Awakenings

She could smell the flowers. Lavender, roses, cherry blossoms, a willow tree somewhere- every sweet fragrant beautiful flower imaginable. There was something else though…a musky, spicy scent. It reminded Sarah of something and someone she was trying very hard to forget. Jareth and his labyrinth.

Not his Labyrinth

Sarah's eyes shot open and she gasped. For a moment she forgot about the eternal, eerie voice as she took in her surroundings. She was in a beautiful garden. Flowers of all sorts, as she suspected were growing, seeming at random, but when she looked again they were forming a Celtic knot with paths leading to a lake which reflected a fiery sky….

Not all is as it seems…

"who said that?" Sarah span in circles trying to locate the voice. Suddenly she saw a woman made of russet sand, flower petals and water. She was constantly shifting changing. She beckoned to Sarah to come join her. Apprehensive, but without much choice and curiosity getting the better of her, Sarah drew closer. As she did The woman seemed to change. Now she was more solid more human looking… but she still kept changing becoming every woman at once. She glowed, a soft warm light. Motherly warmth seemed to envelop Sarah. The woman, now wearing a cloak which covered most of her body and cast shadows on her face, smiled at Sarah.

"Who are you?"

You already know the answer to that child. Look within yourself

"Riddles, riddles and more riddles. You must be the labyrinth…"

Soft, musical laughter came from the woman. It sounded somewhat like wind chimes.

The sound relaxed Sarah, made her smile.

"In a way child, yes I am. I am the spirit of the labyrinth…It's Mother"

"Wait are you the Goddess". Sarah vaguely remembered her own mother speak of a being like this…

"I am but a part of the Goddess you speak of but we are all one and the same…"

"Oh…Where about are we in the labyrinth?"

"In the Kings private gardens…my gift to my chosen children- to my rulers of this precious land…"

"To your rulers? The king? You mean Jareth? He's not here is he? And why am I here?" Sarah didn't know what worried her more the thought that Jareth might be here or the fact part of her wants him to be here…

"so full of questions. Your heart is in the lake, swimming but don't worry he cant see us. And you're here because you have a choice to make and I have a gift…. if you want it of course"

Started at the mention of Jareth swimming, she glances out to the lake and sure enough she caught a glimpse of a pearly white back glistening with water. His golden mane sparkled in the soft light falling over his strong, lean rippling muscles. Sarah blushed deeply then glanced away. The goddess laughed again

"Do forgive me but I'm wary of any `gifts` the labyrinth offers….what choice do I have to make And WHY did you call him "my heart!"".

Again the woman-no goddess laughed.

"Patience child all will be revealed. I will speak as plainly as I can to you. The gift I have to offer to you is one of your heritage-a heritage some of your ancestors forsworn"

"Heritage? To do with the labyrinth?" Sarah asks incredulously.

"Yes Sarah, as you secretly always hoped and dreamed. Your mother wasn't always truthful with you. When she left, and left you behind she was trying to escape this world and her obligations. By doing so she abandons her true world with the threat of a potentially disastrous war for her own dreams. She is sacrificing millions of lives for her own happiness. Your choice is the same as your mother's was all those years ago, will you choose your dreams or will you help us? Beware though, your dreams may not be all they seem and your heart's true desires may lie elsewhere…"

Sarah took a deep breath. Anger and hurt swept through her at the thoughts of her mother. How could she turn her back on this place when it is in such dire need? How dare she? Thoughts of her labyrinth friends came to Sarah's mind and a fierce protectiveness came over her. Sarah couldn't make the same mistake she had to help, but first she needed more answers.

"What exactly is my heritage, how can I help and you still haven't explained what you meant by saying "my heart""

"By right you are the Princess, and rightful heir, of the De Bandia Kingdom. This kingdom, if combined with the goblin kingdom will be a force to be reckoned with. Both of these kingdoms have my blessings and together you would be able to bring an end to this war. You and Jareth have a complex fate, set between the stars you are destined to become the most powerful ruler's- your love will save many, you will travel through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered-but survive to enjoy Valentine Evenings and Mornings of Gold. If you choose to help us, you and the goblin king must unite, his gift of magic saved you from your ancestors ignorance- he can awaken your true powers-but only you will let him, only you will see you hold power over each other…Together you will be our Chosen. You will become the High Priest and Priestess, the God and Goddess Incarnate of all the Kingdoms. What is your decision my child?"

Sarah barely even hesitated. She had to help her friends and this world. She had to right her families wrongs. She didn't belong on earth; even though she loved her little brother and her father, she hated the pain it brought them when her and Karen argued. She loved them, yes but wasn't very close to them, their lives would be easier without her. She feared Jareth's reaction, secretly she feared his rejection, but she wanted to do what was right-they could work out their issues.

"My answer is Yes. I accept your gift."