In a far away land known as the Underground, long ago, lived a kindly though bumbling King and his beautiful but reckless Queen. Many years they longed for a child, and finally their wish was granted, yet it came at a cost. To have the child, the King and his Queen had to ask assistance of the wild King of the castle beyond the Goblin City and were much in debt to him. But eventually, a daughter was born, and they named the girl Sarah. Then a great holiday was proclaimed throughout the kingdom, so that all the high or low could pay homage to the infant Princess... Well, almost all could pay homage. This is how our story begins.

The Queen's fingers fluttered nervously around her swelling stomach. Soon both she and her husband would have the child the so long desired but... The Goblin King was an issue. One that needed to be dealt with sooner rather than later. Preparations were being made already for her child's birth and a huge celebration was to be held, perhaps it was for the best if the Goblin King's invitation were to be... Misplaced.

The man was basically a savage, surrounding himself drunken goblins, by choice no less, and everyone knew of his habit for spiriting young children away. It simply would not do.

Queen Linda sought out her husband, eventually finding him in throne room. The sound of her clacking shoes echoed throughout the hall, faltering before his throne. His face hidden behind a long list of various royals, Dukes and Lords who were expected to attended the festivities, King Robert hummed to himself merrily, off in his own little world.

"My Lord?"

No response, the Queen tried again.

"Husband?"

Still nothing.

"Robert?"

The King mumbled something incomprehensible from his scroll and Linda struggled not to roll her eyes. Robert was a fair and just man, but sometimes he was as thick as, as thick as? Well, as thick as that infernally, stinking bog they had to cross to reach the bloody heart of that damn castle. A different approach would be needed.

"Robert?" she purred. The Queen had approached the King from behind and slipped her heavily embroidered arms around his neck. That caught his attention.

"Y-Yes, My Darling? What ever is the matter?" The Queen stuck out her bottom lip and began traced the lines of his face before answering.

"Naught, my husband. Just the silly thoughts of a woman troubled for her child."

"What troubles you my love? Name it and it shall be gone from your sight, I shall not rest until both you and my heir, Our heir are safe from harm."

Linda sighed, "It is just, The King of the Goblins."

King Robert eyed his wife from the corners of his eyes.

"Yes?"

"He has a well known reputation around children. I believe, My Lord, if I may be so prudent that it would be wise to not invite him to the celebration."

The King wrinkled his forehead. "Wouldn't that upset him, dearest?"

"Oh, no, no, no!" Soothed the Queen, "He wouldn't even be aware that it was taking place! Do you not recall the trouble we went to, to find him? Though dangers untold and hardships unnumbered! By the time the invitation reaches the poor man it is more likely than not that our child shall be full grown. It would be better that we don't waste more of the generous King's time."

All these points made a great deal of sense to Robert. The castle beyond the Goblin City lay beyond the wildlands, it would take months to reach it and the Queen was already heavily pregnant and although he was a generous man, King Jareth was not well known for using his generosity around those who tried his extremely short patience. Yes, once again his wife was completely right. As he grinned up at her, Queen Linda felt a great sense of relief wash through her. All would be well, her child would be safe. Linda pecked her husband on the cheek before sweeping out of the throne room. Yes, Linda smiled to herself, all would be well.

#/#/#/#/#/#/#

Finally the great day arrived, Trumpets blared, crowds roared their approval and minstrels warbled various tunes about the new Princess. If music be the fruit of love, then love is probably deaf as well as blind. Quite frankly, with all the noise going on, it was a shame aspirin hadn't been invented yet.

King Robert and Queen Linda beamed at the crowd who came forward bearing gifts to the Princess.

"Their royal highnesses, King Hubert and Prince Phillip." Recited the announcer in a monotoned voice. A pompous looking man and his young son pranced forward bearing easily an entire kingdoms taxes worth in presents.

Hoggle attempted to hold in a groan and failed rather miserably. Ignoring the sharp looks from nobles around him, he leaned towards his friend, "Only three days into the world an' they're tryin' auction 'er off." He grumbled.

The wizened fox turned to answer his friend. "Why good Sir Hoggle, tis the way things are done here." Sir Didymus squeaked. Seeing as this bought even more attention to the motley gang, Hoggle refrained from voicing his opinions again.

Thunder rumbled outside and Hoggle had to suppress yet another groan. The rain would make his joints ache for certain.

Following the King were some fairies and Hoggle had to restrain from reaching for his spray gun. They gave they usually floaty, useless things. Hair as black as ebony, and beauty incomparable throughout the kingdom. A nice singing voice to go with her looks. Hoggle zoned out on the last gift but no doubt it was something along the lines of:

'The ability to cook excellent meals for when her husband comes home from his crusading.'

Dear Bog, this was boring, thought Hoggle as it began to steadily pour outside.

"The most worthy and high envoys of the Labyrinth, Sir. Didymus of the bog, Holleg of the wall and Ludo of the rocks."

What?! Hoggle looked around frantically. They were expected to give something! Fortunately Didymus caught Hoggle's eye "Follow my lead brother." He whispered reassuringly.

And so Hoggle twaddled after the fox to the cradle followed by lumbering Ludo.

"Your majesties." Didymus swept a low bow. Hoggle would have followed in pursuit, had he not been afraid of falling flat on his face. He settled for a curt nod instead. Sir Didymus turned to the cradle "Young Princess, I bless upon you, the Spirit of Adventure, may your heart remain young, though you may grow old." Hoggle let out a sigh of relief, he had half been expecting Didymus to throw his rapier in the cradle. No, instead they were giving the Princess similar gifts to the fairies. Hoggle could not believe they had stooped so low.

By this time Ludo had stepped forward. "Ludo... Give," he paused for a second, brows furrowed and Hoggle was certain that the game was over but Ludo's face lit up "Fwendship. Sar-Wah, Never be... Alone."

Now it was Hoggle's turn. As he shuffled towards the cradle his mind raced to find something that would be considered acceptable. Fairy poison was a no, no and he highly doubted it would be appreciated at any rate.

With his mind at a total blank, Hoggle peered into the cradle hoping for divine intervention. A lightning bolt from the storm striking him down right about now would be nice. Then Hoggle saw her and his craggily, old heart melted.

"Princess I promise, should you ever need us, call, and we will be there for you." Baby Sarah gurgled happily as she tried to put her foot in her mouth. Knowing that they could do nothing more the trio began to set back off into the crowd. It was then that the whole room was plunged into darkness.

OoO OoO OoO OoO OoO

The wind howled and the castle doors flung open. The throne room fell silent in fear as lightning cackled and the storm raged on. Hoggle had to grip Didymus' arm to stop him from rushing to the cradle. They knew what was coming, and being heroic wasn't going to stop him.

A single crystal had rolled through the door, the sound of it grating against the floor filling the whole room with unease. As it came to a stop in the centre of the room, King Robert, with sweaty palms and unsteady knees, stood to face the threat, Linda clinging to him.

Despite the rumbling thunder, a pin drop would have rang out in the room.

The crystal raptured into a million glittering, tiny pieces, leaving in it's places an angular man crouched, yards of black material draped regally over his shoulders.

Red eyes glinted from the shadows.

Whispered flittered through the crowd.

Everyone knew of the wildling King but no-one knew very much about him. Aside from the name whispered by desperate whore's late at night wishing away their unborn children, or the words, those dreaded words murmured by mother's who couldn't calm their babes on stormy nights.

The King rose and the crowd scurried in an attempt to get further away from him. He could snap his fingers and they would all drop dead, with that thought the King's teeth glinted into a feral smile. "My, my, my." The crowd strained to catch his words, as his eyes racked the crowd, lingering for a moment on his treacherous subjects. "What have we here?" His eyes continuing to trace banners and buntings that hung limply from the ceiling. "Quite an extravagant celebration, Robert. I feel rather unwanted not receiving an invitation."

Mustering the last of his courage King Robert stumbled forward, his Queen's hands gripping his arms like a vice.

"King Jareth, Y-you h-h-hold... Ahem, You hold No p-power here. If you have something to give the P-p-princess, then, um... Well, get on with it... And um... A-after that bu-b-be gone!"

If possible, The Goblin King's smile widened. "A gift? What a pleasant way to show I mean no ill will to the child I helped conceive."

The throne room filled with a noise akin to the angry buzzing of bees, and the Queen blushed. No doubt the whole kingdom would be tittering with the rumour that she had born his bastard child by the end of the day. She hadn't, but her reputation did not matter to him.

"You are not offended your excellency?" asked the Queen, eyelashes fluttering.

"Offended, my dear?" His casualness shocking to the stiff courtroom into submission,

"No."

Jareth began to stalk closer to the cradle, where the little brat no doubt lay. A dark, glittering mist began to condense in the palm of his gloved hand. Fools, idiots, all of them. It was pure self-control he didn't set alight the kingdoms corps, then again, this could be worse. Wisps of the thick trailed after him, snapping at nobles and whispering dark thoughts. Hate, greed, lust, all things already present in this shamble of a throne room. Drawing on the last evil thoughts the crystal lay in his palm, perfect and complete. A glinting, monstrosity that could curl the toes of even the most battle hardy of knights. This would be his gift to the beloved Princess Sarah. True, she would remain a beautiful woman, with a talent for song, but this! Why yes, this would make her uncontrollable. She could break the heart of every man in the kingdom and feel nothing. She would yell, bite, kick and scream until the early hours of the morning and no-one would raise a hand against her.

It was the perfect vengeance against her half-witted parents. Gift in hand, the Goblin King leered over the cradle to meet an unexpected sight.

Within the cradle the tiny baby peered up at the King with large doe-like eyes and gurgled. There was no fear, no gossiping hisses, no empty threats in those innocent eyes. For the second time in less an hour, the baby Sarah had melted another heart. The fae was stuck on what to do, if he did not bestow a frightful gift of some sort, he would be mocked, unable to enter the Seliee Court again, however, to harm this child? No! That was unthinkable!

The little Princess reached up with tiny, chubby hands to touch crystal and Jareth quickly jerked his hand away. This would not do at all.

With a refined flick of his wrist the crystal vanished from view. Now with both hands free, he hoisted the Princess from her crib. The contrasting pink frills huddled against black spiky armour would have been humorous had the intention not been clearer. It certainly seemed to startle the Queen into some action.

"No please!" She screeched, stumbling and grabbing at the King's cloak. "Not my baby, not my Sarah. Please, I'll doing anything."

The Goblin King raised an eyebrow, "Anything?" he asked, yanking the cloak from the woman's slack grip. Red-rimmed eyes glazed over, the Queen nodded, this drew a smirk out of the King. She really should have been more careful with her choice in words. The baby regraded her mother thoughtfully sucking on her hand.

"Please," Linda managed to croak, "please don't take my baby."

"He can't!" A kerfuffle broke out as the gate keeper hobbled forward. "Goblin King's ain't allowed to take what hasn' been willing wished away, and thems the rules!"

?/?/?/?/?/?/?/?/?/?/?/?

The King growled low in his throat and the whole room shivered. Hoggle was just happy hadn't wet himself or collapsed. But then again, looking at the King now, his eyes glinting with a mad fire maybe collapsing would have been for the best. He was so short, he doubted anyone would notice.

King Robert stirred hopefully, "Is this true Hogwash?"

Hoggle mumbled something that could have been considered a confirmation but could also have easily been directions on how to make his grandpape's excellent salad.

Didymus stepped forward, sword in hand. "It is true my liege. Brother Hoggle speaks only the finest of truth. Our King cannot leave with the baby Sarah."

Hoggle wished the lightning had struck him when I asked for it. Instead he watched with terror as the King approached the centre of the room, the little lady cooing and leaving a slimy hand print on the King's chin. Jareth didn't seem to notice, "Listen well, all of you. My Princess shall grow in grace and beauty, she will be beloved by all, the pride and joy of the kingdom."

King Robert and Queen Linda nodded slowly.

"Thank-you, once more, for you generosity My Lor-"

The Goblin King held up a gloved hand and the room fell into silence again.

"You have not heard my gift." Drawled the King softly, gloved fingers gently wiping spittle away from the little Princess' mouth. "I offer the Princess Sarah, my hand in marriage. She will love me, fear and do as I say, and in return she will have the gift of immortality."

A collective gasp was heard throughout the room. Hoggle was fairly certain, that had the Princess not been so beloved, or a baby, she would have been stabbed to death by half the women in the throne room (and possibly on or two of the men) in a jealous fit of rage. Queen Linda's eyes filled with tears "Oh thank-you, thank-you, thank-you." It seemed quite likely that the woman was having a fit.

The Fae King's smile turned sharp "Yes, she shall watch you grow old and withered, watch you die. A millennia will come and go, seasons fly by but she herself will stay as beautiful and radiant as she will be the day she turns sixteen."

Didymus one good eye narrowed, and Hoggle severely wished he'd thought of bringing a muzzle along on this trip.

"And if the fair maiden rejects my lord's worthy offer?"

Hoggle was really surprised that Didymus didn't drop dead from the daggers shooting out of the King's eyes. It certainly wouldn't be the first time someone had.

"Should my Sarah defy me, then on her sixteenth birthday, instead of our union, she shall take a bite of a poisoned peach and fall into a deathlike state until she is more ... willing."

Eerie giggles echoed throughout the hall as the goblins voiced their approval.

Placing the tiny Princess back in her crib with a tenderness Hoggle would have thought impossible from the King.

King Jareth made a mocking bow to King Robert and Queen Linda, too busy hiccuping to notice and dissolved into glitter, which was blown away in a gentle breeze, tainted with the scent of peaches.

"Dramatic rat." Mumbled Hoggle.

"Hogwart," The breeze hissed "if you return to the Labyrinth, that I shalt promote you Prince. Prince of the land of stench!" The breeze laughed. Hoggle wasn't overly sure what was funny.

With the mighty King gone the room erupted into chaos. The Queen had begun screaming and wailing, which had made the Princess cry and the Fairies flittered around uselessly attempting to reverse the spell. "True loves kiss?" One asked hopefully, "It worked for that Bianca girl, it would probably work now..." "Yeah, but what if her true love is a troll? Besides the old Goblin already said she'd love him." The other one countered. The last one was crying, no doubt because SHE loved the Goblin King too. Hoggle stood next to Ludo. It was less likely he would be bowled over by everyone rushing that way.

Finally King Robert silenced the room with a quick gesture to the trumpets. The only noise that filled the room was the sound of Queen Linda's strangled sobs.

"Can anyone undo the terrible burden placed upon my daughter?"

Linda only cried louder as various nobles looked away and made excuses. King Hubert made a half mad dash for the door, the prissy Prince railing along in his wake. 'Left the castle furnace running' no doubt, Hoggle hrumphed to himself.

It was one of those times when Hoggle should have best kept his mouth shut though, as the King beadily eyed him up.

With a resigned sigh, King Robert turned to the court, "I believe I have come to a wise decision," The court waited in anticipation.

"Hogwash of the wall step forward."

The feeling of panic rose again in Hoggle's throat, as he stood before the King. What could he have possibly thought of this time which he considered a 'wise decision'? After all he had thought going to the Goblin King for pregnancy advice was a good idea.

The King turned to the crowd, "Fair consorts," He announced, "The Goblin King will come sixteen years from now to collect the Princess Sarah."

The crowd mumbled in agreement.

"But! What if the Princess Sarah tragically died of fever?"

Hoggle didn't like where this was going and neither did the Queen who clung onto the little Princess gasping and murmuring.

"Sixteen years and one day from now, my wife and I will adopt a foundling child raised deep in the forest by three outcasts, that I have graciously allowed sanctuary to. Hogwash, you, the hairy thing and Sir Didymus, will raise my daughter as I cannot, as your gift to her was the promise to be there if the need ever arose."

Hoggle hoped he would get the third time lucky as he wished for lightning again, but it seemed the storm had long since passed.