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In the underground…

It was three years since Sarah had beaten the Goblin King in her Labyrinth run, and since then, Hoggle and Sir Didymus had been visiting her as much as possible. They had decided to still be there as friends, even though they knew that Jareth would seriously disapprove.

“Hurry up. We gots to get to Sarah while the portal is still open. You know that she is leavin’ for collage in the coming days. After that, the portal will be closed forever.”

“But Brother. What are we going to do about that special day Sarah told us about? The king won’t be happy if he finds out about our fair maiden leaving home and travelling across the country.”

Hoggle facepalmed himself in frustration, as he couldn’t believe Didymus could be so naïve. Of course, he hadn’t forgotten that special day Sarah had mentioned, and he knew what he wanted to give her. Sarah had been his best friend since they met, but there was no way he would admit that to her.

“We gots to get a present for Sarah before it’s too late. I have an idea, so come on.”

Didymus followed Hoggle into the King’s Garden, weary of the presence of Jareth. He kept looking around in fear in case His Majesty made an appearance.

“Hoggle, dost thee hast a plan in case we art interrupted?”

“Grr. We don’ be needin’ a plan. We are not gonna be in here for too long, so hurry up! Ah, here it is. This is perfect for Sarah.”

Both Hoggle and Didymus looked up at the tree that they had found in the garden. The tree stood tall, covered in sparkling deep pink and red roses that had a tiny tinge of glitter over them.

The tree was one of a few that stood prominently in the kings’ own gardens, and no one was permitted to enter without Jareth’s say so.

“Get up there. We have to hurry. Find a rose that Sarah will love.”

Hoggle practically pushed Didymus up the trunk before he put his hands on his hips. He didn’t want to be caught by Jareth again, as he was still under a surveillance law for what Jareth saw as treason when he helped Sarah with her run.

Didymus slowly climbed the tree, dodging branches along the way.

Finally, he saw what he thought the young fair maiden would love. Very slowly he reached his paw out and pulled the light branch closer, so he would be able to use his sharp teeth to pick the beautiful flower.

Hoggle was waiting down on the ground, pacing, and mumbling to himself, as he knew that Jareth was watching and would appear at any moment.

How he wished he were wrong, as suddenly the Goblin King appeared before him with his arms crossed.

“Higgle, What. Do. You. Think. You. Are. Doing?”

Jareth punctuated every word with a slight pause to make his point more prominent. Hoggle had started to tremble, as he had never gotten over his fear of the king. He still considered himself a coward.

“Yer Majesty, we was just…err, I mean… Didymus and I thought…”

“Save your breath and excuses, Hogbreath. I have seen what the two of you are up to. What I want to know is why.”

Jareth had just finished with the goblin court for the day when he felt an unknown presence in his private gardens. With a quick sigh, he vanished and stood in the shadows of the trees in his garden, just watching the scene unfold.

Didymus had finally climbed down the tree with the plucked rose slightly in his mouth, just in time to listen to the king’s question, and he was wanting to straighten everything up.

“Thy Majesty. Perchance I can straighten a few things up. Thou see, my brother and I were going to surprise our fair maiden with a gift. She told us about an important day that is coming up, and we wanted to get her something for it.”

At those words, Jareth stopped and looked over at Didymus, holding a beautiful rose that had been plucked from his tree, and a slow smirk appeared on his already intimidating face.

“Is that so? Just what is this so-called important day that has you stealing a Forbidden Rose?”

Hoggle and Didymus looked at each other, each daring the other to speak and answer the king’s question.

At the delay, Jareth crossed his arms, and turned his smirk into a small scowl as he waited for his dim-witted subjects to answer him.

“Well, Yer Majesty, umm… Sarah mentioned that there is a day called Valentine’s Day coming up. Every year, the Aboveground celebrates it in February.”

Jareth’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, as he had heard of this celebration; but was also wondering why Hoggle and Didymus thought it would be a clever idea to surprise his Sarah with a rose.

“Well, gentlemen, I’ll be taking that,” he said as he took the rose from Didymus’s paw, “Thank you for reminding me of this day. This rose will be absolutely perfect, and I will make sure it never wilts.”

With that, Jareth created a crystal, and tossed it into the air. Upon its decent, the crystal popped and showered over the rose, which caused it to sparkle even more, but this time with everlasting magic.

Satisfied, Jareth vanished with the rose, ready to give it to his Sarah as a Valentine’s Day gift on the appointed day.

“Yer just had to give that rat all the details, didn’t you?”

Hoggle muttered and started to limp away with Didymus protesting his innocence.

****************

Aboveground in Sarah’s bedroom…

Sarah had just bid her friends goodbye after another visit, as they had spent over three hours talking and catching up.

Hoggle and Didymus had become regular guests, but she had become sad over the fact that Ludo had not been able to fit through the mirror portal due to his ever-growing size.

With the Christmas holidays now over, her mind wandered to the next celebration that everyone seemed to embrace, and Sarah could not believe that she had brought it up to her Labyrinth friends.

“I’m such an idiot. Why did I do that?”

She flopped onto her bed with her arm over her forehead in frustration, as she couldn’t fathom what they were doing or exactly WHOM they would tell about Valentine’s Day.

“I have never received anything worth keeping more than a couple of days after February 14, so why would I expect it to be different this year?”

Sarah moaned to herself in a muffled voice before she realised just how late it was getting. Sighing, she got up off the now rumpled bed and started to undress and change into a loose but slim cotton nightgown.

Thoughts of a certain fae king started to flood her mind and her dreams as she slowly drifted off to sleep, hugging her spare pillow.

After a fruitful night’s sleep, Sarah awoke with renewed energy until she realised what the date was.

“Oh, no. The one day I hate most,” she sighed, rolling her eyes, “Well… I best get started and try and make the day over with as soon as possible.”

After a warm shower, she got dressed in a faded pair of jeans, her favourite David Bowie t-shirt, and put her sneakers on.

Her hair was tied back in a high ponytail. Before heading down the stairs to breakfast, she put the unfinished boxes and suitcases on the bed, ready to be done throughout the day.

Toby was already at the table, shovelling his cereal into his mouth like there was no time to waste, and making a huge mess.

Sarah just smiled, as she was really going to miss him when it came time to leave.

“Morning, Tobes. Did you have a good sleep?”

Toby grinned up at her, nodding as his mouth was full.

Karen walked back into the kitchen, stopping when she saw the mess that Toby had made. She sighed and grumbled something under her breath before returning to the stove.

“Morning. Honey. How’s the packing for college going?”

Sarah sat down with a bowl of cereal in front of her.

“Morning, Mom. Everything is going okay. I will be finishing the packing today, but I just don’t know what to leave here and what to take with me.”

Karen could hear the frustration in Sarah’s voice as she answered her question, and she totally understood.

Suddenly, an idea popped into her mind, and she turned to face her stepdaughter.

“I know how you feel. Why not just take the things that you know that you will definitely need, and if there is anything that you find you want or need in the coming days or weeks, we can send them to you?”

Sarah looked up at Karen with a smile and nodded her head in approval before standing up to put her used bowl in the dishwasher.

“That would be a clever idea. Thank you.”

Karen smiled as Sarah accepted her suggestion.

“I will do my best to keep this young man away from you for most of the day, Sarah. Take your time in deciding what to take with you as Sarah Lawerance is just two hours away.”

Sarah knew what she wanted to take mostly to college, and after finishing her coffee that had been made for her, she walked back up the stairs to her room to continue packing.

**************

In the Underground…

Jareth sat on his throne, deep in thought. He held the sparkling red rose between his fingers as he contemplated just how he would present it to the one woman he never forgot but still loved with his entirety.

“How am I going to do this? I haven’t seen her in person in nearly three years. I know that my heart won’t be able to take any more rejection from her.”

He let out a sigh of frustration, and his gloved hand pinched the top of his brow as his mind ran through every possible outcome.

“Oh, Sarah. Why is it so hard? I am, after all, a king. Not just any king. I am the Goblin King. The ruler of the ENTIRE Underground. I can’t be sitting here, acting like a scared little boy!”

After giving himself a pep talk, Jareth checked his appearance for any faults before vanishing to the world above and to his lady fair.

*************

In Sarah’s room…

Sarah was staring at the boxes on the floor that had been packed already and then turned to what was still waiting on the bed with a sigh and feeling anxious.

“I don’t know if I can do this. What happens if I fail? I’m scared that everything I have worked for doesn’t work out the way I hope. The one thing I would like to take, I can’t, as it’s too big. I’m going to miss everyone.”

She flopped down onto the bed with her head in her hands, not noticing the shift in the atmosphere. The next thing she heard was HIS voice in a whisper.

“Sarah, why are you sitting looking so glum?”

Sarah whipped her head up and looked around the bedroom in panic and with wide eyes. She failed to see anyone, which made her sigh in disappointment.

“I must be going crazy. Why would he take time out and come to see me?”

Jareth stood in the shadows, just watching his love and self-made queen before him. Her scent almost drove him crazy, almost to the point that he was glad his clothes hid his ever-growing member.

Sarah hauled her suitcase onto the bed and tried to push the voice out of her head but was unsuccessful. Especially when she swore, she heard it again.

“My Sarah. I have missed you. Please call for me, for I wish to talk, but I’m unable to without your wish.”

Sarah shook her head in bewilderment as she listened to what she thought was her imagination.

She was scared to call upon the king again, and since her run, she had never made another wish. All she knew was that she had to see him at least once more, even if it was to say goodbye.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“I wish that The Goblin King would come to me. Right now.”

Slowly, Sarah stood up as Jareth emerged from the shadows, looking just like she remembered him. Very slowly, her eyes took in every detail of this picture-perfect man before her as he just stood there waiting and watching her.

Jareth had made sure that he dressed for this and not to intimidate her. He had chosen to wear the same outfit from the Escher Room when he had serenaded Sarah while she ran up different flights of stairs.

He could feel her eyes raking over him, taking in his long-sleeved, maroon-coloured cotton shirt, the high-necked, dark coloured leather vest that showed off his sparkling kingdom pendant, his loose but tight-fitting breeches, and his shiny, black, knee-high heeled boots.

The only thing he had changed, was his hair. Instead of the loose and spiky hairstyle he was used to, Jareth had decided to make it shorter, and it was tied back in a low ponytail at the base of his neck.

“Jareth?” Sarah breathed out softly. ”What are you doing here? Did you plant those voices in my head?”

Jareth had to let his breathing return to normal before he could answer her, and slowly that was accomplished.

“Yes, it’s me. I’m here because you wished it. Yes, I did put that voice in your head. I had to, as I really miss you. That was the only way I could get you to wish for me, Sarah.”

Slowly, he walked over to her in the middle of the room, before leading her to the edge of the bed and sitting down beside her.

“I see that you’re packing. I heard that you got into college. Congratulations.”

Sarah shook herself mentally before realising that he was actually here and being nice and civil.

Since when was he nice and civil?

Even inquiring about her life?

“Yes, although, I will admit that I’m scared. Terrified, actually. Hoggle and Didymus mentioned that the mirror portal will be shut off completely, and I just know that I will miss all my friends from the Underground. Even you.”

“Oh, Precious, you know that I will always be here for you. I can follow you in my owl form and watch over you when I can. All you have to do is call my name when you need me, and I will be there.”

Sarah nodded slightly at his words, and she felt a sense of relief.

Calmness enveloped her, and on impulse, she turned and hugged Jareth tight. That was something he had not been expecting, but he found himself hugging her back.

“Sarah,” he whispered in her ear as he pulled away ever so slightly, “I have something for you.”

She watched as he pulled out a beautiful, shimmering, long-stemmed red rose from his vest pocket. She couldn’t help but wonder how it wasn’t crumpled, but he was a fae, and she knew that magic played a huge part of his life.

“Oh, Jareth, it’s beautiful. I’ve never seen a rose like this before.”

Jareth saw tears of joy were brimming in her emerald-green eyes as he pulled out the rose Hoggle and Didymus had taken from his garden.

“This has come from my personal garden. It’s called a Forbidden Rose. My garden is sacred and only I get to give permission on who goes in there. Your friends decided to help me in getting it for you.”

Sarah started to panic at the thought of Hoggle and Didymus being in trouble at her expense, as she was the one who had accidentally told them about what people do in the Aboveground.

Jareth saw a tiny hint of her panic and knew right then that he needed to reassure her that her friends were perfectly fine and safe.

“Don’t worry Sarah. Your friends are absolutely fine. I will make sure that they come and see you again; that’s a promise.”

She nodded in gratitude.

“Thank you, Jareth. That means a lot.”

“This is for you, my sweet. I know that over the years you haven’t had much luck with celebrating what you call Valentine’s Day. I give you this as a token of my undying heart and devotion to you.”

Sarah felt a tear slide down her cheek at his words. She had longed for this moment but would never admit it aloud.

Slowly, she accepted the offered rose from the king, and to her surprise, it bloomed to double the original size.

“Oh, wow. This is truly the most wonderful gift I have ever gotten. You have come and saved this day for me. How can I repay you, Jareth?”

Jareth raised his eyebrows at her question, as he never thought that she would propose such a thing.

For once, he had the chance for getting what he wanted, but he also knew he would have to take things slow.

“The only thing that would make me happy, Precious, is a chance to let me take you to dinner tonight. Up here, and I promise that I will be as human as possible. I would like a chance to start over again with you.”

Sarah smiled and nodded her head.

“I’d like that too. I know that I have to continue packing for college, but can you stay for a while longer?”

Jareth leant forward and planted a light kiss on her forehead in which she leaned into.

“I will stay awhile longer. I’m not sure what you want to take with you, but I do insist on at least one thing to remember us all.”

With that, he walked over and picked up the red hardcover book that had light yellow pages, worn from age. He placed it on top of the suitcase, ready for Sarah to take it with her.

For the next couple of hours, Jareth stayed with his love while she packed for college. Sarah gave him all the details of Sarah Lawerance and what she would be studying. Jareth made a promise that he would come there to visit whenever he could.

“Well, my sweet, I need to get back to the Underground, so I can prepare for our dinner tonight. I will pick you up at six, okay?”

“Wait. What is the dress code, so I can make sure to be appropriately dressed.”

Jareth smirked at her silly question, but he decided to give one more surprise to her. After creating a crystal, he sent it to the bed, and it popped, showing an elegant dress made of sky-blue satin fabric.

The dress had spaghetti straps for going over the shoulders, and a slit that ran up the side to help show off her leg.

Before Sarah could say anything, Jareth had vanished back home. She couldn’t help but be in awe and excitement for the evening ahead.

When Karen came to the bedroom door to see how everything was going, Sarah informed her that she had been invited to dinner for Valentine’s Day.

Karen was ecstatic over the news and couldn’t help but show her surprise over the dress on the bed, and the shimmering red rose that was on the dresser drawers.

She insisted a flower of that much beauty needed a crystal vase from the collection that was put away and went to get one.

**************

Back in The Underground…

Jareth had arrived back in his castle completely happy and excited. He was finally making headway with Sarah, and hopefully, she would eventually be his queen. Now he just had to sort out his human look for the date night ahead.

“I know. This will be perfect.”

With a wave of his hand, he had transformed himself into a man in his early 20’s. He was wearing a midnight-blue cotton business shirt, dark trousers to match, shiny black business shoes, and his hair was short and styled back in a sleek look to match. The only thing that hadn’t changed was the pendant under his shirt.

“I know that Sarah will like this look. I just need to send for her friends.”

Conjuring a crystal, he sent it out to the Labyrinth to summon Hoggle and Didymus to the castle.

It wasn’t long before Hoggle and Didymus arrived, and they were shocked by the king’s appearance. He looked like he was completely human, and they had no idea what was going on.

“I know that you both are wondering about my look. I have to say a big thank you for the rose earlier, as Sarah absolutely loved it. She has even agreed to let me take her to dinner tonight to continue the tradition of Valentine’s Day.”

Hoggle was the first to clear his throat.

“Yer Majesty. That is great. Does that mean Sarah will be joining us here at some point?”

Jareth laughed.

“Not yet, Higgle. She is still going to college as planned, but I will work out a way for us to continue to visit with her there. I am hoping that someday she will become my queen.’

Didymus looked at the clock that stood predominately in his chambers, and he cleared his throat in a small gesture.

“Thy Majesty. Time runs short. Tis time that you return to our fair maiden.”

Jareth also saw the time, and he grinned before once again vanishing to the world above.

“Well, I never seen the king this happy. Maybe Sarah will come back and be our queen.”

Didymus looked at his brother, and he noticed that Hoggle had a wistful grin on his face. Didymus also had hope of that outcome.

***************

In Sarah’s room…

Sarah had enlisted Karen’s help to get ready for this all-important evening. She was still glowing from Jareth’s visit earlier, which had been a chance to move on from the past and get to know the true Goblin King.

She still wasn’t able to tell him of her true feelings, but she was happy that he had come back into her life.

“Oh, Sarah, you look absolutely beautiful. This mysterious beau of yours will be knocked off his feet.”

Sarah giggled at Karen’s words as she stood in front of the mirror.

Karen had spun her dark hair into a French Twist that had sparkly clips to help pin it back. The clips were found in an old box that had once belonged to her mother. They perfectly accompanied the dress that Jareth had left behind.

The dress was perfect in Sarah’s eyes. It hugged her figure, but it wasn’t tight and gave her room to move. Karen had loaned her a gold necklace that had a small diamond pendant hanging from it, and there were earrings to match.

“Thank you so much for your help, Karen. I know that Dad was shocked when I told him I had a date tonight.”

Karen laughed heartily.

“Yes, he did. But I’m also looking forward to meeting this man. Oohh, look at the time. He’ll be here soon.”

No sooner had she said anything, the doorbell rang, and Sarah immediately got both excited and nervous. Walking downstairs with Karen, she could hear Jareth’s voice talking with her father in a jovial manner.

That all stopped when they stepped into the room.

Both her father and Jareth turned to see Sarah enter, and Robert smiled in approval for his daughter.

Jareth just stood there with a lump in his throat.

Mentally shaking himself out of the stupor, Jareth walked over to the women and lifted Sarah’s hand, kissing her knuckles lightly. Karen looked on in approval, as she couldn’t wait to see this relationship work.

“You are stunning, Sarah. Everyone will be blown away tonight.”

Robert started to walk the couple towards the door with a huge grin.

“You children have a wonderful evening, but Sarah, please don’t stay out too late. I know that you are old enough, but I’m still your father.”

Sarah laughed as Jareth shared a wink with her father, while Karen just shook her head in annoyance. She ushered Sarah and Jareth out of the door before turning on her husband.

“Robert, really!” she hissed and stood there with her hands on hips.

**************

Three years later…

Jareth had made it his mission to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Sarah every year. Over time, they had turned their friendship into a more of a romantic relationship. Sarah had now graduated college, and Jareth had something special lined up for this year’s Valentine’s Day.

He had been accepted into the Williams family and, like he had promised, had found a way for all of Sarah’s Labyrinth friends to visit her while she was at Sarah Lawerance college by creating a temporary secret portal.

The Forbidden Rose that he had presented Sarah on their first Valentine’s Day still bloomed on her windowsill in a beautiful crystal vase that had been magicked not to fall, but only now had started to show its age by dropping two of its petals.

Jareth felt extremely nervous, as once again he was putting his heart on the line. He just hoped that he would not be rejected again, as he didn’t think he could take it. Thoughts of his beloved Sarah filled his mind, and he smiled with renewed hope.

“Oh, sweet Danu. I am hoping that tonight goes well for me. By now, Sarah would have received the note I sent. I simply cannot wait to see her and confess all to her.”

He picked up a small dark blue velvet box from his office desk and took a deep sigh to subside his nerves.

“I can do this. Sarah and I have mended the past. I just know that she will be my queen and accept this token of my love.”

Jareth continued to give himself a mental pep talk with eyes closed, and he envisioned the only outcome he would accept as his hand gripped the small jewellery box.

With a wave of his hand, Jareth changed into his human self. He had chosen a pearl white, long-sleeved satin shirt, navy blue business trousers, with a tie to match, and his hair was once again sleeked back in a short and neat style.

With one last deep breath, he nodded in confidence before vanishing to the Aboveground world and to see his Sarah.

****************

In Sarah’s room…

Sarah had indeed received Jareth’s note, and she was also given a special gift in a box to go along with it. Jareth had been right there when she gone through college and had graduated summa cum laude in her class.

He had made each and every Valentine’s Day a happy one for her, and for that, she was internally grateful. She could not deny her feelings any longer, as she loved him with all her being.

Karen and her father had indeed welcomed Jareth into their family, as they could tell just how much he loved and cared for her, and she smiled as memories came flooding in of how Robert had always embraced him.

“I have a feeling that this Valentine’s Day will be different. Don’t ask me how I know, it’s just a gut feeling.”

Karen was busy helping Sarah ready herself for the special night, as she was pinning her hair back in a simple but elegant style that only left tendrils framing her face.

“Well, that is great. Jareth is a wonderful man, and you are lucky, Sarah. Never let that young man go.”

Sarah smiled as Karen finished her hair and then walked over to the flat square box that had been sitting on the bed all day.

“I don’t plan to, Karen. I love him. Tonight, he will know everything.”

Karen walked over to her stepdaughter, and hugged her tight before leaving the room, so that Sarah could get ready for her date with Jareth.

Sarah slowly opened the box and found a beautiful emerald-green, strapless dress that had a flowing skirt.

Once she had slipped into it,  the dress reached to her knees, and hugged her figure to show off her curves. On her feet were a pair of strappy, silver Cleopatra sandals.

To accompany her look, she wore the heart-shaped necklace and earrings from their first Valentine’s date. Sarah picked up her purse just as the doorbell sounded.

Slowly, Sarah made her way down the stairs as she heard Jareth and her parents laughing ang talking in the hallway. Suddenly, Jareth caught sight of her, and had the wind totally knocked out of him.

She looked incredible!

Clearing his voice, he stepped forward and offered her his hand as she descended the stairs.

“You look absolutely amazing, Sarah. I also have a surprise for you.”

His voice was still a little gruff.

Sarah was very intrigued by what he had planned, but she also took in his appearance, hoping for a small hint of their destination, alas without success. She should have known that her fae king would be full of surprises.

Jareth led Sarah out to the red convertible car that he had hired for the night, with her parents wishing them a wonderful time.

Karen knew that something was different, but didn’t want to say anything in case she was wrong. Robert just didn’t seem to notice any change in Jareth’s stance.

“Where are you taking me, Jareth?”

Jareth just smirked, as he wasn’t going to say what he had in store for her. He opened the car door for her, and she slid in the passenger seat. After closing the door behind her, he trotted around the back and jumped into the front seat next to her.

“I can’t tell you. I’ve planned everything as a surprise for you, my love.”

All she could do was sit back and enjoy the short drive to the park near to where she lived. It was the same park where she used to dress up and play out her favourite lines from different plays.

Sarah hadn’t been here in years, and she was surprised that Jareth remembered.

*************

In the park under the stars…

After getting out of the car, Jareth opened the boot and picked up a picnic basket before taking Sarah’s hand in his.

“I know that we could have gone to a restaurant, but I thought this place would be better. By my account, this park is also the first time I saw you. I was just out for a fly when you caught my eye as you called out the lines from the red book.”

Sarah blushed as she remembered her young teenage years that were spent here in this park. She could also remember a cream-coloured barn owl that would always watch her while she acted out her lines.

“I had always wondered why an owl was out in daylight. You always seemed to be enthralled by my practicing. Back then, I was severely into my drama class at school.”

Jareth started to laugh as he laid the picnic blanket down on the grass and opened the basket, getting some of the food ready. Sarah knelt down, and Jareth poured her a glass of champagne.

A spread of meats, dips, and salads were put out before her, and Sarah couldn’t be any happier. This was by far the perfect way to spend the most romantic day of the year, as she could see it.

All her thoughts were fixated on this incredibly handsome fae king, who started out as the one she hated for taking her brother but over the years started a friendship with, which turned into a romantic relationship. Now she couldn’t live her life without him in it, and she wanted to tell him before she lost her nerve.

“Jareth, there’s something I just wanted to tell you.”

She bit her lip, feeling nervous as he looked into her eyes with his gorgeous, mismatched ones.

Jareth was shaking internally when he saw just how nervous his love was, but decided to wait until she had told him what was on her mind before he would reply.

“Jareth, umm... I just wanted to say that you have really changed my life for the better. There is no way that I can ever repay you for our first Valentine’s Day together, and that rose you gave me was beautiful. Anyway, all I wanted to say was that I love you, and I just want you to know that I will always be yours no matter what.”

Jareth was happily dancing internally and his heart started heavy jubilations at her words. He couldn’t help letting a huge grin spread across his face.

“Oh, my darling. You have brought the sunlight back into my life. I never thought I would be this happy, and to have you in my life is a blessing. I love you, my Sarah, and forever will. Here, I have something for you.”

As Sarah watched, he produced a ruby red rose from his pocket that was exactly like the first one he gave her a few years earlier. That gesture made tears come to Sarah’s eyes as he placed the rose behind her right ear.

“Thank you, Jareth. It’s beautiful.”

“I’m not done yet,” he replied in a soft voice, “There is something else I would like to say. From the moment I first met you, I have loved you. I promise that I always will. Not a day will go by without you having me standing by you in good times and bad, and I promise to be faithful to you always. Sarah, my love, will you marry me?”

Sarah let the tears in her eyes overflow as he knelt in front of her, producing a small velvet box. She didn’t even let him show her the ring before she nodded and leant forward to kiss him passionately.

“Yes. Of course, I will. I love you, Jareth, and I always will. I would be honoured to be your wife.”

Jareth grinned as they pulled apart, and he slipped an engagement ring onto Sarah’s finger.

Sarah’s eyes sparkled as they beheld the ineffably beautiful jewellery. The slender band of the ring was made from 24 karat white gold. In the middle sat a two karat hearts-of- fire-cut diamond, its multi-facets glinting in the beaming sunlight and reflecting a kaleidoscope of colours.

It was breathtaking and left her momentarily speechless.

“Oh Jareth, this is so beautiful. This Valentine’s Day has been the best yet.”

Sarah leant up against Jareth’s chest as his arms wrapped around her, and together they stared up at the open sky and the sparkling stars.

“I love you, Jareth.”

“I love you too, my Sarah.”

Jareth kissed his new fiancé and queen to be before creating a crystal to his subjects and Sarah’s friends in the Underground, notifying them of their engagement.

He knew that there would be parties everywhere, but the cleaning up could wait, as he belonged right here with her until daylight.