Dealing with Goblins

Disclaimer: All Publicly Recognizable Characters, Settings, Ideas, etc. are the property of Jim Henson and Co. The Original Characters and Plot are the Property of the Author. The Author is in no way Associated with the Owners, Creators, or Producers of Jim Henson and Co. No Copyright Infringement is intended.

Chapter 01

"Hoggle? I need you."

Sarah waited, but for the sixth night in a row the dwarf did not answer.

"Ludo, Sir Didymus, I need you."

Still, the only thing Sarah saw in the mirror was her own reflection.

It had been a week since her adventure in the labyrinth, and not once since the party had her friends answered her calls.

She swallowed. Her father and step-mother were out. She had told herself that if they did not answer tonight she would call him. She had to make sure her friends were alright; make sure it had not been a dream… She shook her hea. It had been real. It had to have been: there was no way she could have imagine a smell that horrible.

She had waited a whole week because that was the only time her parents would leave. And she dared not summon him while they were in the house.

She took a deep breath to steady herself.

"I wish the Goblin King would come and talk to me for twenty minutes - if he's not too busy - right now."

Nothing.

At first.

Then the air grew heavy, her bedroom doors blew open, a harsh wind swept through the room. Sarah closed her eyes and brought her arms up to protect her face from the harsh onslaught.

"I'm never too busy for you Sarah."

"Thanks for coming," she said. Sarah had decided that it would be wise to be polite. She did, after all, want something from him.

He raised an eyebrow at her cordiality, and his smirk grew.

"You have a favour to ask."

"I've tried calling my friends," she told him, gesturing to her mirror, "but they haven't come. Why?"

"That, my dear Sarah, would be because, as you so kindly put it after your victory, I 'have no power over you'. It took a great deal of effort on my part to allow everyone to attend your little party."

The one I wasn't invited to, his tone seemed to say.

Sarah opened her mouth and then closed it. She had had a whole week to dwell over the words the Goblin King had spoken. In all honesty, she had wished Toby away and had loved every second of her adventure. Excepting the Cleaners...and the bog.

"You mean that after you 'moved the stars and reordered time' you used even more of your power so that I could have a victory party with my friends?"

"Yes," hissed Jareth through gritted teeth, clearly not liking the 'victory party' part of her sentence.

"Thank you. That was…generous."

Jareth smiled, pleased that she realized the strain he had suffered for her happiness. He had hardly felt his bed for three days, he had been so exhausted.

"So, you're saying I can't see my friends unless you have power over me?"

Jareth noted the slight elevation in her voice.

"Would that really be so bad?"

"Yes."

Jareth frowned. The air in the bedroom rippled with displeasure.

Sarah continued to stare at the Goblin King, determined not to show any weakness.

"I'm not a monster, Sarah. Now, as to your friends...it would only take a very small amount of power. When you spoke those six words to me after you defeated me, you placed the magical equivalent to a restraining order against me. All you have to do is permanently lift it."

Sarah thought for a moment, trying to figure out any loopholes in the agreement he might take advantage of. Would he take her to the underground? Would he take her to his bed? She felt color rise to her cheeks and shook her head. They had been lies, immortal fae king fifteen year old brat. No way the offer had been real. Would he spy on her? Would she be able to send him away if she wanted to?

"What would that mean, exactly? Would you be able to whisk me away to the labyrinth again?"

"No, I would merely no longer be banished from your side. I would be able to come into your home, or wherever you may be, whenever I wish. But I would not have the power to take you back to my kingdom. There are rules, Sarah. A mortal may not enter my realm unless they wish it or are wished there. Or if I have far more power over them than what you will allow me."

Sarah frowned in thought. It could be a trick. He was powerful, who knew how far he would push his small amount of power over her? But…Toby had seemed happy after the incident; completely unharmed. If he had treated the infant so well maybe he really was not so bad. Still, what he had threatened Hoggle with…

"You'd be able to come by, uninvited, into my home, my bedroom...whenever you wanted?" she repeated.

Jareth frowned at the implied accusation. Again, the room seemed rippled with displeasure.

"If you think so little of me, perhaps it would be best if you had nothing to do with me or my kingdom."

He turned to the window, as if to go.

"No, wait!" shouted Sarah before she could stop herself. She simply couldn't stand the thought of never seeing her friends again.

Jareth turned to face her, his face impassive.

"About that peach: you drugged me. How do I know you won't do anything like that again?"

Jareth waved a gloved hand dismissively. "It was a harmless distraction. Distracting runners is my duty. I won't apologize for it."

"So you'll do it again?"

"If you run the Labyrinth again it is possible, otherwise, no Sarah I will not."

Sarah hesitated. Could she trust him? The alternative was never seeing her friends again. She had banished him from her side once, she supposed could find a way to do so again if need be.

She sighed and straightened her shoulders looking the king in the eyes. "Okay, so how do I lift the 'restraining order'?"

"Come now, Sarah, you must know the words by now."

Sarah hesitated a moment, deciding how best to phrase her wish.

"I wish the Goblin King was no longer banished from my side, right now."

Jareth smiled.

"I'll make the needed adjustments on your vanity mirror."

"Thank you."

Jareth nodded, strode across the room, and placed his hand against the mirror's surface. A few moments later, he gave a nod of satisfaction and leaned back, turning to Sarah.

"Do-" The brunette ran past him and sat at her vanity. "...ne," finished Jareth.

"Hoggle, Ludo, Sir Didymus, I need you."

Ludo and Sir Dydimus appeared in her mirror, and Sarah's face almost spilt in half from her grin her eyes scanned the mirror looking for Hoggle but thought nothing of his delay he was probably spraying fairies. She decided to focus on the two who were currently looking at her with matching smiles

"My Lady, it is good to see you again!"

"Sawah back," chimed Ludo joyfully.

"What is his majesty doing in your bedchambers? Shall I challenge him for your honour?"

Sarah chuckled as the air behind her rippled with power.

"No need for that. He just fixed my mirror so I could talk to you guys again. Where's Hoggle?"

"His majesty has thrown him into an oubliette."

Sarah's smile vanished.

"Could I call you guys back in a few minutes?"

"Milady, are you certain you wish to be alone with the king?"

Jareth rolled his eyes.

"I'll be fine, Sir Didymus. We'll catch up soon."

She rose from her vanity, every muscle in her body tense as she rounded on her guest.

"Explain," she ordered.

Sarah instantly wished she could take back the word when Jareth's eyes narrowed. The air in the room became suddenly thick, making it oddly difficult to breathe. She staggered back and took deep, gasping breaths, but still was not getting enough air. She placed her hand on her vanity for support. Fainting in front of the Goblin King was something she really did not want to do.

"Never take that tone with me, Sarah."

Abruptly, the air was back to normal, and Sarah took a deep breath.

"Why have you thrown Hoggle into an oubliette?"

"He helped you against my express orders."

"So did Sir Didymus and Ludo."

"I never ordered them not to help you. Though they are my subjects, they are not actively in my employ and I never gave them direct orders not to help you. Hoggle is another matter. No need to be so livid, Sarah, in another week I'll let him out. I'll increase his work load for another month, but that will be all. I could do far, far worse."

Sarah forced herself to calm down. Hoggle was in no real danger, but he was been punished for helping her. There had to be something she could do.

"How about a trade?"

Jareth raised a vulcan-like eyebrow in amusement.

"A trade, dear Sarah? And what have you to offer?" he asked, his eyes traveling up and down her body.

Sarah ignored the leer. She needed to focus.

"Let Hoggle out with no increased labour, and you can have another shot at me. I'll run the Labyrinth again. If I win, I get off scot free. If I lose, I'll become your servant for a week. And only one week. It'll have to be during spring break though, since I can't miss school. It will also give me time to come up with an excuse so my parents don't worry."

Jareth's smile became positively evil, and Sarah nearly took back her offer. Nonetheless, she stood her ground. She had to do everything in her power to help Hoggle: he had done no less for her. Still, Jareth's sudden joy at the prospect of having her for a servant was disconcerting. She thought a few safeguards were in order.

"A few other conditions tough, you can't make me to do anything that goes against my conscience or puts me in harm's way, and you can't order me into your bed."

"I would never give such an order, nor would I allow harm to come to you. As for forcing you into my bed," he hissed, "I take only willing women."

"So do we have a deal?"

"Seems rather…unfair. No matter the result, you get what you want."

"What can I say? I had a good teacher. And this isn't a wager, it's a trade. A second chance for you to win in return for Hoggle."

Jareth's smile became predatory.

"I'm glad you learned a few things from your adventure. Still…"

"We both know you want another shot at me far more then you want to punish Hoggle."

"True," he said, languidly looking around at the contents of her room. His eyes fell on Sir Lancelot's former resting place. "But we also know you want to help your friend far more then I 'want another shot at you'."

"Spring break is two weeks long," said Sarah quickly. "If you let Hoggle out whether I win or lose, if I do lose, I'll be your servant for two weeks instead of just one." An old bargaining trick she had learned: offer less than what you are willing to give, so that it can seem as if you are compromising when you're really not. Though it really didn't matter. Sarah had no intention of losing.

"Clever, clever, Sarah. You've learned a few tricks," purred Jareth, caressing her name. A shiver coursed through Sarah's spine. "Very well, I will allow you to run the Labyrinth for your friend, however, even if you win, you will come and serve me for one week. But if you lose, you come and serve me for two weeks. No matter the result, Hoghead goes free with no additional punishment."

He disappeared so suddenly, and Sarah jumped when she felt hot breath on her ear.

"That way, it will be win-win for both of us."

'He smells good… Bad Sarah, bad! He's the enemy! Focus on Hoggle and what you're going to do to get him out!'

She turned to face Jareth, glaring at his irritating smirk, which only served to make it broaden. Jareth thought she was beautiful when angered, though he'd have much preferred her anger to be directed elsewhere.

Sarah gave up her attempts at intimidation, taking a few steps back to put some distance between them before she considered her opponent's counter-offer. The bargain was fair and guaranteed Hoggle's freedom but she hated the prospect of serving Jareth for any amount of time. Still…it would be a chance to see the Underground again. Jareth would not work her twenty-four seven, right? It might be nice to walk through the Labyrinth without anything really important at stake. And with her safety and return guaranteed. And yet still, there no telling what humiliation Jareth would put her through. She could go back to her old offer; a wager instead. Hoggle would only go free if she won. As a result, she would only become his servant if she lost. But that would mean risking Hoggle's freedom. She had barely won last time and that had been with her friends.

"Will I have my friends to help me?"

"No, not this time. My subjects will be allowed to speak to you, even give you directions, but they will not be allowed to accompany you. They will, in short, only be allowed to assist you to the same extent the worm did. And should Hogweed or anyone else insist on helping you against my express orders, they shall be thrown in an oubliette and you will lose one hour."

Sarah considered her chances. It was best not to risk Hoggle's freedom. Jareth was bound to change things around and make them more difficult, and without help...

"One more condition then. If I'm not allowed help this time, then you can't hamper me with your tricks, so no peach dreams or anything like that."

"Very well," sighed Jareth. There went half of his plans.

"Alright then, we have a deal."

She extended her hand. Jareth smiled and took her hand in his, giving it a firm shake.

"It'll have to wait until tomorrow though," continued Sarah. "I'm babysitting Toby tonight. I'll meet you at the park at ten, at the bridge. Do you know where that is?"

"I do," he told her with a nod.

"Since Hoggle will be free either way, could you let him out tonight?"

"So you can summon him with your mirror and give him a kiss?"

Sarah blinked at his answer, and wondered not for the first time about the line from the book telling that the Goblin King had fallen in love with the girl…and then there were the words he had said to her before she won…

Wait a second.

"Earlier, you claimed that I said those six words to you after I won. Does that mean I had already won at that point?"

"You won as soon as you set foot in the castle. That was the challenge: to get to the castle in the center of the Labyrinth to win back your brother."

"…Oh. So, what you said: did you mean that?"

Jareth took a sudden interest in the window. His heart could not stand another refusal.

"I will release Hoggle now. I'm sure you'll enjoy each other's company."

And he was gone. In the blink of an eye. One second he was there, the next, poof.

Sarah waited a few moments, giving Jareth time to free Hoggle, before sitting down at her vanity and summoning her friends.

"Ludo, Sir Didymus, Hoggle, I need you."

To her relief, all three answered.

"Sarah," wailed Hoggle. "What did you do?"

oo0oo

Sarah sat on the railing of the bridge. She had already cleared things with her father and Irene, had told them she would be spending the day with a friend, and that she would be back around eleven o'clock that night. Irene had been thrilled to hear Sarah would be going out for the day and had even helped her pack a lunch. "Well, two lunches. One for her and one for Jareth. Sarah had accepted both because she really hand't wanted to explain why there was no chance of her sharing a meal with Jareth, and because she would need the second for dinner. In addition, she had packed rope, a flashlight, and granola bars.

"Ready, Sarah?" asked a silken, masculine voice suddenly from her left.

The brunette jumped to her feet in a panic before rounding on the transgressor and shouting.

"Don't do that! You nearly scared me to death!"

"Then perhaps you should give up now, Precious," he suggested, softly cupping her cheek. "I'd hate for you to meet with such an end, or any end for that matter."

"No way, bring it on, Goblin King."

"As you wish," he replied.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and Sarah felt a swirl of magick. The next thing she knew, she was standing on a familiar hill looking out at the Labyrinth.

"It's beautiful," she murmured, more to herself then the land's king.

"I'm glad you think so." You'll be ruling it by my side someday, his mind finished. "You remember the rules?"

"Thirteen hours, only verbal assistance allowed."

"Excellent. Your time begins…now."

Sarah began walking towards the Labyrinth, not sparing the blond creature behind her another glance. It only took a few moments to reach the outer walls. She smiled as she looked up. It was like seeing a friend again. Now, how had she gotten in last time? Hoggle had told her to ask the right questions.

"How do I get into the Labyrinth?"

She heard a groan to her right and turned to see a pair of stone doors opening, moaning as they did so.

"Thank you," she said cheerfully as she walked through the entrance. She looked around seeing the seemingly endless straight hall of stone. "Last time I went right, so I guess I head left this time," she said to herself as she started off.

After a few minutes of walking she held, out her right hand so it brushed against the wal. If she came across an opening this time, she would find it.

"Aha!" she exclaimed a few seconds later.

"Careful not to go right!" said a small and familiar voice.

Sarah turned.

"It's you!"

Indeed it was him. The little blue worm from her first trip.

"I don't understand. I thought you lived in that direction." She said pointing the way she had come.

"Sometimes I do. Some parts of the Labyrinth stay where they are, other parts move and change often. My home and the path in front of it are one of those things that are always changing."

"Oh, and I thought everything was always changing around here. Why don't I want to go right?"

"Because it'll take you straight to that horrible castle."

Sarah's jaw dropped. She had gone through all that for nothing? She could have finished running the Labyrinth in a few minutes? Well, if she had, she and Hoggle wouldn't have become friends and she never would have met Ludo and Sir Didymus, so it really was a good thing. But still...

"I want to go to the castle!" she exclaimed. "Thank you for the directions!" she shouted as she turned right.

"Are you sure?" shouted the worm, finding it hard to believe that anyone would want to go to that awful place. But Sarah didn't respond because she was too far away.

oo0oo

"No!" yelled Jareth, jumping up from his throne and throwing his crystal ball against the nearest wall, it shattered on impact coating the floor below in glitter and shards.

"Sarah, you foolish girl! Did it not occur to you that there is more than one castle in the Underground?"