Chapter 2.
A white owl flew over the Castle Beyond the Goblin City. He soared on broad, powerful wings, swooping lower and lower before finally plummeting through one of the narrow windows that led straight into the throne room. The owl descended in front of the odd half-circle throne, and as he landed he was changed once again into Jareth, King of the Goblins.
Jareth sank down into the throne with his head in his hands. He rubbed his temples with his long, gloved fingers before ruffling them through his wild platinum hair in weariness and frustration. Glancing up with a sigh he surveyed his empty throne room in a rare moment of quiet. Moonlight poured in through the windows and shadows danced in every corner of the room. Every goblin, dwarf, and even chicken had deserted the throne room for the evening, no doubt curled up in their little homes in the Goblin City, or passed out somewhere else in the castle after yet again imbibing too much goblin ale.
The Goblin King felt terribly alone.
Suddenly there was a little scuffling noise coming from behind the heavy wooden doors that led into the throne room from the castle's hallways. One of the doors slowly creaked open, and a little whiskered nose poked through.
Jareth slumped even further down into his throne and rubbed his nose. "Come in, Didymus. I know you're there."
The courtly fox scurried inside and up to the throne, bowing gracefully to his monarch. "Your Majesty."
"What is it that you want, Didymus?" Jareth asked wearily. "I thought you would have gone straight home after the . . . festivities." Jareth couldn't keep the scowl off of his face.
Sir Didymus cleared his throat awkwardly. "Yes Sire, I did indeed, because my poor steed Ambrosius was quite worn out. But I thought I would just stop back by the castle to make sure you didn't need – I mean to make certain that my services were no longer required for the evening," the little fox stated, drawing himself up proudly. Sir Didymus and his family had served the Goblin King for many long years, and at times Didymus felt like he and Jareth were nearly friends. That is, if the Goblin King would ever allow himself to have any friends.
"No, Sir Didymus. You have done quite enough for one day. Besides, if any of my goblin troops see you here now, they're liable to run away screaming," Jareth said drily. "And I really don't think I can tolerate any goblin screaming right now," he groaned, leaning back in his throne. The goblins could look frightening but they were really just mischievous, and all show when it came to runners – especially nice pretty lady runners that would give them cookies and let them sleep in her nice warm sock drawers later. They honestly had no idea how to fight a knight – especially not one as bravely reckless as Sir Didymus, who treated every windmill as though it were a giant.
"It is true - they were no match for us today!" Didymus exclaimed. "It was an excellent run, Your Majesty," Sir Didymus said exuberantly. "Surely we can all be glad that such a noble and lovely young Lady has learned the lessons of the Labyrinth, and has been reunited with her baby brother once more."
"Indeed," Jareth replied in monotone. "You have been here nearly as long as I have, Didymus – you know the Labyrinth would never permit a runner who truly wished for the child back to fail. Particularly not a 'noble and lovely' young runner such as our most recent Champion," he said mockingly. Jareth could not quite keep the bitterness out of his voice.
Sir Didymus (though he would never admit it) may have lost his sense of smell after his long years of service in the Labyrinth, but the rest of his senses were still keen. It was impossible to miss the despair in Jareth's words, his eyes, and even posture as he lounged in the throne. Sir Didymus wanted to comfort his king, but there was a gap between them even harder to pass than the Bog of Eternal Stench.
Most creatures in the Labyrinth avoided the Bog at all costs, and pitied Sir Didymus to be its unlucky guard, but to him it was a dream come true. Sir Didymus loved the Castle Beyond the Goblin City and the sparkling walls of the Labyrinth. He loved the fairy rings and the Fireys' wild parties and the peculiar old odd trees of the Underground. But most of all, he loved his little mossy home by the bridge over the Bog and treasured the honor of being its Guardian and of serving his king.
Didymus took a hesitant step forward. This was not his usual area of expertise, but Didymus would never back away from a challenge.
"I must say, Your Majesty, you played your part particularly well today also," Didymus said with another little bow. "You were a truly magnificent adversary. In fact, I can already see the changes in Lady Sarah based on what she learned today," Didymus said with pride.
Jareth gave a long quiet look at the shrewd little fox. "Lady Sarah," Jareth said softly. "Yes, let us hope she learned the lessons of the Labyrinth well," he mused. "But do not think for even one moment that she understood it," he finished sharply, rising to his feet.
Sir Didymus watched silently as Jareth stalked off toward his chambers.
"Well, there is nothing more that can be done for now. Not tonight," he said softly to himself, his dark eyes shining. He turned back toward the castle entrance and headed for home.