Alright! Listen up; this isn't really a chapter, but before I continue I feel I need to make things clear to avoid any future confusion.

1. This is a precursor to *our* Labyrinth; the one we all know.
As such, somethings are similar, some are vastly different.
2. Eventually there is a sequel to this story that resumes after *our*
Labyrinth which will really make everything settle into place.
3. The Sarah from this story isn't quite the Sarah from *our* Labyrinth,
but she *will* be and more.
3. I recently watched the Labyrinth in an effort to study Jareth's mannerisms and came to a shocking conclusion: He's actually not that *mean*! Sarcastic, haughty, arrogant, impatient, but not really mean...anyway...just saying.
4. This world of Labyrinth that I created is complex, so I'm making a Character Page so I can keep it together, so onward.

Characters:

Jareth: Oh our beloved Goblin King. In this time and age he is High King of The Underground after his father resigns. He rules in the center of the Labyrinth in the capital city of Dorensae. Though considered a young ruler, he has already been ruling the city for at least half a century.
He is a full blooded Immortal (to be explained later) and as such is gifted with magics.

Sarah: Pulled from her own world (which she has no memory of) and thrust into the Underground as a slave for Lord Tarrence of Torin. She escapes and is eventually put under the care of Jareth. Lots happens with her, so stick around. She is a full blooded Human (importance explained later), though only Jareth, the healer Zalick, and Tarrence are aware of this.

Didymus: A first knight of Dorensae (though never actually stated in the story) and Jareth's closest most trusted adviser and friend. He implements all of Jareth's decisions and oversees the military of Dorensae and several conflicts within the city as well. He is loyal to Jareth beyond measure.
Didymus is also a full blooded Human.

Lord Tarrence of Torin: Tarrence is our instigator. He is one of Jareth's newest lords, and also one of the most problematic. Torin is North of Dorensae and is a land of high forest and as such supplies the Underground with lumbers, furs, and the best wood carvers study in this land.

Lady Emma of Cordel: Emma is royalty in her own right, but has married Lord Sajal of Cordel. She was raised with Jareth and Didymus and is seen more like a sister to the king; though she is in fact a more distant cousin. Emma is also a full blooded Immortal. Cordel is a coastal region and is responsible for many jewels throughout the Underground. Lord Sajal, though not mentioned often in this story, is also full blooded Immortal.

Lord Ovster of Cannan: Ovster has been around for a long time...a long, long,
time. He was serving for centuries under Jareth's father and has not seen any reason to resign yet. Cannan is also a coastal area. A large river runs from the mountains separating Torin from Dorensae and then winds throughout Cannan before emptying into the sea. This allows Ovster to have excellent access to trade. Cannan is responsible for most shipments of fish and creates most of the ships in the Underground. Like the other lords, he is full blooded Immortal.

Lord Stivin of Fenra and Lord Brynt of Laslo: Minor characters, but lords and part of the council, so here are their names and their regions.

Now! On to more interesting things:

The Immortals: The Immortals are not the kind of Immortals that we are used to.
They can die (and do), be wounded, and fall sick. That being said, Immortals are gifted with the ability to reincarnate themselves. It is a choice they have upon "dying". After the initial "death" months, years, or centuries can pass before they are reborn. At first their past lives are not totally known, but as they mature the past life (or lives) begin to resurface. By the age of 25 all of their past experiences are known to them. It is for this reason that many Immortals are cautious about their lives, for there is no running from their pasts. Over the ages Immortals have interbred with the humans and have such dwindled in numbers. Very few (eight at the time of this telling) are ever present at the same time.

The Humans: Humans come from the world Above, but more and more have been living Underground. There is a reason for this, why the Immortals choose to keep them, but its a secret ;)

All others: There are more creatures in the Labyrinth, especially *our* Labyrinth,
but the reasons for these other creatures will be come clear, so will the Bog of Eternal Stench.

The End of that. I realize that this feels like a giant history lesson, but its easier for me to have you to assume these facts then spend a chapter describing everything. If at any time you have questions, please let me know and I will do my best answer them. A new chapter (a *real* chapter) should be up soon, until then; take care.