The Dreams, Risks, and Threats Chapter 1, a labyrinth fanfic

This follows after "The Darker Mirror Image". Jareth and Sarah's daughter dreams of going Aboveground. A teenager is found in the Labyrinth tied and gagged with no memory and Toby will do whatever it takes to protect her. Can Jareth discover who's behind if before it's too late?

Disclaimer:

All Labyrinth related themes and characters belong to Jim Henson Company, Lucasfilm, etc. and are not mine. All songs belong to David Bowie. Both are used for fan-fiction purposes only and with the utmost respect.

Thanks to all who worked on and off camera to make Labyrinth a treasured fantasy film for some many, including me.

Songs used (in order of appearance):

"Everything's Alright" written by Nicky Crouch, John "Bob" Konrad, Simon Staveley, Stuart James, and Keith Karlson

"Never Get Old" written by David Bowie

"Bang Bang" written by Iggy Pop and Ivan Kraal

"Amazing" written by David Bowie and Reeves Gabrels

"I Know It's Gonna Happen One Day" written by Morrissey

"Strangers When We Meet" written by David Bowie

"Wild Is The Wind" written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington

"Fill Your Heart" written by Biff Rose and Paul Williams

A few lines were borrowed from "Without You" written by David Bowie

Some lyrics may be slightly altered from their original version to make more sense with the story.

THE DREAMS, RISKS, AND THREATS (2009)

By: Genni Stanfer

Chapter 1

"I thought I would find you here," Sarah said as she approached her daughter.

Crystal was sitting upon a stone bench on her favourite castle balcony. She could see the whole Labyrinth from there, even to the sandy hills beyond the Labyrinth's outer walls. And if she looked hard enough, she imagined she could even see her mother's home world. "Tell me about your world Aboveground again." She turned to her mother.

"I've already told you a million times and I'm sure Toby has too," Sarah replied, somewhat concerned with her daughter's obsession with the world she had left behind.

"Please," Crystal begged.

"Alright." Sarah gave in yet again. "It's different from the Underground and yet the same in some ways. A very long time ago the Aboveground was a lot like it is here, with castles and Kings, Queens, Princes, and Princesses. But it evolved with technology, because it doesn't have magic like we do here."

"But I don't have any magic. Maybe I belong there."

"I know the books of the Labyrinth say you must be just a ordinary human girl, but we know there is a shadow of magic in you, like there was in Jennifer and I. It's just hidden, but it can come out when we really need it."

"I wish I could go Aboveground. I feel like there's something missing here, something I can only find there. I feel drawn to it."

"I'm afraid we'll die if we leave the Underground too long. It's not worth the risk of getting trapped there."

"But you can go there and stay and it won't hurt you. I'm like you, so I should be okay too."

"Yes, but you're still the Goblin King's daughter and your power may be stronger than we think. We're not sure what kind of effect leaving the Labyrinth will have on you, so we can't take the risk of you going there and getting trapped or worse."

"But -"

"Also the same as the Labyrinth can be dangerous, so can my world."

"But, it's not fair -"

"No it isn't, but that's the way it is . . ."

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Janine finished cooking dinner for her parents and sat down with them at the table.

"It's burnt," her father said, poking at his food with his fork.

"No, it's not," Janine protested.

"And you didn't put any salt in the mashed potatoes," her mother added.

"Yes I did."

This happened almost every night. It didn't matter what she did, they'd always find any excuse to yell at her. If it wasn't her cooking, it was her cleaning, or something else.

"All you do is cost us money," her mother said.

"But there's nothing wrong with it," Janine argued.

Her father's hand shot out and struck her face. "Don't argue with your mother!"

"You know when I was young," her mother began, "my mother used to tell me stories about a Goblin King who would steal children that were not wanted, not needed, who were wished away. I wish those stories were true. I wish I could just say 'I wish the goblins would come and take you away right now' and it would happen."

Before Janine heard her mother's last words, she was no longer in her home, but in a castle surrounded by goblins.

"You idiots!" exclaimed one of the taller goblins. "This isn't a baby."

"But she got wished away!" One with curved horns countered.

"You know Jareth doesn't like us taking babies anymore, and you stole a 17 year old girl!"

"But so few babies get wished away now. Everyone's forgotten the stories. It's our nature to take children that aren't wanted."

"Well she's no use to us. She's too old to turn into a goblin and we can't take her back . . . We'll just have to put her into an oubliette or something. That way Jareth won't find out."

"Duh, I don't know . . ."

"What?" The tall one snapped.

"Well you know Jareth. He knows everything."

"Shut up! We'll make sure that he doesn't know about this. Take her away."

"Wait!" Janine pleaded as some goblins started dragging her out of the room. "No, please!"

"You better gag her. We don't want Jareth to hear."

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"Okay now Reineth, concentrate." Sireth directed his son on the art of teleportation. Reineth stood before his parents. Now sixteen years old, his hair reddish brown like his mother, Jennifer's, was in the same styling as Jareth's and his father's, only shorter on both the top and bottom. His eyes were mismatched. One the dark blue of his great-grandfather, the other the warm gold of his mother. Reineth took a couple steps backward and faded as he went, until he disappeared altogether. Then he reappeared behind Sir Didymus and Hoggle, snatching Hoggle's baubles from his belt before quickly disappearing again.

"Hey, thems my jewels!" Hoggle exclaimed watching them vanish. Reineth reappeared in front of his parents again, laughing.

"I say Prince Reineth, that was very good," Sir Didymus commended and Ambrosias barked in agreement.

"I think I've got that down."

"Reineth!" Sireth scolded. "This is serious. It's not a joking matter."

"I know, I know!" He sighed, returning Hoggle's possessions. "I'm sorry." He knew his father's past. They all thought it best not to keep any secrets to avoid a repeat in history.

Jennifer laid a hand on Sireth's arm and looked into his eyes. "It's alright."

Sireth relaxed. "I know, I just keep thinking of how I was. What happened . . ."

"It's not going to happen again." His wife assured.

"Yeah, don't worry dad. I know that learning magic is serious. Though I wish some other people would be more serious."

Sireth looked at him. "Who are you talking about?"

"Aunt Crystal. She's always got her head up in the clouds. It's like she's somewhere else. It's hard thinking of her as my aunt when she's the same age as me."

"She's older than you," Sireth objected with a half smile.

"Only by hours." Reineth rolled his eyes.

"Well you know age doesn't mean much here, and stop picking on my baby sister." Sireth scolded. "It may be the men who possess the magic for the most part here, but it's the women who save them. They have more power than all of us put together, so don't forget that." Sireth turned to Jennifer and gave her a kiss.

Reineth turned to Sir Didymus and Hoggle, sticking out his tongue and making a grossed out gesture.

"Prince Sireth is right you know," Sir Didymus said. "When your Grandmother, Queen Sarah, came here, she was so brave. She solved the Labyrinth and defeated the Goblin King even with all his magic."

"I know. We've all heard the story a hundred times."

Hoggle joined in, "If I have to hear you tell it one more time, about how you saved the day in the battle at the goblin city, I'll - "

"Alight then, but have I told you about the time when I was faced with a hundred goblins. Just myself with my trusty stead Am - "

"Yes!" Both Hoggle and Reineth shouted.

"Well," Sir Didymus said indignantly. "I know when to be quiet." He rode off for the castle.

"That'll be a first," Hoggle whispered to Reineth and Reineth nodded. Then they followed behind Didymus.

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Jareth was lounging on the bed, waiting for Sarah. When she finally came into the room, she looked a little distressed.

Sarah sat down on the edge of the bed, facing away from Jareth. "Our daughter keeps asking about my world. She wants to go there."

Jareth moved to her side and put his arms around her. "Sarah, you knew this would happen someday."

"But it seems too soon." She looked at him with pleading eyes.

"I know, but I don't think she can help it."

"I think you're right. She said she felt drawn there. That something was missing."

"She has to go there. She'll never be happy otherwise. She has to find the human boy." He paused. "I don't want to let our daughter go either," he sighed, "but we have no choice. The separation from her other half will probably kill her. I know it almost killed me waiting for you, afraid that you might never really love me . . ."

"Oh, Jareth, I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I hadn't given you any reason to care for me until it was almost too late, but we can't let our daughter suffer."

"You're right. Just a little while longer, then we'll take her there."

"Don't worry," Jareth reassured her. Then he smiled mischievously and started to sing. He knew his singing always made her feel better.

"Oh, little baby

You know I've been away

Oh, little baby

You know I'll come today

Don't you know that

Everything's alright (Everything's alright)

Everything's alright (Somehow I knew you would)

Everything's alright (Everything's alright, babe)

Let me hold your hand and be your loving man (all night)

Let me hold your hand and be your loving man (all night, alright!)"

The last parts he whispered as his eyes sparkled with laughter. It had Sarah smiling too at his slyness.

"Oh, little baby

You know I feel so good

Oh, little baby

I never knew I could

And don't you know that

Everything's alright (Everything's alright, babe)

Everything's alright (Somehow I knew you would)

Everything's alright (Everything's alright, babe)

Let me give you loving like nobody can (all night)

Let me give you loving like nobody can (all night, alright!)"

Now Sarah was laughing and ready to hit him with a pillow. Who does he think he is? She thought, but then again, she couldn't argue with his skill.

"Let me hold your hand and be your loving man

Let me hold your hand and be your loving man

No, no, no, no, no, that's a-loving you

(Must have been you, I'm gonna all night loving you)

No, no, no, no, no, I'll be good for you

Everything's alright (Everything's alright, babe)

Everything's alright (Somehow I knew you would)

Everything's alright (Everything's alright, babe)

Let me give you loving like nobody can (all night)

Let me give you loving like nobody can (all night, alright!)

Everything's alright

Oooh"

He finished as Sarah punched his chest at his audacity, though she didn't really mind at all. Jareth laughed and Sarah loved the beautiful sound that came from his throat. They tumbled onto the bed in a fit of laughter which soon changed to heated kisses.