What if... , Ch. 1

"Sarah," a quiet voice said. "The King is requesting your presence in the throne room"

A black strand of hair crawled on the huge pillow. Another one followed straight away. Then a third one. And a fourth. Finally, Sarahs head popped out from underneath the thick covers. Her eyes were still sleepy as she slowly drew her body out of the warmth of the bed. Her arms slid around the covers as she yawned and looked for the source of the voice.

"Flo." she smiled,"Good morning. Tell the King I'm going to be there in a minute"

The door closed shut and Sarah yawned again. What would his Majesty want this morning? A pair of sleepy eyes scanned the room for a calendar. As Sarah recodnised the date, her breath grew louder. Her sigh broke the silence that filled the room.

"Ten years today." she answered her own question.

Pushing away the thick covers, Sarah let her legs fall down the egde of her bed as she slowly and gently loaded them with her weight. She made her way slowly into the washing room, her mind busy with memories. The bath was already filled with steaming water and sented of a rose perfume - the favourite of his Grase's and hers also. Sarah got out of her night-gown, enjoying the feel of silk against her skin. She lowered herself slowly into the steaming water and closed her eyes.
Ten years. It has been only ten years since she lived in the Goblin Kingdom. It felt like she had been there her whole life. She didn't remember her father's face, let alone her mothers. She had forgotten about Toby, the reason why she came here in the first place. The palace and the Labyrinth were her life now. She had friends here. And a certain Goblin King that had became very fond of her. The King. Jareth, as he wanted her to call him. He hadn't aged a day. He was still the handsome young man she had seen in her room that night, ten years ago. His blonde hair still fell down perfectly on his shoulders, his cape still shined by the sun and his eyes were still enchanting as they were the day they met. There were days when they didn't leave each other's side for a second. They'd spend the whole day talking on every single subject that popped into their heads. And they would laugh as they walk through the gardens, the woods, as they sit by the small lake or stroll down the Labyrinth. There were days when he was her best friend. And days when she could not stand him. Sarah wondered what day would be today.
She had rested her head at the side of the bath and felt herself drift away. Standing up, she wrapped a thick cloth around her. Tapping back to the room, she saw her clothes already picked out down to the last detail. Another sigh left her lips. She had never gotten to pick her own clothes but she rarely minded that- the outfits they chose were always beautiful. Today it was a square neck green dress with long sleeves. The courset ,that was set aside, was black and lacy with a white embroidered flowers around the waist. A pair of black satin pumps were set down by her bed. Sarah put on her undergarments, followed by the dress. While carressing it down to her skin, a knock on the door filled the room.

"Come in", she said while placing her feet in the shoes.

A blonde head popped in to smile at her. The doors swung open and revealed Jareth leaning against it.

"Morning." he said negligent.

Sarah's habits kicked in and she bowed her head down, picking her skirts up in a gracefull curtsey.

"Good morning, your Majesty"
Jareth rolled his eyes and waved his hand.

"Come now, darling, how many times would you like us to have this argument. Jareth. Not "your Majesty" or "your Grace" or any of the names you call me. And please, there will be none of that bowing."

"Oh, do you prefer it differently?" Sarah said and plasted a small smirk on her face.

"That's more like it", Jareth nodded in approoval and his curvy smile took over his face as he walked in her room.

"I thought you were going to wait for me in the throne room." the woman said while walking to her dressing table to take care of her makeup and hair.

"I couldn't wait. May I?" he said beating to it.

He held the hairbrush in his fist and again smiled at her.

"What?" Sarah blurted out.

"May I brush your hair?" he said.

She noded and turned to face the mirror. Her eyes saw him caress her hair slowly while brushing it, strand by strand. She closed her eyes and smiled.

"One of the greatest pleasures in life is to have your hair brushed." she heard his melodic voice say."Although I can think of many other far more pleasurable things."

He kept on talking quietly but she lost the trace. His voice became a background but never lost itself. She took a broche out of her jewelry box and attached it carefully to her dress. After that, she took care of her earings. By that time Jareth had finished with her hair and had tied it neatly to a loose side pony tail, letting it flow perfectly down to her shoulder to just above the end of her breast. She turned around.

"Thank you" she smiled.

"Shall we? I have a bit of work to do but I have planned a day for us, my dear." Jareth said, offering her his hand.

"Lead the way, milord"

"Oh, Sarah" he sighed as he led her out of her room.