fdA new day dawned. The sun rose over the far horizon of the Underground, and every creature raised their heads in unison, marvelling at the sight. From the Eyes-On-The-Wall in passage #158, to the squawking poultry-geists in the egg trees of the palace orchard, to a worm and his missus having a cup of tea on the front porch. They all gazed at the fiery glow that signalled only one thing…
Someone was running the Labyrinth.
For most of the time, all of the Underground lived in darkness. Its flora and fauna adapted themselves to this lack of sunlight, and there was always a full moon in the star-studded sky, but the appearance of the sun was an opportunity to rejoice. At least, for 13 hours. Then they were plunged once more into night.
On the hill at the very edge of the Labyrinth, stood a boy of 8 years old.
"Turn back, Toby. Before it's too late…"
The boy turned to face the man who spoke. A man with a black cape and bleach-blonde hair. There was glitter floating in a wind that Toby couldn't feel, a wind which playfully twirled the man's white hair in its long trailing fingers.
"I can't. I won't." Toby said, with firm indecision. Up went one of the glittery ornamental eyebrows.
"You can turn back at any time. Forfeit the game, and return home. Forget all about your sister…"
"I won't forget Sarah. Never. She needs me."
-
And I need her… Jareth's thoughts echoed in his own mind. Each sunless day, he needed her. The girl who never gave up. A trait the White King needed more of. Giving up was something he did well. After his defeat, he had given up hope of a seducing her… after she sold the red book to a second had bookstore, he had given up all it's magic, rendering the book painfully plain… after she gave her princess costume to a cousin, he had given up hope of having her as queen.
Seven lonely years I have sulked down here. Seven painful years.
And now, a chance of redemption… salvation…-
Toby, oblivious to the far-away look in Glitter Man's eyes, turned his own face to the task ahead of him.
"I'm going to rescue her. I didn't mean what I said…. I'm coming, Sarah!" And without another glance at the daydreaming King, he ran down the dusty hillside towards the outer walls of the maze.
-
Startled out of his reverie by the disappearance of his quarry, Jareth watched Toby clumsily sprinting downhill. The White King and his magical confetti faded into the rising sun.
Let the boy figure out the Labyrinth on his own. Jareth's concern today was Sarah.
-
A fairy sat on the edge of a leaf on a hedge near the centre of the Labyrinth and vainly brushed its wings whilst glorying in the rare sunlight. This fairy was no typical pink-and-gossamer delicacy. His name was Newth, and he was one of the forgotten male winged sprites.
Dressed in a moss-green silk pantsuit to match his foresty wings, Newth considered himself quite handsome, and often declared himself to be the most debonair, the most good-looking, and cleverest of all sprites.
Too bad the White King's curse prevented him from mingling with his pink-and-gossamer counterparts.
Busy smiling at his own fantasies, Newth's tiny ears heard a distant crying. It was coming from the castle. Who could be so sad, on such a gloriously rare sunshiney day such as this?
He jumped off his comfortable leaf, and flitted away to investigate.
-
Hope everyone likes it so far. I'm just getting back into writing after a long break, so bear with me as I get into my stride again.
Much love.
Shattered Blue.