I watched Labyrinth again recently, after not seeing it for years, and remembered how much I love it. I have been a fan of David Bowie and his music for as long as I can recall.

Since my passion for all things Labyrinth was reinvigorated, I've read a few Labyrinth fanfics; my favourite being The Goblin Market by Viciously Witty. I got the idea to try and write my own Labyrinth story and this is the result. Obviously, I haven't read every Labyfic, so I apologise if this bears any similarity to an existing story. I assure you any resemblance to any other story is purely coincidental and accidental.

I have tried to set the tone for each individual chapter with a relevant quote at the beginning, so I hope the device works. I never want to assume that anyone will read what I've written, but I'm extremely grateful to everyone who takes the time and the effort to leave a review. I can't commit to replying to individual reviews, but I will try to answer any specific questions or queries. I'm very thankful for every reader and review, so please let me know what you think about this story. Thanks again - Mrs P.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to the Labyrinth movie or novelisation. I will be inventing a few original characters along the way, though.

The Goblin King's Bride

Chapter 1

"Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving."

Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

Sarah Williams stood and admired the view across the River Thames from her position on the Queen's Walk. As warm sunlight streamed across her face, she closed her eyes for a moment. It could almost be one of her dreams but for the very real sounds and smells of a vibrant city invading her senses. Sarah had longed to visit London since childhood. Her mother once played a minor role in a West End play. Although to hear her talk, she was the star of the show. Linda Williams' acting roles were sadly not confined to the stage. Sarah let out a wistful sigh at the memories of her absent mother's stories.

Rifling around inside her large purse, she attempted to locate the small folded map she'd purchased earlier from a street vendor. There were posters and flyers stuck everywhere she looked advertising an open-air theatre production in Regent's Park that very night. Being a lover of such things, she bought a ticket on impulse. The idea of seeing A Midsummer Night's Dream performed on the actual date was too much for her to resist. Sarah had once played Titania, Queen of the Fairies, in a high school production. It was back when she dreamed of following in her mother's footsteps by treading the boards. Alas, she soon found that, although she enjoyed theatrical experiences, acting was not in her blood.

Checking her location on the map, Sarah made her way to the nearest Underground station. It wasn't too long before she arrived in Camden Town. There was plenty of time for her to explore a little before the evening show. A rustic looking Italian restaurant caught her eye and feeling a hunger pang, she noted it was already way past noon. The busy lunchtime period was over and she chose to sit outside to make the most of the fine weather. It was never much fun dining alone, Sarah mused, wishing she had brought a book to read. The lack of company and reading material prompted her to look for other distractions to pass the time until her food arrived.

The restaurant was situated in an area where street entertainers were displaying their various talents. Hoping passers-by would reward their efforts, hats and bowls awaited spare change. The glint of sunlight on glass soon caught Sarah's attention. A man in a swirling black cape was performing a kind of disappearing act with three small crystal balls. Her eyes grew wide at the sight, especially when she noticed the magician's wild blond mane. Was it disappointment or relief she felt when he turned around to reveal an unfamiliar and rather undistinguished face? Sarah wanted to believe it was the latter. One of the glass orbs clinked onto the ground and began to roll in her direction. It came to a halt only inches from her feet and the magician gestured for her to pick it up. She stared down at the crystal ball and was sure, for a split second, that two differently distinct eyes were watching her through it. Sarah swiftly parried it away with her sandaled foot and as her toes made contact with it, a warm tingling sensation passed through her.

Seven years had gone by since her quest through the Labyrinth and her defeat of the Goblin King. It seemed as real to her now as it did at the time. She kept the book and often read it to Toby when he was younger at his insistence. Her brother's repeated requests for that story alarmed her at first, but he seemed to remember the Goblin King fondly. He even recalled the song Jareth had sung for him and would regularly perform it for his bemused sister. Sarah also suspected that perfectly timed gifts from a mystery benefactor, which arrived unannounced and were occasionally left for her and Toby, might be from him. Sometimes she wondered if she might have misjudged the Goblin King due to her youth and naivety. How would he appear to her now if she met him as a woman and not a stroppy teenager with raging hormones? It was unwise to let her mind wander in such dangerous directions and yet she indulged it, thinking once wouldn't hurt.

Her meal arrived and was quickly consumed without further incident or distraction. Sarah soon returned to browsing in shop windows and recalled her earlier desire for a book to read during idle occasions. There was a quaint little second-hand bookstore up ahead and she leisurely strolled towards it. These old winding streets reminded her of the Labyrinth in a funny way with all the blind alleys and flagstones. Passing a pub called The Hobgoblin, she crooked a wary eyebrow, but it all seemed perfectly civilised with nothing out of the ordinary. Her attention was briefly drawn to an antique shop. There in the window was a stuffed barn owl mounted in a predatory pose on a plinth. Sarah shivered slightly, recalling the many occasions over the last several years when she'd seen a living creature just like it observing her from afar.

She never lost her sense of wonder, although she'd matured into a sensible young woman. There were times when adult decisions needed to be taken, like when she decided to train to be a school teacher. It didn't mean there wasn't occasionally room for her imagination to wander free. Toby now treasured most of her soft toy collection and other trinkets, but Sarah didn't believe it was necessary to completely relinquish one's childhood in order to grow up. Who wouldn't want to believe there was still a pinch of magic left in the world? It might just have been that she was too attached to the things that brought her comfort and reminded her of good times. Either way, she didn't care.

Sarah rarely called upon her old friends these days and hadn't at all since she'd left home for college. Of course, she thought of them from time to time, but Jareth was the one who continued to haunt her dreams. He was there at a vital moment in her life; the point where she was no longer just a girl and yet, not quite a woman. Her subsequent sexual fantasies were shaped by him and so in essence, he did show Sarah her dreams. She wasn't ready to give him what he wanted back then and now the moment had passed. Her parting valediction to the Goblin King, once a line she couldn't remember, became the one she could never forget. You have no power over me. What a pity, she thought, that it was a lie. Sarah certainly meant it at the time; Toby had to be recovered at all costs. It was only in the subsequent months and years which followed that she realised the truth: she would never be completely free of the Goblin King and, worse still, she didn't want to be.

A bell tinkled as she entered J & K Quinn's bookshop. It seemed to echo for longer than it should as if the sound was following her. Inside, the place was deceptively spacious and there was an ornate spiral staircase which ran through its centre. The steps were polished wood and the rail was intricately carved with a trailing leaf motif. It was breath-taking in its slightly crumbling surroundings. Around her, the air was thick with floating flecks of dust and the musty smell of old books. The shop was practically stacked from floor to ceiling with them. Sarah almost turned on her heel, overwhelmed at the choice and unsure where to begin. It was then her eye was caught by a familiar red binding. She was glad of something recognisable and with a smile, she reached for the book. It froze on her lips as she began to read the title, watching in bewilderment as the letters began to swirl and rearrange themselves into something else altogether.

"What the?…" Sarah exclaimed.

She started to flick haphazardly through the pages until her eye was caught by an elaborate, and slightly erotic, illustration.

"This isn't right," she gasped.

The air suddenly became thicker until it was hard to draw breath and Sarah grew lightheaded. Her eyelids started to flutter and she could have sworn she heard music playing. The rhythm seemed to swirl around her and it made her feel even dizzier. Her grip on the book loosened and everything, including herself, began to fall in slow motion.

There's such a fooled heart

Beating so fast

In search of new dreams.

A love that will last

Within your heart.

I'll place the moon

Within your heart...

As the world falls down

Falling

Falling

Falling

Falling in love…