A/N: The majority of reviewers said it was a good idea and that they wanted to see where it would go. I love you guys, so I totally blew off my winter break homework to write this. . :)
Sarah jerked back as though she had been burned, her face paling visibly. She cupped both hands over her mouth as the windows gave an almighty rattle in their panes. Closing her eyes, she mumbled, "Please, please, please not again, it's a dream itsadreamitsadream-" she stifled a sob, pressing her hands over her face until her knuckles were white. A burst of thunder caused her to reel backwards, opening her eyes to look with horror at Toby sitting on the bed. "Toby-" she started, moving toward it,-
-but the next clap of thunder was accompanied by the door slamming shut, almost crushing Sarah's foot-
-as she ran forward, banging on the door frantically and rattling the knob. "TOBY!" she wailed, and she swore she could hear laughter in the air. Laughter-
-like he was laughing at her-
-like he would have the nerve to think her pain, her worry, her love for her brother was funny-
"You- you- you MONSTER!" she sputtered. "How- how COULD you? I HATE you!" She turned around, screaming into the empty air, the storm in the sky. "Let me IN! I swear to GOD, I'LL-I'LL-"
When she didn't get a response, she backed up the hallway and flew at the door, slamming her shoulder into the wood and yelling in pain. Gritting her teeth against the sting of the scrape, Sarah narrowed her eyes and backed down the hallway again, this time running at full speed and holding a leg out for impact- kicking it in- like firefighters do-
-and the door burst open, one of the hinges splintering-
-and Toby was in bed, crying, wide-eyed and confused-
Sarah ran to him, and held him in her arms so tightly she could feel him struggling to breathe. Everything fell quiet for an instant, and the wind stopped screeching as she let out a breath. It had been a freak accident. It was a normal storm, and nothing was going to happen, and Toby was safe, and she would never, ever let go of him again.
Then she heard the ever-so-soft steps of heeled boots hitting wood.
"Isn't this touching?"
Sarah turned, shielding Toby with her arms, and opened her eyes.
The Goblin King from her dreams and nightmares stood leaning against the wall opposite her, an eyebrow cocked.
"Y- you-," Sarah shook her head, trying to clear it. "He didn't mean it."
Jareth laughed. It was a brittle, strained sound, like glass cracking.
"Is that any way to greet an old friend?"
Her heart raced. She stood up a little taller. "Friends? That's not how I remember it, Goblin King."
He looked at her for a moment, dropping his face into seriousness. "You know what you have to do," he said with a pause. "Drawing it out will only make it harder, for all of us." He glanced at Toby.
Sarah stared at the being, once so majestic, who seemed…uncomfortable with the situation. She shook her head and turned to Toby, who was still sniffling. "Toby," she said, taking his face in her hands, "I have to go with him." She felt a tear spilling down her cheek, but tried to keep her voice steady for his sake. "But I promise, I'll do everything to get back. Just-just don't worry, okay? I'll figure out a-"
Jareth cleared his throat from his position across the room.
"Your Highness," she spat, standing up. He bowed his head swiftly, and she felt sudden dizziness engulf her. Holding her head in her hands, she closed her eyes and staggered back against an uneven wall. Her eyes shot open as she stared. The walls in Toby's room weren't uneven. They weren't cobblestoned…
She was in the throne room.
Gasping, she looked around the dirty, empty room. He sent her here? And what would happen to Toby? Would he have to run? But he was so young-! No, Sarah firmly told herself. He's a smart kid. He can do it. Especially if he gets help, like I had. I'll make Jareth leave him alone.
Suddenly, the slightest breeze swept over her, mussing her hair. She whirled around to see the Goblin King standing three feet from her, who must have…materialized?…into the room like she did. Sarah swallowed before forcing herself to ask him what she was frantically wondering.
"He has thirteen hours, right? And don't take time away from him, you can't, he's so little already- I just hope he finds Hoggle as is, and-"
"He's too young."
Sarah stopped talking and looked up at him with big eyes, not stepping closer to the King. "What?"
Jareth held eye contact with her fierce glare. "Tobias is too young, Sarah. The High Court rules that those who run to reclaim a Wished-Away must be at least six years old."
A/N: I realize the wording/style of this chapter was a bit jerky, but that's how I wanted the effect to be. There are lots of dashes because everything happened very quickly to Sarah. I promise as we start getting into the romance bit, it'll stop being so dramatic : ) Feedback would be appreciated, although I AM sorry updates are going to be sporadic. I'd rather write this than do my AP Physics project, believe me.
