Hello! I'm really, really sorry that this had taken so long! The long tests were okay, but I'd rather not talk about the exams. And schoolwork is piling up!
Anyway, most of you people said that Sarah should be six or seven, so in this story, she would be six going on seven. Thank you too for your suggestions, and your reviews, which had served as my inspiration. Please continue reviewing!
I'm not really that fond of OCs, and I don't like it when they usurp the main characters from their positions, or look MarySu-ish, but I need them here in order for the story to work.
On with the story!
Girl and owl went up the knoll
To see the Goblin City
Owl flew down upon his town
And girl came running quickly
Lightning flashed, thunder rolled, and giant pelts of rain fell down from the sky. The light from a nearby lamppost flickered and died, catapulting her into instant darkness. She hadn't meant to sound like a petulant child, though maybe an enraged god heard her and had sent his displeasure thru rain.
Sarah started to shiver, not at all caused by the cold water seeping through her clothes. She drew her knees up, propping her head on them. It was dark. Sarah was afraid of the dark. The shadows were not friendly – she can imagine them dogging her, and whisking her away to their realm when her guard was down. Mummy didn't want her to have a nightlight in her room to keep the dark away – she said that six year old girls have no reason to be afraid of it.
She usually liked rain; for it washes everything away. The world seems so much cleaner after a thunderstorm, so much brighter. The trees sway merrily, remembering how good the sun's warm rays feel against their leaves. Animals' noses poke out from their shelters, seeing it safe to frolic in the woods once again.
But this kind of rain was not meant to cleanse the world. No, it was for a completely different reason why the heavens were weeping saturnine tears right now.
Someone was coming.
The forest was getting restless; sensing something which did not belonged there. The trees stirred, lugubriously swaying and escalating to a frenetic rhythm as if warning everyone who valued their lives to hide. An unseen dog howled vindictively at the hidden moon, furious at its cowardice.
Terror rose in her chest, making her heart race, and planting the deleterious seed of panic in her mind. She shut her eyes, praying to whoever is listening that whatever it was is not coming for her and wishing for it to stop.
As soon as she thought it, water ceased to fall, as if someone up in the skies had suddenly turned off a faucet. She looked up, and became more surprised at what she saw.
In a swirl of scintillating glitter appeared the oddest dressed man Sarah had ever laid eyes on.
He looked like a cross between a medieval prince and a performer she had seen on television once. Messy, white-blond hair splayed onto an elegant, sequined cape with a very stiff collar. He stood regally, his frilled shirt was spotless, but what caught her eye and made her breath catch was the pair of luminous orbs which were staring back at her.
Sarah was sure that she had seen those eyes on another before.
"You're him, aren't you?" she asked in wonderment. "You're the Goblin King!"
He made no reply, but Sarah had a steadfast belief that silence meant yes.
"You are!" Forgetting her current predicament, she got up to her feet. He was so tall! The top of her head barely reached his waist. She deflated, remembering something her mother had told her. "I'm sorry, Mr. Goblin King, sir. My mummy said that I'm suppos'd to talk to strangers, espec'lly to people in funny clothing."
He raised a questioning eyebrow, and she fiddled her hands in the folds of her dress, afraid that she had offended him.
"You are talking to me now, aren't you, Sarah?"
He spoke in a strange clipped tone, putting a stress on the last syllables. The accent was hard to place, though she liked it very much.
"Well, yes, Mr. King, sir," she agreed. Her eyes widened upon realizing something. "How-how did you know my name?"
He gave a little half-smile.
"I've been watching you for a long time now."
She frowned at that. If he was watching her, how come she didn't see him? Didn't he want to play with her? She was lonely.
"Really? Do you watch other children too, sir?"
"Not everyone."
The sky was slowly clearing, and the moon was cautiously peeking out from behind foggy clouds, wondering if the tempest was over. Stars enkindled their fervid lights once more.
Sarah peered up at the Goblin King anxiously.
"I don't wanna be rude, Mr. King," she began timidly. "Why are you here?"
He smirked, amused with a joke only he can understand. She saw that the tips of his teeth were very pointy. Her pulse raced. If she would say 'What big teeth you have,' would he say 'The better to eat you with!' ?
As if reading her thoughts, he laughed, which did nothing to placate her fear only serving to heighten it more.
"You know the answer to that question, Sarah. You called me."
Sarah stared at him with wide eyes. "I did?" Then she remembered. I wish that the Goblins would take me away…right now! Her stomach dropped. "But-but what if I hadn't meant it, sir?"
He crossed his arms, and she became worried if she angered him.
"What is said, is said. Tell me, Sarah. Do you really want to stay here?"
She stared at him blankly, then directed her gaze at the surroundings. The forest was slowly drying itself up after its sudden shower. In the distance, she could view a solitary light burning brightly in the night, and she wondered if it belonged to her house. Was Mummy upstairs in her room, crying over her things, and wishing for her daughter to come back?
Somehow, she didn't think so. It was hard picturing her mummy regretting her words and actions. In her mind's eye, she can see her mother throwing wineglasses on the walls and waiting impatiently for the guy who liked playing loud music. But Sarah knew that Mummy would forgive him and lavish him attention, when she would spare her daughter none.
No. She didn't want to stay here.
"You can always go back if you wish," he said, noticing her reluctance.
Sarah returned her gaze at him. "Really? How?"
He extended an arm in invitation, doing it slowly so he would not scare her.
"Say the right words, of course."
His proffered hand hovered in mid-air, and without a backward glance, she took it.
Mummy needed time – Sarah realized that she wasn't the only one afraid of the shadows; even adults get scared, too. Mummy needed to fight with the shadows alone. And when Mummy was ready, her little daughter will be waiting for her.
When darkness had removed its doleful veil upon her eyes, Sarah found out that she was standing on a hill.
But it wasn't the knoll which held her spellbound, nor was it her silent companion standing beside her, though he was equally fascinating as well. It was more of the sight right before her eyes.
"The labyrinth," she whispered breathlessly.
She sensed, rather than see the Goblin King giving a small nod of agreement.
Fiery, orange skies kissed the cool, earthly ground in a faraway horizon. She was convinced that this place had a younger sun – never had the sun shined that bright yellow from where she came. Looking below, she viewed the maze itself. The labyrinth stretched infinitely in four directions, so huge that she was not able to see the edges of it. The maze apparently had a mind and will of its own, for it constantly moved without any aid. Shadows darted in and out of the dark corners, warning her that however beautiful it was, the labyrinth possessed secrets to be left alone.
"It's beautiful, Mr. Goblin King, sir," she said truthfully, turning to look at him.
Earlier, she had not seen any emotion on his face, save for amusement, but now he was staring at the maze with an expression which reminded the little girl of her father when he used to look at his daughter.
Sarah returned back to the labyrinth. It was too early to tell yet, but she hoped that one day, he would look at her just like that. She would do her best to earn it.
"It is," he said softly. "Come."
In another swirl of glitter, they were standing at the city gates. The swift change of scenery was slightly disorienting, but the awe overrode it.
Doubling her pace to catch up with his, Sarah tried to look at everywhere at once. It was aptly named 'Goblin City," for those creatures were at any place she cared to see. Although, the girl found out that not everyone were goblins. There were exotic animals, unknown beings, and –she thought a tad anxiously – children.
A boy about her age ran up, bouncing up and down in excitement and said, "Mama look! There she is! I can see her!"
"Hush, Toby," his mother scolded him. "His Majesty is near."
Toby ignored her and ran towards another direction instead.
"You're so pretty!" he said to a reddening Sarah, making her stop in her tracks. Giving an admiring smile, he handed her a flower and ran away before she can say thank you.
"Sarah."
The girl gave a start, realizing that she had fallen back and the Goblin King was looking at her, crossing his arms impatiently. Sarah smiled sheepishly, and tucking the flower behind her ear, she hurried to catch up.
Sarah had seen pictures of castles before, but they paled in comparison with the real one. The pictures failed to capture the way flags flutter in the breeze from their distinguished positions on top of towers and turrets. The images forgot to notice how the sun caressed the stone walls, making the moss and lichen clinging to them greener. And in her books, she didn't have to squint to tell how high the castles were. Most of all, the drawings lacked the essence that the one in front of her possessed in abundance: life.
The interior, if it was possible, was even grander. Lavish tapestries depicting different sceneries hung from white marble walls, and royal blue carpets stretched on the floor. Servants bustled about, bowing and curtseying when the king passed their way and eyeing Sarah curiously, which made her look at the floor to avoid their probing eyes.
She lost track of where they were going as she watched the Goblin King's even, fluid strides, making his cloak billow. Sarah would not be surprised if he knew how many steps to take, so precise his movements were.
"Sarah,"
She halted in mid-step, hearing her named called and almost barreling at the person she was following. Wondering why they stopped, she raised her head.
An ornately carved door was in front of them, and a portly middle-aged woman stood beside it.
"This is Rosalie," he introduced. Rosalie turned to her and curtseyed, smiling kindly. "She will be taking care of you during the duration of your stay here. You may ask her to assist you in anything you might require, as long as it is within her capability."
He inclined his head and walked away.
"Wait!"
The Goblin King turned to look at her, eyebrow raised in question.
Sarah flushed, realizing it was very rude to order a King.
"What is your name, Mr. Goblin King, sir?"
He stared at her for a moment before replying. "Jareth."
It suited him.
"Thank you, Mr… Jareth," she said softly.
She might have imagined the cold glint in his eyes soften when he left.
His even, matched pace quickened as he sped across the halls of his castle, grimly satisfied to see the gossiping servants cower. They were right to be afraid – the Bog of Eternal Stench was not created for the sake of decoration.
Kicking a passing goblin with the toe of his boot just to hear him squeal, the Goblin King pushed the ancient doors of the library open.
Ignoring the scent of musty books which assimilated his senses once he entered, he made straight to his store of liquor, pouring himself a drink of the strongest alcohol he could find.
Immediately, warmth spread throughout his body. Ah, that was better.
Sitting down leisurely, he pushed back his chair to balance on its back legs, raising his boots on his desk, propriety be damned. He was king. No one was there.
He looked down disinterestedly at the papers which flitted to the floor and scattered on his table. Ah, paperwork. The downside to an otherwise perfect job of being a king. No matter. Maybe he could coax Eldred to do it later on. Maybe.
He took another sip of his drink. The rain Aboveground earlier had been relentless, and the little girl he had come to fetch looked so lost – what had happened to her. If he knew what pity was, he would have felt it for her.
But there was no mistaking about what he had seen in her vulnerably open face. The expression in it was not fear, as he had anticipated; nor was it sadness.
It had been affection.
He laughed bitterly, morbidly wondering how fast the admiration in her eyes would fade the moment she knew what being the Goblin King entitled. Shame. It would be nice to have someone admire you.
"So the rumors are true."
Jareth stared at the arrival blankly, having expected his visit. There was only one person who dared to disturb the Goblin King's privacy.
An elderly man in outrageously colorful robes and a long, white beard walked to where the Goblin King was sitting. If Sarah was present, she would have thought that it was Merlin himself, so uncanny his resemblance with the mighty wizard in her books.
He looked pointedly at the feet on the table, which Jareth ignored, raising a challenging eyebrow. It was his desk. He could do whatever he wanted with it.
The old man sighed, knowing how stubborn the Goblin King was. He sat at a nearby chair, waiting for the other to reply. When it was clear that Jareth was not going to speak soon, he prompted, "On my way here, I had passed several groups of servants who, instead of working, were deeply immersed in conversations about the heir apparent finally coming. I take it that these idle chatters were founded on veritable facts?"
No answer. He thought it was obvious.
"Ilona won't be pleased, Jareth," he warned. "She had been hoping that you will choose her daughter. There is no doubt that she will be very vocal about this."
"Let the harpy talk, Eldred," the King growled. "She won't be able to change my mind on this topic."
He silently offered a drink, which Eldred declined.
"What are you going to do now?"
The hand pouring out a drink stilled, as the Goblin King turned the bottle upright, mulling upon how to answer without making him a fool.
"My plan has not taken me this far," he admitted. "I had not expected things to work so swiftly. Certain events have happened in which I have no knowledge of."
Silence descended on them, each wrapped up in different thoughts.
The little lady is in a new environment and most likely is bewildered about it," Eldred began, standing to leave. "Give her time to adjust. After that, she's going to require an education."
He had almost reached the door when he turned to him again.
"Although right now, all Sarah needs is a friend," he said, looking at him meaningfully. "I know for a fact that she would dearly love to see her little feathery acquaintance, to assure her that what is happening is real. Her friend would benefit, too. He would learn about the 'certain things to which he had no knowledge of ' "
Giving a satirical bow, he departed, leaving the library's lone occupant in his thoughts.
After being bathed and dressed, Sarah was beginning to feel drowsy. Her eyelids drooped and she stifled a yawn, wanting to explore her new room. Rosalie however had seen her signs of drowsiness.
"You don't fool me one bit, Little Sarah!" she said, the crow's feet deepening around her eyes when she smiled. "It's off to bed with you, Little One!"
"But Miss Rosalie, ma'am, I'm not sleepy yet!" Earlier, they had come to an agreement that she would call her that.
Her proud declaration was proven false when she gave a huge yawn.
"No buts, young lady. You need your rest!"
"But-"
"A growing girl like you needs all the sleep she can get," Rosalie said sternly, though humor was still dancing in her kind, brown eyes.
Sarah blinked back tears, reminded of how many times her mother used to tell her that.
The old woman, with her honed mothering skills, sensed a change in her charge's mood.
"Is there something wrong, my dear?" she asked worriedly.
Sarah stared at her. "Nothing," she replied softly. "Is this really my room, Miss Rosalie, ma'am?"
"Well of course it is, silly! You don't see other little girls here, do you?"
Sarah shook her head slowly, a warm feeling in her chest. It was hers. There was no former little girl shivering in the cold outside who once owned this room. She beamed.
Rosalie beamed back, happy to see that whatever was bothering her charge was gone. "Now that we've settled it, there's no escaping bedtime, young lady."
The little girl padded noiselessly towards the bed, and lied down on the soft sheets, her caretaker arranging the blankets to cover her.
"Good night, Miss Rosalie, ma'am."
"Good night to you too, Little Sarah, miss. Sleep tight," she placed a kiss upon her forehead. What a polite little girl, she thought, gazing down fondly at the small occupant of the bed. The king has made the right decision to choose her.
Whatever was lighting the room diminished, until the Moon was the solitary source of light illuminating her area. Sarah heard the door softly click open and shut, signaling that Rosalie had left the room.
So many things happened today, she thought dreamily, closing her eyes. Who would've thought that all of those fantastical creatures actually existed? Her classmates would've laughed if she told them about this. Not that she was going to, though. Magic has let her in on her secret, and there was no way that Sarah would break the trust placed on her.
She snuggled deeply in her covers. None of this would have happened if it were not for that fateful day a year ago.
Oh, where could you be, little friend?
Sarah suddenly bolted upright, detecting a noise she desperately wanted to hear. As if summoned by her thoughts, there he was, perched elegantly on her windowsill.
"Mr. Owl!"
What do you think? Please Review!
Mr. Owl finally makes his grand appearance! Why does the Goblin King require an heir? Who is Ilona? Find out on the next chapter!
Chapter 3:
"I thought you had left me, Mr. Owl."