My second attempt at a Labyrinth fic. I'm so sorry I failed terribly at finishing my first one. I still hate myself for it. This one will hopefully go much smoother and without my hard-drive frying. Some of this story is gathered from song lyrics. See White Blank Page by Mumford and Sons. But I don't think it should be considered a songfic.

Three years after the words were spoken Sarah had turned eighteen and was living a normal life with a well guarded past. So sure that her step-mother Irene would send her to a hospital fifteen-year-old Sarah had kept quiet about her adventures among the mazes. Yet, she never doubted its existence or her sanity. Through the vanity mirror she kept in contact with the friends she has made always careful not to tread to closely to the magic and invite trouble into her life. Not even the babe, Toby, who had grown into a slightly chubby, mischievous toddler knew the wonderful tale of the Labyrinth. That was the one fairy-tale Sarah would not share with her young brother. And though she never detected anything but human about the child, she kept a watchful eye out for any goblin influences.

Most importantly since that fateful night when she foolishly wished her brother away to the Goblin City, Sarah had locked away the red-leather bound book in her bedside table. And there it stayed for three years.

Sarah had been accepted as a Psychology major to a state university. It was quite a drive from her father's house but it was just as far away from her family as she felt comfortable without seeming to flee. It was a good school and had accepted Sarah on academic achievement alone, but her extra-curricular activities (especially the state-wide competitions in acting) had ensured Sarah a full-ride scholarship.

On one summer morning Sarah Williams woke up abnormally sad. This was the last moving day. Soon she would be settled into a dorm room several hours drive from her childhood home. But that wasn't the most upsetting part of the day.

Irene respectfully allowed Sarah a last few moments alone in her bedroom before they finished packing.

Sarah unlocked the beside table and pulled the book to her chest. A haunting melody played in her mind as it often did. Sarah gazed at her reflection in the vanity mirror. Her mirrored image copied her as she traced the gold-leaf lettering embossed on the cover of the book, her index finger stroking the flourished "L."

"Friends, I need you."

Her own image began to fade and soon the mirrors surface was replaced by a mass of orange fur. The mass shifted and Sarah choked back a happy sob at the sight of the innocent face of her friend Ludo. Sarah reached forward and braided her fingers in between the course fibers of hair. Ludo closed his eyes and pressed his face into Sarah's palm.

"Are the others nearby?"

The great mane bobbed. Sarah pulled her hand away as Ludo trodded off. Already she felt weak and drained grief. This was a necessity she told herself. Yet, it was a painful one.

From somewhere beyond the mirror Ludo returned, this time he sat back to make room for his remaining two brothers. Hoggle came first, waddling and jiggling with the weight of trinkets strung about his waist. There on his wrist was the same bracelet Sarah had given him in exchange for his help.

Unable to help herself Sarah broke one of her rules and reached beyond the mirror to wrap her arms around the dwarf's neck. Her hair crackled with magical energy and the aroma of spices buried themselves into her clothes, clinging as if for life.

"Sit back girl," Hoggle reprimanded. Though his tone was sharp his eyes were wet and his cheeks were red.

"Oh, Hoggle I'm so-

Sarah was cut off as a shaggy dog jumped halfway over through the mirror and bathed Sarah in affection. Atop the dog-steed was the final member of the party.

"Back, back I said," Sir Didymus ordered. Once he managed to settle back down he bowed. "My Lady and Brother in Arms."

"Sir Didymus," replied Sarah with a bow.

Hoggle stepped forward once more, elbowing the canine aside. "As you were saying, Sarah."

"Oh, I was just going to say how much I have missed you all. And how sorry I am that I haven't called in such a long time." Sarah bent her head in shame. There was more to the summons but she was having a difficult time convincing herself to say it.

"Friends miss Sarah." Ludo crooned in a voice strong enough to call the earth and gentle enough to break Sarah's heart. Tears long held back broke and swelled over the crests of her cheeks.

Sir Didymus took his hat off and held in his hands, working around the brim nervously.

"And what, my lady, may I ask brings us here today?"

"Well," Sarah started, swallowing past the lump in her throat, " it's so I can say goodbye."

The pain on their faces broke Sarah and she collapsed onto the vanity's chair.

Stubborn old Hoggle spoke first.

"So, it's home to this finally. Time to put us away like your toys and grow up."

"No, I would never do that to you. But I have to leave home. I am an adult now. And I want to get as far away from this magic as I can. I know you say The Go- that he hasn't been heard from or seen since that night, but I'm still scared. Scared for me and Toby. I'm starting a new chapter in my life. I can't have him in it.

The three beyond the mirror exchanged a knowing look. No one spoke for a while and a calm understanding settled around them. "My dear, we have been selfish keeping you so close to danger. We only fear you may begin to forget us," Sir Didymus whispered.

"I wouldn't dream of it brothers," Sarah replied. "But I do need you to take this back with you." She extended the book for Sir Didymus to take, but as he reached for it Hoggle knocked the book aside sending it spinning underneath the bed.

"No! That thing must never come here. It has too much power. The King will- Jareth will come back for sure if that cursed book makes its way back. Keep it Sarah. Don't read it if you don't wish. But keep it out of danger and away from others." The mirror began to fade once more and she watched the trio retreating in stunned silence. "Don't look back," she heard Hoggle say, "Don't come back here."

Sarah pressed both hands to the cold glass. She wasn't ready for them to leave. The last thing she heard as her reflection returned was a voice.

"Come back."

Irene Williams heard her step-daughter crying and peeked into the room. Sarah was laying facedown on her bed. Irene sat beside her and ran her fingers through her hair the way she knew Toby liked her to.

"It's not like you can't ever come back. This will always be your home."

Sarah sat up and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"You're right. I'm just being silly. Let's get these boxes to car."

Irene smiled and Sarah smiled back. Soon the car was packed and the Williams' started their four-hour drive to the campus.

Upstairs in the quiet house the red-leather book sat under a pillow in a room that used to belong to a girl; a who once defeated not just a king but a kingdom, a girl who thought her past among the Labyrinth was behind her, a girl who thought wrong.