was.

"I wont defend what Xayide has done as I am angry with her myself. However what is done is done and now we must all make the best of it. I have much work to do in the coming days and there are others who can comfort you more than I. My suggestion to you Sarah is that you spend some time learning about the people ans the world you've landed in. You are a guest in the Kingdom but my hospitality has its limits. Go see your...Friends. Until further notice the castle is off limits to everyone, save the goblins, unless otherwise stated. That, I'm afraid includes you." Jareth said nodding towards the large doors she had come in from.

If Sarah expected him to put her up in the castle and treat her like a faery queen, Sarah was sorely mistaken. Until the ball she would have to fend for herself.

Sarah knew that their conversation was coming to a close. She was surprised and concerned that the castle was off limits to everyone but the goblins. She couldn't fathom why he would put up a temporary ban. She would respect it though. Jareth was a powerful man and she didn't want to get on his bad side. "I guess I'll get out of your hair then." She bit her lip nervously. "If there's anything I can do, let me know." She wasn't sure if she was supposed to bow or curtsy, or some other ridiculous thing. She ended up coughing nervously before ducking her head and walking quickly past him.

The doors responded easier to her as she exited the castle. They closed shut behind her with an air of finality and she was convinced that she wouldn't be able to get into the castle even if she tried.

At that point she decided to go find Hoggle. She had missed him and wanted to know how he was doing. She also knew he would be upfront with information about this place and what type of people the High Court consisted of. It was easy to track him down and she smiled brightly when she spotted him.

"Hoggle!" she called his name cheerfully and rushed over to him. "I didn't get a chance to really talk to you in there. It's so good to see you, I've missed you." She didn't know what to expect from Hoggle since she had last seen him. Was he happy to see her? Or would he be upset she had never tried to come back until now?

The reason Sarah had found Hoggle so quickly was that he had been anxiously waiting for her to appear. Now that she had his face momentarily lit up in anticipation only to quickly fall. Hoggle looked worried, nervous, and awkward as the all too familiar woman came quickly towards him.

"Gaw....Hello....Sarah." He mumbled.

Sarah's face fell as she noticed how anxious and nervous Hoggle looked. This was the Hoggle she remembered that had given her the peach. She remembered how nervous and shift he had been. She felt bad as she looked down at him. "Hoggle," she said slowly before crouching to get more on eye level with him. "What's the matter? Are you okay?" her stomach was uneasy as she tried to figure out what could be bothering him so much.

"Erm. Nuthin. It's been a long time since you was here and all." Hoggle mustered up the diplomatic tone he used when he was trying to sound reasonable.

Unlike Jareth who not only kept track of the passage of time but also could manipulate it while in the Labyrinth, Hoggle and many of the other creatures in the Labyrinth had no real concept of the distance between moments.

"Alots happen since you been gone." Hoggle glanced up at her as if he was wincing. "You were a good friend, once. I guess maybe its good you never came back before. Things in the Labyrinth werent the same when you left and Jareth fell sick."

Hoggle seemed a bit dodgy to Sarah when he put on his very diplomatic voice. She didn't like how stiff and formal it felt between them. This wasn't how it used to be. She didn't like it. As he spoke again she felt a painful tingle run down her spine. She hated that she had abandoned this place. It had meant so much to her in her heart and she had cast it aside so easily so she could assimilate into the world of adulthood.

"Why? What happened?" she frowned as he said it was good she hadn't come back and things were different. She paused. "He fell sick? What do you mean? I didn't even think it would be possible for him to get sick." Sarah had felt troubled ever since Xayide had appeared in her room and confirmed her past had been real. Each bit of information she uncovered made her more anxious and more nervous about everything that had happened while she was away.