*I don't own the movie Labyrinth or any of its characters. I also DON'T own the song 'Lost Not Forgotten' by Dream Theater, which shares the same name as this fic. (sorry for the edit, guys, but if I hadn't done that I may have had Dream Theater's lawyers after me... amazing what a typo could do!)
Warning: If you haven't read my one-shot 'Vacant', then you WILL be confused by the events in this story. Go read that fic first if you haven't already!
The woman couldn't remember how she came to be in this dark place, the length of time she had been in here, or even who she was. As she huddled in the dark with her long hair hiding her face, however, every so often a stray memory would peek through. That's how she knew that she was in something called an oubliette, despite the fact that she forgot just what an oubliette was.
Her memories… some were good, like the feeling of happiness and love she got from remembering a blonde-haired baby boy sleeping peacefully in his crib. Some were bad, like the feelings of despair and confusion that came when the memory of a dark-haired woman with packed bags leaving inside of a taxi flooded through her mind. Others were indifferent, like the feeling of determination as the memory of a strange room filled with stairs going every which way snuck into her thoughts.
The memories of the blonde-haired man with tousled hair and mismatched blue eyes, however, bothered the woman. The feelings she received whenever he appeared in her head were just so.. weird. Happiness, betrayal, confusion, anger, sadness, regret, attraction… all these and more she felt whenever he waltzed into her head.
Just who was this confusing, irritating, handsome man to her?
It didn't help that occasionally she could hear voices in the darkness… with a man's voice being the most prominent. She suspected that the voice that constantly penetrated this dark oblivion belonged to him.
Mostly, the voices were indistinct murmurs whose meanings wouldn't penetrate through. However, occasionally, phrases would leak through.
"I'm sorry…come back to us… Kingy sad… Lost Champion… my Lady… fwiend… 'lil missy… precious…"
However, none of these phrases were enough to propel the young woman to search for a way out of the oubliette. It was her escape from the outside world… in here, she was safe.
"Well, here's my room," announced seventeen year-old Toby, opening the door. Oddly enough, the young man was not excited about showing his sanctuary to his current companion… especially considering just who she was.
If there was one person in real life who personified all of the clichés attached to the title of 'Most Popular Girl in School', Marie Adams was it. Long blonde hair tied up in a pony-tail, cheerleading uniform donned for the football game later that day, and blue-eyes all a-sparkling, she bounced into Toby's room as if she belonged there.
Toby wasn't fooled by her act, however.
He knew that if it wasn't for the fact that Marie had to prove that no man was resistant to her charms, she would've stayed far away from this place. In fact, if it hadn't been for their Geography teacher pairing them together for a project that was due next week, Toby would've made sure that Marie Adams would go nowhere near any place he cherished.
However, unfortunately even he knew that they couldn't go to the library to work on the project due to a stubborn exe of hers from another school constantly hanging out there, one who had been known to become physically violent towards others. He may not have liked Marie, but he wasn't cruel enough to subject her to that guy.
He had more honor than that- a claim that many of the jerks and bitches that Marie normally hung out with couldn't live up to.
Although, he might subject her to some Goblins if she didn't get the hint that he wasn't interested in her… not that he'd seen any around lately. In fact, he hadn't seen any since the day he freed Sarah from the hospital, and the Goblin King had granted him a dream (the one about his parents understanding him and his love of fantasy) and the chance to remember everything that had happened while everyone else forgot his sister as thanks. Still, it was worth a thought.
He wrenched his mind from the (rather pleasant) visual of Goblins knotting that dyed blonde hair of Marie's and focused once more on her.
"Wow… so this is your inner sanctum," Marie commented. Toby rolled his eyes behind her back at the obvious attempt to curry his favor. 'Inner sanctum'… he was obsessed with the fantasy world, not the world of comic books, for crying out loud.
Wandering over to his bookshelf, the cheerleader ghosted a hand over his prized collection of books. Toby grit his teeth behind closed lips as she did so. While he did have several books that were worth quite a bit of money, it were the ones that he had gained from Sarah that he considered the most valuable… and he did not want Marie touching those!
Suddenly, her hand paused as the senior read aloud, "The Labyrinth and The Tale of the Goblin King's Sorrow… hm, those sound interesting."
Oh, no… she found his two most valuable books. The ones about him and Sarah… he needed to get her away from those now. "Marie, don't you think we should get started on our project?" Toby asked, his voice making it more of a command then a question.
"In a minute," Marie responded absently as she pulled out a thin book covered in blue leather. His book, just as the one covered in red leather was Sarah's.
Why would she pull out the children's book, rather than the one created for an adult? Something weird was going on here… "Marie, come on. We don't have much time, let's get started."
"Hang on a second, I just want to read this," the cheerleader whined, finally looking at him.
"Why?"
"Because I do," was the answer, along with what he assumed was supposed to be a flirtatious look that made her look goofy in his eyes.
Toby, getting slightly cranky at her behavior and unwilling to start a fight that would cause his mother to come up here, sighed, "Alright, fine. But as soon as you're done, then we need to get started on our project!"
A wide smile was her only response, and she quickly sat down on his bed and started to read The Tale of the Goblin King's Sorrow. As she continued to turn the pages, Toby mused on why Marie, someone who was definitely not one to randomly start reading books (especially children's books), was so intent on reading that particular one.
Wait… what was that sound?
Straining his ears, Toby became as still as a statue. Soon, he heard the sound once more… and he recognized it as a group shushing someone. What's more, the timbre of their voices was unmistakable to him.
Goblins were here in his room, hiding just out of sight. Add that to the fact that Marie was reading one of the two books that guaranteed if the right words were spoken, they (along with the possible addition of the Goblin King himself- Toby still wasn't sure if his presence was always required) would appear… the boy who had fulfilled both the roles of wisher and wish away could only come up with one possible reason.
Just who did the Goblins think Marie was going to wish away?
Suddenly, Marie snickered, "Oh my God, really? People actually enjoy this?"
Toby bristled at the insult. "What's wrong with liking that book?" he argued.
"Well, for one thing, it's so childish," Marie started.
"That's because it was made for children." Or at least one child…
"Another thing, really? The all-powerful Goblin King unable to take the one he loves from her captors? Hello, he could always use his magic to just teleport her back to his castle or something!"
Pinching his nose, Toby explained, "He couldn't do that, because it clearly explains that he was bound by the laws of his kingdom to not have any contact with her for thirteen years thanks to her defeating his challenge."
"So? He's a King! He can always just change the laws!"
"Arrgh…" Toby growled with frustration, "I swear, Marie, if you don't stop I will kick you out of my room!"
Marie, however, ignored him as she continued, "And the words the little brother uses? How cheesy! 'I wish the Goblins would take you away, right now!' Puh-lease! Why would the Goblins…"
That was all Toby heard as suddenly his world started to shift.
Oh. It was him that was getting wished away… AGAIN. Closing his eyes to prevent nausea, Toby waited for the inevitable greeting that he was sure would come.
"Well, well, well, Tobias Williams… you sure have a penchant for getting yourself wished away by females, don't you?" came an amused voice he had heard twice before in his life (although Toby could only remember the one time clearly).
"It sure seems that way, Your Majesty," Toby replied, opening his eyes and taking in the sight of what had to be the throne room of the Castle Beyond the Goblin City. While there were very few Goblins in the room (an oddity that Toby wondered about), the Goblin King stood in front of his throne, adjusting the cape he wore over his impressive armor.
The one who had influenced so much of the seventeen year-old's life chuckled with genuine humor, and Toby couldn't help but join in. "We shall talk more when I have returned, young Toby," promised the Goblin King, double-checking the fit of his gloves.
"Wait, Your Majesty, before you go can I ask you something?" began Toby. As the Fae's eyebrows raised slightly in question, Toby continued, "If it's at all possible, could you not offer the chance to win me back this time?"
Jareth stared, stunned by Toby's request. It was incredibly lucky for the two of them that his Goblins always went on ahead to torment the wisher, so the King had a little bit of time to settle this matter before he was absolutely needed Above.
Only one word could get past his lips. "Why?"
Taking a deep breath, the only child who was ever won back explained, "For the past several years, now, I've felt… out of place with the world. Yes, my parents understand that I love the Aboveground's versions of this world, and everything in it, and I'm still very grateful to you for granting that dream of mine. However, I can still see in my mother's eyes, at least, that she still doesn't really like it, and more than once it has led to some tense situations in the house. At school, I'm a loner because I know that there is more to life than what we can see, and none of my peers agree with my way of thinking. As for after I graduate… well, nothing has really appealed enough for me to say, 'Oh, yes, that's what I want to do with my life.' So, I figure that the Underground, rather than the Aboveground, would be the better choice for me to live out the rest of my life."
"So, you would disregard all of Sarah's previous efforts to prevent this very thing from happening?" Jareth challenged. While it would please him greatly to have the boy back in his Kingdom for good, he had to make sure that the boy knew the full consequences of his actions.
Toby was silent for a moment. Then, "The way I see it, Your Majesty, Sarah gave me the ability to choose which world I want to live in, first by wishing me away and introducing me to the Underground, then by winning me back from you so that I wasn't forced to stay here, thereby giving me a chance to see what the Aboveground offered."
Before Jareth could respond to that statement, however, suddenly someone came bursting into the throne room. The two who had been conversing turned towards the newcomer.
"What is it, Higgle?" demanded Jareth upon seeing the dwarf.
"Hoggle," automatically corrected the dwarf with a resigned sigh. "Your Majesty, I felt the Labyrinth's call and was simply wondering if we needs to prepare for a Runner."
Turning back towards Toby, Jareth made his decision. "No, Hedgewart," he replied, "that won't be necessary, for Tobias Williams has finally returned to the Underground… and this time, he's staying." Ignoring the dwarf's shocked exclamations, he ordered, "Show him around the castle, and be sure to explain to him Sarah's current situation." With that, he transported himself to the Williams home one last time, the memory of Toby's happy smile making him feel more like the Goblin King he had once been… instead of the helpless man he suspected he had become.
The dark-haired woman once again heard voices filling her oubliette. Ordinarily, she would've paid no attention… however, one of the two voices compelled something inside of her to hear what they had to say.
"She looks the same as she did ten years ago…" said the voice, filled with sadness.
"We've tried everything to help the little missy," responded the other voice, who sounded vaguely familiar. "However, we've only been able to reach the outer defenses of her mind, which have taken on the form of the Labyrinth. No one has been able to find out where she's hidden herself."
The Labyrinth… why was that familiar? Memories of a large maze flooded her mind, images of her running through it foremost. That's right… she had beaten it before. But why did she need to run it in the first place?
"Is there a castle beyond her Labyrinth, like the one here?"
"Yes, however that's part of the problem- she's not in theres. Jareth managed to reach it during the many times he tried, and searched the entire place for her. However, she's hidden herself good."
The castle beyond the Labyrinth… she had visited there once, hadn't she? Memories started to flood the woman's mind. The Castle Beyond the Goblin City… yes, that's what it was called. She had been there trying to… trying to…
"So… what if I Ran her Labyrinth? Do you think I'd have any luck?"
Silence reigned supreme for several seconds, during which the memories of a dwarf who sounded identical to the second voice, a large monster that somehow was very friendly, and a strangely dressed fox riding a dog flooded the woman's mind. They had accompanied her, she realized, during her Labyrinth run. Together they had reached the Castle Beyond the Goblin City, but that was where they had parted ways, for she had to find…
"I dunno, Toby."
Toby… Toby… TOBY! That's who she had run for! He was the one she had to find! She had to get him back from… from… The blonde-haired man once again appeared in her memory, this time in that room filled with all of those stairs. His voice, singing about how her eyes were so cruel, flooded her mind. Suddenly, she saw him summoning a crystal, then throwing it towards… towards Toby.
He had been the one who took Toby. It was him she had to leave her friends of the Labyrinth behind for, to face in that room. Just who was he?
"Since you're her brother, you might have a shot… but I was to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't keep your hopes up. Jareth's best healers suspect that she built that Labyrinth in order to protect herself from hurting like she had been before you gave the King the opening he and his Goblins needed to save her."
Goblins… King… Jareth… suddenly, the first time she met the blonde man flooded through her mind with perfect clarity. Of course… his name was Jareth, he was the King of the Goblins, and he had offered her the chance to win Toby back. Jareth had been in her parents' bedroom to entice her to forget about Toby, whom his Goblins had taken to the Castle Beyond the Goblin City.
But she couldn't leave her baby brother there- and that was why she had run the Labyrinth.
"That may be, Hoggle… but Sarah never gave up trying to win me back last time we were here, so I'm not going to give up on her!"
The woman gasped as Toby said the name she knew was hers. She was Sarah. As that realization flooded through her, every single memory that had been blocked instantly flooded through her.
She remembered her mother leaving, leaving behind a depressed and confused daughter. She remembered the hardships her father had went through trying to raise a rebellious daughter who idolized her missing mother all on his own. She remembered her father marrying her step-mother. She remembered being selfish and wanting her father's love only on her, like it had been before Karen had entered their lives. She remembered finding The Labyrinth on a park bench and reciting lines from it in that hidden corner of the park. She remembered feeling spiteful towards Toby and, inspired by her favorite book, impulsively wishing him away.
She remembered every instant of her interactions with Jareth, including dancing with him in that enchanted peach dream and the time when he had confronted her in the tunnels. She remembered how she won against him by rejecting his final offer and stating that he had no power over her. But most of all, she remembered how he had simply watched as she was taken away by those doctors to the mental hospital… the mental hospital which had caused so much pain that she had to retreat into this oubliette to protect herself, and in the process forgot everything that made her who she was.
Sarah knew that she couldn't leave Toby in Jareth's grasp once more. Despite the fact that Toby sounded much older than the last time she had seen the lad, she had experience on her side when it came to dealing with Jareth. She won't allow Toby to be influenced by the Goblin King's hate for her.
Part of her balked as she realized that once again she would have to expose herself to potential future pain once more. However, the part of her that had long been suppressed, the part that had a will as strong as the Goblin King's, once more reared its head. She had to get out of here!
As that thought filtered through her mind, the lone candle in the oubliette was lit.
A/N: Yep, so this fic was inspired by those on deviantART who expressed their desires for 'Vacant' to have a happy ending (one person even sent me Goblins bearing ale, chocolate, and cookies as inspiration!). Originally, it was supposed to be a one-shot, however as I wrote I realized that the final line was a PERFECT chapter ending... so that, in addition to the fact that this fic was getting longer than I anticipated, helped decide for me to turn this into a two-parter, rather than simply leaving it as a one-shot. And MAN, is Hoggle and Jareth incredibly difficult to keep in character... so I apologize profusely if I failed in that regard (and don't hesitate to tell me so, either!)