I own nothing, as usual.


(The only chapter to be through anyone's POV)

Memories danced before my eyes, visions I had long ago put away forever

Memories danced before my eyes, visions I had long ago put away forever. I could see the barren lands, seemingly void of all life as far as the eye could see. I could see the massive walls, tall and ominous with the whisper of strength that had only grown with the pass of time. I could spot the little pool and the bushes where the fairies lived. I could see the majestic castle, its distance once a hard journey but now a faded memory.

It was beautiful, the mighty Labyrinth surrounding the ominous castle. I could even hear the whispers that I hadn't before, of the life of the Labyrinth, of its powers and its unwillingness to be conquered or cheated. I could hear them all, the faded voices of my friends and of those that tried to slow me down on the King's orders. I could even hear his voice, though faint as it was I could still make out the words of long ago.

"But, if you turn it this way and look into it…"

"Everything that you wanted, I have done."

"I have done it all for you."

"I have been generous up until now, but I can be cruel."

I had been wrong then. I had thought the Goblin King cruel without equal for doing as I had asked, as I had wished. I did not think he had been generous in any way. I was wrong and I know it now. He had been generous; he had laid his kingdom at my feet, offered me my most cherished dreams, given me a beautiful memory of the ballroom, and moved me through the Labyrinth so that I could save my brother. He did it all in the name of love, even if it meant the rejection of his offers. "Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave…" He had done it all for me. He knew generosity; I did not.

Now, I know cruelty. I know pain, disappointment, ridicule, but most of all cruelty. As I lay dying in a pool of my own blood, I know cruelty. I did not do this to myself, I did not allow it to happen. I simply wasn't strong enough to stop him. Mark, the man I had married at twenty and thought I had loved, did this to me. To our baby. She is gone, off to a better place while I lie, weak with blood loss, waiting to join her. I would be with her soon, but I must do something while Mark is away.

It has been years since I called. Life and Mark had gotten in the way. Things I thought so important then I now realize were trivial in comparison. I don't have the strength to climb up to my old vanity mirror, but I think he will hear anyways.

"Hoggle," my voice is hoarse but I can do nothing about it. I know Hoggle will recognize it no matter what.

"Sarah?" a familiar voice answers me. I turn to see Hoggle staring at me, his large eyes filled with worry. Time had left him untouched since I last saw him, the only exception being his bag of jewels had grown a little. I smiled at him even as he stared wide eyed at my bloody dress and legs. "What happened?"

"I'm dying Hoggle," I said. I feel so calm, so uncaring. It must be my blood loss. My body is numb and I know I should feel pain but the numbness is slowly creeping up on me. "I need you to do me a favor."

Hoggle clutched my hand and I can feel how cold mine are in comparison. "We need to get you help." Hoggle tried to move but I held him in place. I am too far gone to help.

"I am too far gone," I gesture to the blood soaking into the carpet in a widening pool. "I need you to do me this favor Hoggle."

He looked down at the blood and his face seemed to get whiter. I cannot blame him, I'm sure it is a terrible sight for him but he was the only one I knew who could handle this. "Anything Sarah, just tell me who did this to you."

I smile. The ever defensive Hoggle to my rescue. "Tell Sir Didymus and Ludo thank you for all their years of friendship, of being there when I needed them and for helping me through the Labyrinth. Tell them I always miss them and that I love them. The same for you Hoggle." I stopped to catch my breath and wish I had the strength to wipe the tears from Hoggle's face. It hurt to watch him cry over me.

"Sarah, you need help. Please tell me who did this," Hoggle pleaded. I can see he's determined to try and get it out of me. Maybe I shouldn't have called on him. Maybe it would have been better if I had died alone. And yet, it felt right to tell him. I knew it in my heart that this was right, for the pain would have been much worse if I had not said goodbye. They never would have known how I felt for them. I could not handle that guilt, not when I was leaving them behind.

My eyes are getting heavy so I close them. I cannot watch Hoggle cry anymore. It's too painful to see. "I move the stars for no one." I heard the voice whisper in my head and knew I was not done. "Tell the Goblin King I'm sorry. He was being generous and it took me seven years to see that. Tell him thank you for letting me get Toby back and for his offer of his heart. I am truly thankful." I stop there, though I wish to say more. I'm too exhausted to go on so the rest will pass with me. I can't even feel Hoggle's hand anymore. I can barely hear him sobbing next to me. All I can see is the Labyrinth in the distance.

"Goodbye…" was all I said before the world went black.


Next chapter up when I finish it.