~Chapter Five~

Sarah felt groggy, like she'd been given a sedative. She felt her head, which she could have sworn was bleeding. It was bandaged now, along with her hand and arms.

Opening her eyes slowly, Sarah saw her doll, Flopsie, and her panda slippers on a small bookshelf full of her favorites. Things she'd brought to her private suite of room for when she stayed in Jareth's castle…

Sarah drew in a sharp breath and sat up. Sure enough, she was in her room in castle at the center of the Labyrinth, in her bed.

Catrina was staring out the window when she heard Sarah stir. She turned, and for a moment, it was as if she still didn't believe her friend was back. Then, she ran to Sarah and hugged her for an eternity.

"Catrina," Sarah began to cry, "I was so scared! For me, for Jareth, for Trevor…" She stopped abruptly. "Is Trevor okay? Is he home?"

"Trevor's here and he's just fine!" Catrina smiled and Sarah sighed with relief. "He's a little shaken up," Catrina added, "but mama's been hugging him and singing to him."

"And Jareth?" Sarah inquired reluctantly.

"Well, he battled Mystina and it was hard, but in the end, the Fairy Queen's hatred took her over, and daddy was able to banish her."

They hugged again, crying for joy, when a knock came at the door.

"Cat, is she-" Jareth stopped short when he saw his daughter and Sarah embracing. As she looked up, Sarah drew in her breath sharply. She and Catrina parted; Jareth and Sarah locked eyes immediately. "Oh, Sarah!"

It took all of Sarah's strength not to cry out when he rushed forward, fell to his knees in front of her, and took her hand. "Please forgive me!"

The woman's mind swam. Trevor was safe, and Jareth no longer hated her. Tear streamed from Sarah's eyes and she wrapped Jareth in a hug.

"How could I not?" She sniffed. "But…but do you forgive me for almost killing your son?"

Jareth pulled away and again their eyes locked.

"I was wrong, Sarah. None of it was your fault. It could have been anyone's mistake-even mine. I was clearly in the wrong."

"Auntie Sarah!!" A small boy cried out. Sarah turned, smiling, to see Trevor running toward her. She scooped the Prince up in her arms and kissed the top of his dark head.

"How are you, sweetie?" Sarah inquired, wiping at her tears with the back of one hand.

"A little tired," Trevor answered. "I'm just glad you're okay, Auntie Sarah."

"As am I."

Ana strode into the room as well and beamed at her friend. "Sarah, I owe you my son's life. You've proved yourself to this family and this kingdom."

"We're throwing a ball in your honor." Catrina finished. "Don't say no, because we've already sent Goblins out with invitations around the Underground." A much-needed giggle escaped and made the tense air light again. Sarah joined in, then sighed.

"I don't know…I remember what happened the last time I 'attended' a ball." She cast a glance at the King, who raised an eyebrow.

"That was over a decade ago-you can't possibly still blame me for interfering!"

"The heck I can't!" Sarah folded her arms across her chest. "Of course, there is a way you can make it up to me."

"Anything." Jareth nodded.

Slowly, the woman extended her hand. The King narrowed his eyes in confusion, then quickly raised them in recognition. With a simple gesture, Jareth pulled a crystal-Sarah's crystal-from the air. Gently, he placed it in her hand. Bowing, Jareth remarked, "You'll need a dress, Lady Sarah. I suggest something…um…formal…?"

"Men," whispered Ana to Sarah. "They have absolutely no knowledge of clothes!"

* * * * *

Ellie was worried, and she wasn't doing the best job of hiding it. Sarah had been gone for days; all Ellie could think of to do was pace in her room. She knew Sarah was upset over losing her friend's son, but she left no indication of whether or not she'd gone to look for him.

A knock came at the door. Absently, while still pacing, Ellie said,

"Come in."

The door opened and someone walked in. Silence was all her visitor offered. "Anthony? Keisha? What?"

Upon receiving no response for a second time, Ellie turned to face the door, and nearly screamed. Sarah quickly clamped a hand over her friend's mouth and shut the door.

"Ellie, Anthony and Keisha don't know I'm here, okay? I really need to talk to you right now."

"Where have you been?!" Ellie asked frantically as Sarah removed her hand. "I thought you'd run away, or…" She swallowed and shook her head. "It's like you vanished into thin air!"

"I did." Sarah told her.

"Sarah, where were you?" Ellie place her hands on the brunette's shoulders.

"I found my friend's son." Sarah smiled. "And…and he forgives me. Him, his wife, his daughter. Even little Trevor."

"That's great!" Ellie hugged Sarah, glad that she was back, and happy as well.

"That's not all." Sarah took Ellie's hands in her own. "They're throwing a party in my honor. It would mean so much to me if you came."

"Well, okay." Ellie agreed, laughing. "Where do they live?"

"Underground."

Before Ellie could ask where that was-or even if Sarah was making it up-the two were gone.

* * * * *

"Sarah, you failed to mention that you friend's castle contained Goblins!" Ellie tried to sound calm but failed miserably.

"Did I?" Sarah smirked. She turned and shouted down the hall, "Jareth, she's here!"

A man unlike any Ellie had ever seen walked into Sarah's room. He was wearing the tightest pants…

"Good evening, Lady Eleanor. Pleasure to have your company this night." Regally, he bowed and kissed her hand.

"Well, I'll be damned." Ellie blinked, her mouth hanging open. Sarah frowned.

"There are children nearby." She informed Ellie. As if on cue, Trevor ran in, and immediately attached himself to Sarah's leg. Ellie was beyond baffled; Sarah fought the urge to crack up.

"Auntie Sarah, please, won't you introduce me to this lovely lady?" Trevor grinned, happy he'd gotten it right.

"That's my son." Jareth shook his head and walked to the door. "The Flatterer. Lady Eleanor, please do remember, he's only four, and not yet ready for a relationship."

"I'll keep that in mind." Laughed Ellie, sounding at ease for the first time since she'd arrived.

"Will you get ready for my party already?" Sarah ordered, smiling. The King chuckled and left.

Trevor still grinned sweetly at Ellie; she widened her own. "Lady Eleanor Meyer, may I present his young Royal Highness, Prince Trevor Patrick. And vice versa."

Ellie knelt down and extended her hand.

"Nice to meet you, your majesty."

Trevor looked at her hand for only a second before flinging himself into her arms and wrapping his own small arms around her neck.

"Nice to meet you, too, Lady Eleanor."

"I wouldn't fight him, Ellie." Sarah advised. "Trevor gets his way all the time."

Ellie took her friend's advice and hugged the boy back.

"Trevor, honey, we should probably get our dresses on. Why don't you go find your daddy?" Sarah tickled the Prince under the chin and he released Ellie.

"Okay, Auntie Sarah!" And Trevor scampered off.

"He is the sweetest kid." Ellie stood up. "He's going to be a great King someday…God, what am I saying…?" She took a deep breath.

"Try not to think about it too hard." Sarah closed the door to her room. Instantly, she made a motion with her hand and, as if by magic, crystal ball materialized. Ellie gasped and backed away a few steps.

"How did you do that?!" She demanded of Sarah.

"Oh, did I also forget to mention that the Underground has magic?" Sarah looked up from the crystal slyly. "And so do I."

"You think you know a girl…" Ellie sighed, relaxing again. "What can you do with it? Tell my fortune?"

"What do you want your dress to look like?" Sarah inquired.

"Why-is there a magic Goblin tailor around here?"

"Ellie, trust me."

"Okay." Ellie sighed. "Uh, pink-that's my favorite color-long, with spaghetti straps. And…heck, maybe ever a big pink bow on the back."

"Done." Sarah threw her crystal in air. Ellie expected it to come down on the floor and shatter, but instead, a bright replaced it. That same light enveloped a very shocked Ellie. Within seconds, she was ready.

Ellie, who'd been in an old Garth Brooks T-shirt and faded jeans only moments ago, now sparkled. Her long, flowing, pink dress included the requested straps, and a few extras. Silver heels, a black choker, and pink gloves. Ellie's hair was curled and pulled away from her face. And, of course, a big, pink bow near the small of her back. She was, again, stunned.

"Th-thanks, Sarah." Ellie managed to get out.

"You're entirely welcome, Eleanor. Now, why don't you mingle with the other guests whilst I get ready?"

"Sure." Ellie went out the door, mumbling to herself. "Anthony and Keisha already think I'm crazy…"

When the door closed, Sarah safely let out a giggle. The look on Ellie's face was priceless. Good ole Ellie.

Snapping back to attention, Sarah held out her hand, and the crystal appeared a second time.

"I was the Belle of the Ball once." She remarked. "No problem doing it a second time."

An evil grin found itself on Sarah's face.

* * * * *

Ana, holding Trevor, pulled Jareth away from Duke and Duchess Siapei, neighbors of Fae. Calmly, she asked,

"Where's the guest of honor?"

"She hasn't come out, yet?" Jareth narrowed his eyes in puzzlement. Ana shrugged. "Perhaps our daughter knows. She and Sarah always seem to have a trick up their sleeves."

But Catrina hadn't a clue, either.

"I haven't seen her since this afternoon…but Ellie might know."

Ellie was at the punch bowl, talking with a Goblin.

"So, what exactly is this Bog like?" She wondered.

"It smells real bad, Lady. So bad, we's gotta be good for the King, or else, we goes there!"

One look at Jareth approaching and the Goblin fled. Elli raised an eyebrow.

"You've certainly got power on your side." She stated, sipping her punch.

"Yes," agreed Jareth, "but I must know: have you seen Sarah?"

"Yeah, a few minutes ago. She probably still had to put on her-"

The room had gone silent almost instantly. Everyone had turned toward the main archway of the ballroom. Sarah stood there.

Her dress was blinding white velvet, covered in sequence. Satin gloves encased her arms. Silver sandals were on her feet. Sarah's long, dark hair was made up into a bun. Dangling, diamond earrings and a matching diamond necklace shimmered; a wonderful final touch. More than one mouth dropped. "-dress." Ellie finished, her own mouth like cotton. Mission accomplished, thought Sarah.

Jareth, Ana, Trevor, and Catrina walked over to Sarah and stood at her sides.

"This is our Guest of Honor, Sarah Williams, from Aboveground. She is the reason my young son, Prince Trevor, is here with us tonight."

A thunderous applause followed the announcement, compelling Sarah to have her say.

"Trevor is like a nephew to me, and there isn't anything I wouldn't do for him. I risked my life for him, not for a ball such as this, but to know he'd be safe, and with his family. I'd gladly do it again."

Another round of applause. Sarah smiled. "Go ahead! Dance! This is a party!"

And it was. The King and Queen showed their kingdom some steps, Catrina kept Trevor away from the "grown-up" side of the buffet table, and Ellie found a "cute guy" to talk to. Sarah mostly observed, though many a gentleman asked her to dance. It was the perfect ending to a traumatic experience.

*****

"Aw, do we have to?" Sarah whined. "Ellie's…well, drunk's not really the word…um…"

Ellie moaned on Sarah's bed.

"I'm not…I'm not drunk. I ready to party hardy!"

"Ellie, dear, the party was over an hour ago." Sarah reminded her.

"Yes, we have to." Jareth said. "She may think of this as a dream or the result of being drunk, and she may not. But you see, Sarah, some people just can't handle fantastical creatures and places as a memory." He looked at the woman on the bed. "People like Eleanor, here."

"Okay, okay, you're right."

Jareth pulled a crystal from the air, which immediately became a fine powder. The King blew it on Ellie, who fell asleep.

* * * * *

"Oh, my God." Ellie murmured. "Why do I feel like an elephant stomped on my head?"

"Maybe because you had one too many drinks last night." Sarah went from the window of Ellie's room over to her bed.

"Drinks?"

"Ah, so you don't remember the club?"

"Club?"

"Yeah, club." Sarah shook her head. "To celebrate me finding my friend's son. At Kacy's Night Club, I ordered a Coke and you threw a couple back. No wonder you don't remember."

"Thanks for stopping me." Ellie rolled over onto her back.

"Hey, we all do dumb things. Thought I'd teach you a tiny lesson."

"Mmm. Well, I'm glad it's over, anyway."

Sarah shut off the light and went to the door.

"So am I."

~The End~